Bill Nighy, Paul McCartney, and others are participating in a tsunami relief benefit through The Art of Care. There will be an art auction.  Here's BN's cute little contribution.  I wonder if AR will participate.  Its getting close so its not looking to good, is it?

Oh another bar code wallpaper!  Thanks Sue! 

Wouldn't it be neat to be at a register, the clerk scans one of your items and poof.....AR appears! 

I just had a "pleasance" surprise.  Here I've been watching BC a good part of the day.  I switch it off and find Donald Pleasance on an old episode of Columbo.  DP played a wine maker in a three piece suit and tie who kills his brother (bad Mr. Hardy!).  What a great great actor he was!

Woo Hoo!  Another post show talk!  Thanks for the news, Sue.  I agree with you though.  If anyone plans to go just for AR...its a roll of the dice, these days.  However, reports from the last post show talk were great and everyone seemed to be really glad they went. 

Hikity, I meant to wish you a safe trip and we'll be here when you get back. 

Hikity, sorry, I forgot to leave my email addy

Hikity, yes, Freiburg and region is really nice! I miss this flair a little bit! But I could go back quite easily (when I've got some days off). Oh, and yes, Kaiserstuehler wine, I miss it! LOL

When will you be in London? Of course, we could meet there! just write me an Email and we can arrange something! Probably I will be in London for more than a year, because I'll start a full-time job from September!

Claudia, yes, Tom Tykwer is really good, I have to watch more of his films! I just love them! What do you think of Heaven and Run, Lola, Run? I can reccomend The Princess and the Warrior (it reminds me of One flew over the cuckoo's nest) but it's in German with subtitles. And I think I would like to go to the Perfume premiere, I just have to get some days off when I should still be in London. But I can't tell if I'll be back to Germany by then.

I don't want to get anybody's hopes up but I see there is post-show talk during the My Name is Rachel Corrie run in October. It is on 18th October. Details of the run HERE

Oh thanks for the head's up on BBC 7, Sue!  I've heard Killing Maestroes to and you're right it is fabulous.  I'll have to try to catch the others and the new interview!

SARF, I don't have any recollection of reading anything like that before.  Does anyone else? 

Ali-Pat, I have been watching/comparing BC today and so far I haven't seen any extra scenes that I can identify but I still have about half left to watch. 

Hey guys!

does anyone know anything about this: http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=8638

Julie-  I'm supposed to be going to London next June too.  I'm going alone though because all my friends are too poor (post-college) to fund themselves over.  So hopefully be the time June comes we can both have gleened some information from this well informed group!  

And to get the place back on-topic a quick paper I made:

O/T - Bill Nighy Fans

My theatre voice.com newsletter gives news of upcoming radio plays etc.

"Sat 13 Aug

THEATREVOICE CHOICE
Bill Nighy Weekend (1-3pm, BBC7) Featuring a new interview with the actor; the
weekend will see a clutch of his favourite contributions to the airwaves
reaired, including Almost Always African, Vongole (today), and Spy Nosey and the
Poets and Killing Maestros (tomorrow)."

I have heard Vongole, Spy Nosey and the Poets and Killing Maestroes and they are all worth a listen particularly Killing Maestroes which is fabulous!!

Julie! Thanks for the link to the David Thewlis pics! I'm a big fan of this man, in fact, I kind of discovered AR through him.

Those family pics look absolutely gorgeous! They look so happy!

No Julie, you didn't offend anyone.  I was just kidding.  I guess it didn't come across as "cute" as it did in my mind. 

BTW, If anyone's interested in seeing pictures of David Thewlis(Prof. Lupin in HP) and his new baby girl, go here:

http://www.david-thewlis.com/

The pictures definitely look posed, so I don't think it's an invasion of his privacy. 

Oh, and scroll to July 26, "pictures of the family." 

Sorry if I offended anyone with my use of the word "bush" in my previous post!  I still have my John Kerry bumper sticker on my car.  People keep asking when I'll be removing it.  I'm thinking it can go to the junkyard with it on there someday. 

subtitles and dubbing: here in Italy we get all dubbed and the voice matches well with the video. Having tried to watch movies dubbed, with subtitles with original language and subtitles in original languages...I have to say that subtitles cut too much of the dialogues

for a movie just to watch once it's ok a dubbed version.

for a movie to keep and re-watch it's cool the dvd with dubbed version and original version with also the chance of subtitles (original language), so you can understand the phrases and/or read what you missed and you can that way also listening to the great real voice of actors

if you read subtitles you miss images, if you watch at images you miss reading something, ehehe.

so I LOVE DVDs with all the  options about language and subtitles

sorry if I made this too long

Claudia, SPOILER : Definitely He will be involved in that Market scene!!

I have to leave for several days and do not know whether I will be able to get my hands on a computer (and internet), therefore I better say bye until Thursday...

A lovely week to all of you

Hikity

There's a story on one of the organizations that AR supports in the Guardian today.  Better Safe Than Sorry 

Julie, I'd hide in the shrubs (don't have the stomach to say the other word) and hide out with you!  (Just kidding everyone...just kidding!)  We have some very experienced London people here so I hope you will get lots of advice.  

Ricki Nicki, I've only seen Run Lola Run and Heaven so far.  The ony other two that are available with NetFlix are The Princess and the Warrior and Winter Sleepers which are already in my queue.  I can't wait to see them. 

Sub-titles vs dubbing.  I know sub-titles make for more work when watching a film but I would much rather have them than the dubbing.  Dubbing, to me, is just to distracting and irritating. The audio seems out of sync with the picture and that drives me nuts!  LOL 

Hikity, I wish I could come over for the premiere but I don't see it happening.  We'll have to count on you and our other German friends to make it and give us very detailed reports and piccies!  Get your cameras ready, my dear! RickiNicki, do you think you will get to go over for the premiere?

Alba, don't worry, I'll post any Barcelona updates that I find and I'm sure everyone else will be on the lookout as well!  I do hope you and Ana get a sighting though.  Yall need to get your cameras ready too! 

Hikity and Ana good luck to your daughter and friend for the audition!  I hope they make it!  What a thrill that would be. 

Hikity, Branagh's Hamlet is due out on DVD sometime in 2006!  KB's is my favorite filmed version of all!   

OMG Sue! 

SPOILER (I think)

Since Grenouille is tried and convicted for the murder of his daughter, I imagine Richis would be at the execution.  Now, the question is....just how involved will AR be in the scene????

Hello everyone-- this is a little OT.  I'm in the process of planning a trip to London, probably next June or July.  What are the things I absolutely shouldn't miss?  I'd love if some are AR related, of course.  I'll be with my parents, so they probably won't want to disguise ourselves as bushes and hide out in front of his house, as I'd probably do if I were alone!!  (Oh come on, you'd all do that, too!!)

Feel free to email me with responses, so I don't tie up the GB with OT stuff.  Thanks!  ~Julie

Ana, whoever you are, you are certainly wonderful. ROFL....I had the same thoughts about it and therefore told my daughter to apply, hihihi. She is 19 and looks medieval...

We should read again the last scene (of the book) to find out whether we get another glimpse of Alan's wonderful a*.. or not (sorry to everyone here in case someone feels offended). Then I wouldn't mind that much

 and BTW-I somewhere read here that they are about to start filming at Barcelona not before the 8th of August.

RickiNicki, Freiburg is a lovely town (and the area anyway. I am alone here tonight and while watching Hamlet with Kenneth of course and ironing I have that great Rosé from the Kaiserstuhl.) How long do you stay in London? I am flying over soon. May be we could meet for a coffee in Starbucks??

Have a great time in London! And Kathy, you too for the rest of your trip!

Cheers, Hikity

3rd of August?!!!! (I mean... er... Hello. How do you do? It's been a long time, eh?) Now, THIRD OF AUGUST?? Whoa... I think I'm going to visit some friends in Barcelona... ehem!!

About the casting for the extras, I've got a friend that went to it and they were asking if you would have any problem to undress for the film... So, the brain begins to work... Barcelona, August, bloody hot everywhere, you're naked with 7000 more people naked too and you see Alan coming in your direction, with a very nice suit... "Run Lola Run"... (No kisses in the cheek to Alan, uh)

Thank you very much for the info and I hope that everybody is having a nice summer.

Ana.

PS: I'm sorry

I know, it's me again, but I just read the other posts. I'm not sure if AR doesn't like cats, but I read in an interview that he had a bug on his hand and he just said "fly away, little bug", or something like that. So he might like insects as well. And I can remember a fan asking him if he likes dogs, and he said "yes".

last post.

Oh and I forgott to add, I also think about Perfume a lot while I'm strolling through London. Isn't a great book, great cast and great director? I'm still waiting for interviews of AR from German magazines. They just don't recognise him - shame.

Hikity, oh I wish I could be in Cologne, I love this city, but anyway. The English title for "der Krieger und die Kaiserin" is "the princess and the warrior". I don't know why it's not emperor instead of princess. I bought this DVD in London, but it's still German with English subtitles. I can't understand why they don't dub foreign films here. It's so annoying if you have to read the subtitles instead of watching the film. Oh and yes, I'm very glad that there a new elections in September. At the moment I'm in London working as an au pair. But I'm originally from Freiburg, Baden-Wuerttemberg

Ha, Rickinicki, just read your last post. Well, we'll have elections in September, so you  have your chance!!

Now what is the correct English title of Der Krieger und die Kaiserin?? Or was there never an English version? Watch Heaven, when you are back - it's another good film. BTW, in which county are you at the moment??

If he doesn't like cats, so what? May be he is allergic to them. I believe there are a lot of men who do not like cats at all but are very fond of dogs.

How tall must be that man with the puppy dog? 2 metre something? Great photos, Claudia.

And yes I agree, Tom Tykwer has made very good films so far. Two weeks ago I watched Run Lola Run and The Warrior and the Empress (both in German) and I am absolutely impressed. Funny enough I had the same thoughts about The Parfume today while I was shopping in Cologne. ...Yeah, my thoughts -esp when I am on my own - are always somewhere around Him, just terrible . well, anyway, I am convinced that The Parfume will become a Hit (shall we bet???) Wager: bottle of Champagne? Or a trip to Munich to the Premiere next year September, hmm? Claudia, are you coming?? And Dee, my offer still stands although you have been teasing me today

Nighty night

Since I'm busy with work every day I've become rather a lurker than a poster. I know - shame on me. But I try to post more often by the end of August, when I will finish my au pair job. I hope you don't mind posting... *gg*

Which TT movies have you seen so far, Claudia? Did you like them? I've been a fan of TT since I saw Run, Lola, Run. But I haven't seen Heaven yet. Have you seen The Princess And The Warrior? Another unusual film penned by TT. When I saw RLR I was quite impressed by his intelligent movie making. And I also think he is the right director for Perfume: Story of a Murderer. At least there are some great Germans, since I don't agree with our government any more. LOL. But then let German films and directors rule!

I loved reading Emma's diary of S&S, it makes me laugh. And i did notice that they spent an awful lot of time having drinks..........i specially loved the one where Emma was shooting a scene and Greg and Alan swooned in after a "glorious day of visiting wineries and pubs, we all spat at them"................or the one where Alan spins Emma around the dance floor, and they took the opportunity to relax and release and were all under the table by 12, except for Greg who was on the ceiling.........

Oh to be a fly on the wall,,,,,,,,,,

Ooh Err!!

Here

I just finished watching another Tykwer film, Heaven.  All I can say is Wow!  I can really see why AR and DH wanted to work with this extraordinary director.  And I have a new hope that TT is going to do something really good with PPoaM. 

TT is right up there with Anthony Minghella  in my book!  Although TT doesn't quite have the eyes and voice of Minghella though.    I was quite pleased to see that AM pop up on the DVD extra.  He was the Executive Producer of Heaven.  

Thanks for the link TSO.  AR is going to be brilliant as Richis! 

kathy, I do believe we are in another slump.  I'll have to peruse the archives again and see if I can come up with something to occupy our time.  BTW, I bet your kids miss you a bunch too. 

Dee, the passage in Emma Thompson's incrediby funny S&S diaries goes like this:

Page 257

Saturday 3 June: 

Bed with a pill at eleven. Woken at three by the birds, at four by the draught and six by the light.  In to work with a stiff neck for 8 a.m. Pissing down. Perfect.  Must finish early as the move to Salisbury will kill everyone.  Haven't had enough sleep this week and next week is night shoots.  I'll look ninety. 

Imelda (to me): 'You'd suit a bad perm.'

Very nice lady served us drinks in hotel and was followed in by a cat.  We all crooned at it. Alan to cat (very low and meaning it):'F**k off.'  The nice lady didn't turn a hair. The cat looked slightly embarrassed but stayed. 

I don't see read any sign that ET, AR, and company were at breakfast or any meal for that matter.  Maybe they were just having "Happy Hour".  Nevertheless, Vera is right in that many fans take this passage to mean that he doesn't like cats.  Who know though?  He may have just been in a bad mood. 

The pictures below made a lot of fans assume that he likes dogs. 

The story behind these photos goes like this.  The guy was walking his dog one evening when he passed by the Richard Rodgers theatre. There was a crowd at the stage door and he stopped to see what was going on.  When he asked, a couple of fans told him they were waiting for Alan Rickman to come out so he decided to stick around and see what all the commotion was about.  When AR came out, the guy asked if he would have his picture made with him and his dog.  And like most of the time, AR obliged. 

Now, I'd like to think that he like all animals (well, except snakes....and maybe spiders...are they considered animals?) but I can't assume that he likes dogs from these pics no more than I can assume he doesn't like cats from the diaries.  I suppose this is a couple of questions a lucky fan will have to ask him one day.

DEE, is it April 1 back there in Indiana??? "Insolent girl" I took that screen cleaner totally seriously - I can't believe my stupidity when it comes to computers... I waited for ages for the cat to finish its licking, hahaha

Claudia, Thanks a lot - your are really an angel!!!!Don't know how life was before I virtually met you all here...My daughter is interested in going to Barcelona as she will start to study Spanish (and English and Law) at the University of Marburg on 15 October (and she is a very talented amateur actress)

Luv y all

In her diary on the S&S shooting, Emma Thompson writes that there once was a cat strolling around their breakfast table at one hotel and that Alan told it to f*** off. Therefore, many fans believe that he doesn't like cats in general. While that might be possible, I could imagine that he just doesn't like cats to stroll around his breakfast table.

Oh, by the way...why wouldn't AR like the kitty? Please don't tell me that he doesn't like cats?!

Hikity -- I'm afraid the cute kitty is just a clever computer joke that someone invented! The program isn't really "cleaning" your screen -- it's just suppose to make you a giggle! You can close out of it anytime.  I hope it made you smile!

Hi all-arrived back in London today after a fabulous, time in Cambridge--the course was fantastic and I met lots of fun people!  Not many computers around that town so felt a little isolated, but it was the experience of a lifetime.  I got my HPatHBP and read it cover to cover and cried at the end!

Have been scanning the posts, lots of lovely pictures but not much AR news, are we on another drought?

I go home Tues--miss my kids, my bed and my bathroom shower!!!  But I have had a fantastic time here in the UK.

Have they announced the cast for the Order of the phoenix already?

There's a fairly good summary of the book (Perfume) at Literacy Encyclopedia.

 I suppose I should put a SPOILER warning here because it does go into some detail.

http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=16617

Hikity, I don't know how reliable this is but this was posted over at IMDb. 

Someone posted this so I'm assuming that it might be a phone number to Ikiru Films.  The poster just posted this number with no explanation.

93.356.83.51

And here is an address:

Ikiru Films
c. Ciudad de Granada, 45-1º-2ª
(Poble Nou) Barcelona
Metro: Llacuna (línea 4)

Good luck and please let us know if this is good contact information. 

BTW, does anybody by chance know where to apply for the alleged 5000 extras they are looking for in Barcelona???

Finally managed to read all your comments and

THANKS A LOT for all these WONDERFUL pics. As Mesmer he is sooooooooo gorgeous (and sometimes sooooo Snapy).

Dee, thanks for that lovely cat. I clicked on your link and since then I have had this cat cleaning my screen...Is that o.k.?? Do I just have to wait until it is ready? And no closing down of programmes I do hope...?

Oh Sue! Keep in mind, Dahl didn't only write fantasy. He's just more well-known as an author of children's fantasy. Many people seem to forget that Dahl was a master of the short story. I particularly like the macabre aspects of his stories. And trust me, some of these stories are not for children. And they're not fantasy either.

Can you tell I'm a RD fan?? And, in particular, a short story fan?

Anyway, sorry for the OT people! Back to AR news. Or, since we are lacking in AR news, on to the Johnny Depp stuff!

Hello everyone.  Hope you are well.   Wow, so many delicious pics to feast our eyes on.  Merci beaucoup, annick.

Those Mesmer screencaps are gorgeous.  Haahaa, did Alan slide down a bannister?  Too funny, and omygoodness, those pics with his face where he looks like he's having ...ermm, where he looks in a state of ecstacy!!  I would love to see this film but it isn't on region 2 DVD....ack!  I think Alan looks fantastic in period costume.  Oh, Colonel Brandon.....*swoon*.

Also, thanks for the pics from Winter Guest.  I now have the DVD in my possesssion.  I'm hoping to watch it over the weekend so I'll let you know all about it, Claudia.

Heehee, yes Alan might tell it where to go.  Gorgeous cat though and I now have a clean screen, thank you.

It's Saturday morning here Claudia!!

Just got back from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Seriously weird film but great fun. I have never been into Dahl (I'm not big on fantasy)and only saw the first movie a couple of years back so had no pre-conceived ideas or prejudices. A great cast including Adam Godley and his ears! Freddie Highmore is a super little actor and Johnny Depp managed to bring all sort of people to mind including Michael Jackson. I'd recommend a viewing!

  Its Friday night!!!

"Snape playsets"! 

Daydreamer, I'm sorry but the Gissing clip is protected.  Hopefully they will leave it up for a long time.  It looks like the list of projects go way back long before Gissing so maybe it will stay put. 

Now off to test some download clips. 

Sophie, I got my Snape playset at Toys R Us, but that was over a year ago and I'm not sure if they still carry them.

Where do I find the snape-playsets? Have to buy one!

This just reported in one of the Yahoo groups from a fan in Spain. 

I have read in a spanish newspaper ( from barcelona) that the shoot of the film "el perfume" will beguin next 8.8.2005 in barcelona.

Thanks for the head's up on Sigorney Weaver's Radio 4 play sounds interesting.  I'll mark my calendar.

Laura, I'll check out the list and let you know something a little later today.  I'm so sorry you're having problems but I'm sure its something we can work out some way. 

Here's another BBC radio play story with an AR link -- Sigourney Weaver will be doing a new radio play about Vietnam war nurses.

http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/story/0,1259,---26389,00.html

I just emailed you from my personal email account, Claudia, not the one that I post here-

Subject: from Laura.Italy

Thank you

Oh darn, Claudia!  It would have been so cool had you been able to join me! 

Radio 4 will have a couple plays with iffy AR links. 

Tomorrow's Saturday Play will be The Bottle Factory Outing by Beryl Bainbridge.

Thursday's (Aug.4) Afternoon Play will be Encore for Stalin with Imogen Stubbs. 

Why oh why doesn't AR do some of these again?? 

Sue- I just got back from seeing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I'd managed to persuade my 3 kids, aged 16 12 and 10 that they really wanted to see it but i didn't need the cover! There were a surprising ammount of unencumbered women! We all loved it. JD is a real gem in every thing he does. He is fast becoming my second favourite actor. Have fun tonight.

Hello Girls!!!

I write you last time this month,because I go on holiday in the western South of France during three weeks!!

I had a small question to put you.It would be possible to try to find the partition piano of Take Me with You??

I am a musician and I shall like playing this music!!!

Thank you and I return in three weeks (I leave only on Sunday)

A last portrait before I leave (I do not still know who realized it)!!

http://photobucket.com/albums/v641/ARDLHGB/?action=view&current=Portrait5.jpg

 Darn it Sabine!  If it weren't on a weekday I'd come join you but by the time I got off work and drove up there, I'd be to late and it would be impossible right now to take off early. Drats!  

Ohhh I see its Johnny Depp time again!  Yall have fun and don't laugh to hard when the unfortunate kids get their come-uppance!  LOL 

For anybody who is interested, The Leaky Cauldron just posted Jim Dale's book tour schedule:

Random House has sent us the rest of Jim Dale's booktour schedule:
Thursday, June 28, 7:00 PM
The Levy Center
300 Dodge Avenue
Evanston, IL
Arranged through The Book Stall at Chestnut Court
847-446-8880

Tuesday, August 2, 6:30 PM
Barnes & Noble--Alpharetta
7660 Northpoint Parkway, Ste 200
Alpharetta, GA 30022
770-993-8340

Tuesday, August 9, 6:00 PM
Politics & Prose
Politics & Prose
5015 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 2008
202-364-1919

If anybody would like to go to the reading in Alpharetta and would like to meet up for a cup of coffee or something, let me know.  :-)

Thanks Dee! My screen is "squeaky clean" now!!

Talking of Row, we are off to see Willie Wonka tonight!!

sue -   That was too funny! 

Hello to tonksmail and I hope you will join us as often as you can. 

Thank gawd for thumbnails, martha! 

Thanks for the links, annick!  I should have known that the last one was Row's!  If I had only taken the time to read!  Row has tons of neat papers, icons, sigbars, etc over at Truly Madly Wallpapers. 

Dee!  The monitor cleaner is adorable!  I'm afraid AR might not think so though!  LOL

OMG, I totally missed AFNH's post about the miniature Snape! 

Sue!!!!!  You are just to funny for your own good!  What a hoot!!!!   

This is the last one, honest!!

I am Sooooooooo , but I just had to!!

A.R. WALLPAPERS

http://www.truly-madly-wallpapers.co.uk/thumb_selection.html

un autre lien pour MESMER :

http://www.truly-madly-wallpapers.co.uk/images/wallpaper/mesmer.jpg

what is going on in notting hill? police razzia? doesn't AR live there?

OT -- My brother emailed this get info to me. At first, I was worried that it was a virus that got into his address book, so I emailed back to get his confirmation. He gave it two thumbs up, so I tried it -- and it's great! It takes a few minutes to load, but it's worth it.

Merci, Annick.

http://www.alanrickman.cz/M1.htm

LIEN POUR MESMER

AFHN --

That remark made me choke on my cocoa!

Ali Pat -- Lucky you to have such an understanding boss! Everyone at my library thinks my passion for AR and HP is weird. Can you believe that none of the children's librarians have even read the new book yet?! Frankly, if I was the director, I'd fire them!

Whew!  Thanks for thumb-nailing those.  My dial-up totally choked on all those big beautiful pics.

Ohhhh thank you, Annick!  The second one at the top and the last two are beautiful!  Do you know who made them? 

Also, a sad day......it looks like Tami has taken "The Voice" offline.  I hope she's just changing servers and will be back soon. 

MESMER

Oops, I forgot to mention as well.  I haven't forgotten the Gissing clip.  I'll work on trying to record it this weekend. 

Laura, let me know which clips you're having problems with and I'll check them out for you. 

Ohhhh my Mesmer!  Thanks for the pic, Rachael. 

You know, the film Mesmer has its problems but its still a fine performance from AR and Amanda Ooms.  And the AR factor was excellent eye candy too! 

melissa, What Not to Wear is one of the very few reality/self help/home improvement shows that I watch with any regularity.  I saw the show you posted about and had AR in mind the whole time too.  I actually think anything AR wears is fabulous on him and I was disappointed that they didn't mention him in their male lineup. 

Its Friday....Its Friday... 

I asked a friend to download some large clips but I keep trying to open them and I get an error message even to unzip them. Did it happen only to me?

Sorry for my always asking questions :-\

A touched-up Mesmer (so as to speak!)

Hey I found a picture that was new to me and I was going to see if anyone else had seen it before.

Handsome ain't he.

Tonight i saw the BBC show "what not to wear" with Trinny and Sussannah.....and they did a special on men.......they focused on British male celebs and put them into categories.

now, before anyone gets excited..Alan was NOT on the show!   grrrr.....he could have fit into anyone of a number of categories: market stall clothing (hehehe) or just TOO cute to care too name a few.   I must say i was shoked that they didn't even mention him!  they could have had a field day with that top button on his jackets. heeheehee

oh well....i sat at the edge of my seat for nuttin.....

Thank you.

Nice paper Daydreamer

Rachael - do you mean this one??

Hey I had to reboot my computer because of a major virus and lost everything and I am looking for a picture. Its the one with the the girl standing beside him in the tiger suit and he is in a robe setting down, I can't find it anywhere.

~Rachael~

 yeah I was a bit taken aback by it!

leanne

-x-

I'm sure going to see him on stage would be a great motive, Ali-Pat!  LOL 

Another way to lose weight with AR was documented over at Suzanne's a while back.  The fan would reward herself everytime she met a diet goal with a new AR film. 

Sheryl, there was an AR sighting reported couple months ago at a performance of Spamalot.  He was seen with Sigorney Weaver.  I hope you get to see it!  I want to see it sooo bad!  I heard a blurb on the news a few days ago about it doing a North American tour but I haven't been able to find anything else about it.  Here's Spamalot's official website which has a link to tickets.    

Ohh Elaine!  The Rickmanesque Sneer icon is perfect! 

 I'm left a bit speechless too, Leanne.  LOL

hi all, just back reading and i see you found the sloganizer!

well i typed in Severus Snape a couple of weeks ago and it came up with: Severus Snape- Better than sex!!

well i dont know about you but I wasnt quite sure what to say to that! what do you think?

leanne

-x-

I want this for Christmas:

It will give me many hours of play.......

BTW, Daydreamer, those two pics complement each other so well on that wallpaper. Good work. I did this icon and then thought about you!

  and then "Rickmanesque" for Claudia:

I just read on http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org that Jim Dale is on a US tour reading from HP books.  Over the next few weeks he'll be in DC and Atlanta.  They're hoping to have a full schedule at TLC over the next few days, so I'll keep my eyes open.  Maybe I can make it to the Atlanta reading.  :-)

Lucy--thanks for the Sloganizer!  Very funny (And Claudia--I did lose weight with Alan Rickman.  Only works when he is planning to do a play on Broadway, though).

Sue, thanks for that beautiful cast photo from TSFJG!  It is still a very fond wish of mine that the film will be released one day.  Or at the very least that the end credits will show up as a music video.

Glad everyone is enjoying Google Print so much.  (Thanks for the captures, Claudia!    Don't know why that link only worked half the time.)  I know that Amazon did it first ("Look Inside the Book") but only for registered users and only for portions of selected books.  Google Print doesn't always give you access to the book text, but it will at least index all of it and give you a citation.  I can see I will be busy on In Passing for quite a while! 

And Dee, thanks for your grave concern.  But my boss is a Harry Potter fan and I think he understands.

Daydreamer, I love your wallpaper!  I put it to immediate use!  LOL

I don't know if the Gissing clips can be saved to your computers or not.  I will try to use my recorder tonight but if they are protected, it won't work.  I'll let you know this evening.

"Rickmanesque", I like that term!  It should be used in every acting class known to man!  *grin*

Morning all.

Found this little snippet from a Google alert:

"I also adore the sinister Snape, who is my favourite among Rowling's creations. I can't believe Rowling hasn't been influenced by Alan Rickman's performance as Snape in the films, since his sneering has become positively Rickmanesque in this book."

This was from a literary reviewer at The Telegraph. Hmmmm. She always wanted AR for the movie role of Snape even when Tim Roth was first asked (I am SO glad he turned the role down!) Has she always been influenced in this way? I kinda think so....

Thank you guys for the f11 trick, it helped. I loved the scenes, specially the one with Alan in it, very funny. i love the 'slam' and then the 'thump'.

Some wonderful finds today! Thanks for the info, Ali-Pat and Sheryl. I sure wish we could see the rest of AR's Gissing work.

Alfan--to see the menus, try viewing the site in full screen mode (hit the F11 key). Hit it again to return to regular screen.

What a nice day we've had on the GB today!  Thanks for all the pics and other "stuff." 

I'm not sure if I've welcomed all the newbies yet, so WELCOME!  It's great to see that the AR community is still growing! 

Ok, when i click on the link, it just shows a picture of Mike in  a white t-shirt and the captions, Welcome to the official site of Actor, Comedian, Writer, Director Mike Binder. There is no words that say clips, photo's or any other menu type words.........whats up wit dat? I can see other grey and red parts but i cant scroll down, up or sideways.............go figure......... makes me angry so  if you dont mind im going to quote a little JG--" im going to take a long and plaintiff piss on that chair". Would you believe i actually quoted from this movie to my boyfriend the other day. He was telling me that ( troubles with work) everything is going to be fine, i always wanted to say it so i did, i looked at him and with a strait face i said " no, no, you cannot use the word fine until we get you a dictionary and learn the meaning of the word fine, because you confused  it with the word f-cked my friend, not fine-f-cked"---------he just looked at me and i said with a smile on my face "sorry, another Alan Rickman movie quote"......he shook his head and said " good one".  I usually use one a day, just like a vitamin it makes me feel good. RELEASE THIS DAMN MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elaine, I keep hoping it will be released to DVD and/or the premium cable channels.  I think its Cinemax that show Londinium quite often and as far as I know, I don't think it was ever released in DVD and definitely never to cinema. 

Since Sue posted the cast pic, I thought I would post the sexy pic of Mr. Gissing.  

Welcome Sheryl!  I'm so glad you decided to join us.  I hope you will post often.  Thanks for the new Binder site.  Those are new clips. 

Alfan, at the top of the screen, click on "Clips and Photos" and the menu of Binder films will appear to the left. 

*snort* I love how when the clips are loading it says "getting loaded"!  Typical Binder humor. 

I really do wish MB would make up his mind what side of the camera he wants to be on.  The Binder films are good but Binder plays the same Mind of a Married Man character every time, IMO. 

I've seen Gissing too and AR's performance is comedic genious.  But, again IMO, the film as a whole is on the same level as Londinium.

Thanks Sheryl (and welcome). I haven't seen the film nor do I think we will ever see it as time goes on. It's far too dated now! But, I'm told that AR is brilliant in it - but when isn't he? I wish he would do more comedy as I think he has great timing and a real feel for the genre. So, I've seen the silent clip, will have to wait until I get home to hear the dulcet tones! (No sound on work pc).

I went to the Mike Binder site and it has him on the front and the words Mike Binder on the bottom but it wont let me scroll down, whats up with that or am i the only one ?

Oh Nice find Sheryl

Here's one of the pix of the cast:

I've seen the film on a dodgy video and it's a shame it's not been relaeased. It's not perfect but is very funny and JG looks great!!

Just been on Getty to have a look at the other RADA pics. Can't wait to pick up my copy! Lots of your favourites, Claudia!

I was also amused by the 1938 pics of RADA students doing things like "Learning laughing" and having a "Make-up lesson". They all seem to be dressed for the Office, too - shirts and ties, jackets, "naice frocks" and "costumes" (as my Nan used to call jacket and skirt suits). I've always wondered what RADA students actually learn.....

AFNH, Umbridge is SO like I imagine her. What a nightmare to have worked with someone like that - I sympathise! She's a very talented artist. I still think Mad Eye Moody is the best!

Thanks for the waterless pics, too - and Daydreamer. I quickly demarked them this evening but did not do such a good job. Made an LJ icon instead!

Re. the "rest of the roll": there must be oodles of pics we have never set eyes on out there because photographers' don't just take one or two and then say "okay, let's pop the film into Boots!" THey hold down that shutter button  and let rip! Let's hope for more....

Ohhh great minds think alike Daydreamer and AFNH! Thank you for the watermarkless images.  So the lips are hard to uncover, eh?  It looks like you two did an excellent job. 

What a cute little site, Lucy! 

I tried "Alan Rickman" and got these two cuties.

«I lost weight with Alan Rickman»  I wish! 

«Alan Rickman, to h*** with the rest»

«Truly Alan.» It's like it knew.

«It's my Alan!» And again

«Alan, love it or leave it.» Hear that, critics?

«Alanrific.» Oh, yeah!

«When you say Alan you've said it all.»

«Alan it's a kind of magic.» Absolutely.

«Alan - If you love Alan.»  ALAN!

«The Alan way of life.»  It's the best.

«Get me my Alan.»   A girl can dream, can't she?

«Alan for everybody.»  He's Our Man.

«Nonstop Alan.»  What I like on Movie Nights.

«No Alan, no kiss.»  Mmmm...dreaming again...

«Take what you want, but leave Alan alone!»  That's right!

«Alan wonder.»  That voice, those hands...that man!

«Passion for Alan.»  What we have.

«There is no life without Alan.» 

«The original Alan.»  Take no substitutes.

«One goal, one passion - Alan.»  'Nuff said.

I like that pic but am sure it will show up better in the exhibition(hopefully). Maybe more will turn up as some of the people have several pix, he must have spent at least a roll on him, surely!!??

Emily wrote:

Me too! 

Ah, I suppose the RADA picture might look a lot better blown up large in coffee-table book size, and without "Getty" stamped across it.  I just wish photographers would take pictures of AR's whole face, not half of it, when they get him to sit down for a portrait! 

Ali-Pat, I second the thank you for "Google print". This could provide me with many happy hours of procrastination.

Ali-Pat!  Google Print is amazing!  Thanks again for the head's up on it! 

Thank you Sue!  Mesmerizing is an excellent description!  I can't wait to get my book. 

Anyone going to try to remove the watermark? 

Oh, I don't know...that pic is rather.....mesmerising! Nice to have the info about it, though.

Thanks Sue. I'm a little disappointed that that's the picture in the RADA book. It was used as his photo in the Emmy booklet when he was nominated for STLM. I don't think he looks particularly good there (still bearing the weight he put on for STLM) and the pic is too arty-dark, IMO. They must have just added it today to the Getty online site. Sigh. I was hoping for an entirely new photo!

Now this is what I call strange! Remember there is to be an exhibition of RADA people by Cambridge Jones? And remember that of all the pix we were looking for on Getty  there was not one of AR? I googled RADA on Getty just now and was going through the pix and what should I find but this?

 LONDON - MARCH 9: Alan Rickman poses during a photo call held on March 9, 2004 at his home in London, England.

That was 2004 BTW. I have seen a very small version of this pic on HBO, I think.

The weird thing was that when I clicked on the pic it said date submitted (to Getty):27 Jul 2005 03:20 AM

Spookee, eh!

Hey, yo! Check out this site..

http://www.hollywood.com/celebs/detail/celeb/190239

Look at Alan's Filmography just below Snowcake..

Stories of Lost Souls? Alan's New project?

I never heard of it..

Okay, i'll went to sleep and check out the progress tomorrow, it's mid-night in Indonesia

Claudia, tks a lot for the extract of Wannabe (I didn't manage to see the pages, too).

Google print is fantastic and helps me a lot for my studies. Thanks very very much for that tip! (I forgot who posted it,

Assi, I know, there are so few people here who know His name or who He is. I believe it has a lot to do with his dubbed voice (and the kind of films of course). Never mind - WE know and that's most important.

Ali Pat -- Wait a minute, girl! Aren't you suppose to be "working" at YOUR library instead of dreaming about AR?! I'm working at MY library today and I'm muuuuuuch toooooo busy to play around on the internet visiting AR sites.

Is anyone else suffering from this horrible heat wave? It was 101 degrees here yesterday, then we had frightening storms with tornado warnings. My husband is gone, so my son and I huddled in the basement all evening. Scary!

Also: Do any of you know anything about the Urbana, Illinois? My husband is working there now (He only comes home weekends. Sigh...) and we might be moving. I'd like to know more about the area. You can email above. 

Claudia -- Sorry this is all OT!

Oh see I don't even have to ask, she just does it!!

Ali-Pat, what a wonderful thing that google print is! I've just skimmed through it so far but I can see me spending a lot longer reading all those wonderful extracts. I never knew there was so much in print! Thank you for that.

Well Claudia obviously can see it  Can you give another link Claudia please?

Here's the AR reference, Sue.

OMG, Assi, you live in Moers???  I'm originally from Dinslaken!  Small world, isn't it?  :-)

Ali-Pat: thanks for the link!  The excerpt is indeed hilarious!  I really needed a good laugh this morning.

Unfortunately Ali-Pat that link doesn't show us Pge 148/149 or am I being a bit dense as usual? But thanks for the link anyway as I wasted far too much time clicking on all those Google AR links!

Ali-Pat, I am still digging around for my taped verson of BC.  I want to watch it compared to the DVD version some time this weekend.  I'm dying to know if there are any differences! 

Great find on the Wannabe book!  I can just visualize and hear that "Neeeeeexxxxxxxxxxxttt"! 

I just can't help myself.......I have to pass a little judgement. That guy is a rude arrogant little sh**!  How dare he call a woman like Dame Judi Dench such a name!   

Google has introduced a new toy to play with--"Google Print".  You can use this to search out terms in printed books.  So of course I had to try my favorite search term, "Alan Rickman".  Among other things, it yielded a hilarious excerpt from a book called Wannabe:  A Hollywood Experiment by Jamie Kennedy (which I can't copy and paste, much as I'd like to!). 

Here is the link to the pages (148-149).

Some days, being a librarian is quite entertaining.

Thank you all for that warm and hearty welcome. I am glad I found you.... and this site of course ;-)

And all that gorgeous photos! Mmmmmhhhhh....

@ Hikity: I was very disappointed about the lack of attention the press paid to AR's recent stay in Munich. Okay, there were interviews with DH and reports on the film production, but I would have expected at least one interview with AR himself. Anyway, I am working on his popularity in the Moerser area.

Hi Vicki--interesting observation!  Gosh darn, maybe I will have to watch that scene again.  But I think that if she had called him "Mr. Slop" his reaction would have been more angry.  One of the things that tickled me about the scene was the big show of false humility Slope puts on after being favorably compared with the Almighty.

So...anybody else think this scene was absent from the videotape version?  Anyone noticed any more new scenes inserted into the DVD?

Assi, just a short note to welcome you on board! Good to know that there are some more AR-fans in my neighbourhood...

 HAHAHA  i agree with Vivki....really liked the hair in the WG photos...also liked that he is not posing....he was just captured.  The far off look on his face as he wears the earphones is priceless.

Annick, merci beaucoup pour tous les photos fantastique! (Pardon, mon français n'est pas très bon).

So many fabulous photos here!  I think I had better find my drool bib.

I wish I wasn't so *@&!# busy and I had more time to post. 

I absolutely love Alan's haircut in those WG set photos.  He looks extremely thud-worthy there. 

Ali-Pat...I recently watched Barchester Chronicles again....fantastic series!  I thought the little girl called him "Mr. Slop" and that's why she got smacked.  Well, there's only one way to know for sure.  I'll just have to watch it again! (strictly in the interest of clarifying this important bit of dialog, you understand). 

My sweet husband is leaving tomorrow for a convention in Las Vegas and he has asked me to join him so that I can have a break from the craziness of life.  So, so long surly teenagers and nit-picking mother (who was supposed to only be staying here temporarily but has now been here since Easter....aaaaagh!)  Wish I had some felix felicis for the blackjack table.  See you in a few days!  Looking forward to some AR news when I return!

Ohhh another nice higher resolution image! Ta Elaine!  

Nadege, I think that site has the picture of AR giving the one finger salute if I remember correctly.

Back to work....Calgon take me away......! 

Hello Girls!!!

I found this address!!!There are Alan's photos almost everywhere, It is necessary to look in the various circles,they are not good qualities but nice!!

http://www.dogma-movie.com/pics/index1.html

See you later!!

Just realised that I haven't posted here for ages! Busy busy...

Sue, that hi-res pic showed up a few things like his cool footwear! Just bought myself a pair very similar! And the girl has her arm through whose arm? We should expect no less, I guess.

Off to work now. I knew last week was a fluke! Back to being a mad house!

Want to share this with you all.

 No watermarks!

annick, would you email me when you have a chance, please? 

An Awfully Big Adventure

No problem....italics fixed! 

Congrats, Jules!  I love the Winter Guest. Be sure to let us know what you think.  BTW, when is your birthday???  *grin*

Thank you for all the piccies, annick!

"I broke the bloody ship!"

An Awfully Big Adventure is showing tonight on Sky Movies2 at 11.50pm (BST). The Radio Times describes it as "Enjoyable black comedy"!! However there is a little pic of PL and the girl so mustn't grumble

Daydreamer - the rest of the high-res pix are HERE but sadly no more of Alan.

pour jules

Take Me With You
Music: Michael Kamen
Lyrics: Alan Rickman
Performed: Liz Fraser
Your eyes are still closed
Are you sleeping?
Can I touch you?
Would it make you fall?
You sail in love through the sky
When there's a close slips in between us
Am I livin' your dreams?
Take me with you.
The night is still cold
Let me hold you
Drifting homewards
Do you know how the wind blows
You sailing love through the sky
And I will keep you close beside me
Am I livin' your dreams?
Take me with you.
Drifting homewards
Do you know where the wind blows
Take me with...
Take me with you
You sail in love through the sky
And I will hold you close beside me
Am I livin' your dreams?
Take me with you.
Am I livin' your dreams?
Take me with you.

Hi to everyone and to the new posters.  I agree this is a wonderful site.  I have downloaded so much, I'm in seventh heaven.   Chevelle, what lovely artwork.  It must have been so relaxing having such a beautiful face to draw.  So many pics to drool over!  And In Demand, Alan is sooo sexhay in that.

It is my birthday in a couple of days time, and guess what I'm getting?  The Winter Guest, yippee.  I haven't seen it at all so I am looking forward to watching it immensely.

And the Professor Snape pics, oh my....I have a confession to make, I never read the books or watched any of the HP films.  I am a Lord of the Rings nut, so that has taken up much of my devotion.  Then last Christmas Day, HP and the Philosopher's Stone was on TV.  I watched and loved it.  So, I bought the other two on DVD and I can now say I am a Harry Potter fan.  I have a lot of catching up to do, but I am now half-way through the third book.

  Hello, Nicole and Tammy!  Welcome aboard and I hope you will post with us whenever you can. 

Sue, there is nothing like waking up to a picture like that!  I know we have seen the picture several times since its release but there is just something about the high resolution that makes is seem brand new! Thank you for posting it. 

Hmmm, no piercings or tattoo, eh?  Well, I don't know about Spain's but that rules out over half the US's population these days! 

I think I need to pick this book up again and try to get through it. After watching Run Lola Run and reading the entries for PPoaM on IMDb, I just don't think I gave it half a chance. 

Someone posted a hi-res photo from that Perfume crew shoot on AlanRickman lj comm. Not sure if we had such a good quality shot or not so nabbed it

Your site is fantastic.  Its the best on the web that I have seen.  I love all the video and sound clips.

i love Alan Rickman since the age of 6 yrs old and has never stopped loveing him since i have 869 pics on my bed room walls and 4576 pics on my pc i have ALL of his movies i know facts about him i have been under every stone to find out more on Alan Rickman and i think that he is a wonder  in truly madly deeply i cryed for Nina  i though what would this be like with out Alan Rickman? well not a world i would like to live in thats for sure !!!!! he is my icon and i respect him not for an actor for being human. i hope that u would agree. so I LOVE YOU ALAN and oh year happy birthday for 21th Feb 2006  i hope you enjoy it i celeabrite it too uyou know. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

thank you Sue and Claudia for answers.

Hikity, I believe that the size of the posted pics is the same of photobucket album, I see it this way, sorry if it's not clear.

Coming soon tv Italy devotes a few time to Laura Linney tomorrow, I wonder if there would be any AR moment because they played in the same movie I'll try to check

I missed the Dustin Hoffman special last week, grrr.

thank you all!

Laura

I've often wondered about that too, Sue.  It must have just been for his fancy because it sure hasn's shown up in any of his projects. 

Hmmm, I wonder how Snow Cake is coming along???  I can't wait for that film! 

Nice The Winter Guest caps. That moustache/beardy thing is always a puzzler. Never saw it in anything else but that clip!

@SUE: 2 HOURS !!!

I've made a lot of screencaps from the TEXAS dvd! 

(If you like to have the videoclip I can send it to you! --> it's from the special edition cd.

Unfortunately I can't rip dvd's!!! otherwise I would send that one in stead! If someone else would like to have it also just send me a mail...)

Well actually, the region 1 isn't due out until the first of September but what the hey??? I feel crazy today! 

Hello Katha!  Welcome to our little piece of AR online.  Please feel free to post as often as you like. 

Emtee, thanks for the link to the ComingSoon.com interview!  What a treat to read about how playful AR and MG can be on the set with the younger ones.  I still can't get the vision of AR in all his Snape glory asking those kids from the hotel why they weren't in school!  LOL

ANNICK! Thanks for the animations! 

Natasxxx, the In Demand pics are right on time! 

Chevelle!  What a wonderful artist you are!  I'm so glad you shared them with us.  Now that you know how....I'm looking forward to some more! 

Jenna sent me some snaps from the extras on the Belgium the Winter Guest DVD that have no subtitles on them and since the region 1 of the DVD is due out, I thought I would post them.  Thanks Jenna!

Welcome to all the newbies

Chevell, nice drawings, you've got the eyes really well in that first one especially.

Natasxxx, What a coincidence, I have been struggling to master my new dvd recorder for the past 2 hours and it meant constantly rewind the In Demand recording I was making! What a chore! 

Hello everybody, I want to thank you for this homepage about the most wonderful man of the world.*g*

Greets

Katha

First To all the newbies!!!!!

Nothing to say right now...Maybe I can make some of you happy with some IN DEMAND screencaps.....

Hope you like it...!

Hey Everyone!! I'm so excited I finally figured out how to post my images!! I thought for my first posting I would share some of my AR artwork. These are two portraits I did a few months back. One is a more recent portrait of AR and the other is from Mesmer.

Hope you enjoy. I had fun working on them.

Coming Soon!  website has posted an interview with the three young actors portraying Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, and Fleur Delacour about filming Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  Stanislav Ianevski (Krum) gave an answer that won't surprise:

CS!: Of the other actors you've worked with, which of the veterans most impressed you?

Stan: Personally, every single actor on this film has his own strong side, and I've been impressed by everyone, really, but especially Dumbledore, Michael Gambon, and Alan Rickman. The bigger actors seem to be more friendly then I thought they would be, and they really make you feel like you're there to have fun rather than work.
http://comingsoon.net/news/topnews.php?id=10507

Hi Josie and welcome to our AR forum.  We're happy to have you and hope you will post with us often.  The Alan Rickman Download Haven is the result of a never ending efforts of great AR fans and friends that really want to share AR's work with everyone. 

I won't get on my soapbox again.  But I have to send my thoughts and prayers to Sharm el-Sheik as they deal with their terrorist attacks. 

Much love goes out the the creator of this absolutely fantastic website.

I have been a fan of Alan's for a while now, and I must say, this site is one of the best I've ever seen.

Thank you for sharing such wonderful clips and downloads with us!

Lots of love

-Josie

Hi and welcome Assi!  Nice to see another fellow German here. 

Hey Laurie!  I watched (and recorded) the whole interview but nothing was mentioned about PPoaM. 

No AR withstanding...it was still a good little interview.  60 Minutes arranged for DH to drive a replica of the little red sports car that he drove in The Graduate along the highway he drove in the film to stop the wedding.  And then DH and the interviewer took a wonderful stroll along the California coastline......GAWD, I love that state!  LOL 

Hello everyone. This is kind of AR related. On 60 minutes there is supposed to be an interview with Dustin Hoffman. There is only about 1/2 hour left of the program and my husband is watching something on TV but I've asked him to switch back every now and then to see when Dustin is on. Maybe he'll talk about Perfume? I would if I could but I don't have any way to tape it, darn.

Hello, Assi and I join Peekabooh in welcoming you to our little group.  This is a great group of Rickmaniacs and we have a lot of fun. 

Awwww, if only AR would do another music video! 

After several weeks of reading in this guestbook without giving any comments I can’t keep quiet any more! This is a wonderful site, and you’re doing a fantastic ‘job’. Thanks a lot, you’re making me very happy.

I’ve been an AR-fan for quite a time now, and my husband wondered why I didn’t take a trip to Munich, but that’s just not my sort of thing, I suppose ;-)

I already gave my credits to that man by naming my son “Lukas Alan”. No joke! He’s now 9 years old and somewhat proud of his name since Mr Rickman is starring in “Harry Potter”. *lol*

Sorry for my English, I’m just not used to writing in that language anymore.

Special greetings to Hikity, I’m living not far away *smile*.

Assi

Ali-Pat, you are going to force me to watch the two BC formats to study systematically.  Of course, I do this only for the sake of research.  lol........

Just like that Sharleen who "had to" touch and carress a certain pink-shirted gigolo.  Oh, the sacrifices one makes.... 

Hikity - "a thumbnail pic" means literally thart- a pic the size of a thumbnail. In the good old days of real photography you would get a sheet of "proofs" thumbnail size to see what you wanted to make bigger. The thumbnails we refer to here are the small pix on the index page of Photobucket before you click on them to get the full size pic. Clear as mud, eh?

Looks like The Sunday Mail piece is the usual half-cocked "interview" with unchecked facts!  The Summer Sun video may not have been shown before the watershed but In Demand certainly was. (Speaking as a person who decorated her lounge whilst skipping through the music channels whilst trying to find it way back in 2000. Hubby never wondered why a 3 day job took over a week!!) Without fishing out the Texas dvd I can't remember what theSummer Sun vid is like but I know one of hers had a bit of a lesbain content so maybe they were talking about that!

TOUCHED and CARESSED, grrrr; loose tongue, that lady!

Thanks Laura for that wonderful pic - good grief, isn't he gorgeous? How do you manage bigger pics than those from the photo bucket? And what is a thumbnail BTW??

 So Ali-Pat finally emerges from the real world!  We've missed you! 

False alarm. Summer Son is on Texas Paris DVD which also has the In Damand video.  Drat!    

I feel like a real laggard, but I have only now begun to watch my DVD copy of The Barchester Chronicles.  Am I imagining this, or are there a few extra scenes slipped in here and there?  I am thinking in particular of a Slope scene I swear I have never seen before.  Slope is leaving the Quiverful residence (still love that name!) and all the children are lined up to thank him.  Instead of saying , "Thank you Mr. Slope" like all his siblings, one precocious youngster says, "Thank you Mr......God."  What a hoot!  But I don't remember it at all from the videotape version.

Anybody else notice added scenes on the DVD?

p.s. speaking of being a laggard, I am finally only about 100 pages from the end of HPB.  Looking forward to seeing the comments on the HP Spoilers page when I finish!

Thanks for the video Nadege!  I'll add it to the next site update.  I love it, BTW! 

Laura, Sue fixed you up on your PhotoBucket questions.  So I will tackle the video question.  Try converting your .mpg to a .wmv.  Most of the video editing software supports .wmv. 

Now, does anyone know about this?? 

You Texy Thing

Summer Sun?  Is this another AR/Texas video??? What a fine way to wake up on a Sunday morning!  *tee hee*

Laura, to post a photobucket pic as a thumbnail just right-click on the index thumbnail and press copy then when you are posting the pic just right-click again and paste and "hey presto!" it arrives!!

That's a very nice pic you posted BTW all the better for being big!

Hello Claudia!!!

I have just sent you the video file!!An e-mail was sent to me saying to me that this page will remain opened 7 days!And that the downloadings are limited!!!

Claudia, I rely on you so that you can put the video on the site!!!

It is my first video assembly,I hope that it will please you!!!

http://s46.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=26UE9BUGCICHG2YNOSIDIEIA6A

See You Later 

what's wrong with the last 4 pics in the photobucket album? they're grey

I found this pic

(how do you make thumbnails? is there a tag to write?sorry for being always annoying with questions :-\ )

How do you all make so long videos shorter? I made myself a music video (mpeg) but it's so large!

Laura

There's a pic of Snape (not new) and a "good Snape or bad Snape?" feature in the new Entertainment Weekly -- Daniel Radcliffe on the cover, story about GOF movie and HBP book (and contains spoilers)

Nadège, yes I think YouSendIt.com would be the best way to get your music video to me.  I'll be waiting. 

Hello Claudia!!

I wanted to know if I had to use this addresshttp://www.yousendit.com/, To send you the audio file!!

 See You Later!!!

I'm getting a late start today, Ladies.  Had to work a half a day and then it was on to a wonderful Mexican lunch with a co-worker.  A great big extra large Margarita and all (no I didn't drive home)!!!!  Woo Hoo! 

Beth!  Thank you so much for the wonderful music videos!  You do really good work.  I like all of them but "Right Here Waiting for You" has to be my favorite of the bunch.  Especially the special effect at the beginning.  Thank you again.  Is it OK to add them to the Download Haven on the next update? 

BTW, YouSendIt.com is pretty darn cool!  You can store up to 1GB!  I'll remember that the next time I have something like the hotel sound files to share. 

Hikity!  We all definitely have our preferences!  *grin*  I love facial hair on a man so although I lurv AR facial hair or not....I am partial to the TMD 'stache or Hans' and the Sheriff's beard.  Wow! 

Thanks for the famine relief org link, martha.  I'll look into them a bit deeper as soon as I finish this post.

It sounds like you are hard at work, kathy.  But it also sounds like you are having the time of your life too!  You go girl!  Thanks for checking in with us! 

very naughty, indeed!

ps--I did get my book 6 of Harry Potter--reading it in the wee hours of the morning!!!  naughty snape!

Sorry, Kathy, pls find my e-mail address here for further communication as it has nothing to do with our Man (or does it?? )

Kathy, nice to hear from you again. I cross my fingers for your paper! I am in the same process for the time being and I know how nerve-racking it can be.

Which course are you exactly attending? I am curious as I'd like to go the England next year for about 3 to 4 months and  haven't yet decided whether I shoud try to find kind of a job or to attend special courses to further improve my English before the final exames in summer 2006. Can you give me a piece of advice?

The military can move bombs and troops so quickly because that’s what they “do,” and they have supplies stockpiled. Once the aid is collected, packaged, organized, the military has been used to deliver it. Quick delivery may be their specialty, but they have to have the goods to deliver. That’s “our” part. I believe there are organizations that have been trying to prepare for this situation but sadly, they don’t have a military size budget. I wish we could choose where our tax dollars were spent.

This site, http://www.ethioworld.com/FamineRelief/faminerelief.htm has links to a number of organizations that are organizing relief.

Hi all--

I finally have gotten to a computer--had 2 weeks worth of emails to go thru.

Cambridge is BEAUTIFUL the course is very intense--lectures all day and one at night.  I am at the university center now typing my paper (at least |I am supposed to be!)  Haven't watched TV or read the paper but I did hear about the bomb attempt in London and the tragic one in Egypt.  I have a radio turned to my favorite BBC4.

It is very peaceful here.  I've gotten myself a bike (took me awhile to get my balance as it's been 40 yrs since I've had a bike) and get around town that way.

don't have time to read all the posts just wanted to say hi to all!

Claudia, thanks for the wonderful pic of Alan (which I prefer so much over those with moustache or beard...)

 and your mentioning Sudan and Dafur. As I lived there for 3 years (and we knew the nice governor of Darfur at that time, who I believe lives with his German wife in London meanwhile) I am really shocked about what has happened in Sudan for such a long time with no western country really being interested. And there will be no change in the near future (IMHO there won't be any improvement inspite of MPH)

Thank you Sharen and Claudia! It was nice to hear those audio files on mp3. It looks like I'm gonna have to update this computer at some stage.

Also, thanks for the recent photos and drawings.

Oh, and the photos from the RADA book look amazing. Juliet Stevenson looks gorgeous.

 girls! First of all,  for Alan's news, pics and all that stuff of our beloved Alan Rickman!

Well, I would like to offer some videoclips that I made for all of you... as a gift, as gratefulness

Hope you like it...

PS: Sorry about my poor english

You can download the videos here:

Milk, and toast and Alan

http://s5.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2IQSZKUE1JC0L082IUTGM2CSRE

All I Want is You Alan

http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1GVDS327LYKRF0J8ZSR9314PI4

Snape Poison

http://s4.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1UYW23QEEBPRQ16M68323WZQY8

Snape only you can hear my soul

http://s34.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0RX2IVJW5DE571FBKAK4L9AEIG

Right Here waiting

http://s34.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=37XSI9664FSAH0J7QPCYZUEOVA

Nadege, email me and we can talk about ways to transfer your video file.

Miriam, I hope that the threats your country is getting turn out to be empty. 

Ricky, thanks for the tid bit about PPoaM. 

You can find a zip file with the two .mp3s I promised earlier today from the Cheltenham Hotel. 

Sue, the crisis in Africa is just heart breaking.  I read about the aid arrival in Niger earlier today on BBC Online.  Aid arrives for hungry in Niger  CNN has a section on news from Africa (buried 3 pages deep) but there was nothing about Niger today. 

Another troubling spot is Darfur (another Rwanda, BTW).  Not much in the news about it either...well until the Sudanese government roughs up a few of Condi Rice's staff and journalist while trying to visit. Then it makes the news.  

There is an organization that tackling the problem of the American media reporting on such trivial stories such as the runaway bride, Tom Cruise's engagement, etc. instead of the really important stories.  The more stories of Niger and Darfur are in the news, the more informed people will be. Check out BeAWitness.org

OK, two times on my soapbox a day is to much.  I'm stepping down and promise not to step back up for a while. 

To make up for my rant, I'll post a pic of Sinclair! 

I haven't had internet access since Wednesday night, but now I'm back.  I just wanted to say that I am absolutely disgusted by all these terrorist attacks.  It makes me so mad, I don't have the right words to express it!  It looks like all of our friends from the GB are okay, so thank God for that!

Stay safe, guys!

O/T - I have just finished watching the 10 O'clock BBC News. Twenty minutes into a thirty minute programme after all the bombing and shooting  London news they covered the disaster in Niger. Thousands of children will starve to death in the next few weeks. This famine was predicted months ago. Apparently it will take weeks for aid to arrive. Why? America and Britain can get planes, troops and bombs to Iraq and other places in a couple of days. A child dying on camera. Make Povery History?? I feel rather sad.

in "Yellow Press" there seem to be short anouncint of Perfum, because of Dustin Hoffman (my mother buys a lot of those and I read them too *blush*), also with pictures - HE is never in them, only other guys and THAT girl (sorry, forgotten her name)

He is also never named....

RIcky

Wow Emily, all those pix and no AR!! 

Some fabulous pix, I must get that book.

Hello everyone,

Thanks for all the things you write about our favourite actor and all the pictures. I really like the ones of TMD. One of my fave AR movies (next to S&S and Harry Potter).

I hope all people in London are okay now. I really feel very much for them. Imagine, two attacks within a month. Good that Alan is with Rima in London now. They must have been shocked, too.

I just read in our news (on Internet) that we have been threatened, too. They promised that Amsterdam will turn into a "hell"... so it will be bad. If any of you plan to go there this coming week. Please don't. I just have the feeling I should warn you. They promised this will happen next week. I just can't understand how people can do these things to what they call "enemies of God". I am religious myself, but I have always learned to respect others of other faiths. I wish they did. Violence is NOT the way.

Take care, all of you. Hope you are all well and healthy.

Hello!!

I leave you this address towards a superb drawing of Alan!!!

http://photobucket.com/albums/v641/ARDLHGB/?action=view&current=Portrait.jpg

Do Claudia I have to create an assembly photo music on Alan, how could I you forward it?

See you later!!!

Sue, I popped over to Dragonfly to see if there was any news on the King's Head documentary but unfortunately, there is no new news on it.  Surely, they are going to release it in some shape form or fashion.  I think it would be an excellent tribute to Dan Crawford especially now. 

I think the blue mood is just what the AR-quiet does to us, Sue! Thanks for the sigbar. 

Whoa! Those photos are gorgeous!!!!  I can't wait to get my book in hand! Thanks for the link, Em.  I have to agree with you on why they might not have included AR's. But who knows, maybe they will update the images before long.  We will have to keep an eye out.   

Sarah Miles doesn't look a day older than her "The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing" days!  Trevor Eve with a pool cue in his hand is irresistable!  A couple of others that caught my eye were Richard Briers and Robert Lindsay.  And then there's Juliet Stevenson's--gorgeous. 

Cambridge Jones is fantastic!! 

Being the news junkie I am, I was watching CNN at lunch time and I was quite proud to see a crowd in Atlanta do a standing ovation at the mention of America standing with Britain right now.  Really not important who made the statement. *gags* 

What's really upsetting and makes me ashamed though is that this is the first time in two weeks that I have seen any sort of American tribute to Britain.  I'm sorry but when the situation was reversed a mere few years back, I remember seeing tributes throughout the world and Britain was THE first to do so a number of times.  OK....rant over. 

Sharen!  I had forgotten about the Cheltenham hotel audio files.  Thanks for reminding me.  SARF, those audio files are for RealPlayer so you might have to update your player to hear them.  The other night, I recorded them into .mp3 format just in case someone couldn't hear them.  I will upload them a little later on today and post the link here.   

I know what you mean about Ed, Sue.  I like the character Ed so much that it kind of spilled over onto Vidal in Therese Raquin because they remind me so much of each other.

I have to post some piccies of my favorite character fella, yall!  I have to admit to something though.  Last weekend, I was all set to sit down and watch a film on one of the cable channels that I've wanted to see for a little while now.  Well, at the last minute, I saw that Truly Madly Deeply was on another channel.  I guess I don't have to tell you which one I watched.  Oh well, Pieces of April will air again, I'm sure.      

And here are a couple from 11-12 years later at a TMD Q&A held at the NFT. 

Scrumptious!

Well, the Getty Images site has put up five pages of photos from the RADA Centenary portrait exhibition and book. Five pages. Hundreds of photos. Guess who's not there?  Ah, you can't blame them for holding back on AR ... it'll sell more books.  Here are the rest of the pics:

http://tinyurl.com/7ktx4

As we don't have much new stuff at the mo, here's a little Blue Alan I made a while back and found again today. (A few new icons on my LJ too)

Prayers to everyone battling terrorism and other evils.

SARF, the Cheltenham hotel audio is an interview with the owners Darryl and Jo, very similar to the print article. It contains the paragraph about AR greeting the kids on the set (but to be picky, where the article writes "into his cloak and said," the audio is "with his cloak showing and looked at them and said [in deeper voice]...").

Most of the remaining audio is also in the article, including the part about AR and Kenneth Branagh in the bar with Richard Harris.

Then at the end they're touring the rooms. A room that looks more masculine than others was AR's. Darryl says "if you're trying to clinch a sale, the words Alan Rickman can do it." They laugh and Jo says "I have to tell you, the room Alan Rickman stayed in is very popular with the ladies." Here's the article again:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2005/07/14/potter_hotel_feature.shtml

I for one thank God that Rima is living with Alan now.  I know she is a grown-up person with her own resources and can take care of herself, but it is comforting to know that Alan's financial resources can also help protect her in the present awful situation in London. 

I say this specifically in terms of them using public transportation.  Like others, I have read where AR does not drive in London, and I have also heard where he routinely uses the Tube, or at least did at one time.  I have no doubt that from time to time Rima has used some sort of public transportation, perhaps even very recently, just because it is so convenient.

But unlike so many others, they both have the combined financial resources to hire a driver to get from here to there in their day-to-day activities if they must.  It is a luxury that I wish all Londoners had right now.  And even if Alan or Rima choose not to do this, just knowing they could may bring them a greater sense of psychological "safety" to them, which in turn makes it easier to go about one's daily business.

My heart goes out to those in London, but once again, the British people are setting the standard for the world.  I admire them more than I can say.

Oh sorry Claudia, I saw that in the London paper last week and meant to mention it but it slipped my mind. I wonder when they are going to show that documentary on The Kings Head?

Thanks for Ed BTW, he is a bit of a favourite of mine

Oh and a quick  skool's out for six weeks!! No more skool runs and early mornings

Well this totally went under my "AR-dar".  Dan Crawford, founder of The King's Head Theatre died of cancer July 13.  Here's the Guardian article about his funeral yesterday.  Famous Farewell to the Godfather of Pub Theatre 

There is no need to apologize Nadege.  Your question isn't anything that the majority of us hasn't asked either publicly or to ourselves in our early AR fandom years.

In honor of Nadege's watching January Man and since it relatively AR quiet, here some snaps from JM.  You're right Nadege.  He is very sexy in this! 

Hello Girls!!!

Thank you girls for information concerning the private life for Alan.I am sorry for this question,but my curiosity was strongest!!Lol!!!Hikiti your French is very good.Me,I use a translator because I cannot speak English!

What a pity that this marvellous man did not have a descent!!!

I have just viewed The January Man,Alan is very sexy!!lol!!Obviously I did not doubt it!!!I bought Roméo & Juliette, unfortunately it dies too quickly,but it is a superb movie!!

 and see you later

Tks Elaine

and here is a link to the forthcoming LLD in London:

http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/shows/display?contentId=84679

Hickity, I can back up what Claudia says. Rima does have a flat but no longer lives there. She keeps it as it is in the ward where she is a coucillor. She definitely resides with AR. I have my proof but it would be a breach of confidence to impart my sources!

Sounds like Londoners are getting on with things as usual again. I am left with an enormous feeling of anger at these people. They are targeting innocent people who can not possibly have any say in what our crappy government do, so bloody well leave us alone! They will not change the way we live. We are used to it now. We had years of being under threat from the IRA, etc so this is just more of the same and we can deal with it.

Those I feel most sorry for however, are the bomber's families. One of their mother's was reading a statement this morning. She sounded intelligent, well educated and absolutely devastated. They must be wondering what on earth they have done.

Ah well, watched S & S last night to calm myself. The Colonel does work wonders!

Claudia, are you sure? I read sth different, but don't nail me down to where is the source...

wow, does it ever end. Im so glad everyone and thier loved ones are ok. Keep safe. It seems that Alan was there for that one but i dont think it was any where near where he lives though. I for one am glad he is back in London but i am also glad im not responsible for doing his laundry, must be a load full now. Wawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Las Angeles, Munich ( or wherever they did the Perfume promo with Dustin), and the little shopper he is im sure it wasnt one or two suitcases.Im sure its great for him to be home, relax, go to the theatre, give Rima a pickle tickle and BOOM, avoid explosions...............what a world. 

Thanks Claudia. My son is good.Got an e-mail from him this morning.He has just this week started a new job which means using the tube. He used to live and work in Paddington so walked to work which was much better. I'll be in London in 3 weeks.

Thanks for the report Julie, then my wish for the number of people hurt stay at a big fat 0 still stands! 

Reported from BBC News:

One person was injured at Warren Street. There were reports the injured person may have been holding a rucksack containing the detonator.

Hikity, AR and RH are living together again and have been for the last couple of years.  I don't know this first hand (of course) but have been told by a very reliable source.

So sad to hear about another London attack.  From the sounds of it, the only one injured today was a man with a bomb strapped to his back.  And he wanted to be hurt apparently, or he wouldn't have done it.

Keeping all of you Londoners in my prayers.  Terror has become such a horrible fact of life.  ~Julie

Hi Nadège, non, malheureusement, il n'a pas des enfants et il n'a pas aussi une femme (une amie qui s'appèlle Rima Horten mais ils n'habitent pas ensemble). Puuuh, mon francais est si mal - excuse moi.

Bon Nuit, Hikity

Hello!!!

The attacks which touch London are horrible.When will have us to it peace in this world?I do not have words to define the people who do that!!!!

I wanted to ask you a stupid question,does Alan have children?

So yes,how are they called?

 See You Later!!

I am very glad there are no casualties in London. That's all so awful...

Elaine,

Claudia, I always think MP must have a great deal of patience. I would just chuck most of the stuff that came through the letterbox in the bin!

That, Elaine, is the reason, why not you but MP works for him!Now,imagine, your letter would disappear in a bint, hmm

I am quite sure that He will be soon back in Munich as they are going to Spain in about 8 days and - by the way - as far as I remember the content of an article years ago: JKR told him at the very beginning of the filming some details about the development of Snape's character, so he might be well prepared (and believe it or not, English books are available here in the jungle, too ..) xxx Hikity

We're fine. Thank you for caring.

Thanks to everyone who gave me pointers for image capturing!

My thoughts are with everyone in London.

How horrible! We're praying for all of our cousins in London.  Hope everyone is ok.

Franimal

We need another roll call.  Suzy is out of town at the moment and Kathy is at Cambridge.

Ricki Nicki, Barbara's son, Michelle's husband, Lise, and anyone else that might be in the London area, please check in with us. 

"1440 It is now becoming clear that there were three attempted bombings today - at Oval station, at Warren Street station, and on a 26 bus in Hackney. Speculation suggests the detonators on these devices went off, but the bombs themselves did not. Should this be the case, there are clearly going to be huge risks in disarming the devices - but the potential for clues as to who, exactly, is behind this.."

GUARDIAN

Well my wish of a big fat 0 has now fizzled.  I just can not understand why these mad people do this kind of thing. 

Oh dear, this is terrible.  All accounts I've read so far is that no one has been injured, thank God! Let's just hope that number stays at a great big fat 0.

Guardian Newsblog HERE

Police are not treating it as a major incident it says at the moment but lots of roads are shut. Reports of *loud pops* on a bus from a bag that split open, may have been detonators, but all pretty much heresay at the mo.

Oh dear! 

Fresh News alerts from London *Incidents* at 3 tube staions, The Oval, Warren Street and Shepherds Bush I think.

No details as yet.

miem, I use a little freeware program called PrintKey 2000.  I've been using it for a couple of years now both at work and at home. 

I heard a little blurb on the news this morning that Spamalot is going to do a North American tour.  I haven't been able to find any news on it online but here is the official Spamalot site so maybe something will pop up there. 

While searching for the Spamalot information, I found that Geraldine Fitzgerald passed away Tuesday.  I remember back in the early 70's sitting in a dark theatre in a south Georgia city captivated by Wuthering Heights. 

Miem - What Chalebh said My button (UK) says Print Screen/SysRq.

I just open up Paint and paste it into that but I am sure there are lots of other places you can put it.

@miem: I don't think you need a program. Next to the F12-key on your keyboard is a key labeled "print". If you have the screen you want to make a screen-shot of hit this key. Then open e.g. "Photo Editor" and insert as a new picture. (I hope I got it right, the description in German are different.)

But there are also certain programs, which offer you more convenience.

Here is a link to the one I use at my office:

http://www.gen.hardcopy.de/

Chlaebh

This is completely OT, but do any of you know how to take a screen capture of what is on your computer screen, not what's on a DVD I know how to do that, but what's on your screen itself or what's on like a website?  Are there certain programs that are needed?

Thanks!

Juliet, If he has, let's hope his mouth is watering! Snape is going to turn out to be a bit more than a little role for his "pension" (as Maggie Smith has been heard to say).

Thanks, re.paper. I think I'm going to try a different font though. The HP thing is a little predictable.

Claudia, I always think MP must have a great deal of patience. I would just chuck most of the stuff that came through the letterbox in the bin!

Sometimes I wonder, who buys those autographs. I mean, I'm desperate to have one too, but I wouldn't risk buying one which is obviously a fake. Or buying one at all (I'm not that desperate) *g*

Which means that I have to write again and I know in advance that I'll get the answer "he's too busy, sorry".

Another two days until weekend

LG Chalebh

OoooH! So he could have been in Bexleyheath!

It's nice to hear of an AR spotting - I think the AR drought is having a short break! Yippee (kay yay...)!!!!

Okay girls, I can't hear the audio on the site about AR's room - can someone help me out? Is there a small or rough transcription anywhere? Thanks in advance!

Great wallpaper, Elaine!  Thank you!

Good paper, Elaine! And look.....he's carefully holding his wand! (Gawd, I'm a bad girl today!) 

You don't think he came back to buy a copy of the HBP to see what kind of a part he would habve in the film, LOL!

Great paper Elaine

Oh, very nice wallpaper Elaine. Thanks for that. I do wonder when the journalists are going to ask him and other actors for their opinions on HP and HBP.

Okay, try this one:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/snapesoul/Wallpapers%20and%20Collages%20and%20Stuff/hbpsnapewllpaper.jpg

I made a new wallpaper (for widescreen, BTW) but - WARNING -if you have not read the new HP book and don't want any spoilers, then please don't click on the link!!http://http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/snapesoul/Wallpapers%20and%20Collages%20and%20Stuff/hbpsnapewllpaper.jpg

Whoa, Juliet!  Thank you for the scan! 

It seems to be from the scene that was shown during the Christopher Hampton with Joan Bakewell interview in which he is leaning over to say something in Marquis de Merteuil's ear but that image looks like he's leaning over to lay one on her! 

Hello All, Greetings!! How do you all do?

I don't think your question stupid.. Melanie Parker is Alan's secretary..

Dee! you don't change hahaha.. Always a pervert eh?

I just visit red tango site.. anybody see the Alan Rickman fashion Police thingy? IT'S HILARIOUS!

Thank you Martha.. Good, got a news at last..

Elaine~ Maybe he sign it with thumb  that's obviously fake authograph!

Thank you for that Cheltenham link.. (Anyone know how to see Alan's room?) i think we don't need an expert to tell us why Alan's room is very popular among girls/ladies? huahaha..

Yeah, i bet the children won't forget being greet by Professor Snape in "Action"..

Thank you so much Nagede for all the links it's very joyful! 

Dee~ that artwork are awesome, wonder how could the sheriff fit so well in it 

Can it be Alan in Bexleyheath to sign boook in HBP release? When did he got back to London? 4 days ago? or perhaps 5?

Love you All!

Whoa, Juliet!  It just got a whole lot warmer in here.   (Hope you're feeling well.)

An article in Saturday's Telegraph on the history of LLD in connection with the new ballet, you can view it here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2005/07/18/bfliaisons16.xml

No mention of AR but the print copy has this photo:

I don't recall seeing this one before, but it's as good an excuse to see it again if I haven't, if you know what I mean!

Still on with HBP, we're being terribly old-fashioned and reading it aloud, slow but good.

Thank you Nadege!

NOT a stupid question, Hikity.  Melanie Parker is AR's personal assistant.  I believe she actually works for AR's UK agent and probably has other "slebs" that she assists as well.  She fields all his fan mail, phone calls, faxes, etc.  Bless her heart, I really feel bad for her with some of the stuff she has to wade through sometimes.

It's me again!!!Lol!

You will find photographs of Alan at this address!

http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=SRH&logsrch=1

See You Later and you are the BEST

Wonderful news, tks to Martha and Suzanne. And who might be Melanie??sorry, if this question is stupid

I think Kathy is in Cambridge now. Never in the right place poor girl

Claudia - thanks for that sighting!  I'd love to fiddle with his hair...  LOL

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for kathy, so she'll have her sighting!

We haven't heard from kathy lately. Does anyone know if she is still in England?  I hope she is and she gets her own little sighting!  After all her hard work and disappointment...she really does deserve one. 

Just posted by Sonata over at Suzanne's...an AR sighting! 

Yes, he's in London - or at least he was on the evening of Monday 18 July when I walked into the bar at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre in Covent Garden to see Schiller's 'Mary Tudor'. This is my fifth sighting (always in the audience at small London theatres), so I order a glass of wine and stood just close enough to hear that wonderful voice.

In the auditorium he sat just two seats in front of me. His hair's fantastic - just tuggably long, a grey swoosh over each ear, lightened a bit but grown out about an inch...so his roots show, so what. He fiddles with it a bit. Wouldn't we all.
Sonata
London, - Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 07:54:07 AM (EDT)

"tuggably long, grey swoosh over each ear"  Yowza!!!!! 

LOL, Elaine!!...or maybe he's cursing you?....no, never.  As a joke I think I will ask for that as well for my birthday and watch my husband's jaw drop.  He's probably think I was serious. 

Thanks to Suzanne and martha for quenching our thirst after such a long AR news drought.

Dee - your mind is always on Alan's knickers....you bad girl! 

Great news, Martha, and to Suzanne for keeping us informed. Nice to know there are others with the "right" connections who are willing to share....

You know, I really like that Snape bust. I'm going to keep that on my Christmas list. I fancy putting it on my bedside drawer so I can wake up to Snape "blessing" me ('cos that's what he looks like he's doing )

Martha -- Thanks for sharing the news from Suzannes site! So...the man's going home for a few days. I think I read once that he calls England "home" because that's where he keeps his underwear. Maybe he needed a change of knickers!

Thanks for the news, martha and Suzanne!  I wonder if AR ever gets tired of traveling that much or if he thrives on it.  :-)

Thank you for the news, martha!   And special thanks to Suzanne for sharing. 

Elaine, I think he did that autograph with his hands tied behind his back.    

Swiped this from Suzanne (she just posted it):

"Hey guys!
I received a message from Melanie, in which she says that Alan will be (unusually) in London for a few days (she met up with him yesterday). Anyway, I just thought you'd be interested to know that she also said that while AR was in Munich, it was for costume fittings and meetings, etc. and that filming for Perfume hasn't actually started yet.

Or not his part, anyway. I asked her if he has (or will be) committed to any of the HP films after GoF, but haven't received an answer yet. So I'll keep you posted! "

Here's a really good "autograph"! Did AR have his fingers stuck together when he signed it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=35034&item=7532379564&rd=1

That was a great article, thanks, Claudia!  How sweet of Alan to invite the children to the set and greet them in character.  I'm sure those children will never forget it!

Claudia - thanks for that interesting article on the hotel!  Can't imagine why AR's room would be so popular with the ladies...  LOL

Thanks also to Snapefan2!

Thanks for that link, Claudia. Having lived in Gloucester, I know the Cathedral and that hotel and the latter is very "exclusive". (And anyway, can't think of anywhere in Gloucester that they would stay. Cheltenham is far more "posh".) I'm sure they all had a terrific time! I love these little snapshots of "real" life. A little shower in the midst of a drought!

Great find Claudia!! If I ever go to Cheltenham Races I know which hotel I shall be going to!!

Wonder who were the "theatrical, luvvie types"!?

OMG Claudia!  Thanks, I almost missed that priceless AR observation in part two ... yes, I'm booking my room now.

You have to check out the sound files at the top right of that Cheltenham Hotel story!  No AR's voice but they do go to his room and have couple cute things to say!  LOL

Heh!  What a great article about the Cheltenham Inn!  Excellent find. Love the story about AR and KB being in awe of Richard Harris ...

Awww, I can even see this scene in my mind.  I sure do miss Harris. 

"But on the last night Richard Harris, Kenneth Branagh and Alan Rickman did have a bit of a session. I think Rickman and Branagh regarded it as sitting beneath the feet of a master. He [Richard Harris] was very much into story telling and they were soaking up every bit of information."

Darryl was fascinated with the relationship between Kenneth Branagh, Alan Rickman and veteran screen legend Richard Harris, adding: "That was interesting because they were almost in awe of him. He was obviously a great, great star and that was fascinating to see that they were like little boys [in his presence]."

Snapefan2 posted this in Cyndi's group a little bit ago. 

The Movie Secrets of a Cheltenham Hotel 

 Thank you Peekabooh!  And Merci beaucoup encore, Nadège!  I can be so blind sometimes! 

Italics fixed, Sue.  Yes indeed I would love a copy of U2 vs Texas! Don't worry about the ringtones!  Thank you!!!

That really is a cute idea for a music segment.  I mean two Irish bands....boy vs girl, etc. 

I was scanning the music channels a couple of hours ago and notice one had a programme coming up called U2vTexas. This is where they play two group's pop videos one after another so I thought I should better record it with my new toy.

First song was one of my fave U2 ones The Sweetest thing (the song and video Bono recorded for his wife when he forgot their wedding anniversary, funny most of us just get a card!)

The very first Texas video was In Demand so you can guess I was well pleased. Then all the rest of the vids were great too so I am saving it and going to put it on dvd when we get a dvd recorder shortly. (I expect you'd like copy Claudia  if only I can remove the five minute of ringtone ads in the middle!)

Help please Nadege!  I can't find any AR pics either. 

Nadège, would you pls be so kind as to let us know where exactly you've found pics of AR, thanks a lot

Bonjour Annick,j'en profite pour te remercier de l'info mais j'ai essayé de te joindre sur ton blog mais je n'y arrive pas, en plus ça fait quelques temps que je le connais. Merci encore!!!si tu pouvais me laisser une adresse où te joindre sur mon e-mail,j' attends avec impatience!!!Encore merci de m'avoir laisser un commentaire sur mon blog à la photo du "petit Alan".A bientôt!!!

I went on the site of The Royal Shakespeare Company,I found some pictures of Alan!!!! See You Later!!!http://www.rsc.org.uk/newsandevents/10_2146.asp

Oh now, Dee! That's just to cute for words! The Sheriff is perfect for that painting!  I love to look at art.  I can go into galleries and get lost.  But I have a real hard time remembering the history behind them so your manips and description of each one is a brilliant way to learn and remember.  Thanks!

I don't know if anyone is interested right now (with the new Harry Potter book and all the Perfumn news!) but I finished a new Famous Painting Wallpaper.

Soldier: "Sheriff, the peasants are revolting!"

Sheriff of Nottingham: "I know...I can smell them from here."

Our lovable Sheriff of Nottingham eagerly joins the fun at "A Peasant’s Dance" by Flemish artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder. His partner looks a bit concerned, doesn’t she. Perhaps she has heard about the Sheriff’s notoriously bad temper and noticed the dangerous utensil stuck in his hat!

Pieter Bruegel the Elder (known as "the Elder" because his first son, "the Younger", also became an artist) painted everything from Biblical scenes to mountain landscapes, but he is perhaps best known for his satires of peasant life.

Merci beaucoup, ANNICK!  

The last url looks like a French site that will be keeping tabs on the PPoaM's progress and will eventually have images, etc. 

The significance of the first two urls are lost on me, ANNICK.  I looked at them a bit and nothing looked familar to me.  

ANNICK has shared a Perfume entry from her blog.  I "babel fished" it since I am hopeless and thought I would share.

July 18, 2005

Subject: The PERFUME

Hour: 09. 19

CEST Author: sci4ctoulon

Turning began in the surroundings from Gréoux the Baths.

THE PERFUME: BEGINNING OF TURNING WITH DUSTIN HOFFMAN The turning of the adaptation of the novel of Patrick Süskind the Perfume started at the beginning of the month in the fields of lavender in Provence and continues in Munich. The German realizer Tom Tykwer (Heaven) is with the orders of this production of 50 million Euros. The American actor Dustin Hoffman interprets the Baldini perfumer there whereas the role of Frog is held by Ben Whislaw who recently knew a triumph in London in the tortured destiny of king d' Hamlet. Alan Rickman will play him to it role of Antoine whereas the two young women who will cross the Frog destiny are they Rachel Hurd-Wood and Karoline Herfurth. Partick Süskind during long years refused to sell the rights of its famous novel published in 1985, which was translated in 42 languages and was sold with more than 15 million specimens. This one tells the Frog history, born on a fish market in the bets of the XVIIIème century. It posséde not of odor body but on the other hand has a direction olfactil extrèmement developed which it uses to create the most refined perfumes. Its destiny will take a tragic turn whereas it is put at the research of the ultimate perfume and becomes in its search a murderer. The film is announced on the German screens for the re-entry 2006, before a French exit.

Gotta love Babel Fish though......Ben Whishaw will be playing "Frog"!  LOL

18 juillet 2005
Sujet : LE PARFUM
Heure : 09 h 19 CEST
Auteur :  sci4ctoulon

Le tournage a débuté dans les environs de Gréoux les Bains.

http://www.greoux-les-bains.com/index2.html

http://www.greoux-les-bains.com/menu.html

LE PARFUM: DéBUT DU TOURNAGE AVEC DUSTIN HOFFMAN


Le tournage de l'adaptation du roman de Patrick Süskind Le Parfum a commencé au début du mois dans les champs de lavande en Provence et se poursuit à Munich. Le réalisateur allemand Tom Tykwer (Heaven) est aux commandes de cette production de 50 millions d'Euros. L'acteur américain Dustin Hoffman y interprète le parfumeur Baldini alors que le rôle de Grenouille est tenu par Ben Whislaw qui a récemment connu un triomphe à Londres dans le destin torturé du roi d'Hamlet. Alan Rickman jouera lui le rôle d'Antoine alors que les deux jeunes femmes qui vont croiser le destin de Grenouille sont elles Rachel Hurd-Wood et Karoline Herfurth.

Partick Süskind a pendant de longues années refusé de vendre les droits de son célèbre roman paru en 1985, qui fut traduit dans 42 langues et vendu à plus de 15 millions d'exemplaires. Celui-ci raconte l'histoire de Grenouille, né sur un marché au poisson dans le paris du XVIIIème siècle. Il ne posséde pas d'odeur corporel mais possède par contre un sens olfactil extrèmement développé qu'il utilise pour créer les parfums les plus raffinés. Son destin prendra un tour tragique alors qu'il se mettra à la recherche du parfum ultime et deviendra dans sa quête un meurtrier.

Le film est annoncé sur les écrans allemands pour la rentrée 2006, avant une sortie française.


Carine Filloux

http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm.html?cfilm=55603

No worry SARF, the partial posts have been removed.  I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner for you though.   

Thanks Elaine for the news on the GoF site from Muggle.net.

I have to agree with you about AR being anywhere other than Germany right now too, Elaine.  These kind of HP rumors are rampant during book and film releases.  My son's wife heard that JK Rowling would be at the military base that borders on the south end of my city signing books.  They aren't HP fans either so they really didn't know (or care) whether it was true or not but they thought I might be interested. 

Red Tango, I really like your photos of the bust much better than the site!  Maybe Gentle Giant should buy them from you!  Many thanks for sharing! 

I'm really glad everyone is finding the HP Spoilers forum so useful.  Thanks again Sue for suggesting a separate forum. 

Well SARF, as AR is supposed to be filming in Germany, I doubt it was true and I think we would have heard something if he did turn up. And why Bexleyheath? And given that AR is not that fond of signing as "Severus Snape" I can't see him volunteering to sign HP books. Bit of a giveaway, too! If he did turn up, then LUCKY LUCKY Bexleyheath, and where are the pics???

*looks down*

I have NO idea how those happened! I'm sorry Claudia!

Anyway, as I was saying...

Thank you for the images Red Tango. It's always great to have a look at your site!

Also, I did a random google search and came across this blog: http://www.binarymoon.co.uk/2005/07/harry-potter-half-blood-prince/

The author of the blog mentions that AR was supposed to be doing signings for HBP at a bookstore in Bexleyheath - does anybody know anything about this?

Claudia, thank you so much for that spoiler board!  I finished the book a few hours ago and it's so nice to have a place to go to test out our theories!  It finally accepted my posts...a slight delay, but not too bad. 

I'm going to have to let this book ferment a little in my mind.  I am going on vacation for a week the first part of August.  I think I will bring it along for my second read-through.  By that time I will have come up with various theories and see new things the second time around.  I know...I'm a weirdo and proud of it.

After all the excitement of HBP, "Mugglenet" have a sneak preview of Warner Bros "GoF" site. The menu page has a little line of thumbnails of characters in the film and almost everyone is there - except Snape! So this does not bode well for the actual film. We'll just have to keep in mind films 5 & definitely 6!

Thanks, Red Tango. It does look more like him in your pics. Perhaps I'll have to save up after all!

sue, I suppose the HP actors (kids) have got to that point where they could keep on to the last one now as it seems that teenagers look much the same age for a few years. Depends how quick they churn them out - hopefully VERY quick before AR gets bored with them!

Wow the model looks so real.

Thank you for the link, Sue. And thanks to RedTango for taking the pics and sharing. 

The bust actually looks like AR in RT's pics! 

I finally finished the book at tea-time. Despite the spoilers it was still a great surprise ending. Enjoyed the book a lot and just hope they all won't be too old (including Snape!) to make the movie.

Hello everyone. I'm only about half way through HP and I ran into the same problem as Sue.  I popped into Suzanne's GB yesterday to see what was going on over there and the "spoiler" got me. There just wasn't enough hours this weekend for me to read the entire book. I'll be leaving work in about 20 minutes and when I get home I hope to read to the end (or at least put a serious dent in it)!

Elaine, I didn't know you had a LJ! Are there a lot of LJs out there dedicated to AR or Harry Potter? As soon as I'm done the book I'll be over to check it out. I'll be visiting Claudia's HP spoiler forum as well because I'm gonna want to hear everyone's thoughts and express some of my own.

Melissa, good point! I think AR has this kind of "thing" about odd films. Perhaps he knows how "valuable" his name is to a production so picks projects that could do with a "boost". We'll never really know. I just hope that he agrees to the rest of the HP films. (My mouth is  at the thought!)

Hey Claudia, if you need a "precis" of the HP books and help with "jargon", I'll work something out for you.

I'm on the second reading now. I've started making notes on the "important" chapters. Please feel free to read them on my LJ but be aware I write a lot of drivel, and it's all just my opinion.

Harry Potter-Fans - own world,own language @Claudia. I really wonder - didn't knew, I'm able to write  and read (and maybe speak) Wizardish ;o))

Ricky

PS: If you ever have gotten the time - read the books. They are better and more

ahhh ....poor Sue.....where as my spoiler was caused by my own stooooopidity, yours was accidental on your part and deliberate on the other's.  SHAME on them!

I also agree that even though AR seems to really pick thru the scripts, most of them are either very twisted or tend not to do well.....with a couple of abvious exceptions of course, but i DO think that it has ALOT to do with the directors, and probably that AR isn't interested in the kind of stuff that interests most audiences.....i think he LIKES to pick weird stuff that finds his fancy.

I've been reading the Spoilers Forum here and the new one at Suzanne's and I have to say that the Harry Potter world definitely has its own language!  By the time I learn one term, there are 10 more to digest!  I know...I should read the books...but I'm stubborn, ladies.  Plain and simple.  LOL

Got a ton of work for the next 3 weeks so I may only get to pop in every once in a while. 

That's me on the right end!  LOL

It's just the cover Daydreamer. They started making "adult" covers so people wouldn't look like they were reading kids books on the Tube!!

Regarding JK and DH, what I've read has been that they were originally intended for theatrical release, but as sometimes happens.. say they don't perform well at test screenings, or the studio rejects them, etc.. they were instead sent straight to video distribution.

Regarding Bob Roberts, when I saw that film, to be honest, I didn't even know AR's name.. I'm not a Tim Robbins fan, absolutely cannot stand him (political reasons, and I'm not a right winger either), which could have prejudiced me against the film.

Just finished the book, and I'm not quite speechless, but... wow!  Heading over to the spoiler site to see if anybody thinks what I'm thinking.  :-)

This is so funny, it makes me want to book tickets right now. Kenneth Branagh's new play. Don't be drinking anything while reading, you'll spit.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/94047.html

After two days of power-reading, my eyes are burning! Thanks Claudia for the spoiler board! It was fun to share there.

Now, I'm going to rest my eyes. Johnny Depp is on "The Actors Studio" tonight -- and he's pretty restful on the eyes!!

PS, I quite like AR's scenes in Judas Kiss - especially with Emma T - but not the rest of the movie. It kind of loses all meaning when he's not on screen.... (And Claudia, I'm with you on Bob Roberts. It's my least favourite AR movie.)

Given that AR seems to spend some time "choosing" his projects, if the movie was "a dog" or whatever he called it, then why take the part? Not being in the business, I find it hard to understand that a script would be so different from the end product but I guess it is quite possible. Maybe it was the incredibly boring and dull director? (Just listen to the director's commentary but hide all your sharp objects and any pills you may have lurking in the bathroom cabinet!)

I think the drought has not quite moved on. I get "Hotdog" every month and they are usually big fans of AR, always managing to mention him or one of his roles (Hans is a big favourite) at least once every month. But I haven't seen any mention for a few issues now. They need reminding! Although they did preview the H2G2 DVD which comes out in September. Apparently they are filming special "deleted scenes" for it and there will be the usual "featurette" about the making of it including a lot of post production stuff. Perhaps some potential there for a sighting? As I never got round to seeing H2G2 in the cinemas, I am looking forward to this.

So after that, would be HP & tGOF in November, and then "Snowcake", when? Then "Perfume" next autumn? Would be nice to have an itty bitty stage role in there somewhere. Oh and I forgot the Andrew Marr interview to be re-scheduled  - hopefully!

What am I saying???  Neither were released in DVD first!  DVD was only coming into its own at that time.  Since they both came out in VHS format first maybe I should have used the term "video" instead!  LOL

I don't know for sure, Aurora.  Dark Harbor was shown on cable premium channels too so maybe its a matter of what came first...the chicken or the egg. 

I could be wrong, Elaine but I think Dark Harbor did go straight to DVD.  So did Judas Kiss. 

There was once a report from the stage door where the fan asked him to sign a promo shot from the film and he called it either a stinker or dog--can't remember which. 

Dark Harbor Spoilers Ahead....

The first time I saw DHbr, I was totally taken in by innocent David.  There were a few little things that brought up my radar (like the horn blowing) but when your an AR fan and want him to be the good guy for a change, those can be shrugged off!  LOL 

Anyway, I have to say.  DHbr is the only film (including Sixth Sense) that has ever had me coming off the sofa.  I couldn't believe my eyes!  LOL 

No worries Claudia!

Well, let's try and get away form HP for a bit (is this me talking??) Felt like I really needed a bit of AR the other night so put "Dark Harbor" on. This film has continued to "grow" on me so much that it is one of my favoutrites. I did not really like it when I first saw it and it does take a few screenings to get all the clues, but then after that, I just began to really enjoy AR's performance (even with the strange accent.) But this was another film which was so complicated that it was destined straight for DVD. Did it ever get released in the cinema, anyone know?

Still a slow AR news weekend.  Here's Bill Nighy alert.  First Pic of Pirates Villain Davey Jones!  Ewwww, look at the character he'll be playing.  I still need to catch Pirates of the Caribbean before this comes out, I suppose. 

Elaine mail coming soon, I promise. 

I'm so glad the HP Spoilers forum seems to have worked out so well here. There has been some very interesting opinions over there so don't forget to pop over when you've finished the book and chime in. 

Sue, you're right.  That spoiler over at Suzanne's was very deliberate.  Its a shame that someone would deliberately try to ruin someone's reading experience like that. 

Here's a little news alert I received that was quite interesting.  Nothing to do with AR but its been a quiet weekend!  LOL  It has to do with the RSC's upcoming Shakespeare "festival" (for lack of a better word).  RSC Attacked for Comparing British Monarch With Saddam Hussein  Is anyone familiar with this ContactMusic.com as a reliable news source? 

Sue, I sympathise with you. I caught a spoiler quite unintentionally for who died  and even though I had worked it out, it did annoy me. It enabled me to work out who was going to do what and who to quite easily and I've never done that with the other books before. It's even worse if it's done intentionally after so many people have made their concerns known.

Still, I enjoyed the book so much, I'm on the second reading to pick up the clues now I know the outcome! What luck we are having quiet nights at the moment!

"Pissed off is what I am!" Just carelessly clicked on Suzanne's GB and saw a capital letter spoiler (without a spoiler warning!) revealing the big story of HP! Even though I am over halfway through and can see where it is going I really get annoyed to see "So &so killed So & so!" What is wrong with some people that they have to spoil other's enjoyment, (it was obviously done deliberately)!??

i looked up my wu-name....a little behind the rest of the gang, but i first got: Respected Genius! , and then put in my full name:  unlucky pupil! hahahahahahahaha I only wish the first were true!  My husband, who is a sweet man, would say that it is, but he is terribly biased heeheehee.  He went from being a Gentelman Magician to a Pesty Beggar!  ROFL

thankyou SARF *sniff*  am regaining composure

i promise never to do something equally as stupid again as long as i live *sheepish smile*

Just finished HBP. I'm speechless! But what a treat for AR fans like us when they do the film!!!!!!

It is still me,the frenchwoman,lol!!I give you the photograph of Alan in 1965.I put it on the site of Photobucket.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v641/ARDLHGB/?action=view&current=1965NightMustFallClassAct.jpg

Jeepers, I used gracious twice.. I am way over tired from two late nights in a row..

Just finished HBP (no spoilers from me ). Feel exhausted, but not ready to sleep so I thought I'd hop online for a bit. I attended the midnight release party at the Borders in Cranston, RI. Got there too late to get in line to get an autographed photo from Jason Isaacs (by 8:45, the line was wrapped all the way around the store). My daughter and I hung out in one of the aisles to get a peek at him, and he ended up coming down that aisle while making his way to the table. He graciously stopped to talk to people, have his photo snapped, and I got to speak with him for just a minute.. he's absolutely gracious. My daughter managed to take a few photos, and I'll post them when she gets them developed.

Oh Melissa! Sweetie! I'm so sorry! You were warned...

If it makes you feel any better, then it was all lies! None of it was true! We made it all up - now, wait patiently for your book, and don't go anywhere near the internet!

It's especially important that you keep well away from ANY Harry Potter sites until you've finished reading the book! According to friends, there have been come evil little twits who have been giving away spoilers for months now.

 Oh WOE IS ME!  WHY did i GIVE IN! 

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!

IT WAS JEALOSY....that horrible green monster!

I started to read the spoilers page and i'm at least 5 days away from getting my own copy! 

I must be STOOOOPID!!!!!

WHYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! *SOB*

I can't believe the horrible things i just read.....it can't be true!  You're lying! all of you!!!

please! say it ain't SO!

okay....*ahem*...i think it is fair to say that i just had a nervous breakdown....wouldn't you?

*breathe * breathe*

okay....i think i'll go take my meds now....

...tottering off to my straight jacket....

nighty night

Wowzers, Kim!  That's what I call an outright HP festival!  Even I would have had a hard time staying away from all that fun!  I hope your nephews has a blast! 

HI: Just thought I'd drop by for a short visit and let Claudia know I'm still here and have not forsaken her!

Thanks for all of the Harry Potter party reports! There really weren't any major parties in my area.    But, look what my lucky nephews, ages 11 and 9 got to do: (Their entire downtown area was turned into a sort of Diagon Alley.)