Jemmaholics Anonymous

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 27 December 2011 10:11)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas/weekend. @Fran sounds like you had an exotic feast. I had more or less the same as Kirsty, very traditional. Although I don't like trifle, Chritmas cake or pudding or mince pies actually so I felt a bit left out. First post on Jemma meetings 2 I do feel honoured but also like I'm in the wrong room, seen as I can't see anyone else around.

Randy (Tuesday, 27 December 2011 10:41)

@Clijsters3 Welcome back. I'll keep you company in the new room. Are you sure you're English, as you don't like those traditional British yummies? :-))

Kirsty (Tuesday, 27 December 2011 11:01)

hey all. Isn't this exciting, in our new room. Loving the new photo @San!

frananifan (Tuesday, 27 December 2011 11:08)

@San I really wish I knew what ice smells like. I was under the stars last night standing fireside with my new very cool neighbors. Looking up I thought about how fortunate I am to be awake and aware at that moment and to feel the good things that I do about the people I know. I must have been picking up your warm thoughts. Thank you. So glad you kept your head.

Marie-Helene (Tuesday, 27 December 2011 11:35)

Christmas is over, a good thing. I've always preferred New Year Eve's celebrations. We had a traditional meal with turkey, ragout (traditional stew) and "tourtiere" (meat pie). My mother is good at it but I've never care much for traditional food. I don't care for anything traditional anyway :-)

On the bright side, I booked my air tickets and accommodation in Germany, Czech Republic and Poland for May and June. And I manage to get a very good seat for Rebecca the first of June. It will help me to go through the winter and my stressful job. I am so looking forward to visiting these great countries.

About the recent Jemma comments on AE, I didn't have the energy to answer, their comments were so unfair, so biased. AE is such a disappointing and superficial lesbian media, thanks for the Autostraddle link, it seems much better.

Randy (Tuesday, 27 December 2011 11:46)

@San Regarding your guillotine wannabe car trunk, mine does that too. By any chance do you have a Ford?

frananifan (Tuesday, 27 December 2011 12:13)

@Marie-Helene Wow so much to look forward to! Except for maybe the food. I'm not a big fan of bland Eastern European root vegetables with slimy white sauce on them. I would have enjoyed your traditional Christmas meal although I'm not so traditional either;)

@Eyelesstrees re#996 Thank you. Everytime you think about them you are part of them.

@Kirsty This was so much smoother and less !!INTENSE!! than the first time we hit 1000. I recall experiencing an internal little girl freak out the last time.

@Clijsters3 You are in the right place, thanks for holding the door open. I'm not big on sweets myself but Sans VVA recipe was really good. Give it a try.

San (Tuesday, 27 December 2011 13:09)

@Clijsters3 You're #1!!!!

@Kirsty I debated using a new picture or keeping the room exactly the same. I'm still beabening about reconciling the 2 naming conventions JA Meeting.2 and Room 234.3. And the site structure: should there be a general JA Meeting Page that links to JA Meeting.1 and JA Meeting.2? Well, then we could rename them Room 234.2 and Room 234.3. Ahhh! Someone else might have to make the executive decision on this :) Information decisions are my kryptonite. I will be adding a few more links between the rooms as well as making the images on the home page link to the latest room.

@frananifan Well, "icy" smells like really cold dirt where I come from :) I might have gotten your thoughts. It was sometime after 10pm CST when I sent the message.

@Randy Why, yes. It just so happens that I have a Mercury Cougar vintage 2002, and that hatchback is not light, especially when it slams on your head. The interior padding softens the blow.

@Marie-Helene Travel! That sounds wonderful. I hope the months fly by for you. And you're right, New Years is so much better.

So, I bought the Massive Attack compilation album, Collected. And guess what surprise appeared to my ears - the Jenny Drug Trip song "Live With Me". Perhaps, y'all already knew this. I will be adding it to the Jemma Song Project soon. The video is VERY depressing, and it might make you think twice before making a batch of VVAs.

Kirsty (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 01:49)

@San Ha, Orion is one of the only 2 star constellations I know so I will now associate it with Jemma and all you guys, awesome. Also, I have a guillotine car trunk too!! It's a Volkswagen though. The squooshy tubes that keep it held up are broken ( I always forget what they're called) and I'm too cheap to get them fixed just now! I have to rest the door on my head while I wait for my dog to jump in! (speaking of which, there's a little photo of her in my sandbox.)
Not sure about the new naming. Maybe it could just be page 1,2 etc under JA Meetings. But I also like the way you have it just now.
@Marie-Helene Wow your trip sounds great. How exciting to have that to look forward to! We celebrate New Years Eve big time here too- although we call it Hogmanay. Huge street party in Edinburgh and in my local village- a bonfire the size of a small house!!

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 03:48)

I feel like I cheated a bit to be #1 though, but it was an honest mistake:)

@Randy I am English 100%, I just don't like the taste of dried fruit or the texture of it in my mouth yuck!

And now you'll all think I'm really fussy but I don't like cooked fruit either! So sorry @San but I won't be trying your recipe. I do like fruit lets make that clear, but only when its fresh:)I do love chocolate though, yum!

@San love the new picture as well.

@Kirsty I've always wondered why do you call New Year Hogmanay in Scotland?

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 03:57)

@Marie-Helene Your trip sounds so exciting, I'd love to visit Central/Eastern Europe mainly to see all the wonderful architecture, and maybe even to practise my German.

@all I went on the Autostraddle (what a strange name) site yesterday. I've been on it before but only the once because the home page seemed a bit messy. However, this time I managed to find some articles on tennis so that made me happy. I couldn't even get onto the AE site yesterday so haven't been able to see the negative comments, which is probably a good thing.

@Randy Just want to let you know I don't drink either:)

Kirsty (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 04:19)

@Clijsters3 I'm ashamed to say I'm not sure why we call it Hogmanay..so I looked up Wikipaedia. It didn't really help, there are many possible explanations, but quite an interesting article

Had a quick look on Autostraddle, seems good. Can't give up AE though. Heather Hogan's 'Pretty Little Liars' re-caps are the funniest things ever. Full of LOTR, Harry Potter references etc.

I don't drink either!

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 04:51)

@Kirsty Hang on, you're Scottish and you don't drink?! Sorry about the stereotype:) Looks like we're a sober bunch afterall!
I actually went on Wiki after I asked you, just in case it was a really obvious answer, but like you said it isn't.

frananifan (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 07:00)

@Kirsty Your dog and I have something in common! What's his name? he is so cute.

@All to whom this applies. For most cars the hatchback/trunk lid lift supports are available online for about the cost of my knock-off Jenny watch. I am not a mechanic, I just don't like to pay someone else to do things I can do myself. This task you can typically do yourself in ten minutes without tools and they will ship to your door. I worry for your heads.

Kirsty (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 09:17)

@frananifan Aw, thank you! I must look into that. It certainly is a bit sore when I forget about it and the door crashes down on my head! My dog's called Nala (from the Lion King...) She's about 3. She's helped me through a couple of break-ups. Just now she's just staring at me because she'd like a big walk. I've explained to her that today is a relaxing day and tomorrow we will head for the hills. Or beach. Haven't decided yet. She doesn't think much of that though..

@Clijsters3 haha I know, I get embarrassed when I tell people that. There's no particular reason for it- I just don't like the taste of alcoholic drinks plus I'd just rather not :)

San (Wednesday, 28 December 2011)

@frananifan The wheels are already in motion to switch out the trunk rods.

@Clijsters3 I understand the cooked fruit. I only eat apples cooked. Peaches are the worst! They look so much like apples, but they taste like crap. So I call them crapples.

I think it's fairly well established that I drink :) However, I do have a couple of confessions. I don't take care of animals. They're certainly cute in other people's houses (and @Kirsty Nala is very adorable). Also, I don't get LOTR (I had to think about what that was) and Harry Potter references. And I went to library school! They were in the freakin' lesson plans! The whole class would laugh and laugh and laugh, and I would go, "Oh, must be a Harry Potter thing." *sigh* *eyeroll* @Kirsty Heather's PLL re-caps are hilarious in any case :)

Randy (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 10:04)

@San I don't mind sounding uninformed, but what does LOTR mean?

@Kirsty Your reasons for not drinking are mine too. I'd rather eat (but not overeat).

@frananifan Thanks for the trunk rod information. You're full of practical suggestions.

@Clijsters3 I too prefer fresh fruit to cooked fruit, but I ate two slices of homemade apple pie that a neighbor gave me at Christmas. Hey, it would have been unneighborly to refuse. :-)

Kirsty (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 10:40)

@Randy Sorry, I was just being lazy when I typed LOTR...Lord of the Rings!

frananifan (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 10:52)

Crapples HA! This past summer, when I was asked to grill the peaches I was gagging at the thought of having to eat them...and they did indeed suck.

Randy (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 15:58)

@All It's time to start kissing goodbye to 2011. The first 10 screenshots in my sandbox are new. Enjoy!

San (Wednesday, 28 December 2011 16:15)

@frananifan Grilled crapples??? That's not right.

frananifan (Thursday, 29 December 2011 10:41)

I don’t know how to say this without sounding...uhm...you know...nuts, but thank you to whoever keeps doing that. I’m paying it forward.

Wired (Thursday, 29 December 2011 11:57)

Hey Everyone! Looks like I missed a few conversations while I was involved with placating my sister over the holidays. I'll jump right in with some comments to all:

- my Christmas dinner this year was not traditional but totally seafood based (if you hate seafood be glad you weren't at my house) instead of turkey with stuffing etc. I had lobster, mussels, smoked salmon and cream cheese on bagels. Yummy! @frananifan your dinner sounds awesome though! I like the choice!

- New Years is big here though as the years go by it seems to be less of a party and more of a struggle to just stay up until midnight to wish everyone happy new years! I do also partake of the drinks so...I'm working on actually adding the vanilla vodka to the apples instead of mixing the odd drink with it...also I love apple anything but cooked peaches? Yuck!!! I'm with you on that one! Why would you grill it? Why?

- I too have become a bit annoyed with AE. When they started it was a great site and Sara Warn was a great site editor, since being bought out by Logo etc. things have changed. I still go to it though for mainstream info, Heather Hogan, Dorothy Snarker etc I just don't live there anymore. I have checked out Autostraddle for awhile but (I sound 100 years old here)it seems very oriented to the younger people. I don't necessarily understand the words they use sometimes (slang) and it takes me a while

- I with @Kirsty and am an LOTR, Harry Potter etc. etc. fan. I actually can understand sci-fi references...and 80's references (Bueller!)...and well I think I have too much excess info in my head instead of the tax stuff I"m supposed to have! :)

- awesome transition to our second room! I remember when I freaked out when we first moved here but knowing what happens at 1000 I was prepared. WHEW! TJ for @San who is always on it! Even when her car is trying to injure her or her apartment is freezing her out she's on it! Maybe you should have a seance a la Jemma to figure out what's up?

@Marie-Helene awesome trip! Including the Rebecca performance! Definitely something nice to look forward to in 2012!

@Randy! Ah the culmination of the inhale! Lovely as always. Sigh. Those people at AE have too much to critize on the kissing. I also don't read the comments usually there...too much complaining! Do we get a post kiss picture next? :)

I'll post my comments on ep 74-78 soon. Just checking in and saying hi! I'm back on line! My sister left. YAY!

San (Thursday, 29 December 2011 23:42)

I think we should re-brand Orion as the Jenny Chair Dance constellation, instead of the Hunter. If I was in a Photoshopping mood, I'd place the constellation over a screenshot. But alas, maybe one day soon.

@Wired Sisters, they always want to do stuff, don't they? :)

Had a pretty good night of tennis. Won a set, served an ace out wide, some of my lobs hit the baseline, and I had a run of slice forehand winners down the line. Yay, me!

Clijsters3 (Friday, 30 December 2011 05:05)

Was out walking in the Lake District yesterday, lovely scenery even though it was rainy, windy and it even hail stoned ouch!

@Kirsty and Randy, same here I don't drink because I don't like the taste.

@Wired glad I wasn't round yours for Christmas I hate seafood!
This is weird but the one fruit I don't mind in a crumble is...peach!

@San sounds like a good night of tennis. Slice forehand is a shot you don't often see. I'm rubbish at serving, so mainly rely on just getting the ball back. Hence my name 'The Wall':)

Kirsty (Friday, 30 December 2011 11:09)

Been out geocaching today with the dog until the rain got too heavy.

@Clijsters3 I love the Lake District. I have a friend I met on Pink Sofa who lives in Barrowford near Burnley and we meet up in the Lake District 2 or 3 times a year for some camping and walking. Great fun

Going to put a picture in my sandbox soon of the big bonfire in my local town which will be lit tomorrow night, it's bigger than I remembered!

frananifan (Friday, 30 December 2011 15:48)

All of this talk about drinking made me thirsty. It is a balmy 47F here and I'm having a mug of iced coffee enhanced with Bailey's. My second drink of the year so far. I must say friends, it is going down very nicely. There may be another before the year is through.

@Wired Love the seafood. That sounds like a devine holiday feast to me. I don't remember last New Year's Eve and it wasn't because I partied. It was because I was asleep by 10 pm (lame). This year will be different.

@Randy There is something about pic number 9...... I really miss these girls.

@Kirsty Was your geocaching adventure productive? I hope the rain goes away for the bonfire. The stack is quite impressive. Will there be STAG-dancing in the streets?

@The Wall Really? You would eat a hot peach but not lobster? So I take it you've never stabbed sushi with a chopstick either?

@San I'm all for renaming constellations after Jenny. I will never look at Orion the same way again.

I sat at a staff meeting this week watching a tennis-like match between a couple of arschlochs. My head was going back and forth to the point where I was getting motion sickness and excused myself from the table. A slice forehand would've come in handy. Not that I know what it is but I liken it to wielding my rainbow colored emmabeam with just the right amount of wrist action.

San (Saturday, 31 December 2011 01:02)

I was forced out of bed at 9am by the out-of-towners. We went to breakfast. Then, antique shopping where I almost bought a funky curved-shaped chest of drawers. Stopped for coffee at a cafe with very disturbing teddy bear art. More antiquing. They bought a welded jalapeno pirate for the garden. Stopped by the greatest liquor store in the known universe. Partook of many champagne, rum, and wine samples. Bought sparkling wine, tequila, and beer. We then had lunch at a wonderful Tex-Mex restaurant complete with margaritas. Then off to the greatest shopping mall in the known universe. I bought a pair of convertible mittens, which I will rarely need. Had pizza and a bottle of wine for dinner. To make a long story short (too late), I'm tired.

@Clijsters3 I was playing doubles. Forehand slice is great when you're returning serve, especially in the deuce court. You just chip it down the alley to the net player's backhand side. It's not bad in singles either since the server is on the other side of the court. However, a Wall such as yourself would probably run it down. Walls always seem to get more exercise :) Me, I tend to go for my shots a bit sooner in the rally. For years the only tennis I played was hitting against your name source and practicing my serve, so the serve ain't bad.

@frananifan I might suggest a backhand slice for your emmabeam swings. You would be able to have a more complete follow through more effective blow :) Just think high to low and through.

Kirsty (Saturday, 31 December 2011 05:15)

@frananifan '@the Wall'haha Found 9 geocaches, a good end to the year. I'm going out to dinner with my parents and friends in Edinburgh tonight. Then I will leg it down to the bonfire. Grab the nearest chair, jump on it and dance my little Jemma heart out. 2011 was great, I discovered Jemma/ Lucy/Willemijn/Wicked/you guys..2012 will be awesome, it will be the year I see Lucy Scherer in the flesh... :D

@San I am disturbed to think what the ' disturbing teddy bear art' was. Who would make such a thing!?!

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 31 December 2011 05:32)

@Frananifan Sorry never had sushi, I do like tinned tuna...not quite the same is it...:)

@San I have hit a few slice forehands in my time, but only when the ball is really low. However, I have an advantage in tennis I'm left handed! So all my slice is very crafty. You're right I do a lot of running around!

@Kirsty I've seen in the paper that Edinburgh has been named the best place to see in the New Year! So you're in the right place.

frananifan (Saturday, 31 December 2011 10:38)

@hoppe I've sent my affirmations to you an email. I did not make the dragonfly. It came to me not long ago with a message. If I wasn't used to these things happening I would have never believed it. You will see midnight before anyone else here. Create your own fireworks by popping off some jazzy colored emmabeam bursts. That's what I am going to do. Glückliches Neues Jahr!

Randy (Saturday, 31 December 2011)

@frananifan Your Franbox poem is inspiring, beautifully expressed, and attractively presented. Your aspirations are ones we can all relate to. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and hopes.

@Kirsty Where does all the stuff for the bonfire come from? Do people throw whatever they want on it or does an official person determine what to put on it? I hope you'll take photos when it's on fire so we can see how spectacular it is.

San (Saturday, 31 December 2011 10:51)

Oh no! I need to describe the teddy bear art. Well, I was calling it a teddy bear collage, but my sister thought it would be pictures of teddy bears. Nope. It's actual teddy bears grouped together in a shape. One is circular. It's just disturbing because are stuck to a wall, and not fulfilling their purpose to be loved and hugged. I wasn't able to bring myself to look into any of the plastic teddy bear eyes staring at me, but I'm pretty sure I would've seen sadness.

@Clijsters3 A lefty wall?!!! All my strategies are useless! I'll have to resort to my highly inconsistent drop shot, lob, forehand winner combo. Game, Set, and Match You :)

@Kirsty One of the state universities here in Texas used to build a huge bonfire before the big rivalry game with the other state university (I went to another state university that just existed to annoy these two). Anyway, I have to admit it was an engineering marvel. That is until it collapsed when they were building it one year and killed several students. (http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/12171574.jpg) Your bonfire looks very responsible and the radiant heat must be rather intense.

@frananifan Perchance, are those Bergmann Villa sheets as the background? :)

frananifan (Saturday, 31 December 2011 11:11)

@San Actually they are replica sheets that are currently on my bed (!jemmel sighs!)
Oh yea, I remember hearing about that awful bonfire tragedy.

@Randy Thank you. Its really the other way around. My spitit has been energized by this room full of leutes. I have been inspired to be more expressive about it.

frananifan (Saturday, 31 December 2011 11:16)

*spirit

Wired (Saturday, 31 December 2011 17:50)

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all! Well ok, in 4.5 hours but I doubt I'll make it up that late so I'll say it now to you all!

@Kirsty Gadzooks that's a bonfire!! What is it about celebrations and fire? I'm sure there is significant meaning in that but quite simply: I like it! I did the same thing at Thanksgiving (on a much smaller scale) so I approve for New Years! Usually if we did that here we'd freeze though today it seems Mother Nature wants it warm and wet (5 degrees celcius and RAIN!). Anyways, I second the request for a picture of the pile on fire and chair dancing!

@Frananifan I'm with Randy and agree your poem is inspiring. Also @Hoppe those cards for the New Year are great! Thank you so much for sharing it.

@San Wow that is some disturbing teddy bear "art". I don't know how someone could do that! Hopefully you can put the whole thing behind you, hug a bear and move on. The picture in my mind is definitely disturbing...I'm glad I didn't see it! By the way I am learning a lot about tennis from Rm 234 too! I can't hit a tennis ball it seems with a tennis racket so I've never played. Weird I can hit a ball with bat but not the much bigger racket. I'm not sure what to think about my athletic skills with that so I'll leave it. :) Either way I'll leave the matches to you and Clijsters3 and enjoy you guys talking about it.

oh yeah @Kirsty I've always wanted to try geocaching! Have you found many interesting things while do that? I hear sometimes people leave neat stuff at the sites.

Kirsty (Saturday, 31 December 2011 18:28)

hmph, due to a mixture of eating too much rubbish the past week or so and my ulcerative collitis having an off day I had to curtail my evening and missed the bonfire. Oh well there's always next year. Also, as I was driving home tonight Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' played on the radio which cheered me up because a) it's a fantastic song and b) it brought a picture of Jenny in leather into my head (before she almost fell backwards!)

@Randy Basically anyone can chuck stuff on the fire- old doors, extra Christmas trees, pallets, old furniture etc The local farmers always find something to add to it.

@San That's very sad about that bonfire.What a cool picture though, I've never seen a fire like it!

@hoppe My dog is a Jack Russell

@frnanifan cool poem. I wish I could do all those things, I always try but... I will keep trying :)

@Wired firstly, I love 'Gadzooks' hadn't heard that in ages! I've not really found anything interesting in the caches- it's usually just things like bouncy balls, plastic figures/animals etc. Have found some cool cache containers. someone had made a replica egg but hollowed out a space for the logbook, another one was an oil drum! Usually the're just tupperware boxes or old film cannisters.

Hey guys, Happy New Year! and I hope we all have a Jemmatastic 2012 :D x

Kirsty (Saturday, 31 December 2011 18:56)

Also, @San I love that Jalapeno pirate! Wan't expecting it to be so big!

frananifan (Saturday, 31 December 2011 19:59)

@Kirsty So sorry your evening was a bust. So was mine. In the past I’ve had that problem you have. Try not to let it stress you too much. Sending my healing stuff to you. cover yourself in it.
I really would not call it a poem. And the only thing I can do is try. I get closer to it being real by saying that I WILL and then focus on one thing each day. But I can only try just like you. Some days I forget that I am trying to do anything at all. Sometimes I’m a real jerk (wife happens to think so right now). At the end of the day I go to sleep and start again the next morning.
And, I can think of some really cool things I would leave behind in a creative way.

@234s
Happy New Year! I love all of you.

Marie-Helene (Saturday, 31 December 2011 20:54)

@Dear 234s...Happy New Year! Bonne année 2012!

San (Sunday, 01 January 2012 00:52)

Happy New Year! You know, there's 2 2s and 2012. For some reason that's cool, like a bookend. @Kirsty, you're not alone. I rung in the new year lying on a futon hugging a teddy bear. Pictures of said teddy bear are in my sandbox. The sky was too cloudy for me to send cheer to the Jenny Chair Dance. You guys are great and enjoy what remains of the holiday.

Randy (Sunday, 01 January 2012 09:54)

@San I love "hug slut"! It's so funny applied to that innocent-looking teddy bear. You have a way with words. And please give us a link to your youtube channel.

Randy (Sunday, 01 January 2012 10:17)

@hoppe #49 The German word Mischmasch is like the Middle English and Yiddish derived word mishmash used in the U.S.

Randy (Sunday, 01 January 2012 10:28)

@All To start off the New Year, there are five new screenshots in my sandbox. Happy 2012 to everyone.

Wired (Sunday, 01 January 2012 14:00)

Happy 2012 234!

Hmmm I like the sound of that! Well like everyone else I didn't make it to midnight last night. My head hit my new pillow at 10:30pm. Maybe I'll make it next year if I nap earlier...

@ Kirsty sorry to hear you missed the big fire! Hopefully you're feeling better today.

@ Frananifan I like how you expressed that all we can do is try. Also with you with the wife not happy with you sometimes...am there

@San your JBear too cool for words. She is certainly happening and did I see her in front of an RCMP bear? Oh yeah for New Years I had vanilla vodka with ginger ale. It was good! Tastes like cream soda pop ( with attitude).

Well on to 2012 and I'm going to try to add more Jemma and stare at @randy's sandbox so I can Emmabeam all day!

Randy (Sunday, 01 January 2012 15:18)

@Clijsters3 I love your sandbox photos of the three horses and the land tax free house over the river (which must have pissed off the tax collector and given the equivalent of the modern finger in the air to the monarch).

Kirsty (Sunday, 01 January 2012 18:32)

@Wired thanks. Much better today, very unpredictable but could be a lot worse so can't complain!

Here is the bonfire website, some good pictures. Bear in mind that this is one of the 'main' roads from the English border! I can't remember if they actually shut the road for a while or send the traffic a very long way round the town!
http://www.biggarbonfire.org.uk/bb2011/index.html

@Hoppe Do I remember correctly? Did someone here post a link to a youtube clip of a short lesbian film called 'Lady Pochoir' or something that had Bea in it? Was it you?? I came across it again today and it only has Verona Zimmerman from VL in it- as a lesbian! My prayers have been answered! Am I right in thinking that she and Vanessa Jung (Bea) played sisters in VL? (Also, do you watch it? Are Dana and Hagen together? Was he not married to Marlene?...Wikipedia only tells me a little bit!)

San (Monday, 02 January 2012 16:21)

@Wired Yep, that's the RCMP bear :) They looked so similar that we had to take a picture of them together! Vanilla vodka with ginger ale sounds very tasty. My sis had a vanilla screwdrivers (or Dreamsicle drivers). I opted for screwdrivers with orange vodka because it blends really well. You know, about tennis, you already have good eye-hand coordination, so I'm sure once you get the right grip on the racket, you'll be smashing the ball all over the court :)

@hoppe I figured someone would find my youtube channel eventually. @Randy I've put the link and details in my sandbox.

@Kirsty The website pics probably don't do the biggar bonfire much justice. They rarely do with such spectacles. But I always enjoy a good photo of a person taking a photo with a cell phone. It's a picture within a picture :) http://biggarbonfire.org.uk/bb2011/20111231-2AW_4498.jpg

Wired (Monday, 02 January 2012 21:29)

@San Go RCMP bear! They do look cute together! Ah, screwdrivers, my favorite way to drink orange juice. I guess I'll have to try again with a racket, maybe this summer. Operative words though are "smashing the ball all over the court" alone would be safer I think!

@Kirsty glad you are feeling better! If it could have been worse then I'm really glad it wasn't!

Hmm now off to check out San's YT channel... ;)

frananifan (Tuesday, 03 January 2012 08:36)

18 inches of snow since I went to bed last night. 18 degrees F this morning. I behaved like an 18 year old all weekend....what does it all mean?

Wired (Tuesday, 03 January 2012 13:26)

@Frananifan Holy Moly that's a bit of snow! And cold! Well I think it means you should stay home for another 18 hours, and watch 18 episodes of Jemma since acting like an 18 year old will put you in the right frame of mind! Also look up the meaning of the number 18 in Hebrew. It's all good!

frananifan (Tuesday, 03 January 2012 18:03)

sigh...@Wired such wise advise. So this is what it all means. I should have read this before I went outside and blew it all around. The Hebrew meaning of 18 was especially nice to learn. Appropriate for me as I try to get the most out of mine. Thank you.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 04 January 2012 04:35)

Happy New Year everyone!!!
I actually managed to stay up past midnight for the first time in years and saw all the fireworks which usually keep me awake in bed.

@San I am the left-handed wall, of course I'm going to win! but it was three very close sets, all going to tiebreaks:) With your drop shot tactic it would be a very entertaining match. However, I am a bit disturbed by your teddy bear project, maybe if I go on your YT channel it might explain things:)

@Randy How crazy is the Bridge House? We drove past it the other day when I was in the Lake District, so I thought I'd pop it in my sandbox. One story is that a family of 6 used to live there, I don't know if that's even possible but that's the rumour. Love the new pics in your sandbox.

hoppe (Wednesday, 04 January 2012 06:34)

ach... and the podcasts are really fun to watch, San. I enjoyed them very much - you've got a nice humour and a very warm charisma/presence.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 04 January 2012 08:21)

@Kirsty hope you're ok in Edinburgh, I saw how windy it was on the news yesterday. Stay safe. It's so scary when it's windy and it was bad enough where I am.

@Hoppe 6 people it's crazy!

Kirsty (Wednesday, 04 January 2012 09:51)

@frananifan blimey! That's a lot of snow. I wouldn't like that much..

@hoppe woah, I hadn't thought about which side of the road we drive in that way before..Interesting. So that makes us and the South Africans and Australians similar in some way..And whoever else drives on the left hand side too.(not sure who else)

@All I Have My New Tickets For Rebecca!!! For a Wednesday this time. The lady at the ticket office said they don't usually change them but she would make an exception for me :D Now I am all kinds of nervous already about what to say to Lucy when I see her... 'cbiuygfvbiulcbdszdygcdgghhh' probably!

@Clijsters3 I was diverted twice trying to get into Edinburgh yesterday, trees throwing themselves around all over the place. When I left at about 9am my house had no power...and it still has no power :( Last night I had a chinese carryout, made a cup of tea on my camping stove and watched an Angelina Jolie film by candlelight on my laptop until the battery went too low. It was kind of fun. But I hope it doesn't last too long!

Randy (Wednesday, 04 January 2012 11:42)

@All I feel fortunate to know this group of intelligent, talented, humorous, supportive, strong, and diverse women. You make my days more enjoyable, more thought provoking, more entertaining, and more connected. Thank you for sharing yourselves. I still find it amazing that this community evolved because of two characters in a telenovela in another country.

Wired (Wednesday, 04 January 2012 13:24)

@Clijsters3 & @Hoppe that house really is amazing! Never underestimate the ingenuity that the taxman can inspire! (insert evil laugh here)

@Kirsty Well, hoping you have power soon. If not hopefully you can bunk somewhere where there is power? That happened in my area once (Hurricane Juan) and our street was one of only a few with power. We hosted a couple of people for a few days until that had power back. Lots of BBQ going on! Anyways, hopefully you can find an extra flamey candle if not. :)

@Clijsters3 congrats on staying up past midnight! Hopefully the fireworks were good ones! My resolution is to stay awake next year! (And that's the only resolution I'll make hence enabling me to have a 50-50 chance of actually making all of my resolutions happen.)

@Randy Hear! Hear! If you don't mind me tagging on to your post: I agree! You have said it so well!

We have all made it through the discovery, estatic enjoyment and sad loss of HaH, the introduction of truly open, polite and fun posting at JI between people from all over the world, the first ever Jemma Words Project, Jemmagedon at 1000 posts, Rm 234 Lifeboat, the Tuthrefores and Rm 234.3 1000 posts later. No flaming, no fighting, no disrespect.

It is inspiring to say the least!

eyelesstrees (Wednesday, 04 January 2012 13:46)

Ah, so this is where everyone.............just joking!! Seamless transition San, thank you.

@Kirsty, hope you are ok. If it's any consolation even the Londoners are getting some weather - for once!

@Randy #67 Ditto. Warm fuzzies to all of you!

Kirsty (Wednesday, 04 January 2012 15:09)

@eyelesstrees I'm going to borrow Wired's evil laugh here at the thought of all the poor Londoners and their bad weather :) Seriously, this weather sucks though, it's the fricking dampness that makes it worse. Still, my power is back on- hooray! Is it sad that I still used my camping stove though to make my cup of tea?... it's fun!

Kirsty (Thursday, 05 January 2012 01:29)

After-Ellen's new Shag-Marry-Dump poll features Jemma... Seriously? 13% would dump Lucy Scherer!!?? Poor Kasia doesn't seem to be doing so well, if they'd used her new facebook picture that might've helped.
http://www.afterellen.com/shag-marry-dump-international-cuties

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 05 January 2012 05:17)

@Randy #67 well said. It is amazing how we all came together because of one German soap and even more amazing how we are still together. Long may it continue:)

@Kirsty Glad you're ok and you've got your power back. Super news about Recbecca tickets!!!!!!!!!! We'll all have to think of a speech for you to say to Lucy...or you could just scream I love you!

@Wired I've just looked up Hurricane Juan on Wiki, it was really bad. You were very lucky to still have power, you must do a lot of charity work:) Luckily the fireworks were worth it. People were also trying to light Chinese lanterns, but they caught fire and were a disaster!

@Kirsty thanks for the heads up about AE poll. Just voted, poor Kasia. I wish AE would use better photos of Lucy and Kasia though, obviously they look good in any photo, but really there are better ones.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 05 January 2012 05:25)

@Kirsty countries that were in the British Empire and those in the Commonwealth drive on the left so many Carribean islands, a few African countries, New Zealand, India. Surprisingly Japan drive on the left. Sorry I'm a bit of a geek so had to look it up. It's quite interesting actually (honest!) apparently parts of America and Canada used to drive on the left when ruled by Britain.

frananifan (Thursday, 05 January 2012 07:20)

@Kirsty tea from your camp stove is not sad, its perfect. That is something I might do for fun. I also might have enjoyed overhearing your exchange with the lady at the ticket office. groveling? pouting? exceptional charm? So what date do you have?

@Randy Thank you for sharing such lovely sentiments. No other characters anywhere could have created this attraction for me.

Randy (Thursday, 05 January 2012 11:38)

@Clijsters3 Without the curiosity of geeks, we'd never learn much of anything. Everyone here has contributed to our education about opera, computers, voice, meditation, tennis, art, German words, food, clothes, jewelry, and other topics that we might not have considered. So never say "Sorry" for being a geek. I think Room 234 is full of geeks, and we're all better for it.

@Kirsty The AE poll results aren't that surprising when you consider that overall fewer AE followers seemed to know about Jemma than about the Spanish soap (which had subtitles, unlike HaH, making it easier to follow) and it showed more explicit scenes between two women. And many AE followers don't seem to be interested in depth of characterization and all the nuances that reveal a true relationship as shown by Jemma. But we get it..

Wired (Thursday, 05 January 2012 11:56)

@Kirsty I just voted on the AE poll and it does seem Lucy and Kasia aren't faring too well on it. As @Randy said it does seem that there are fewer AE followers that are on the Jemma train. After the debacle during the "Cutest Couple" poll I'm not surprised how this poll is turning out. I found a lot of the comments regarding the Spanish soap vs. all others quite...passionate. Ah well, this is why I'm happy in my Jemma home in Rm 234!

@Clijsters3 Yes Juan was quite the storm for our region and we really were lucky we had power. Fingers crossed we keep that luck! Though cooking on my campstove does sound like fun a la @Kirsty! Also, trust me, you could never be too geeky for me. As Randy says that's how you learn and in my case that's how I get tons of information that I try to impress my 8 yr old nephew with. Right now he thinks I know everything...I think I've got another year before he realizes the truth.

Kirsty (Friday, 06 January 2012 09:39)

Ok, I spent last night watching Cristina and Isabel clips and I have to say...meh! I don't get the fuss. Well apart from the obvious superficial very sexy fuss. Maybe it's because I wasn't watching subtitled clips and didn't know what they were saying but I think I got the gist. They just don't seem to have the depth in their relationship that Jemma had. I know they're completely different shows and it's hard to compare them(- Jemma is better compared with Brittana I guess)but Jenny and Emma have more to their characters and Lucy and Kasia give them even more. How lucky are we that these actresses got these parts! Also if it was an expression competition, both our girls would win hands-down!

@hoppe thank you. I seem to be hooked on VL now and am catching up on the storyline in bits and pieces. :)

Wired (Friday, 06 January 2012 12:35)

@Kirsty I've only watched a bit of Cristabel but it was subtitled. The language does add a bit but I agree at this point I think a lot of the interest is the sexy bits. The two characters didn't have the lead up Jenny and Emma did and that whole push pull dynamic in the beginning which makes a story more interesting I think. They didn't evolve it into a couple I don't think. Dunno I could be wrong...

Speaking of and jumping into episode discussion again - for 73-76 I thought/agree with @San and @Randy that: I like how Jenny kind of checks everyone out before talking to them, meets them and then confirms/ adjusts her opinion of them. She quizzes Ben about everyone ie. Caro and then rightly concludes she is like Barbie on the outside and beast on the inside. I think she begins as a friend to Caro because at this point it's easier to be friends then enemies with her. When she meets Emma I think she didn't think much (except of course how cute she was) until she heard her sing. she didn't let Caro's opinion influence her.

At first I thought Jenny was just being shrewd but knowing her history now I think she was being careful too. Being sucked into drugs and I'm thinking previous "friends" helped with that makes her extra cautious now.

Anyway my two cents again. I'm definitely watching more episodes Sat night. Anyone want to join?:)

Randy (Friday, 06 January 2012 21:40)

@Wired I'll join you. Let's see what new observations we can glean from Jemma. My brain needs a workout. :-)

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 07 January 2012 10:14)

@Wired and Randy I would join in but it's my birthday today so I'm off out for a meal, but staying in and watching Jemma clips does sound like a good birthday treat. Thank you I will never apologise for being a geek again:)

As for watching Cristabel I've not got round to it yet. I'll see what it's like but I doubt it will live up to Jemma.

frananifan (Saturday, 07 January 2012 10:47)

@Wired, Randy, others I won't be able to partake this evening so I made time this morning. I've been hanging out in the early to mid 80's. I thought I understood things pretty clearly, after all its a soap not the Old Testament. But I keep discovering so much more. Hottemms relationship for example. It was a given that they were special friends but it is considerably richer now that I have it in context. The same with Tuzi, Tiphie and the rest. Learning the details of the story AFTER having certain ideas embedded has instigated a little right brain/left brain tussle. lol we'll work it out.

frananifan (Saturday, 07 January 2012 10:49)

@Clijsters3 I should have refreshed...Happy Birthday! Enjoy the day with some big fun.

San (Saturday, 07 January 2012 12:34)

Where have I been? I haven't been able to move since my epic, 5-hour, no-less-than-288-points match with @Clijsters3. A couple of my drop shots dropped short and a few other dropped too deep, and she smacked them in the open court. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Are you ready for a re-match? We can meet at my court in my sandbox :)

@frananifan Hottemm is so much richer. However, Sophie is still pretty annoying. Maybe, more so. I kinda like the Caro-Sophie dynamic (Caphie, Carphie?) during the preggers-Timo-kissed-Luzi crisis of 2010. Still two parisites feeding off each other.

@Wired, @Randy I definitely need a few good hours with Jemma tonight. Just as soon as the ol' local NFL team wins (or loses - I'm not going to limit my outcomes) their first playoff game.

@eyelesstrees Love the first line. Cracked me up!

This is what happens when I try to accomplish stuff at work. I get all unproductive and lethargic. And I lose the will to think when I get home.

San (Saturday, 07 January 2012 12:51)

Oh yeah, I would never ever dump Kasia! Imagine waking up to an emmabeam everyday. *sigh* *melt* *reconstitute* *melt* *sigh* Cristabel is starting to get on my nerves. Their lose, our gain.

San (Saturday, 07 January 2012 13:40)

Clearly, I'm suffering a serious Jemma-deficiency. I wanted to strangle many things and bash in a few faces when I saw the apartment office was closed with my Box 4 locked inside. 10am-12pm on Saturday???? Really?!! Do you get a lot of potential renters with actual jobs with those office hours? My fault, I should've remembered that the 12pm was the end, not the beginning. However, I'm pretty sure the damn thing could've fit in my mailbox, like Box 3. Stop me before I stupidly bang my fist into a brick wall!

Randy (Saturday, 07 January 2012 14:09)

@Clijsters3 Happy Birthday! Enjoy! You're right . . . Cristabel can't live up to Jemma.

@frananifan Discovering more each time we watch episodes is one of the joys of Jemma. And right brain/left brain tussles keep the grey cells active.

@San It does sound like you're suffering a Jemma defiiciency. Maybe if you follow Jenny and Emma's example when distressed and eat pizza, dance, or sing you might feel better. Remember that you need your hands to communicate with us so no punching walls. We'd miss you too much if you couldn't type for awhile.

Kirsty (Saturday, 07 January 2012 14:26)

@Clijsters3 I'm a bit late but Happy Birthday!! Hope you had a good one.

@San Hope things are going better for you now! Box 4 !! I really shouldn't order that yet...yesterday I stumbled across/carefully searched for a signed photo of Lucy as Glinda in Wicked on German Ebay and would you believe I only went and bought the darn thing!!
Also, today in the post I got a signed photo of Rachel Tucker who plays London Elphaba( and is pretty good at it) yeay!

Went to see 'The King and I' musical last night, it's one of my favourites. I ave to admit to toe tapping, finger drumming and much muted singing along :)

Wired (Saturday, 07 January 2012 17:28)

Hey ok so some of us are on! Of course @Clijsters3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hope your meal is fantastic and you enjoy! As you know I love celebrating with food so enjoy!

@Randy and @San and @All if you can join in now or later or tomorrow that's great! @Frananifan is ahead of us so she's already on it. I'm planning on starting in the next 2 hours and will probably drop in some comments here as I go through. I'm not going to jam up this forum though because no on needs that! It's the only way I can think of sort of commenting real time with you guys unless we do it via e-mail? Any other way let me know. I don't want to be annoying here.

Anyways, @San hopefully you get your box 4 soon or already have it. @Frananifan another reason this show is so great there's always more to see each time you watch it. I should just buy the DVDs myself!

@Kirsty...hahaha I've done that same thing many times! I only wanted to look but bought. Lucikly so far I haven't felt bad about my choice! I'm sure you wont either. Thought of your dialogue with Lucy yet? Very exciting!

Wired (Saturday, 07 January 2012 20:00)

@eyelesstress Hey how are you! Glad you popped in!

San (Saturday, 07 January 2012 20:53)

I was going to say the only good part of my day was wearing my purple cargo pants, but it got better. Still no DVDs until Monday evening, though. I'll get to Jemma eventually. Comment away @Wired :)

Wired (Saturday, 07 January 2012 20:54)

So I’ve just finished watching 77-81 and was able to watch it with more scenes then the first time I watched it. Back then it was less fleshed out and now the episodes I have access to are longer with a bit more background. Yay!

My thoughts aren’t that much on Jenny and Emma yet since they haven’t connected anymore in these episodes. What this does do though, which I love, is set up the story and the characters. You get to see how Emma is so very nervous about performing (Emmanating abounds!) and how Jenny is keeping her cool with Caro being her friend but not really (ie. Caro is sick in the bushes and Jenny just leaves. If that was Emma she’d be right there beside her helping her out.) It shows how Caro is really not a great person and Bea rocks (ie. The math test where everyone cheated is now part of the final. Love it!)

A lot of foreshadowing here too. The skeleton going by in the back ground right when Emma is telling Hotte about her dream (Frau Lohmann anyone?). The dream too could be interpreted not that though the tree is man AND woman and coming late to the show is her psyche being frustrated with her virginity (this is Hotte's theory) rather that coming late shows she is coming late to the realization to the fact that she is interested in a woman instead of a man! (Wired's theory)
Also did Emma just check out Caro’s chest? I know they’re big because she’s pregnant but even Jenny noticed them. Lesbians anyone? Serious foreshadowing!

Lastly seeing this episode makes me remember that I really miss hearing this group sing, I miss a storyline that largely makes sense and is carried through episodes. I miss Kasia singing and I miss hearing German!

Randy (Saturday, 07 January 2012 22:39)

@Wired But Emma checked out Caro's breasts only after Hotte pointed out to her that they were a size larger than before, otherwise I don't think Emma would have noticed. What I thought was interesting and humorous was after Hotte's psychoanalysis of Emma's dream he said to her something like "But you're having nightmares" and Emma responds "Having sex with you would be a nightmare." Does this indicate Emma's disinterest in hetero sex thereby foreshadowing her attraction to Jenny?

Wired (Saturday, 07 January 2012 22:51)

@San Well glad you day got even better then wearing purple cargos. For the DVDs as they say, the waiting makes it that much sweeter. ;)

@Randy Hey! Really? It was after? Ok so I'll still hold on to the fact that she did check them out. Yeah I thought that was a good foreshadow too when she said that sex with Hotte would be a nightmare. Also I see them more as brother/sister relationship so I really don't know how he can go there with Emma. It disturbs me slightly that he is perceptive enough to see she's troubled (when she first arrived at school) but then it turns to him and sex. Ick!

Ok nex episode thoughts: I made it through episodes 82-86 but it wasn’t hard since again this is the lead up to the Jemma scenes right?

Sophie runs off and the AG is rent asunder. I admit again I haven`t watched any other earlier episodes so I don`t know the history between Sophie, Luzi and Caro very well. @Frananifan or someone will probably have to give me a run down. I have to say this show makes amazing use of its background music. I find they pick exceptionally appropriate songs and such great songs by amazing artists! I love how they can set the scene with the music. Go Jemma Songs Project!

Anyways, no Jemma but look at Jenny trying to be a friend to Caro and offered to be a shoulder to cry on/ear to listen. She was blown off and again this is why they are sort of friends. But when Caro is mad watch out! She stormed the AG room no? The locker picking scene I always love because this is great comedic timing on Lucy Scherer’s part and I can see her from Wicked in these scenes. It was so easy for her to pick the lock and while she knows about the whole séance thing she clearly states she thinks it’s childish. So do you think she is in to get Emma to do her report only, to be with Emma or both? I have no idea myself since she seems to want the report written but later when they fight she mentions their seance together to Emma. This is almost like their first date…but not really. Ach I love this show!

Lastly where did those extras come from for the “Let Me Entertain You” dress rehearsal? Why weren’t they at the usual meetings? Where did they go? They’re like magic shoes!

Randy (Saturday, 07 January 2012 23:17)

@Wired I think Jenny agrees to the seance because she wants to make school as easy as possible and having others do the work for her is part of who she is at this stage. She knows how to negotiate to get what she wants. I think Jenny noticed Emma from the beginning, but she's testing the waters. As I've said before, when they interact both of them look at each other for longer than necessary particularly when they walk away.

San (Sunday, 08 January 2012 00:56)

@Randy It took me a few times to see this, but in ep 81 you'll notice when Emma is walking up the stairs, she stops/pauses/distracted mid-sentence and takes a gander at Caro's breasts as she keeps walking. It's very quick. However, I really like how she leans into the frame when Hotte calls her attention to them.

@Wired That locker scene in 86 is just too too cute. I wish it could last forever! Emma's face when Jenny says seances are fake - that little head shake saying oh no don't get him started. I don't know about Jenny but I fall more and more for Emma every time I see that :)

Re the seance - report or Emma? Sure, Jenny wants someone to do that MLK report for her, and the seance tit-for-tat was a great opportunity. But, at the same time, she's been trying to go out and have fun, asking Caro to Chulos and such. Another important point is Jenny noticed that Emma is a political science wiz, and she wants her paper done by the best. That and it could be a variation on the "I forgot my purse at your place" trick to interact with her again. Yep, the ol' "You write my report, and I'll pick it up right before I give it" routine. Granted, throughout time, this is not the most successful of courtship routines, but it could be a possibility.

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 08 January 2012 05:26)

Thanks for the birthday wishes, my meal was very nice no seafood for me though @Wired!

Looks you had a productive night watching HaH, I hate to admit I've not watched it for a while, I think I'll have to rectify that pronto:)Although I need to start training for my rematch with @San, those dropshots(I mean the ones that actually went over the net:)) really took it out of me. I have a feeling your forehands are going to land in next time, making it much closer:)

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 08 January 2012 05:29)

@San I've just seen the court we'll be playing on, it looks very nice, looks like the bounces will all be fair and a very nice setting, I can't wait:)

Randy (Sunday, 08 January 2012 10:43)

@San I re-watched ep. 81 and saw Emma glance at Caro but to me there didn't seem to be any indication that she was looking at her breasts. The camera didn't pan to Caro's breasts until Hotte looked her way. And when Emma saw Hotte staring at Caro, she didn't make a comment about the breasts but only that Hotte didn't have a chance with Caro, which to me indicates Emma didn't focus on Caro's breasts until Hotte mentioned them. Also Jenny asked Caro if she knew anything about Martin Luther King before she tried to get Emma to do the paper. To me that indicates Jenny was only interested in not having to do the work herself rather than wanting to find a way to interact with Emma. Jenny is a very direct person and doesn't use tricks to get what she wants, as evidenced in later episodes with the first kiss and when she tells emma she has a crush on her. But it's just my take on it.

Wired (Sunday, 08 January 2012 12:31)

@Clijsters Glad the meal was a good! Noted no seafood for you! But yes to peach crisp. :)

@San @Randy yes that quick shot up the stairs was hard to tell if she was looking just at Caro or her chest. Interestingly it was always Hotte that put 2+2 together sometimes - Caro's bigger chest = possible pregnancy; Dr. Mops is Red = Sport is murder. To bad he wasn't around when Ben was kidnapped in the end because I'm sure they would have solved that one much sooner!

Yes Jenny is direct as evidenced in later episodes. I forgot about that. Ok she's after her report to just be written, I forgot she asked Caro too. @San Emma is the best - even though the report was wrong it was still written well - so I agree I think it was a good opportunity. Also as mentioned that's not the best way to court someone which I think Jenny doesn't really need to resort too. Look at those eyes! Anyways, the sure fire way to court someone is to show up smelling like waffle cones. I worked in an ice cream parlour and I'm telling you it wasn't bad. :)

Randy (Sunday, 08 January 2012 12:47)

@All Off topic. For all of us who've experienced nightmare days when nothing goes right, some Canadians have created a fun animated short film that will make you laugh at life's little glitches. Check out the following link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=FrTbnczYAd4&feature=player_embedded

San (Sunday, 08 January 2012 12:50)

@Randy, @Wired Agreed! But you have to admit that Jenny (1) wanted a report - Check! and (2) wanted to hangout and get to know people, including Emma - Check! The ol' "write my report and I'll pick it up" isn't really a trick. It's more of a device that one can use to interact with someone that one wants to interact with again. I mean you gotta get those blue eyes in gazing distance for them to do their magic. Am I right? But mostly it's me throwing out ridiculous scenarios for fun. That's how I do :)

San (Sunday, 08 January 2012 13:16)

@Clijsters3 I hope it's not too hot when we play the rematch. And not to add to the Texas cliche, there are some horses on the other side of the bayou from the courts, so be prepared for the distraction :)

Randy (Sunday, 08 January 2012 13:57)

@Wired OK smelling like waffle cones might help, but I'd want the cone overflowing with ice cream to be impressed. :-)

@San You're right on the check/check and the need for a close-up look for the blue eyes to "do their magic." I probably take these episode analyses too seriously, and "ridiculous scenarios for fun" are a creative way of re-imagining events. It's always interesting to see our different responses to the same scenes.

Kirsty (Sunday, 08 January 2012 15:07)

@Randy I love that film, so cute. Wasn't expecting the ending, made me laugh.

Ok, I'm up to episode 41 now and I'm going to make a real effort this week to catch up with you guys! Little bit traumatized- Frau Lohmann and Michael. On the staff room table. *shudder* Wish she hadn't died though, I kind of liked her.

@San @Clijsters3 can I come and watch your match? Oooh, and can I sit in the big tall umpire chair? I will have a lovely view of the horses. :)

San (Monday, 09 January 2012 08:51)

@Kirsty Of course, come to the match! You can keep track of the score in between the horse watching. Also, Lohmann has some more traumitizing shenanigans (involving Frau Jager and Gotting), so be prepared.

@Randy Your serious analysis allows me to shake it up a bit and have fun.

About 15 minutes after 11 Sunday morning, I heard what sounded like a rumble of thunder. It was a 20-story, 60-year-old building being imploded about 3 miles away. It was quite a lovely building. It's sad, but the Texas Medical Center is our little Vegas, so it happens. If you like implosion videos, take a gander at this http://youtu.be/U6QJx4jgawk. @Randy It's another way that pig could've gotten the cookies, eh?

Yay! I missed the thunderstorm during my walk to the bus walk to the train walk to work this morning. I might still have the pleasure this evening, though.

Kirsty (Monday, 09 January 2012 09:31)

@San I saw that bit with Lohmann, Gotting and Jaeger- *more shuddering* Also, Caro has just got Sophie hooked on some caffeine pills, more foreshadowing/hint of things to come!
Watched your implosion video, wow, seemed like a perfectly good building...

Randy (Monday, 09 January 2012 09:35)

@San Fun is usually better than serious. And with an implosion, piggy probably would've gotten crumbs and no obstacle to eating them.

Clijsters3 (Monday, 09 January 2012 09:36)

@Kirsty please come to the match, only I hope you want to come because of the glorious shotmaking and not the horses:)
@San i think horses must love tennis because we have horses next to our courts! So don't worry they won't distract me:)

@Randy love the short film, the poor pig.

Ok really need to get watching HaH.

Clijsters3 (Monday, 09 January 2012 10:02)

Poor Kasia got most votes for dumped on the AE poll, while Lucy ended up mistress. What is wrong with these people?!

Wired (Monday, 09 January 2012 13:39)

@all this is why the discussion in this room is so good! We get serious and non-serious scenarios and different view points!

@Kirsty hmmm…from what you and @San are saying I think I’m glad I haven’t been able to watch the earlier episodes…Lohmann and Michael! My eyes! No wait….my brain! Was he wearing that sweater of his?

@San Maybe you’ll get a good light show tonight. I hear it’s a thunderin’ over there. Also implosions video looking pretty neat. That’s quite a science to do that with it falling down correctly and in one spot isn’t it?

@Hoppe Yes AE has changed a bit I think from even 1 year ago. These polls I usually don't get involved in even but when Kasia and Lucy were on...well I had to vote! I did read half of the comments (before I had to stop) but many who "dumped" Kasia didn't want to but saw her as more "friend" material.

Kirsty (Monday, 09 January 2012 15:38)

@Clijsters3 Natürlich, I shall be coming to watch your cracking slices and drop shots but while you are sitting eating your bananas and having a break I will hop down from my chair and go and say hello to the horses! (Or maybe 'Howdy' ??) :)

@Wired I can't remember if the sweater was involved..I don't think so. Don't want to think too much about it..

Am on episode 51 now- can't wait to get to Jenny's arrival! It's so funny how much Emma changed in a year. Mainly she got a better hairstyle or two. It's also funny how they don't concentrate on everybody all the time. The first episodes are mainly Ben, the Vogels and Caro,Timo and Sophie - Hotte and Emma don't feature so much. They obviously knew Emma would get her time to shine later on. Is it just me? Does anyone else find Frau Krawcyck quite sexy at times??

San (Monday, 09 January 2012 16:30)

@Wired We had a real deluge this morning - dark as night, lightning, tornado warning, flash floods, closing of emergency flood gates, THE WORKS! Glad I wasn't caught in it. Although it would've been nice to be surrounded by it in a nice, well-roofed gazebo or something. We'll see what this evening holds. I probably won't be walking home like I normally do since there are no gazebos along the way.

In the early eps, Lohmann does some pretty crazy stuff. I think Michael's sweater makes it's first appearance after the Lohmann encounter. Maybe it's their love-sweater! That said, the Emmaliciousness and STAGaliciousness make it all worth it.

@Clijsters3 Horses won't phase you? This will be a really solid matchup that @Kirsty will enjoy immensely :)

@Kirsty hehe Howdy. I say go for it. It's a very friendly word! When I'm in a really good mood, I have the urge to say it to people, but my city-girl instincts won't let me.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 10 January 2012 08:38)

@hoppe it's just how cowboys say hello in the movies! I thought they might say it where San is in Texas :)

San (Tuesday, 10 January 2012 08:54)

@hoppe Yep, @Kirsty is right. It's a greeting commonly linked to cowboys and/or Texas-US Southwest. Ugh, just looked it up on wikipedia. I did not know it's the official greeting of THAT university. They are so annoying and ruin everything good in this world. I might have to rethink liking it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howdy

frananifan (Tuesday, 10 January 2012 09:20)

Howdy leutes! The official greeting of the City of Buffalo is "Hey there, need some help pushing your car out of that snow bank?"

Kirsty (Tuesday, 10 January 2012 17:12)

lol @frananifan ! :)

@San I'll stick to just saying 'hi' to the horses then :) Boooo to Texas A&M University!! I was stuck in a traffic jam on my way home tonight. It was their fault I'm sure..

frananifan (Tuesday, 10 January 2012 21:06)

@Kirsty I know those arschlochs are the ones that ruined my supper.

San (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 00:34)

@Kirsty hehe Thanks for the solidarity :)

Traffic jam? Ruined supper? Yeah, that sounds like them :)

@frananifan Do you ever shorten it to "Hey, snow bank" and do the Ben Bergmann snap-and-point?

Kirsty (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 03:18)

@San @franaifan @othersonfacebook Did you see Kasia's latest post? She's so sweet.

Basically a few days ago, maybe yesterday actually, Kasia asked everyone what they thought about Audl. The gist of what people replied was that it wasn't great (not like HaH) and they were mainly watching to see Kasia (and Frank/Bodo)...this is what Kasia replied..

"Wow, thanks for the many comments about AudL, Liv & co.
As I said, I have even hinted that I am open to any kind of criticism, and frankly, it was not easy to know the truth of you, but now what I am, and in particular what I must work I know. Opinions tend rather to "I find the storylines with AudL boring, but I watch the series because of Kasia or other actors" my loved ones, I know that many of you are disappointed that HaH has received no second chance, but I will give everything to let Liv LIVEN and would like to do this with a smile and lots of fun.
It is located far away from you to convince me of AudL or to justify me and I may have with this post already deviated, repeat myself and leave open questions, but I would like to say here and now: I will give my best, promised! Who are down and sleeps well! Your Kasia"
(Translated by Bing)"

The translation might not be spot on but it was really good of her to ask what we thought, I think she's knows it's not the greatest show and she's trying her best to make her character as good as she can and keep us happy. It must be frustrating for an actor when they're in such a situation.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 05:30)

Ok so I've been reading everyone's comments on the MLK report debate. I think the consensus is that Jenny did just want someone to write the report for her, confirmed by the fact she asked Caro first. @San has put forward the possibility of a way to interact with Emma, but I don't think Jenny is thinking that way yet. I think she simply wants her report done for her. Jenny kept her options open for quite a while in terms of joining either volleyball or STag.

When was the first time Jenny called Emma by her right name? (I should know that!)I know she said "Emma" in ep.87 after asking her to write the MLK report, but was there a time before this?

@Kirsty thanks for the kasia FB news and the translation. She really does take her fans seriously which is good to know.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 05:35)

@Hoppe thanks for your translation as well:)

I love the scene when Hotte finds out Emma knows Jenny in ep.75. "Don't act as if you know her" poor Hotte! I also love the noise Jenny makes after she says "Edda" and Emma corrects her.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 07:21)

@Frananifan I've kept meaning to say how much I like your "not really a poem" in your sandbox. It really makes you sit up and think about the words so thank you for sharing that with us. I've also just seen your more recent photos, the rainbow one is spectacular.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 07:29)

@Hoppe good point about Jenny refering to the sceance in the toilet argument scene. It must have meant something to her which is nice to know as it was so early on in their 'friendship'.

Randy (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 09:46)

@frananifan Good photographs of the American falls. I agree with @Clijsters that "the rainbow one is spectacular."

Randy (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 10:12)

@Clijsters3 #127 I checked the earlier episodes, and ep. 87 is the first time Jenny correctly says "Emma."

San (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 10:34)

@Randy You don't count 76? Jenny approaches Emma, tries to remember her name, Emma says "Emma. My name is Emma.", Jenny says, "Emma. Sorry I'm terrible with names." or to that effect. Technically, it was the first time. Also she really tried. However, 87 was the first time she said Emma without help.

Randy (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 10:59)

@San Thanks for the correction. I assumed @Clijsters3 meant when Jenny remembered on her own.

Wired (Wednesday, 11 January 2012 12:40)

Hey guys! @San, Randy and Clijsters3 I was going to go with ep 87 as the first time Jenny says Emma's name.

Actually I was going to mention too that the face Emma gives after Jenny says her name is hilarious because she seems amazed that Jenny actually said her name correctly (without help). This was the beginning of the MLK debate which I kind of jumped ahead on in my post #95 which I now realize I didn't say was regarding ep 82-86.

I do want to rewatch 76 though to see Emma and Jenny's expression and that sound when Emma corrects her.

@Hoppe I thought Jenny was helpful to Emma during the seance but I can't remember at what point exactly. When was that? I too should know this....

Also Newfoundland way people say hi and where are you in the Maritimes = "How are ya love, where you to?" :)

Kykky (Thursday, 12 January 2012 03:24)

Hallo to everyone here!!! Sorry if I have been away for a lot....I really loose my mind into something else sometimes and time and space they....flutter away....

First! I will sign the petition for Rebecca's CD!
I've heard some songs on YT and...WOW!

Then, If i am allowed I would say my personal opinion about Jenny in the first episodes and about the seances and MLK and Caro/Jenny.

To me, at the very beninning, Jenny focused on "surviving" the change in her life: being sent away from, London; being alone in a new city without friends; starting from zero a new life... she is still the "old" Jenny. I mean: Jenny AFTER Emma.
This mean to me: still a little 'bitch and opportunist: she tries to get the most with minimal effort using a little people and situations to her advantage; she is quite detached from the emotional involvement. Is Jenny herself who admits this to Emma in 217 ep. when she speaks to Emma about her past....

I think that it great how she, as Emma, changed....and what seems to be in a certain way at the beginning, finds its explanation to the end of the show. That's really wonderful to me!


So, we know that she is searching for the "cool" group, persons (not "friends") that can help her in different situations: for example, she understands that is better to be with Caro when the blonde provides the math text and to be in the Volley ball team. So, in my opinion, when she agrees in taking part to the seance she is searching for a vantage (the MLK's essay). At this point I don't think she really wants to be near Emma.
But, this does not mean that this event would not mean anything for her....as a matter of fact in her beautiful love's declaration to Emma (in the Pestalozzi's bathroom) she says she wants to to do everything with Emma (even things that maybe are silly or childish ....or that she, previously, considered silly or childish but now are not more....now are beautiful and wonderful because she did them with Emma).


The seance's episode is one of my fav. because here I can see, in a certain way, the seed of Jenny and Emma relationship. As a matter of fact at the beginning Jenny is totally bored and she thinks all this stuff is something too childish....(and Emma and Hotte are childish!) then she becomes more involved and she begins to act in her tipically "caring-Emma-mode" when Emma is scared by the move of the glass. I think this is the very first time Jenny acts this way with Emma and it is something she does without thinking, in a naturale way. IT happens. it happens because Emma is beginning to fascinate Jenny...in her simple, adorable way. A way Jenny won't resist for long....
So, I think this espisode will stay in Jenny's mind for very long time. Because is the first time they share an intimate situation: near, in a strange situation, a little scared, in the dark...but then the MLK essay went bad and....we all know ;) (even if I think that even the fighting-episodes are necessary for them to know each others...you know: Emma can be very passionate when she is angry!) :))


I also think that Jenny at the beginning Jenny was not searching for a new love or for someone to say with. And for sure Emma was not the kinf of girl she was searching for (in my personal opinion). She (as in her "old herself") just wanted to party and have fun and not to stay alone : that is the reason I think she spends time with Caro.
So, I don't think she REALLY and consciously notices Emma at the beginning ... I am not totally certain that her feelings for Emma started from the first day at school. To me, as I said, Jenny was too centred on herself and her problems. If something happens it is something unconscious, something which day by day grows inside of her till it becomes obvious all in a sudden (car scene). I think she felt a sort of attraction to Emma: she sets near her the first day; but probably because she feels Emma is not a "danger" for her ...


I don't know if it is clear...it is difficult to explain these concepts in a another language....
And sorry sorry sorry sorry I was toooooooo long!!!!

Kykky (Thursday, 12 January 2012 03:45)

Ah.... And I want to add that i love this place because we can discuss in a very deep way episodes and everything !

hoppe (Thursday, 12 January 2012 07:03)

look how Jemma exchange looks in epi 87, afer Hotte has convinced Emma by somewhat dubious means (telling her horrorstories) to write the report and Jenny is convienently just passing by ;) first foreboding for a still unconscious interest?

frananifan (Thursday, 12 January 2012 07:40)

Howdy Kykky! I think you have put your "concept in another language" very well. I agree with your analysis. I think Jenny's primary mission in her new life was to survive. The characteristics of her personality allow her to be confident and show no fear, but as we later learn, this wasn’t just a new opportunity; it was her last chance to get her life on track. She was on own and completely responsible for her decisions and without guidance. She had to be conflicted between being socially accepted and staying out of trouble. Jenny really needed to examine who she was going to surround herself with. Even though she showed little integrity by cheating on the math test or having someone else write her report, it eventually became clear that Caro is a bully, is very shallow and is not at all in her best interest to be aligned with. Jenny uses Emma because she is ‘usable’, and as you stated “safe”. Perhaps it was also Ben’s endorsement of STAG that kept the door open for her to play along with Hotte and Emma. I plan to attend the séance again this evening.

@Kirsty Clisters3 hoppe regarding FacebookKasia: I’ve never known an actor to be so involved with their fans as to ask for advice like this. I am so impressed with her approach.

January 16th is our MLK national holiday and is promoted as a day of service called Day “On” not “Off”. This year I signed up to volunteer with “Kids Escaping Drugs”. I didn’t make the Jenny connection until just now! I probably won’t see any Jennies though. I signed up for building ‘rehab’. Maybe I will sweat pipes-for plumbing repairs, not oregano!

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 12 January 2012 08:49)

@Randy thanks for saying it was ep.87 Jenny first got Emma's name right. Just to clarify, that is what I was after.
Surely the first time Jenny said Emma's name without help must be significant. But unfortunately Jenny might have only remembered her name because she wanted the report written for her.

@Wired Just watched Emma's face again when Jenny gets her name right, pure shock!

@Kykky Amazing post! I also agree with what you wrote, good reference to ep.217 when Jenny explains to Emma what she used to be like. i just love the character of Jenny because there are many layers to it and the fact we can debate about Jenny's intentions in the early eps show how well Lucy played her.

@San after our rematch in Texas, to make it fair I've lined up another court for us to play on, my local court. You'll find it in my sandbox:)

San (Thursday, 12 January 2012 09:04)

@Clijsters3 Sweet! I'm going to enjoy playing there. Ooo, I might just lay out a blanket and have a picnic :) Too cold for tennis tonight, here, which is a bummer. The one day this week that it's below 50F and it has to be tennis night. *sigh*

@Kykky Welcome back! Great analysis. Obviously, I'm free tonight to rewatch the scene with a new perspective. Thanks!

Kirsty (Thursday, 12 January 2012 09:21)

@Kykky Hi!! Welcome back and what a great analysis. I struggle to express myself well in English and it's my first language and you do it so well and it's a second language for you! I'm so impressed :)

Ok, I will have to give up in my attempts to watch all the episodes in order. I'm still only at ep 53. I'm enjoying them but I really want to join in this discussion! In a way I would like to be watching these episodes with a completely clear head, without knowing what happens to the characters later on. What must people have thought of Jenny when they didn't have our knowledge of how awesome she will turn out to be? And Emma.

Also I kind of worry about Kasia. @frananifan's right, I haven't known of an actress to care about her fans opinions so much like that. Was she right to do that? I know she's an open person but I wonder about the wisdom of being open online.. And she said some of the comments weren't all good to hear, or something, I hope she's not too sensitive and doesn't worry too much about what we all think..

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 12 January 2012 09:22)

@San Glad you like the look of the court, shame you have to miss tennis tonight, major bummer! I've just signed up to tennis coaching indoors, and I'm not making it up just to scare you, I really have:)

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 12 January 2012 09:26)

@Kirsty Frananifan, I'm a bit worried about Kaisa being so open, she seems quite sensitive so I worry she might be trying too hard to please her fans and you can't please all the people all the time. She's opened herslf up to criticism, I just hope she can take it.

San (Thursday, 12 January 2012 13:45)

Your afternoon/evening video of the day: http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/6fbm. It has the things that I most love in this world digital archiving, obsolete technology, cop shows, 80s fashion, and Jennifer Beals :) Enjoy!

@Clijsters3 hehe I'm just going to make sure I wake up for drills on Saturday morning :)

wired (Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:08)

@Frananifan just saw your sandbox! Amazing picture of the rainbow! Very cool! Also amazing what you will be doing for MLK day! Just becareful of the poltergeist ladders. ;)

@Clijsters3 & @San good luck on your tennis matches! The Wall vs…hmmm @San you need a name!

@Kykky That was a great post! I agree with you and I think you posted your thoughts pretty clearly! Welcome back! I agree Jenny definitely thinks the séance was childish since she referenced the fact that Emma and Hotte were “playing ghost whisperer” (though I kind of laughed at that one) and rolled her eyes a lot. I liked how you said that she was probably attracted to Emma subconsciously because she wasn’t a danger. Her innocence about the whole séance thing and trying to break into the locker would probably make Jenny feel like she didn’t have to be as careful around her compared to someone like Caro. Good point!

@Hoppe I think after the Dr. Mops thing Emma was upset because she was hoping they would have ended up with an actual link as to where Sophie was. That was the purpose of the séance and she ended up only with a report to write. No Sophie. I think anyways! The magic of the moment may have been forgotten after a night of reporting about MLK. By the way, I’m glad you won on those early rounds and got the séance scenes in!

Regarding Kasia on facebook, I think it’s great that she connects with her fans so directly. Everything she writes I think is pretty heartfelt and she seems to listen to her fans a bit. That being said, even if she hears criticism I think she’ll take in but not dwell on it. Many people that comment on her FB are genuine fans and she seems to be able to see the good in everything (her role on AudL for example) so I think she’ll be ok. If not I’ll offer up a big ol’ hug for her!

Kykky (Friday, 13 January 2012 06:22)

Well, because you asked...what I tought when I saw Jenny the very first time?
I DON'T LIKE HER! She is arrogant.

But I have to say that I found JEmma story on YT when the show was after 114 and before the bus's accident. I don't remember very well. I saw some fanvideos and I was not sure I wanted to see this show....I don't know why....maybe I was not searching for another teenage story...or better, another teenage story far from reality....or not verisimilar at all.....

In that period I think I started to follow the story thanks to the posts on L-Chat. And maybe it was the love of Jemmanation who pushed me to go deep into this story. To discover how much is beautiful.

and then! Well. You know. I am here...!!!
:)
Another addicted.... :))

But unluckly I was not there, in front of the screen, to follow the story from the very beginning and so I am curious to know the impressions about Jenny and Emma before everything happened between them....when nothing was so clear....

frananifan (Friday, 13 January 2012 08:08)

!!!!!!SNOW DAY!!!!!!! My version of the "mountain pass" has been closed. If the wind knocks out my power I will be upset. I won't have enough juice in my laptop powerpack to communicate with the outside world. Seriously, I'm playing this up because I feel like a little kid whose school just closed. You southern climate 234s don't know how awesome that feels, do you?

Wired (Friday, 13 January 2012 09:23)

@frananifan A Snow Day!!! Lucky you! I was hoping for one but the snow that fell last night has already melted and now it's just slush. :( Of course no power on a snow day isn't quite as much fun. Pull out the campstove just in case! :)

San (Friday, 13 January 2012 09:39)

@frananifan We have !!!!It might freeze, so save your car from crashing and stay home days!!!! One time we had a !!!!!HURRICANE DAY!!!!! And it was blue skies and sunny - they wait a little later to call those days now. I tell you the rare occasions that we have a !!!!SNOW DAY!!!!, you can power a small country with the excitement :) There's a disproportional amount of Texas home movies that feature snow days.

Kirsty (Friday, 13 January 2012 16:10)

@frananifan Ok, when you call it a !!!!SNOW DAY!!!! and not just a Snow Day! it really must be bad! We can only imagine.. Well I hope your power stays on and that you're nice and cosy and warm.

Weird thing, I was out for dinner with my grandparents tonight and when I dropped them at their house in Edinburgh it was 2° then I drive the 15 miles or so back to my house and it's -4.5° !!Brrr

Did anyone else see the picture Kasia tweeted of herself the other day? She looks so different to Emma, much more grown up and sexy. Will try and put it in my sandbox tomorrow if I remember.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 14 January 2012 04:31)

@Hoppe Ha ha ha I was thinking that, I love how our names are nice and bold, like it's all about us and not Jemma:)I can't remember the episode guide sorry.

@Frananifan hope you survived !!!!SNOW DAY!!!!, is it still bad today? The weather here has suddenly dropped a few degrees, but it's lovely and sunny and frosty.
@San not too bad conditions for tennis. Drills on a saturday morning, nice to know you're taking it seriously:)@Wired is right you need a name any ideas???

Kirsty (Saturday, 14 January 2012 07:40)

Here's the picture Kasia tweeted.

https://p.twimg.com/Ai9clx2CQAEhOfx.jpg:large

@hoppe Sorry, no I don't remember the episode guide. Will have a look.

San (Saturday, 14 January 2012 12:24)

MLK Holiday weekend, y'all!!!! Martin Luther was born the 10th day of November in the year 1483. Wait, that doesn't sound right? :) The U.S. Olympic marathon trials took place in town today. I'm afraid I overslept, so I won't be going to London this summer :(

@hoppe "holy couple" Excellent! :) We did have a shift in conversation

@Clijsters3 Too cold for drills this morning. I'll have to settle for hitting against your stand-in Sunday afternoon. As far as nicknames, one shouldn't pick her own. Last week, the ladies I play with called me tall and long-armed because I was reaching their lobs. I'm neither tall (5'6") or long-armed. I've been called fast, but anticipation and stubbornness can make one look fast. My game is power forehand, slice backhand, decent serve, occasional finesse, and personal desire to hit the ball clean with good technique. Maybe, Ball Machine :) Other options: Graf-lite, Velvet Laser, Unforced Error, and Miss Yells at Herself (MYAH). I'm leaning Ball Machine, it sets up a legendary showdown with great marketing potential :)

I have a paycheck and absolutely nothing to wear, so I've decided to brave the 3-day weekend crowds and go shopping. Wish me luck and many flattering outfits :)

Randy (Saturday, 14 January 2012 13:27)

@San Houston Hotshot.

Kirsty (Saturday, 14 January 2012 14:28)

Woah, I was watching 'Covert Affairs' tonight and Piper Perabo's character was in Canada...and she mentioned Tim Hortons..and I knew what she was talking about! Thank you fellow tuthrefores :)

@San Hope you had a successful shopping trip!

@frananifan how is your !!!SNOW!!! ?

Randy (Saturday, 14 January 2012 14:44)

@Kirsty Off topic Did you send me an email with a link to a site that sells electronics, motorcycles, and other things at good prices?

frananifan (Saturday, 14 January 2012 17:46)

How about das Houstoooooon Hammerrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!

@Kirsty check Franbox

San (Sunday, 15 January 2012 00:50)

So no one's going for Velvet Laser? Man, I was going to hit with laser sound effects and everything :) Although with @Randy's suggestion, I could exhale *hotshot* with every groundstroke. In any case, I'm trying to be as annoying and distracting as possible :)

My shopping trip turned into a 6-hour urban hike that covered about 7 miles. It was well worth it since I found an Emma Jean Jacket and the most awesome t-shirt in the universe at a trendy thrift shop on the north-side of my hike. I posted a pic in my sandbox.

@hoppe You got it - Houstonian.

@frananifan I think we found our announcer :)

Kirsty (Sunday, 15 January 2012)

@Randy Nope, wasn't from the real me!

@frananifan Holy Cow! Your poor dog, that's a lot of snow! Last year we had snow my dog had to swim through but she's just a little Jack Russell, yours is much bigger. What breed is he? Looks gorgeous.

I like 'Houston Hammer' just because of it's German association. If you had a good game you could say 'Ja, Ich war der Hammer!!!'
Or the 'Houston Hotte-shot'? Or just hotte-shot!

Kirsty (Sunday, 15 January 2012 02:18)

Ok, If you all got an e-mail from 'me' about an electronics/motorcycle parts site it wasn't from ME. It seems to have gone out to everyone I have in my address book or may have e-mailed in the last year or so. I fear I may soon be hearing from some people I don't really want to hear from anymore- grrr. Also, Kasia Borek got it- that's embarassing!

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 15 January 2012 05:18)

@Hoppe I'm known as "The Wall" because I try to get everything back.I'm very patient so it might not be pretty to watch but if I win who cares?!

@San nice t-shirt. At first glance I thought telephone box...but alas it is a bus stop afterall:) I don't like my name "The wall" anymore, the suggestions for your name sound so much better!

Kykky (Sunday, 15 January 2012 10:59)

@Hoppe: yes they say Emma date of birth is 25-05-92....so.....this mean that she is 18 at the beginning of the show and that we have not had the chance to see her 19 birthday.....If I don't get wrong in Gemany you start to go to school in August. Then you have some holidays in Autumn, Christmas, Pentecost, Easter and then you have some weeks in Summer (june and july???)....so....when the show ends is supposedly june.....and Emma's birthday is gone...

What about JEnny?
I mean, when do you think is her birthday? it is after the Carneval's party and they still wear coats but not too heavy....so....maybe around March?

What do you think?

Kykky (Sunday, 15 January 2012 17:45)

Yes it is possible...

Wired (Sunday, 15 January 2012 19:37)

@San so I think you should go with the "Houston Hotshot"' yes exhaling "hotshot" at every return would be wonderfully distracting and I think you should show up with aviator sunglasses and a leather bomber jacket. This will intimidate Clijsters3 for sure right? (Oh by the way, awesome t-shirt and Emma find during your shopping trip.)

@Clijsters3 ok we're on for another name for you...I say take the "Lancaster Laser" and take San's idea of making laser noises while you play. This will also distract her as she will be pissed you took her cool idea and will therefore render her even more at your mercy!

The horses will look on in interest with the noises and the outfits while @Kirsty is saying "howdy" and @Frananifan will be annoucing loudly in German and English. I'll show up for that game!

@Kirsty it does sound like your e-mail was attacked. Hopefully you get a chance to sort it out. I'm sure Kasia would understand (she seems down to earth! and I'm sure she gets an odd e-mail here and there?)

@Hoppe & @Kykky What age do people usually graduate from high school in Germany? I thought somewhere we had determined Jenny was older then Emma too? I can't remember if that is correct. Thoughts?

frananifan (Sunday, 15 January 2012 22:03)

@Kirsty That's funny about the Tim Horton's culture experience. Derby's is a 40 pound Labradoodle. We usually just call him a clown dog. This last snowfall was 'only' 17 inches but I think its here to stay. Sooooooooooo cold right now.

@Wired Like the visuals for this showdown. Way to stir up some competition! The pony rides between sets will be fun too. Who is in charge of refreshments? I'm always thinking about the snacks. @Randy....popcorn?

@San Velvet Laser was good :) and with sound effect even better but...if you don't own it someone else will...and you can't really go outside and play on a !!!!!HURRICANE DAY!!!!!

@Clijsters3 I say you should keep "The Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaall"
I'm sure San is all ethical and stuff but just so you know, there was once another competition that involved a team from Texas that cheated the Buffalo Sabres out of the Stanley Cup, in 1999, to be specific.

@hoppe and Kykky Could we use the air date of Jenny's birthday episode as her birthday? We could probably figure that out from the JI translation page comment section, right? I'll get on that.

Kykky (Monday, 16 January 2012 03:23)

@Wired: They go to school till are 18 years old. I 've read you start school at 6 and you attend the till 9. Then you start the "high" school with 2 years similar for everyone (10-11 years old) and then in the case of Jenny and Emma's school (the high school that is made to prepare u for university) you go on till 18 years. (http://www.tedescoweb.it/icit.trapani/Schule/schule.htm).

So if you do not have missed a year you start the last year at 18 years or you will become 18 during the year. It depends on when your birthdate is....Emma born in may so she starts school at 18 years old and she finishes the year when she is 19. Emma is surely 18 because she has the drive licence and she can drive alone. And in Germany (and most of Europe) you can have your drive licence and you can drive alone when you are already 18.

Jenny? She has her drive licence too. So she is 18 too. But...my doub is...what if she is already 19? Don't know...She for sure has spent some time in some clinic for the drugs...as a matter of fact she arrives at the PEstalozzi when the year is already begun....when? after Christmas and before Carnival....maybe in Gen? Are the schools closed in germany at genuary or not? I don't know.

In the video of her birthday is it possible to see the cake? Is there written something? Can we count the candles?

@frananifan: we can use it as a conventional date...when it is? I mean, when it was aired the ep?

And: what about Luzy? She has her 18 party at the end of the show...maybe may or june...so...maybe she is younger? Or maybe she started school when she was 5?

San (Monday, 16 January 2012 13:31)

@frananifan Oh, the Velvet Laser Owns It! Only the true Velvet Laser will make a *explosion* sound effect when she hits a winner. shot *laser* shot *laser* shot *laser* WINNER *kaboom* Fist pump *hotshot*

@Clijster3 Pay no attention to @frananifan's gross generalization against my ethics. Texas is a big state, and I cannot be held accountable for what those in the stupid part do. I mean, they're practically in Oklahoma, they can't be trusted :) Me, I'm very honest and generous with my line calls.

@Wired Love your outfit suggestion. I do need to wear glasses when I play (I'm not blind, the ball is just a little fuzzier than it should be), so the aviator sunglasses would be perfect as well as stylish!

I'm calling it the epic match: The Wall vs. Ball Machine.

frananifan (Monday, 16 January 2012 15:15)

The MLK experience was very serious hard labor. I was singing Negro Spirituals in my head all morning. No kidding..."nobody knows the trouble I've seen...."

@San still laughing out loud at 187

Anyone for some warmups?
http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/tennis/tennis.html

Kykky (Monday, 16 January 2012 23:41)

On fb jemma international poster a pic of jenny math test and there is written 12 class.... But at the end o the show it is pretty clear to me they have to do the exams for the habitur... And, again, they for sure are 18 because of the drive licence.... I don't know ....

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 17 January 2012 08:56)

Good day to you all. You are a creative bunch. I've decided to take @Frananifan's advice and stick with "The Wall" or "The Waaaaaaaall". Although I did like @Hoppe's and Wired's idea of using Lancashire/Lancaster in my name.

@San looks like we're all set for round two. Oh and don't worry I won't be put off by your aviator sunglasses, I'll be too much 'in the zone' to be distracted:)Although loud noises and grunting does make me angry so be warned!

@Frananifan sounds like you're still a bit bitter about the 1999 Stanley Cup:) Thanks for the tennis game #188...NOT.I think I managed 3 points in 9 games.

I've just been reading about the German school system and it says home schooling is banned, not that that helps us with working out Jenny and Emma's ages. You would think Jenny would have missed a lot of schooling because she was a child pop star and of course her drug problem. Therefore she must be older than Emma and the rest in her class, but her exact age I don't know. @Kykky nice idea about counting the candles, not sure if that's possible but it's worth a go.

Kykky (Wednesday, 18 January 2012 11:21)

@Hoppe: i saw the tweet :)

Wired (Wednesday, 18 January 2012 13:36)

Alright! It looks like we’ve got the tennis tournament of the century! We need posters and t-shirts! @Hoppe would be great for that with her artistic talent no? :)

@hoppe & @Kykky Kasia is so great! I didn't even know she was on twitter...

So I managed to get to the next 5 episodes (87-91- yeah I’m doing this a week at a time – again type A in me!) and I think this is where it all really begins but comes to a sudden crash. So we know that Emma has now written the wrong report but I’m wondering how she didn’t see the GIANT Martin Luther King written on the blackboard when she was in class. I’m pretty sure she shouldn’t look as shocked as she does when Gotting tells Jenny it’s the wrong subject. Anyways, Jenny gets mad at Emma, Emma is upset and then sings “If I Were A Boy”.

That was when I first watched this show and my ears perked up like a dog hearing the mailman, and I thought “Jenny is into Emma!” – enter instant Jemma Addiction! One thing I have kind of nagging in my mind though is this: I think via discussion with you all that Jenny is attracted to Emma (subconsciously) by her innocence/naivete and maybe because she doesn’t necessarily play games like Caro. She’s safe for Jenny. So I’m wondering why Jenny would instantly assume that Emma had planned the report mistake to make Jenny look like a fool. As if Emma was scheming from the start. Wouldn’t that be the opposite of what she saw in Emma? Would it be because she instantly distrusts people and she thinks that Emma is now just like everyone else? Because of her drug past? I think that’s it but just wondering what everyone else thinks.

Randy (Wednesday, 18 January 2012 15:06)

@Wired I'm glad you brought up the giant MLK banner in the classroom. Emma didn't notice it because she conveniently was checking her cell phone, which is something she never did in class before this, so I think this was a plot device used to make sure she didn't see the banner before Jenny spoke. Also, why doesn't Jenny stop talking the moment she mentions Martin Luther and his birthdate, which should have alerted her to a problem with the paper. Again, I think this is a plot device so that Jenny can be humiliated and hence get angry at Emma, thereby setting up the start of the on again off again relationship. But I still don't understand the need for the huge banner. The plot could have unfolded without it.

Randy (Wednesday, 18 January 2012 15:10)

@hoppe Beautiful job on the finished gong. Your imagination and skills are inspiring.

Kirsty (Thursday, 19 January 2012 02:57)

@hoppe really lovely postcard in your sandbox.

New voting alert!! The voting is now open for the soap awards, Lucy won the fan prize last year. It's complicated but as usual the lovely guys at JI have posted a step-by-step guide on how to go through it...

http://www.jemmainternational.org/2012/01/18/voting-about-a-revolution/

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 19 January 2012 07:13)

@Hoppe love the gong, very nice colours as well.

@Kirsty thanks for the info on the soap awards, is it really time to start voting again? That's come round really quick.

Wired (Thursday, 19 January 2012 13:59)

@hoppe that gong really did turn out nicely! What a fantastic card it turned out to be. Though you may not take the credit like you said if you mirrored it differently it wouldn't have come out that way. Intuition wins out!

So I've finally decided to play in the sandbox myself finally. You guys are having so much fun I thought I should at least sit in the sandbox and try to do something!

Randy (Thursday, 19 January 2012 16:28)

@Wired Welcome to the sandboxes! Fergus looks like he knows he's being photographed and doesn't mind because he's handsome. As for the snow, brrrrr!

frananifan (Thursday, 19 January 2012 20:14)

@hoppe This is a very attractive image. I used it as a point of focus in my morning meditation. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful.

@Wired and Fergus Welcome to the sandbox!

@Randy Maybe they went with the huge MLK banner because the writers
felt that people watching the show needed a ‘visual’ to make the point that she was screwing up. Prior to seeing the banner, I was also like Emma and only paid attention to “Martin Luther Martin Luther Martin Luther” while I was locked on Jenny and Emma. Well, that and I don’t speak German nor hear very well...but mostly I was locked on Jemma. Didn't notice the King so much:)

@Kirsty Thanks for the voting information. Is it as difficult as it looks? Do I need a nap first?

@Clijsters3 Regarding post 191…yes I am still bitter. But I would like to publicly state my opinion that some of “The Best Girls are from Texas”, and San does not appear to live near the stupid people.

Kirsty (Friday, 20 January 2012 08:27)

@Wired how cute is Fergus!! What a nice face he has :)

@frananifan Nah, the voting's not hard, once you register. And you can vote every day for Kasia and Lucy. And Franciska/Dennis/Selina etc. With fans like us though I reckon it's just going to be a two-horse race again this year. Lucy was ahead last time I looked but Kasia just posted a stunning photo of herself on Facebook - tactics??? (only kidding)

Oh and I'm starting German classes next week! :) It's only a couple of hours a week for 8 weeks but hopefully I'll brush up on what I know and pick up some more..'Marry me, Lucy' for example :D (Actually I already know how to say this, Danke Verbotene Liebe!)

I had wondered why Emma was so intently fiddling with her cellphone while Jenny was about to speak, didn't seem like her at all. She's always so attentive in class. It's so obvious now that it's been pointed out to me, of course it's so she doesn't see the banner...

San (Friday, 20 January 2012 12:56)

Banner? I thought it was handwritten overhead transparency projected on the wall or something. I've been a little delinquent with my Jemmatime lately.

@Wired Yay sandbox! So describe your version of VVAs. It looks tasty.

@hoppe The image of you sporting "the best girls are from Texas" around the neighborhood makes me want to give you the t-shirt :)

Should we all have a "the best girls are from 234" or shall I pronounce you all from Texas... because the best girls can't come from any ol' spot on a map ;) j/k

Clijsters3 (Friday, 20 January 2012 13:18)

@Wired love the sandbox! I'm not really a dog kind of gal but Fergus is really cute.

@Kirsty well done for starting German classes. I wish I could come with you we could have a right old giggle in class. "Du bist doof" "keine Ahnung" I'm glad Lucy has plenty of votes again, no need to be worried then:)

Wired (Friday, 20 January 2012 13:43)

@Randy and @all ok so that does explain why Emma didn't see the giant writing - she was conveniently looking at her cellphone and thus moving the story along. I didn't think it would be as blatant as that but HaH does that sometimes - they have a subtlety like a hammer. :) I love it! I think it makes the show that much more fun to watch over again.

@Kirsty look at you starting German! Very cool! Oh I forgot to mention that I'm watching Covert Affairs too now and I love it!

@Hoppe I was laughing thinking about everyone changing shirts during a tennis match. I also have a cat and am trying to find a decent picture of him to post. @Clijsters3 how do you feel about cats? Pets in general? :)

@San Well I made the apple filing which turned out really well, very very tasty! I think I should have just kept it at that though because unfortunately I tried a new recipe where it was supposed to be a one step type cobbler. Sadly while it looked great on top the rest of it was mush. :( Next time I'm going to keep the filing as is and just stick with a pre-made pie crust.

Thanks for all the nice comments about Fergus too. I'd tell him but all of the praise might go to his head and he'll lord it over the cat. This weekend I have time so I'm going to forge ahead with more episodes! Yay! Oh, also it seems I have a bit too much free time in the office on Friday. I made a very crude poster with my super basic program at work for the tennis match. It's in my sandbox. Hmmm...I see now why I didnt' start the sandbox earlier...it's addictive. Luckily I don't know how to screencap like @Randy...I might never get work done!

Randy (Friday, 20 January 2012 15:32)

@Wired YAY! Great job on the tennis match. You've given us two smash 'em bash 'em competitors.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 21 January 2012 07:57)

@Wired I love it, love it, love it!!!!!!! The tennis poster that is. It's brilliant, the pressures right on, now it's being billed the greatest tennis match:) As for cats sorry not a big fan either. I prefer rabbits, hamsters. To be honest I'm scared of dogs and yes even cats, I prefer a nice little cute animal like a rabbit, that can't climb on you.

p.s did I mention I love the tennis poster?:)

San (Saturday, 21 January 2012 13:52)

@Wired Hilarious! And what attention to detail! Right down to my sunglasses :) Also, you can't go wrong with a pre-made crust. I've been having problems getting the bottom crust to cook, though. Maybe I should use a metal pie pan or cook the bottom crust a little before adding the apples.

@Kirsty Do you need my German lesson records to brush up in between classes? "Learn to speak fluently in just 6 weeks!" :) I now have them as digital files, but I'm still looking for the companion lesson booklet.

@Clijsters3 We're gonna have to live up to this hype somehow :)

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 22 January 2012 04:59)

@San I don't know how! #215

I forgot just how great Emma was singing "If I were a Boy" I knew it was good, but wow it's just blown me away. At the end Jenny looked softer like she was regretting shouting at Emma after the MLK fiasco. You've got to laugh at how many times they say "Martin Luther King":)

San (Sunday, 22 January 2012 14:19)

Saw part of the Kim Clijsters match in a place dubbed as a "Scottish Pub" - they had Scotch and a Sean Connery shrine. So I'm saying we all hung out last night, okay?

Re: Emma's attention to cellphone. It looked to me that she was plainly disinterested in the presentation because she wrote it and already knew everything that was going to be said. So to me, it seemed natural.

Kirsty (Monday, 23 January 2012 01:27)

@San German help would be great, I need all the help I can get! Love that you hung out in a 'Scottish' Pub, haven't seen many of those around the world, they're usually Irish ones..

Have just watched a few episodes last night, 76-79 and there was one scene where Caro was talking to Jenny and they turned around and walked down the school corridor close to each other. And Caro towered over Jenny! Just looked a bit weird because usually Jenny was walking next to Emma which made her the taller one- I need to check what shoes she was wearing, I didn't think there was that much of a height difference between Lucy and Sonja/Caro.

Kirsty (Monday, 23 January 2012 05:16)

Remember to vote here if you can guys..only one of the top ten actors/actresses so far isn't from HaH :) Take note Sat1
http://www.mypromi.de/

Also, AudL has been cancelled. It's moving to that other tv station for a while and then stopping at the end of April I think. Why can't Sat1 just do something to try and save programmes?? I feel bad for Kasia (and the other actors)

Although, Kasia has posted a sweet video on Facebook thanking her fans for their support and telling us not to worry about her. I tried to copy the link but not had any luck so far.. Can anyone help? San? Hoppe??

Kirsty (Monday, 23 January 2012 07:01)

Me again! Think this might work, link for Kasia's video...

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2916132295114

@Clisters3 (Re#209) Ayy, Ich bin doof??

San (Monday, 23 January 2012 23:02)

@Kirsty It's the only Scottish Pub in town amidst all the Irish and English Pubs. I'll see if I can get some german lesson files up. It should be fun for everyone.

@hoppe No, there isn't a link to the room on the jemma words project. I'll look to see a good place to put it.

Wired (Tuesday, 24 January 2012 07:15)

Wow poor Kasia! Another show dumped by Sat1! I know the show wasn't that great but still... Hopefully we'll still be able to catch Kasia on something that's accessible to all of us internationals!

@Clijsters glad you liked the poster! I think some of my co-workers were wondering what I was doing but it was fun. "If I Were A Boy" is one of my favourite songs by Kasia/Emma. She did it so well and it seems to fit in to the situation where Jenny was all hot and cold with her, even if Emma wasn't interested in Jenny yet.

@Hoppe I thought that magazine was a bit out of place/character with Jenny too!

@San Those sunglasses were hard to fit on a tennis ball you know! :)

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 24 January 2012 08:41)

@Hoppe re#218 "on the surface Jenny stays hard and pulls through with the radiocontest, because she can't let go of feeling betrayed and humiliated... but on a deeper level this moment changed something... I'm sure." Yes, that's how I feel. At this stage Jenny is still not very nice and feels like she has to get "revenge" on Emma, but as you said deep down she's starting to realise maybe Emma is being honest and is actually a nice, decent person, something Jenny isn't really used to.

I can't believe AudL has been cancelled...well actually I can because I've seen it!

@Kirsty Nein du bist nicht doof.

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 24 January 2012 08:56)

Just want to say well done Kim Clijsters for reaching the semi's in the Australian Open!!! This is her very last year on tour.

San (Tuesday, 24 January 2012 09:05)

@hoppe #228 I thinks it's more a matter of taste. I tend to use "of course" more. And word "naturally" when referring something natural or very evident. It can be a very boastful "of course." There really isn't a distinction.

Re#218 Naturally, Jenny was too angry to read Vogue or Cosmo, so she picked up the first magazine she found lying around. It was left by a 1st year 15-year-old.

San (Tuesday, 24 January 2012 09:08)

@Clijsters3 That was a great match! Saw the one before that as well. Victoria Azarenka kinda has the Velvet Laser game and sound effects :) Pretty annoying. I prefer the silence in the Clijsters-Wozniacki match.

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 24 January 2012 09:47)

@San Pretty annoying indeed. Lets hope it's not a Sharapova Azarenka final, earplugs anyone?:)
They both have the Velvet Laser game and sound effects, it will definately put me off during our match (not that I should be telling you that!) Because of the time difference I was still fast asleep during both these matches, just saw the highlights. I get to watch the night matches though.
Nice explanation of why Jenny was reading THAT magazine.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 24 January 2012 10:06)

@Clijsters3 Du bist toll.
Am so impressed with Kim Clijsters, haven't seen any of her matches this week but just in general. She seems so nice and to take a time-out and come back again and do so well shows what strength of character and talent she has. :)
Also, better say it..C'mon Andy!!

@San good definition of when to use naturally/of course. I was sitting for ages trying to think how to explain!

@hoppe Hope you don't mind if I correct a bit of your English, which is awesome by the way, in your post 223 it should have been 'Sat 1 is really pissing OFF it's viewers' You piss someone off. Don't know why,that's just the phrase :)

Kirsty (Tuesday, 24 January 2012 10:50)

Ok, quiet afternoon at work so I've been watching Jemma clips. Love the scene where Jenny is finishing off her breakfast and Emma is well, Emma-ing about where their first time can be. We all know how awesome Lucy and Kasia's expressions are but Lucy does really well. I mean she had previously done most of her work on the stage where your audience is further away than a tv camera and I guess you have to exaggerate your expressions so they can be seen. So to be able to 'tone it down' so much for this show and to do it so well...I'm just so in awe of that skill.

Wired (Tuesday, 24 January 2012 11:24)

@San That is actually what I thought about the magazine. I figured Jenny just picked up whatever was lying around and just flipping through it to pass the time.

@Kirsty I love Lucy's expressions! She did mention somewhere that it was difficult or it was different working on a TV series for her. The stage setting is so different she had quite an adjustment I think. Am jealous I missed out on my Jemma this weekend would love to watch it during work... :)

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 25 January 2012 03:58)

@Kirsty Du bist auch toll and think we'd better leave it there! It is amazing how Kim has managed to come back to tennis after having her daughter and play even better second time around. I really struggle to support Murray, he always looks so gloomy, but I'll say it anyway c'mon Andy! I'm jealous you can watch Jemma clips at work, but I guess you are the boss:)

@Wired I remember reading that Lucy interview, saying how difficult it was to adjust to being infront of a camera. Her expressions are the best.

Kirsty (Thursday, 26 January 2012 09:34)

@Clijsters3 lol

Lucy and Kasia are still number 1 and 2 in the award voting but their points/value/rating has gone down slightly. You can vote for them every day.Dead easy. Kasia seems to be putting a post (and sometimes a picture) up quite regularly on Facebook now.And the photos are cracking!! She seems such a lovely, thoughtful, open person. :)

frananifan (Thursday, 26 January 2012 19:36)

I just woke up from imagining hot sand underneath my body. Hot sand. Waves. Cold, citrusy beverages. What a great nap. I think I was in Goa.
Tomorrow is my day off! And by golly I’m staying up late tonight to watch Jemmasodes.

Wired (Thursday, 26 January 2012 20:09)

@frananifan Wow sounds like a great dream and the best thing is that you would get a sunburn either! Have a great night with Jemma!

Funny thing Iwas thinking about the show (as I do often) and I suddenly realized That though I miss watching new Jemmaness unfold I really missed those Chocofresh adverts too! who'd a thunk?

Wired (Thursday, 26 January 2012 20:10)

Sorry @frananifan I meant you would not get a sunburn - silly auto correct! Drives me nutty!

frananifan (Thursday, 26 January 2012 21:46)

@Wired I search for Chocofresh in every international market I go to. I've found Hanuta but no Chocofresh. As for the sunburn, I'll take it over windburn. Which is what I got cutting a fallen tree from across my driveway last week. (see franbox)

@Kirsty I have voted only once so far but I will vote several times tomorrow because Friday is my day off! (did I mention that? Very psyched) And yes, Kasia? Cracking! (I'll be using that)

@hoppe Same here with fan voting. Never before Hah have I participated in such things. As for our democratic elections, I've never missed one.

@San I hope your weather experience was not as treacherous as it looked on the news. Yikes.

Kirsty (Friday, 27 January 2012 00:57)

@hoppe :) You're right about Kasia's mypromi picture. I happen to prefer people when they're not wearing make-up ,or not much anyway,and look more natural, so Kasia in her recent pictures looks awesome to me. Her mypromi picture, I think, is of her when she was at the award ceremony last year and I like how she was trying a different kind of look but I just don't really like it. Maybe the award people put the photos up, actually the picture of Lucy may well be from the ceremony too...hmm.

@frananifan Ah, what a nice dream to have. Rebel-Jenny wasn't in it was she? Oh, you can only vote once every 24 hours for the same person! I tried yesterday and it said that I couldn't vote again for L/K for another 3 hours! Love German accuracy :) Enjoy your day off. It is your day off isn't it? don't think you mentioned it.. ;)

@Wired I haven't found Chocofresh here either. Or on Amazon.de. Or in Holland. Does it really exist? Did it go away when HaH ended? I will have a look in Stuttgart.

Oh, had my first German class last night. Went well. The teacher is from Stuttgart!! We had to finish a sentence starting with 'du bist' and yes I shouted out 'doof' Which wasn't anyone else's first choice of word! Apparently no other Jemma fans in the room then...

Kirsty (Friday, 27 January 2012 08:10)

Another Kasia FB post, and a picture...of her and Lucy!!! She said they'd finally made time to meet up for a coffee. So sweet.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/417771_2944650968063_1014928931_2959581_1178805037_n.jpg

frananifan (Friday, 27 January 2012 09:04)

@hoppe The wind blew this tree across my driveway. I had to cut it out so I could get to work that morning. That was the easy part. Getting the chainsaw started was the hardest part. I will investigate these petitions to sign.

"Unless someone
like you cares a
whole awful lot,
nothing is going
to get better.
It’s not."
-Dr . Seuss

@Kirsty You sound like the German class clown! Nice emmabeam from the FB Lucy Kasia photo. Those two need to always sit next to each other. Its a catalyst for joy. No Rebel-Jenny next to me on the beach though. She would have been a piss pot when she went to Goa anyway so I wouldn't have tolerated her much...all self-important, snapping her chewing gum, kicking sand around, and drugged up a bit. We would have had a confrontation and I would have told her "get your shit together. Emma's coming and she won't find this attractive!"

Kirsty (Friday, 27 January 2012 10:37)

@frananifan Had me laughing with your description of Jenny :) Contemplating making that photo of Lucy and Kasia my wallpaper on my laptop/phone/living-room hell, everywhere. It makes me feel all warm and happy inside when I see it. Which is weird right? They just look kind of good together.

@hoppe will check out the petitions, that's horrible about the poor monks. WTF China?! Very worrying in general..

San (Friday, 27 January 2012 14:54)

The excitement must be palpable in the UK with the Everton-Fulman match, Landon Donovan - Clint Dempsey clash of the century!!! :) I'm rooting for Tim Howard - I always side with a good keeper - eventhough Dempsey is a good ol' East Texas boy from Nacogdoches (it's not as hard to say as it looks).

@frananifan Welcome back from Goa! How long did it take you to dispose of the tree corpse? What a terrible way to start the morning! Here, the weather didn't seem too bad from my office window. It was on the news??? It was kinda pleasant. But I imagine it was worse in other parts of the area. Tornadoes and all that jazz.

@Kirsty I also have the urge to save the Kasia-Lucy pic and carry it around with me everywhere! Then I thought that might be weird. Then I though, why is that weird? It makes me smile :) I'm might be able to get some German lesson up for you soon, so you can keep wow-ing your class with your advanced German Skillz.

I put an Inspiroodle in my sandbox for everyone.

Kirsty (Saturday, 28 January 2012 01:19)

@San I always like to root for Everton as they have a couple of ex- United players, including Tim Howard who seemed a lovely guy. And, that place name seems kind of hard to even read far less say!
Glad you're 'weird' too :)

Kirsty (Saturday, 28 January 2012 03:47)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HsTVAcbupo&feature=youtu.be&a

Woah! #picksjawofffloor Look at Naya Rivera singing 'Smooth Criminal' in next week's Glee.
I love how they've finally worked out who the real star of the show is and Santana is getting more lines/songs/screentime.

frananifan (Saturday, 28 January 2012 10:15)

Weird is where you find it. I use my $10 knock off Jenny watch like Wonder Woman uses her indestructible bracelets. And PissKiss is my current cell phone pic. I don't have to explain anything to anyone!
As hot as Naya is...the cellos are what had me going. Exhilarating all around!

San (Saturday, 28 January 2012 12:06)

I loves me some pop music played on black, fiberglass cellos! But the song really doesn't do anything for me.

@Kirsty Nac-ah-DOH-chess - said really fast to cover up not knowing how to say it. We usually just say Nac. Some say Nacanowhere. I like to soften the "chess" a bit, which sounds more like Nacadoscious. I remember watching the Everton match when Rooney debuted - it probably aired a few days after the actual event. I have to say, Brad Friedel is the best keeper EVER! So I'm rooting for many Tottenham shutouts :) And I'll always have a special place in my heart for Blackburn.

San (Saturday, 28 January 2012 14:34)

Ok, I finally have some old German lessons up for everyone. I created a page under my sandbox, "Learning German." Let me know if you have any problems seeing the Flash player. I put a brief description and instructions about the player application. It should be a fun interactive experience. Also, the lessons are very enjoyable, especially when familiar names (!!!) and words pop up :)

frananifan (Saturday, 28 January 2012 23:45)

Today was Saturday? Let's see...I woke up, looked out the window, saw that it was snowing in a circle so I took a nap...woke up again and drank a pot of coffee...made soup...built a fire....had German lessons (only 35 more to go), thanks San...brought soup over to my neighbor...stayed waaaay toooo long with neighbor and now I know waaaay toooo much about her cousin the sex worker (that is not what she called her)...watched some tennis repeat until I was too distracted by perceived laser sounds and breasts...took another nap (very short one)...now its after midnight and I'm eating pie. Does anyone remember The Shining (1980). I'm feeling a little like Jack right now. Nacadoscious. Nacanowhere. Nacadonut. Nockers.
Am I the only one who says "amidolaaaa-rocknrollaaaa" when they turn on their music? Just wondering. I'm going to bed with that giggle in my head. Buenas noches.

Kirsty (Sunday, 29 January 2012 03:37)

@hoppe nackedei, can't find it.. nearest translation I could find was 'nape deodorant' but I did find the German word for nacked. 'nackt' :) may come in handy one day, you never know!

@San the lessons are fun, only had time to listen to some so far, found Emma and Stefan though.
Ok, now I know how to say it, that's a cool place name.. nacanowhere lol!

@franaifan mmm homemade soup, wish I lived next door to you! Sounds like a good day. Except the bit where you just reminded my of the Shining. That film gave me bad dreams for weeks, still don't like to think too much about it. I am sitting watching the tennis just now and having my breakfast, no breasts around to distract me unfortunately but I am just checking all the tennis balls to see if they have little sunglasses on! :)

Kirsty (Sunday, 29 January 2012 10:38)

@hoppe ohmygod, you've just made my day with that gif! That is one of my all time favourite Jemma moments but it is over in a flash. So glad sometime has captured it and slowed it down- brilliant :)
Also, nacked little monkey- cute.

frananifan (Sunday, 29 January 2012 11:22)

Gorgeous. gorgeous gif.

Kirsty (Monday, 30 January 2012 02:55)

OMJ Hand Aufs Herz, has 61% of the vote in the poll! And you can vote as often as you like.

Kirsty (Monday, 30 January 2012 07:04)

@hoppe, you were right-'another vote' Although, maybe it would have been better to say 'another poll' :)

Clijsters3 (Monday, 30 January 2012 10:41)

@Hoppe thanks for the last gif, it's a classic Jemma moment, but you're right it needs a few more frames. Their faces are wonderful and love how Jenny is leaning on the table. HaH is easily winning the poll you posted, but it is a bit pink!

@Kirsty glad your first German lesson went well, nice use of the word doof! If it's not too much trouble could you briefly explain what you did in each lesson in your sandbox, I would appreciate it:)

@San nice German lesson! I hope our tennis match doesn't last as long as Nadal v. Djokovic, how they managed that I'll never know. I was sad Nadal lost, I'm not a fan of Djokovic.

Wired (Monday, 30 January 2012 14:21)

@Kirsty Those pictures of Kasia are cracking! (I’m liking that word too…you’ve started a new movement here) I love the one of her and Lucy together, I’m on board with everyone else who wants that picture around. This is why I’m in JA right? They are so sweet and that pic makes me smile too. They do look good together! I like Kasia with a more natural look too both in terms of make up but also just being at home or wherever, or with Lucy. :)

By the way, the search is on for Chocofresh! First person who finds one has to take a picture and put it in their sandbox. Also their prize is…well…the chocofresh.

@San love that doodle! Very cool! Put a tennis racquet in her hand and it’ll work for your match vs. The Wall too. Thanks for the German lessons too. I've got to give that a try this weekend maybe.

@Hoppe That gif was great! One thing I'm glad about is that these computers can now take a split second moment like that and slow it down for us to rewatch and keep forever. Who needs diamonds when you have a memory stick?

@frananifan So how was your long weekend. I’m pretty sure you had a Friday off. You had Friday off right? ;) Your interaction with Rebel Jenny in Goa was hilarious. She would not have stood a chance with you. Also your weekend sounds great! The sleeping, not the Shinning part. I can't watch horrors/thrillers at all because I’m a chicken so I’m going to have to re-look at Kasia and Lucy’s picture to get Jack Nicholson out of my head now.

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 31 January 2012 06:36)

@Wired exactly, any picture of Kasia and Lucy together is great:) It's good to know they do get on in real life, I bet they had plenty to talk about, like how did we end up all with all these crazy fans!

If even @Hoppe can't find Chocofresh, in the home of Chocofresh, I'm not sure what hope any of us have, but I'll have a go:) I'm up for a challenge.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 31 January 2012 07:20)

How exciting is this! Alex Kingston from 'ER' and 'Doctor Who' and Emilia Fox from 'Rebecca' ! an 'Silent Witness' as a couple. In a period drama. Cool.
http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory/6837/31/01/2012/bbcs-upstairs-downstairs-to-feature-lesbian-storyline-in-ratings-bid.aspx

@Clijsters3 Will try and remember to put up my German lessons. I suspect you may know a lot of it already, it's just things like describing where you live, buying travel tickets etc just now. :)

Oh and Leute..viel Spaß mit Hand Aufs Herz und Chocofresh!!!!! :)

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 31 January 2012 08:28)

@Kirsty i don't believe it!!! I was just about to post about Emilia Fox and Alex Kingston in the period drama Upstairs Downstairs. For those of you who don't know it, it's like Downton Abbey and is about an aristocratic family and their servants, as the title suggests and was first shown in the 1970s. It returned in 2010.
It would be great if you do put up bits from your lesson, it's good that you have a teacher actually from Germany.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 31 January 2012 10:13)

@Clijsters3 Hah, the Daily Mail has a better article complete with a cracking (@Wired!) picture of Emilia Fox. I remember watching Upstairs Downstairs when I was younger. Looks good.
I put a few German phrases in my sandbox, that was all we were doing last week. I'm really needing help with tenses etc- hopefully we will cover it or maybe that comes in the next course which is 'Post-Beginner' will keep you updated! Got distracted by the compilation video I found of Lucy in my sandbox- hadn't watched it for a while :D

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 31 January 2012 10:48)

@Kirsty getting distracted by Lucy is easily done:) I've just been focusing on the present tense at the moment, but i can see later on in the book I'm reading it looks at different tenses. Thank you for putting your lesson up, it's reassuring to know I've got the basics right. I look forward to your next lesson:)
I saw the article about Upstairs Downstairs in the Daily Mail, but no picture of Emilia Fox, must have been in the Scottish version.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 31 January 2012 11:06)

@Clijsters3 There seem to be a couple of articles, here's the one with Emilia Fox photo

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2094223/Upstairs-Downstairs-reveals-lesbian-love-affair-storyline-compete-Downton.html

Libellule (Tuesday, 31 January 2012 23:29)

Room 234, HAPPY NEW YEAR, from the bottom of my heart!!!
Ok, ok, I'm a little bit late as it's the 1st day of February already, but it doesn't affect the sincerity of my wishes. Actually I've been thinking about you a lot since Christmas and I'm sorry I haven't been able to be in touch since then.
Now I see I have a lot to catch up (like 300 comments, and so many pictures, and links, and... wow, you've been very active!) and a new room to get used to. But it seems like Jemmaggedon #2 was all flowers and birds songs this time. ;p

So, just wanted to stop by to say I (jemma)love you all! :)

xo

San (Wednesday, 01 February 2012 00:49)

@Libellule "Flowers and bird songs" is right! Welcome back! Come in, take your coat off. We can give you a quick (yet detailed) summary of all the Room 234 shenanigans.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 01 February 2012 05:47)

@Kirsty thanks for the link, I prefer Emilia Fox with blonde hair:)

@Libellule Welcome back and Happy New Year! We've missed you.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 01 February 2012 06:40)

@Hoppe I've not heard from KittyKatcop, I've been wondering what's happened to her. She was busy with work I think, but it's been a while since we last heard from her.

frananifan (Wednesday, 01 February 2012 07:01)

@LIBELULLE!! YAY! We have really missed you.

Kirsty (Wednesday, 01 February 2012 09:44)

@Libellule Well HELLOO!!! Nice to hear from you again :)

Yeay, I was feeling a bit down today but now we're almost all here again that's cheered me up a bit. We're also missing Marie-Helene but I think she's around on FB.

Wired (Wednesday, 01 February 2012 13:36)

@Libellule!!! Welcome back! I've missed your posts and insight into Jemma! How are things! I hope they are well and hoping you'll be able to pop in more often! Cheers!

@Kirsty I saw that info too yesterday about Upstairs Downstairs! Actually I didn't even know they had done a reboot of it. I remember watching that with my Mom when I was little too! I love Alex Kingston as well so I might try to get tuned in somehow. Cracking!

Kirsty (Wednesday, 01 February 2012 15:03)

@frananifan lol I've just looked at our world map :)

San (Wednesday, 01 February 2012 17:23)

@frananifan Your EmMATSing is hilarious! But the link you put on the German lessons is stuck in head and burned on my brain. Beautiful, wonderful, magnificent - Danke!

Libellule (Wednesday, 01 February 2012 23:49)

Hello lovely leute,

Thank you all for your kind words, I love this warm cozy place of ours so much, I'm super happy to be back among you again!
So, it's gonna take me a while to catch up on everything obviously, but could you fill me in with the most important stuff that happened, which comments I should definitely refer to? Of course I intend to read them all, I don't want to skip any of it, but since it will take me a few days to absorb all what I've missed in here for...gulp...a month, I would definitely welcome "a quick (yet detailed) summary of all the Room 234 shenanigans". @San? ;p

Nite nite everyone (or good morning, depending on your EmMat configuration :D).

Marie-Helene (Thursday, 02 February 2012 07:00)

Hey dear 234, I'm not too far away. I read all your posts. Just a bit too busy with an event that I'm organizing right now. By the way, I'm learning German too with Harraps, it's a good method and I prefer to learn individually rather than in class.

If I can, this weekend, I plan to share my thoughts about my reading of Rebecca if I can translate it. Just to say that I was very surprised by the set of values in this book. I thought it was a romantic story and it's not romantic at all, it's more a presage to the moral drift toward fascism in the thirties. I wonder how different is the musical from the book. Anyway, see you and have a great day.

San (Thursday, 02 February 2012 10:56)

@Marie-Helene Hello! Glad to hear from you. You're take on Rebecca would be very interesting to read.

@hoppe Soundcloud asks for email but the username works. And most definitely, we can easily record and upload messages, pronounciations, and what not.

Perhaps I should move the lessons out of the sandbox. Does anyone else want to have a central Learning German place?

@Libellule Well here's a brief run down of the highlights. (1) We've started discussing eps 73-93. @Wired has begun the schedule of 5 eps each week. I need to catch-up bigtime! (2) @clijsters3 and I are preparing for the Room234 tennis match and rematch of the century - first at my court (in my sandbox) and then at Clijster3's court (in her sandbox). Wired created an exciting poster for the event (in her sandbox). @Kirsty will be chair umpire and horse whisperer. @frananifan will be aaaaaanouuuuuuucerrrrrr! Everyone else will be switching their shirts constantly. (3) Jemma is still the best couple EVER! Did I miss anything?

@Clijsters3 If our match lasts as long as the Nadal-Djokovic final, we might have to call it a tie around the 5 hour mark :)

@Wired A racket for the doodle is a super idee! Maybe I'll doodle various sports equipment and change them out as the mood stikes me.

Libellule (Thursday, 02 February 2012 22:06)

@San
Danke very much!
And for #(3): Undoubtedly. Definitely. Of course! :)

Kirsty (Friday, 03 February 2012 04:22)

@San good recap!! :D

@Marie-Helene Hi :) Dude! If you don't mind I'm going to wait until after I've seen Rebecca before I read anything you write about it. I'd rather think about it as a love story! But I will be interested to read your thoughts afterwards.

German class was good last night, we were learning how to ask where the nearest bus-stop is,when trains depart etc. Now I could join Emma in her frantic search for the train from Cologne to London! Managed to control myself properly this week and not suddenly burst out with 'Quatsch!' or something similar. The teacher is called Claudia, and last night she was wearing very nice fitting jeans which distracted me a little from my train timetables! :) my gaydar is twitching a little but I think it may be wrong this time..

@hoppe Du wohnst in Braunsweig, oder?? Ich denke dass ist vielleicht ein bisschen zu weit von Stuttgart! Ein andere zeit.. We should have a Jemma convention! Someone should tell the JI guys. That would be cool to all meet up somewhere.

Marie-Helene (Friday, 03 February 2012 10:23)

Well, I have a ticket for Rebecca on June 1... too bad. Obviously, I am a bit disappointed because Lucy announced on FB that her last performance as "Ich" will be on April 29. Maybe she has a new project or maybe she just needs time for herself. In any case, I respect her decision because I have the same philosophy of life. Maybe next time!

At least, dear Kirsty will have the time to see her in Rebecca. I'm looking forward to reading your review.

Clijsters3 (Friday, 03 February 2012 13:16)

It just so hapened Rebecca, the film by Hitchcock, was on TV the other day, I only saw the last 20mins though. It's a shame @Marie-Helene that you'll miss seeing Lucy play "Ich". I'm also looking forward to reading @Kirsty's review of it , no pressure:)

@Kirsty nice German I wonder what @Hoppe will make of it:)

Wired (Friday, 03 February 2012 14:09)

@Marie-Helene Bonjour! Great to see you back again with Libellule. I agree it is too bad you’ll miss Lucy in Rebecca. I wonder what she will be up to? Well @Kirsty I guess it is up to you for the full review! Don’t forget pictures. :) I am looking forward to your thoughts on the book though.

@Kirsty Just remember not yell out giftzwerg suddenly along with 'Quatsch', that might not fly so well in class, though feel free to use weenus. Seriously thanks for keeping us up to date on your classes. It is interesting!

@All so I'm thinking of trying to go ahead with the next 5 episodes tonight (again). I think it's the next 5 after ep #91. Tonight is the plan though tomorrow the latest. Anyone in? Just checking. :)

Kirsty (Friday, 03 February 2012 15:44)

@Marie-Helene Ach, what a shame! I didn't realise Lucy was finishing so soon. I wonder what she has planned for after that..

Ok, totally feeling the pressure now to provide a room234worthy review! Am really looking forward to it now, I've been listening to the cd in my car and there are some good songs on there. Got the Charles Dance/Diana Rigg/Emilia Fox DVD of Rebecca for Christmas and am planning to sit down soon and watch it.

@Wired ha, I'd forgotten about 'giftwerg'! :) And, aargh, I don't have the next boxset yet. Will have to remedy that- maybe a wee Valentines present for myself, well you have to treat yourself...

Kirsty (Saturday, 04 February 2012 01:15)

@hoppe feel free to correct any German I write, that would help me :) Well done for e-mailing. I must now go vote for STAG, cool...

Kirsty (Saturday, 04 February 2012)

@hoppe Ah, cool, thank you!

frananifan (Saturday, 04 February 2012 07:28)

Guten morgen. I had an amazing morning meditation. I was up before the sun (which I did not expect to see at all, as we have had no sun in many days). But there she is shining on to me. I think I will cook today. Say a few things in German. Vote in some polls. Have a great day everyone! Sending out beams to all of you.

@Wired I'm in for Jemmasodes this evening.

Wired (Saturday, 04 February 2012 19:32)

@frananifan ok on it for tonight! What did you cook today? It was nice and sunny today in Halifax but cold! Brrr -18 tonight with windchill. Jemma will keepme warm though!

frananifan (Saturday, 04 February 2012 21:00)

@Wired Come on over! I made a generous supply of tomato sauce with various meats, spinach/white bean/tomato soup, and an asian chicken ricenoodle soup to die for. I then tried to bake (fail). This evening we enjoyed roast pork, fresh apple sauce, sweet potatos and a nice salad.
Last Saturday I just kept running head first into the stir crazy wall. Today I cook. You just never know. Brilliant sunshine all day...and now brilliant moonlight.
Back to Jemma!!

Wired (Saturday, 04 February 2012 22:52)

Hey @frananifan Will have to crash your place for dinner one day! Yum roast pork. Planning on having that myself tomorrow!

Ok on to Jemma! I was pretty happy that I was able to loose myself a bit from my tax course and watch a bit of Jemma tonight! Viewed 93-97 which is after Emma just sang “If I Were a Boy” while Jenny was giving her the eye outside the door. Jemma was born (in my mind) and we were off on the rollercoaster ride of “I like you, I don’t, you’re a giftzwerg, let me drive you home” etc. etc. Of note to me was with the new extended scenes I am watching I finally saw Jenny in that hot Eiffel Tower tank top (thanks Frananifan!) and in the back ground when Bea tells them the rules have changed for the contest Hotte and Emma were playing rock, paper, scissors. I don’t know why but that made me laugh.

I think this is the first time we hear Jenny sing too right? I must admit when I first heard this song I really wasn’t a fan. Actually I’m still not – I think it’s not really suited to Lucy’s voice and she sings it so slowly it frustrates me. Sadly, thanks to Coyote Ugly (yes I watched it) I’m used to that song with a faster tempo. Luckily Jenny’s other songs I think showcase her much better later on. I love the scene where Emma tries to convince Jenny to join the STAG too. When Hotte suggests he do it I laughed at how quickly Emma says no so she can do it. I think Kasia and Lucy do a great job with this scene because I can actually see or feel when the tide turns each time they talk. How Jenny is standoffish but wants to hear that Emma wants her in the STAG herself. When Emma begins to say how she was blown away by Jenny I think she was really drawn in. Then the tide turns when Emma mentions the money and she gets cold and has major attitude again. I am as frustrated by the end of the conversation as both of them are. What do you guys think of this scene. Good or just ok?

Again in the reviewing of these episodes there is more humour here which I missed later on. The interaction/smitten kitten thing that’s going on between Timo and Luzi is so obvious that it’s funny. They were actually playing with each other’s hoodie ties! Really? You’re not in love? Luzi’s response so quickly that Emma “Missed something? No, nothing, why” was funny in it’s obviousness too. Also I just saw the scene where Ben storms into the locker room and yells at Jenny. She ends up sitting down with a puzzled look on her face. I’m not sure if she is actually questioning her motives or if she knows they were to get back at Emma and is just puzzled with Ben’s behaviour. Do you guys think she is sorry/feels bad about it? I’m thinking no because she still isn’t really invested in Emma and Emma is really rubbing her the wrong way.

Finally I missed the scene where Bea goes to Gotting’s office and Alexandra attacks her with the scissors. I always wondered how they got the AG back after handing in those false sick notes. I never knew what Bea did to get it back. Turns out she was attacked! That is probably the first time I saw and heard Bea stand up and dish some out (I haven’t scene the whole soap with everyone’s storyline so this is probably why). It was great drama!
Anyways, what did you guys think?

San (Saturday, 04 February 2012 23:00)

@Wired & @frananifan I enjoyed the rain, a wonderful art museum, and now Jemma!

Did anyone else notice Emma's face when Jenny walked into the radio studio in ep94? It was less "Damn, she showed up" and more like "Dayum! That sequin bodot really brings out her eyes."

Wired (Saturday, 04 February 2012 23:47)

@San It did bring out her eyes didn't it? That silver dress she wore at Chulos was interesting too. I swear you could see Jenny from space with that and the sequined bodot.

San (Saturday, 04 February 2012 23:59)

@Wired So true! I was trying to get a screencap (94 screencap is in my sandbox) of Emma's reaction to that dress in 95, but my computer wasn't cooperating. It's a cross between "Damn, that shiny dress magnifies her radiance" and "Hotte's pushing me" :)

frananifan (Sunday, 05 February 2012 13:45)

yea...I just always thought Bea came back all disheveled because she had sex with Julian to get STAG back. Worked for me.

Kirsty (Sunday, 05 February 2012)

eeuww frananifan! Not that fond of Bea but the thought of her and Gotting *shudder*

Bad news on the mypromi voting..Lucy and Kasia are down to 3rd and 4th place! Not for long though I'm sure. Remember to vote every now and then. And if anyone would like to have a quick vote for one of my favourites on VL, Verona Bonato, that'd be awesome thanks. I have made it my personal quest to get her into the top ten. Also, STAG are top of the bands vote. Everyone still loves HaH! And Lucy and Kasia are both finishing their current projects soon, how cool would it be if they did another project together. It'd be good to see Jemma again but even seeing the two of them together in anything again would be great.

frananifan (Monday, 06 February 2012 07:00)

From my perspective: Bea walks back into the room with her hair and clothes all messed up and states, with a smirk on her face, that she used her negotiating skills to get STAG reinstated. Without having the back story and knowing that Bea gets more 197 than ANYBODY, what else could I think? To see the entire back story of her fight with that crazy slasher has changed my world.

San (Monday, 06 February 2012 08:58)

@frananifan I just figured she made a shameful deal with Gotting, like having to hand out shovels to everyone before digging up the volleyball field. That was VERY awkward! If I had known of her having sex with him was an option, I'd rather that one :)

frananifan (Monday, 06 February 2012 10:46)

@hoppe That's funny. I call a co-workker Frau Jager. She thinks it's a reference to her love of alcoholic beverages. It's really because she looks like Frau Jager. We both laugh for far different reasons:)

@San Love the pic...........love it.

San (Monday, 06 February 2012 13:26)

@hoppe Once you get confirmation from Globemallow, feel free to submit the word. I'm wondering with the Caro gif getting 4 out of 4 Frau Jägers, the same gif starring the one and only Frau Jäger would be off the scale! :)

@frananifan Great. Now I can't get the image of a bottle of Jägermeister in a Frau Jäger dress out of my head!

@all I spent the Super Bowl and beyond watching the 94 Radio Studio & 95 Chulos scenes in slow-mo, dissecting them into screencaps - talk about hardships! The Radio Studio scene was only 6 images - piece of cake. The entire Chulos scene got out of hand with over 30 caps - still deciding if all of them are needed. You can see the Radio Studio breakdown on the new Scenecaps page: http://room234.jimdo.com/jsi-team/scenecaps/... What do y'all think?

San (Monday, 06 February 2012 22:41)

@hoppe No, you're not blind. I'm surprised it's not in there either. Maybe it wasn't because the definition sucked. It's up now. See, this is why you're the Müller Terrier of Word :)

Re #335 I kinda like isolating moments in multiple screencaps. In 94 that moment is so quick it's nice to have 6 images. I especially like Emma's head turning as she tracks Jenny into the room. As for 95 Chulos, there's some interesting moments within that one scene that are quite interesting. I'll try to get those up a little later. Just to share with everyone. They probably won't all stay up in the long run.

frananifan (Wednesday, 08 February 2012 20:08)

I am currently working through three non-fiction books. I really need to put them down and read some fiction. Would anyone care to suggest a title? Not interested in mysteries or crime novels. Thanks

Kirsty (Thursday, 09 February 2012 09:48)

Forgot to leave link.. (d'oh)

skydrive.live.com/view.aspx?cid=35EE194717600D83&resid=35EE194717600D83%21117

San (Thursday, 09 February 2012 10:57)

@frananifan My bookcase tells me I have too many history books I haven't read. Wait my Kindle has something to say - mostly just home-made ebooks of recaps and articles about archiving information. I'm lame.

Check these out and see what you think:
Ceremony - Leslie Mormon Silko
House of Mirth - Edith Wharton
The Observations - Jane Harris (Recommended to me, but haven't read yet. It's been on my Kindle for almost a year)
The World Unseen - Shamim Sharif (I really enjoyed the book. Perhaps, more than the movie)
I Can't Think Straight - Shamim Sarif (An easy, fun read - different enough from the movie to make it worth while)

@Clijsters3 Did you see this point from Davis Cup. http://youtu.be/YZvEOGuBrSU - First game in the "Room 234 Match of the Century" goes to The Wall :) But there's plenty more of those points before we're done.

@Kirsty What a wonderfully extensive guide! Spreadsheets are beautiful things :) Thanks for pssing it along.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 09 February 2012 12:18)

@Frananifan Sorry I only really read non-fiction, and if I do read fiction it's mysteries!

@San Thanks for the link, just an ordinary point, nothing special about that:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc4tiMKaf6Q
Uh oh looks like you mean business, too much power, guess I can't get every ball back, this is going to be one tough match.

San (Thursday, 09 February 2012 13:02)

@Clijsters3 *fist pump* That felt good :)

Kirsty (Friday, 10 February 2012 00:26)

@frananifan Sorry, I'm a mysteries/ James bond type books kind of girl.There are a couple of authors who write good crime books set partly in Edinburgh/Scotland - Ian Rankin and Quintin Jardine But I too have read 'The World Unseen' and very much enjoyed it. Philip Pullman's Dark Materials are interesting stories, however much you read into them.

Last night in German class we were mainly talking about train stations and buying tickets..
Zweimal, erste Klasse, hin und zuruck nach London bitte - Two first class (Jenny's paying)returns to London please
And also, describing where things are...
Jenny und Emma sind auf dem Jemma-coming-out-monument vor dem Schuele - Jenny and Emma are on top of the J-c-o-m in front of the school
(hoppe, feel free to jump in with any corrections)
No class next week as it's the school holiday and then the folling week I'm in Germany...

frananifan (Friday, 10 February 2012 06:23)

@Clijsters3, San, hoppe, Kirsty Thank you for the entertaining links and reading suggestions.
@Kirsty I am getting very excited for you!

Kirsty (Friday, 10 February 2012 06:28)

quick, cool Valentine's link from Interflora, copy, paste this into google search box and see what it makes...

sqrt(cos(x))*cos(300x)+sqrt(abs(x))-0.7)*(4-x*x)^0.01, sqrt(6-x^2), -sqrt(6-x^2) from -4.5 to 4.5

Marie-Helene (Friday, 10 February 2012 09:19)

@frananifan Hi! Those are among my favorite books:

Fingersmith, Sarah Waters
Affinity, Sarah Waters
Tipping the Velvet, Sarah Waters
Life Mask, Emma Donoghue
The Sealed Letter, Emma Donoghue
Bittersweet, Nevada Barr
Rubyfruit Jungle, Rita Mae Brown

frananifan (Friday, 10 February 2012 15:45)

Thank you Marie-Helene. I have read the Sarah Waters and RMB. I enjoyed them as well.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 11 February 2012 03:52)

@San Ha Ha thought you'd like that dominant point and of course the laser sound effect:)

@Kirsty thanks for keeping us up to date with your German lessons, I've just read about buying train tickets, so I knew what you'd written yeh! Umbrigens, I hate prepositions! Recently I've been trying to build up my German vocab, because learning the grammer was getting me down a bit.
Wow I can't believe how quick it's come round and you'll soon be in Germany! I second @Frananifan and am very excited for you.
Unfortunately the link didn't work for me either (#350)

Kirsty (Saturday, 11 February 2012 15:41)

@hoppe ah! of course..thank you.

Hmm, not sure why my link isn't working for you guys, I tried it again and got it to work. Ah well, it was just a wee heart on a graph.

frananifan (Monday, 13 February 2012 08:32)

On my way to work this morning I passed a gaggle of girls waiting at a bus stop. I saw a future Luzi, Jenny and Sophi for sure. No Caro or Emma though. I imagine they were rolling around in a cat fight behind the building. Anyway, this put me on a Jemma mood. I wonder how Jenny and Emma would have celebrated Valentine's Day. I think there would have been more dancing and pastries. sigh.

frananifan (Tuesday, 14 February 2012 06:35)

Good morning my loves,
Do you think each of you could do something for me?
Put your hands into the shape of a heart, place it against your chest, and be my Valentine?
Thanks :)

San (Tuesday, 14 February 2012 09:06)

@frananifan Done! And I'm also holding out a big pink heart as a bonus. How exciting, it's the one day of the year I can get a heart-shaped pizza! I won't, but I could. *sigh* To have a Very Special Jemma Valentine's TV Special would be nice.

San (Tuesday, 14 February 2012 13:12)

@hoppe That was a cute video! Very enjoyable :)

Wired (Tuesday, 14 February 2012 13:46)

@All Happy Valentine's Day!!! Hope everyone has a great day whether it's full of hearts and chocolate or just a regular day! One bonus I find is anytime I see someone with their hands in the shape of a heart I think HaH and Jemma! Warm fuzzies!

@frananifan if I could take a picture of me doing so for you I would, but my hands are in the shape of a heart so...well you know kinda hard. :)

@San to have Jemma on TV would be awesome. I'll take any holiday, special or just a day ending in "y".

frananifan (Tuesday, 14 February 2012 21:04)

Thank you for playing along and being my sweetherz for the day!

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 15 February 2012 06:21)

@Hoppe thank you for the video, I've never heard Lucy speaking so much english before, so it was good to hear her accent. I loved it when she said "buenos dias, yeah I've don't know much yet!" Do you know when that interview was from? It made me giggle.

Kirsty (Wednesday, 15 February 2012 06:38)

@frananifan ok, just seen your earlier post and have just made my hands-heart :) Yes I'm a bit late but obviously the last two days have been crazy busy at work. Managed to shift over 800 roses, not bad!
Loved the video of Lucy! She's so cute and her English is great!1

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 15 February 2012 08:25)

@Hoppe thank you. Lucy is very bubbly and happy. i can just imagine her cycling through Berlin on her clean orange sunshine:)

@Frananifan I made a heart shape for you as well yesterday.

@Kirsty sounds like you were busy at work, Scotland must be full of romantic people:)

frananifan (Wednesday, 15 February 2012 11:30)

You guys are sweet. If you smiled along and felt the love, then it all worked out as planned:)

I watched Lucy wash her bicycle twice.
@Clijsters3-I was giggling too. She has that effect on me.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 16 February 2012 09:03)

@Hoppe I've left a question over on the JI forum in the 'Learning German with Jemma' thread. Would love it if you could take a look at it.

Kirsty (Saturday, 18 February 2012 14:28)

@hoppe WOW! I was beginning to think they'd made it up! :) Well done.

San (Saturday, 18 February 2012 15:35)

@hoppe Maybe if you spread the ChocoFresh on a rice cake or something to balance out the sweetness. Or blend it up in a glass of milk for ChocoFresh milk. Or give it the State Fair treatment and deep fry it. Ok, even that made my stomach turn. Perhaps, some neighborhood children will enjoy it. Thanks for blowing the 1.11 euro for us to enjoy ChocoFresh vicariously through you :)

San (Saturday, 18 February 2012 15:54)

Not to jump the Jemmanalyisis schedule, but I think I'm in love with episode 105. I posted another JSI Team/Scenecaps from when STAG sings Keinen Zentimeter. Emma's totally thinking about Jenny while the group sings "I want not a single centimeter between us anymore / A spot without shape." Coincidence? I think not :)

Also, I watched the "I'm sorry about the 'Normal' thing" locker scene at 1/4th the speed and sound. It's so surreal and beautiful! It starts with the slow-mo clinging of Jenny's keys on her locker. As they talk (well, as Emma talks. Jenny just gives a series of looks -I think I might've notice a slight shifty eye in an eye roll), they sound isolated from the environment - in their only little bubble. At the end, the Jemma (X-Files) theme slowly creeps into the scene as ethereal elongated high-notes. I'm trying to think of a way to share the experience with y'all.

San (Saturday, 18 February 2012 16:37)

@hoppe I hear ya! Now you're hopped up on ChocoFresh! How does that feel? Psychedelic? ChocoFreshadelic?

frananifan (Saturday, 18 February 2012 18:18)

@hoppe Your discovery must have been so exciting! I know I would have carried on and made a small scene if I had found them myself. And then to eat them all even though they sucked...wow, that's taking one for the team!

I will be emMATsing to Koln this evening for a few episodes. Hope to see some of you there.

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 19 February 2012 04:22)

@Hoppe Well done on your discovery of the mythical Chocofresh. I'm heading over to JI to see how you answered my question, I know it will make sense and will help a lot:)

@San I've got to watch ep.105 NOW!!!
Hey I know you said your serve wasn't too shabby but this is ridiculous;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wvLy_Xw42w

San (Sunday, 19 February 2012 11:08)

@Clijsters3 Hehe Tough way to lose a point. I love Agnieszka's face! She's like, "how did that happen? What? Do I get a let? No? I guess I'll get a new racket, then." I'll think about that during my match this afternoon. Thanks!

Wired (Monday, 20 February 2012 13:47)

Hi All! I’m back! I was out of the room for a bit but I’m back and proud to say I have finally finished my tax course and passed! I’m done with official courses for a long long time for work. Yay! While I love to learn, having to study taxes isn’t my cup of tea.

@Hoppe HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! Very sorry I missed that. I am glad it was a good one with friends and neighbours! Also congrats on finding chocofresh!!! It does exist!! I was looking on line and in my city and no luck. The closest thing we have is Kinder which is from the same family but not the same thing. Thanks for spending the euro and stomaching it.

@Kirsty You’re off to Germany! How exciting! Time flies right? Can’t wait to hear your review and stories of your travels.

@frananifan did you have any luck finding something to read? What did you end up reading? I usually read non-fiction sci-fi, drama/romance and the classics. I also will read books for both kids to adults, I could suggest a few if you are interested in those categories. How did your Jemma viewing go this past weekend? Any comments?

@San & @Clijsters3 So what is the score on the match now? We have to develop a trophy soon right?  Also @San did I miss some screencaps? I have to catch up with you to ep 105 at least right?

Kirsty (Monday, 20 February 2012 14:04)

@Wired yeay, well done you, for passing your tax course. Sounds horrible! :)

So, you guys,my hotel is just a 5 minute walk from the theatre. Was ever so excited to see the big 'Rebecca' poster outside it-took a photo! This morning I took a trip down to the Black Forest to see a couple of villages my family holiday-ed in many years ago and guess what song came on the radio as I was flying down the autobahn...it was only 'F*cking Perfect' by Pink. (only they play the uncensored version here, at 9am!!) So I had Jenny doing Pizza Ballet in my head,
When I got back this afternoon I wandered around the area doing some geocaching and wondering if I might bump into Lucy but no luck. Also went into 2 supermarkets and still couldn't find chocofresh - although I may now be addicted to Kinder Countrylife!
That is my first report from Germany..also, hi hoppe! :)

San (Monday, 20 February 2012 14:21)

Happy Presidents' Day! I'm squandering my day off as usual in sleep and internet.

@Wired Welcome back from the tax realm. (That reminds me, I probably should get moving on my tax return.) You didn't miss the screencaps. They're still there at http://room234.jimdo.com/jsi-team/scenecaps/. I forget where we left off with the analysis, ep 97? So 105 isn't to far off.

Yeah, @Clijsters3, what is the score? 0-1 30-0 from what I gather. My match yesterday didn't go so well. I pulled a muscle (inner thigh) in the 2nd game. It was such a beautiful day and I was having so much fun that I didn't want to withdrawal. I lost 6-3 6-1 :( But I played really well when I was able to get to the ball :) I hope my injury won't cut our match short. I'll just have to hit harder and go for my shots more :)

Wired (Tuesday, 21 February 2012 14:06)

@San Oh the screencaps! Awesome! Ok I missed that in the JSI room so I'm going to have to look closer at that. Yes I left off at ep. 97. Hopefully I can get some Jemma on this weekend and move on to more exciting stuff. Also Happy Presidents Day! Day off sleeping is a good day off in my books! Also add internet, stir and enjoy!

@Kirsty first report from our reporter on the ground! Good sign hearing Pink's f*cking perfect on the radio. The rest will be awesome right? Good luck on the search for Chocofresh, maybe if you can't find it tiramisu will work or a chocolate eclair. Can't wait to hear more!

frananifan (Tuesday, 21 February 2012 19:40)

@Clijsters3 I’m thinking ‘racket sabotage’, and that you are in deep scheisse!
Oh, and remember when I told you about a certain championship hockey game gone wrong? I went to hear live music this weekend and one of the bands played a song called “No Goal ‘99”. It was very creative.

@San –Very jealous of your sleep and internet day off. My wife broke a hand bone. I spent President’s Day at the ER. Then there was a trip to the orthopedic and the pharmacy, followed by a wrestling match with her pants. By the end of the day, I stuck a bowl of popcorn in front of her, told her to throw some at me if she needed something and I put on my headphones. I figure that’s what presidents would do :) That was good, right?

@Wired So I went to my favorite bookstore to pick up some of the suggested reads, and found only one that was actually on the shelf (I ordered two but have not been back yet to pick them up). The back cover description on the one that was on the shelf contained words like “horrors of captivity” and “senseless violence”, so I decided to pass on that for now. I ended up sitting in a library writing my own fiction. Seventeen hand written pages, and seven word docs later I have written a fairly decent play no one will ever read. I love adolescent/youth fiction. Anything good come out in the past ten years that doesn’t involve a wizard, a dragon, or a vampire? Also, not that you want to talk taxes but I had a major realization this week when my wife’s tax person said that we HAD TO FILE as married because NYS now recognizes our Massachusetts marriage. I suddenly felt like a piece of property.

Jemmanalysis: The jemmistry in the "drei goldene Regeln" scene was the first thing that caught my attention so long ago. Without subtitles at the time, the dialogue meant nothing, but I still recognized that I needed to know more about what I was seeing and then searched Hah, which led me directly to “If I were a Boy”. After watching the scene again in full context, I’m not sure why I had that perception. Maybe it was Lucy’s authentic flirting skills and the way she looked at the back of Emma as she wiped down the bar. Maybe it was something about Jenny suddenly becoming incensed and Emma’s bewildered reaction to that…or maybe my gaydar isn’t as terrible as I think it is. (no, it’s pretty bad. really. everybody’s gay, right?) So then, in the locker room, Jenny learns just how low Helena will go after she praises Caro for handing out the flyers. I imagine J feels a void as she is very upset with Emma and now begins to disconnect from the volleyball team as well. Now, I am from that lonely ‘school of thought’ that Jenny never actually spent time in an inpatient rehab program. That doesn’t mean that she isn’t well aware of her circumstances. She is isolated in Koln and in order to make the best of it, she needs friends.
SON OF A BITCH!! GLEE JUST MADE ME CRY.
I’ll be back later.

frananifan (Tuesday, 21 February 2012 20:36)

Yikes! I won't be a spoiler but geez-louis my train of thought left the tracks after that.
I forgot to say congratulations Wired!

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 22 February 2012 05:19)

@Wired well done finishing and passing your tax course yay!!!

@Kirsty I'm loving your first report and can't wait for more. Imagine if you just happened to pop into Lucy! Kinder Countrylife! - is that the advert that goes "I love my country"?

@San I think that is the score, gee it's going slow! Sounds like you may have to retire, I've only got your best interests at heart, honest:)

@Frananifan racket sabatage good one, I think @San is playing dirty! I do remember you telling me about the Stanley Cup controversy, fancy a song about it and even more weird that you've recently mentioned it in our meetings.

Kirsty (Wednesday, 22 February 2012 09:44)

@Clijsters3 Yep, that's the Countrylife advert. No more for me just now until Lent is over :(

Guess What You Guys!!! I just had coffee with Amidola/Doreen !!! I'm honoured, she's like Jemma-royalty. She's come down to see Rebecca tonight too, and maybe tomorrow. I told her this is when I'd be here. She's ever so nice :)

@hoppe Russia's mental, how are they going backwards when the rest of the world is going forwards ??!?

frananifan (Wednesday, 22 February 2012 10:05)

@Kirsty Jemma-royalty!! That is so special.

San (Wednesday, 22 February 2012 11:24)

Oh, @frananifan, that other Texas town has really done a number your community, haven't the bastards? Did you know that from any direction, the drive there is one of the most boring in the world? And the destination isn't much better. Be grateful for what you have - spirit and scenery :) (The "D" in big-d stands for "dead inside")

@Clijsters3 Sabotaging a racquet seems like a lot of trouble for one measely point. If I was really playing dirty, I would go for the more long-lasting tricks, like itching powder in your sports bra. However, as my injury atests, I'd rather play than win :) But it's much better to play AND win, which I do quite frequently. We'll see how my leg holds up tonight and tomorrow.

@Kirsty What will you do next? To run into Lucy I suggest hanging around vibrant colors to increase your odds. Did your German instructor give you any tips on local haunts to check out? Enjoy the show! btw, you're just as royal, just sayin :)

Wired (Wednesday, 22 February 2012 12:55)

@Kirsty You met Ami! Wow that is great! I think it'd be great to meet someone who is behind all of that great work on JI. Have you read her recaps too for Audl when she did them? Hilarious!

@frananifan Gadzooks! Your wife broke a hand bone! Not a fun day! Hopefully she's feeling ok and you guys won over the pants tussle. No luck with getting a fiction book? Bummer, though writing it is interesting! Sadly all of my fiction is in my head and will stay there. It's safer for everyone that way. Also Glee - I've heard about this past episode and will watch the ep tonight I think. I'm warning my wife I may be yelling at the tv.

@San & @Clijsters3 Itching powder in the sports bra? That's a good one! Gotta file that away for later... Obviously you can play through any physical ailments...Clijsters3 go for the mental game and it is the game of the Century so to make it epic it should last as long as Isner vs Manhut

Kirsty (Wednesday, 22 February 2012 16:07)

Cannot speak. Cannot function. Lucy overload. Need to rest...

omigod omigod omigod. SHE WAS FANTASTIC!!!She was on stage for almost all the scenes even though she wasn't singing in all of them. And omigod again..she was in a corset in one scene. Standing up, walking around- in just a corset. She has amazing legs. Doreen said when they went in December they were in row 6 and you could even see Lucy's Dimples, unfortunately I was a bit further back in row 13 and I couldn't make out The Dimples I did get to see a lot of her facial expressions. Which, as we all know and would expect, were fantastic. I also noticed her comedic timing in some scenes. I remember he being very good at the in Wicked too. Still hard to see her kissing guys though-that's not right.. :)
Hung around at the stage door for ages and it got cold!! Eventually Lucy came out and asked what we all thought of her performance and whether we enjoyed it. She was so sweet talking to everyone waiting, I'd say there were about 15 of us. Then she said she was away back inside but I hadn't had my programme signed yet so I pushed everyone aside, rugby-tackled Lucy to the ground, forgot all my carefully prepared German sentences and said 'can you sign this for me please?'
And then she spoke to me! In English! phew. Asked me how I enjoyed a show in a language I couldn't understand. I told her I understood some of it. Told her she was great and thanked her. And felt like a star- struck teenager again.
Oh and she was wearing glasses,almost horn rimmed type glasses. And a cool hoody. (lil' bit gay??) And she was sooo sweet. I'm glad. I would have hated to be disappointed, not that I thought I might be.
So, yes I will be going again tomorrow night, just have to check that a)Lucy's playing and b)there are tickets left.
I got a couple of not so good photos of her at the stage door but she asked us not to put them on the internet. Later on she said not to put the photos on Facebook so I'm not sure about putting them on here. Maybe if we had a section where we needed to put our password in to get in to it. I also took a photo at the curtain call. I have less qualms about putting that in here, will put it in my sandbox shortly.

Wired (Wednesday, 22 February 2012 21:19)

@Kirsty That is so amazing! Good for you going for the tackle! ;). So very glad you got to see her off stage and enjoyed the show! I'm so excited for you! Excellent night woman!

Kirsty (Thursday, 23 February 2012 01:45)

Ok, maybe I embellished the tackle bit but I stood in front of the stairs she had to go up to get away.
Wow, how come theatre ticket prices in Germany are sooo expensive. Found a seat in the 6th row for tonight but its about £80/$125 and that's not even the most expensive ones- jeez, no treats for me for a few months then. Is it worth it? Hell yeah! :)

frananifan (Thursday, 23 February 2012 07:15)

@Kirsty Row 6=dimples!!

San (Thursday, 23 February 2012 10:16)

@Clijsters3 All's well. My leg felt great, and it was good enough to win my match last night 6-4 6-2. She was pretty speedy, getting to balls that I had assumed were winners. Lesson learned!

@frananifan I'm coming around to your side of rehab. I do, however, think she must of had a week or so stay in the hospital because of what she told Emma about her "friend" with a drug problem. I think the pizza ballet instead of manic coke dancing is a good indicator. Also, when she drank alcohol it was in a social setting (unlike Frau Krawczyk), which was also the the case in her drug flashbacks. It was a social activity, so getting away from those social triggers would be a logical step before rehab. Still, her parents (may they rest in peace on their secret island) must have had an enormous reserve of trust (or perhaps hope) in her.

@Kirsty omigod is right!!! I can't believe you were able to be coherent in your report. Enjoy the dimple tonight :)

frananifan (Thursday, 23 February 2012 11:46)

@San I swear I was just thinking about that day you discovered the webding j/J phenomenon.

Also, is it considered a 'social setting' to drink while socializing on the internet. Please advise.

San (Thursday, 23 February 2012 12:20)

@frananifan Freaky! I didn't even think about that connection, but I should've. I believe you can consider it a "social setting" as long as you don't drink from a thermos :)

Wired (Thursday, 23 February 2012 14:24)

@San does drinking from a thermos cup count? I find that a thermos cup will hold one beer. Just sayin'....

Kirsty (Thursday, 23 February 2012 16:53)

Are you guys all just trying to justify your drinking habits?? You crack me up...

Ahem, ahem, guess what I found today...picture is in sandbox..@Hoppe you could have helped me out and told me it was in the fridge section! Ami told me. Bought myself a couple of packets and now have to wait until Lent is over before I can try it, if only I'd found it on Monday or Tuesday!

Row 6 - check! Dimples - check! Almost passing out when Lucy came on stage in the nightdress or corset - check!
Got another autograph later on, still unbelievably sweet even though she was in a rush. Didn't get a photo of myself with her but another time, another place...

@frananifan just wondering, how did your wife manage to break one of her hand bones?? Does she have a cast on it now?

San (Thursday, 23 February 2012 17:49)

@Wired Beer in a thermos cup sounds like a party to me!

@Kirsty How are you going to keep the Chocofresh alive until Easter?

Wired (Thursday, 23 February 2012 20:04)

@Kirsty Lucy dimple sighting! Yay! Also you got to see her great expressions close up! So was it worth the price for the second ticket? I think yes! Also awesome you found it! Would like to see what you think of the taste.

@ San Party indeed! Bring it!

@frananifan I second @ Kirsty how did it happen?

Kirsty (Friday, 24 February 2012 01:09)

Hmm, hopefully my chocofresh will be ok til I get home tonight then I shall shove it to the back of my fridge and forget about it til Easter. And what a lovely treat that will, hopefully, be. I will eat it before watching some Hand Aufs Herz, which seems the right thing to do.

@Wired Yes it was worth it. If I had limitless amounts of money I would stay another week and watch the show every night. I don't think I would get tired of it. I have a bit of a crush on the actress who played Mrs. Danvers, I think she was called Femke something. She was lovely at the stage door too. I was disappointed that I wouldn't be seeing Pia Dowes but Femke was almost as good. Very scary..

frananifan (Friday, 24 February 2012 14:36)

There is an excellent thunder and lightening snowstorm going on right now.
Okay, story of broken hand: My wife suffered a fracture of the scaphoid bone consistant with falling onto the sidewalk while wearing very girlie style shoes, after consuming two cosmos on an empty stomach. I was not present when the fall occured or I assure you, I would have thrown myself onto the sidewalk to absorb the impact. She is casted and crabby(ier), while I am doing everything within my power to make her more comfortable. Please pass the thermos.

I am all over Jemma this weekend.

Kirsty (Friday, 24 February 2012 18:49)

@frananifan I didn't know you could get a thunder and lightening snowstorm, cool. That sounds a sore accident your wife had. Hope it heals soon. That is exactly why I never wear girlie shoes, and if I did even just one time I'm sure something like that would happen! Practical shoes all the way!

@hoppe I'd forgotten about that, I will get round to that in the next couple of days.

Back home now, but a piece of my heart is still in Stuttgart...:( Can't get over how lovely Lucy was..

frananifan (Friday, 24 February 2012 21:22)

@Kirsty I want to thank you for sharing everything you did about your adventure. I was so happy for you and that's just weird. Its this 234 thing. It makes me mushy. Anyway, I felt like I was along for the ride and I appreciate all of it. I can't get over how lovely you made Lucy seem was either. I can almost hear you swooning:)

As for my wife, she's tough. She is already wielding her cast like its a weapon. Only the girliest shoes though. And never practical.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 25 February 2012 04:03)

@Kirsty I'm so happy you had a great time in Stuttgart and I can't believe Lucy spoke to you!!! and that you saw the Dimples close up. Wow! it's a trip to remember.

@San glad your leg feels better, somehow I think you'll be more determined to win and go for some big shots to keep the points short. But @Wired wants this match to more epic than Mahut vs. Isner, and that's what room 234 deserves.

Marie-Helene (Saturday, 25 February 2012 11:47)

@Kirsty I am so happy that you got the chance to see Lucy in Rebecca and spoke to her. Even if I will not have this chance, I'm looking forward to seeing Rebecca in June. The good thing is for my sensitive heart, with Lucy so close (I have a very good ticket)and a so beautiful musical, I would have been afraid to cry from beginning to end :-)

Kirsty (Saturday, 25 February 2012 13:26)

Glad I could share my experience with y'all. You're the only ones who really understand how much it meant to me anyway!

@Marie-Helene It's a shame that you won't get to see Lucy but I presume you will get to you Pia which would be cool. And it really is a great musical. Now firmly one of my favourites. It has great songs, it has some good bits of comedy in it and a quite chilling scene with Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca's bedroom when you realise just how close to the edge she is. It's brilliant.

I re-read Lucy's recent post when she said her last date in the show and for one crazy moment I found myself checking to see what tickets they had left!! Common sense managed to prevail in the end and I am saving my money 'til I find out where she will be going next. :)

San (Saturday, 25 February 2012 15:10)

@frananifan Thunder and lightening without the distracting noise of raindrops and hail?!! That must be very surreal and magical.

@Clijsters3 Well, if we're going to go as long as Mahut vs. Isner, we might have to play out our sets. II can't help but go for my shots. My mind is a Grand Slam champion while my skills are an average league player :)

@Marie-Helene Can't wait to see Stuttgart in the summertime!

San (Saturday, 25 February 2012 15:24)

I had just forced myself awake from a 2 beer nap last night when my sister drunk called me from Hawaii after a 3 Mai Tai lunch and an unlimited drink sunset cruise. Earlier in the evening, I had challenged my brother-in-law to a Sunset Showdown: Hawaii v. Houston, which I clearly won (evidence in my sandbox). I wish I'd let myself travel more. @Kirsty and @Marie-Helene, I applaud you. But it's always nice to be reminded of what you have at your own front door.

Also in the sandbox: Feb. 24th was Go Texan Day here in Houston - the one day a year the city dresses up like "Texans" - cowboy hats and boots. The works! It marks the beginning of the month-long Livestock Show & Rodeo - the cashcow event of the city (pun intended). Trail rides ride into town from all directions and camp-out in Memorial Park - quite a spectacle. I don't own a cowboy hat or boots, nor have I been to the Rodeo since that one time I went as a kid. Anyway, it's still a source of pride, and I enjoy the excitement and effort people show this time of year. The Museum of Fine Arts dressed the 2-story tall Anubis for the occasion in a large belt buckle and bandana. It made me smile while waiting for the bus.

I think I'll walk through the Museum District today.

frananifan (Sunday, 26 February 2012 16:17)

San you win hands down. I just went to see a movie called The Descendants which takes place in Hawaii. Great film, but I was distracted by the idea that at any moment a drunken woman on a cell phone was going to stumble through the scene:)

Kirsty (Monday, 27 February 2012 09:30)

@San ha, sunset showdown! :) Intrigued by your 'Go Texan' day. That seems a cool thing. Bit confused as to why all the Egyptian gods are taking part. And why Anubis was picked to play dress-up, I would've thought he's one of the ones you really don't want to piss off!

@hoppe Have voted. How can they they say it's a bad show based on that one storyline?! Thay will feel the wrath of the HaH fans...Quick, to the oregano aisle!

Check out this backstage report I found on 'Rebecca' Obviously it's in German but quite interesting to watch anyway to see a bit of Lucy in the first 5 mins or so. I would definitely check out around 3:45..... :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=EC3TrCKJWlM

Clijsters3 (Monday, 27 February 2012 10:19)

@Kirsty thanks for the video and the tip:) Is it just me or did the woman in red nearly trip up at the bottom of the stairs, she was walking very gingerly. Did you watch "Upstairs Downstairs" last night? Next week Emilia Fox appears and there's a kiss!

@San you definately win best sunset hands down, but that's the only thing you'll be winning:)

Clijsters3 (Monday, 27 February 2012 10:22)

@Hoppe I've seen your answer over on the "Learning German" thread, I guess it's just a very hard question to answer, and because I'm so kind I've left another question:)

Kirsty (Monday, 27 February 2012 10:42)

@Clijsters3 Didn't notice the trip, will have to watch again..Haven't watched any of Upstairs Downstairs yet (was very busy catching up on Pretty Little Liars, Rizzolli and Isles and Corrie from last week) Will maybe get the first one watched tonight. Emilia looks different with red hair! I think I prefer it blonde/fair.
Like your fighting talk re the tennis match. :)

@hoppe Good for you, writing a letter to the paper. The show was good, it was a good concept- it may not have appealed to their 'high' intellect but it had a good fan base.

San (Monday, 27 February 2012 10:53)

@frananifan Now I'm going to picture a drunk woman on a cell walking through every movie :)

@Kirsty The Anubis is a temporary installation to attract people to the big Tutankhamun traveling exhibit. It was placed back outside on Thursday for the last 2 months before it moves on. I think Texan Anubis was honored and wore the belt buckle with pride - it's hard not to be. I checked out King Tut's stuff on Saturday night. Pretty neat!

@Clijsters3 hehe You'll have to let me know when I lose because I only know what winning feels like :)

@hoppe Have any showdown ideas? I'm game :)

Oo, I have a video to watch during lunch!

frananifan (Monday, 27 February 2012 10:54)

OH SNAP! @Clijsters3 430

Eyelesstrees (Monday, 27 February 2012 13:59)

Hi everyone, I've been really busy with work so haven't been able to stop by for ages. Haven't caught up yet but just wanted to say;

@all Hi and good wishes

@Kirsty - yay, lucky you!! I'm glad you had a great time and I'm really, really glad that Lucy was great in the show!!

Kirsty (Monday, 27 February 2012 15:53)

@San Ah, ok. I love Ancient Egypt. I saw an Tutankhamun exhibition in Munich a couple of years ago but I have just checked your MFAH site and it doesn't look like the same one. OOh, showdowns, tennis grudge matches this is getting exciting here... :)

@Eyelesstrees Hi, good to hear from you again. :) I wish everyone could get to meet Lucy. It sure was special. I am saving up for my next trip...

Wired (Tuesday, 28 February 2012 06:15)

Happy Snow Day everyone! Finally on the not-quite-last day of February we have a snow day! With luck I'll get a little Jemma in too today!

@Eyelesstrees!!! Hey how are you! Glad you dropped in! Hope all is well with you!

@Frananifan Talk jemmawave I was saying 'Snap' just before I ready your post! #434

@Clijsters3 & @San I knew it would be the game of the century! Now we've got them fighting words going!

@Kirsty I have to second everyone else as well in thanking you for sharing your Rebecca experience. I know I will never get to see it so I am living vicariously through all of you guys.

@Marie-Helene I hope we might hear how your show goes desite no Lucy. I'm sure it'll be fabulous!

@San Sunset match up you did win. I love those shots! Anubis dressed as a Texan for Go Texas Day is hilarious! Though where do you find a belt buckle that big? Only in Texas right? The exhibit would be great. Ancient Egypt is extremely interesting though passing by such a big Anubis I'd feel like I was being judged all the time. ;)

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 28 February 2012 06:17)

@Frananifan Not sure which bit of #430 you're referring to???

@San ha ha ha! Nice comeback #433. Erm..I'll have to get back to you on that one!

@Kirsty I agree, I prefer Emilia Fox with blonde hair. Viewing figures for Upstairs Downstairs are 5.8million, Downton Abbey was 10.5million. I didn't really like Downton, definately prefer Upstairs Downstairs. Oh and I love Corrie!

Kirsty (Tuesday, 28 February 2012 07:27)

@Clijsters3 Well, I watched the first ep of Upstairs Downstairs last night and enjoyed it.(poor monkey:( ) Haven't watched any of D.A so nothing to compare it against.

I have noticed a slight flaw on Lucy- she has no ear lobes! Apologies if any of you guys are the same but it just looks a bit freaky. Adorably freaky on Lucy- obviously! Also,The Dimples make up for it!

Well, I cracked, I tried Chocofresh! I realised the best before date on them was before Easter so I was going to have to break my Lent-chocolate-fast anyway. I couldn't let them go to waste. So, they're really sweet and a bit sickly(couldn't eat more than one in a row) but really nice. The milky bit is weird, I can't think of any other sweet with something like that in it, except for Teacakes here in the uk (I think that's what they're called) or Tunnocks Snowballs here in Scotland/UK? And it has a little layer of hazelnuttyness on the bottom. Yep, they're lovely.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 28 February 2012 08:52)

Just thinking, Lucy is finishing Rebecca at the end of April, Kasia is finished (or at the end of this week, can't remember) Audl.. Wonder if they made any plans when they meet up a few weeks ago... #fingers crossed!!

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 28 February 2012 09:19)

@Wired Hope the snow is fun and not causing mayhem. I've just got to practice my fighting talk!

@Kirsty good thinking, I wonder if they did make any plans, it would be rude not to have done! You gave into Chocofresh! Sounds a bit sickly to me even though I do love chocolate. Tunnocks teacakes, I always used to have them, but the ones I'm thinking of are marshmallow.

You did get close up seats! I've never noticed Lucy doesn't have any earlobes, you know what that means, she's related to Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Bond's arch enemy...or maybe not!

Wired (Tuesday, 28 February 2012 14:55)

@Kirsty I admit the thought crossed my mind too that maybe Lucy and Kasia would get together now that both of them will be ending their current projects. Dare I hope something on the web might surface with them both? Also how are all of those shows you are watching? I have been wanting to watch Rizzoli and Isles but had to wait for it to come to DVD. I stopped watching Pretty Little Liars and have to go back again since I've read alot has been happening. I gave up on Corrie too after I heard Sian was leaving. I did watch the first season of Covert Affairs (Love it!) put have to find Season 2 on DVD. Have you watched Lost Girl? I hear it's good.

@Clijsers The snow ended up stopping early on this morning so there actually was no problems out there today. Oh well I am glad I was home! Also I remember watching Upstairs Downstairs with my Mom in the evenings. I didn't know they had brought it back or even the lesbin thing until you and Kirsty mentioned it. I want to check that out too! So many shows so little time!

Any flaws on Lucy are more then made up with her blue blue eyes and dimples. She could have 3 arms and I wouldn't mind at this point. :)

eyelesstrees (Tuesday, 28 February 2012 17:06)

I've found a fanfic site which has my favorite writing style of the fanfics I've read.

Please don't laugh if I've arrived late again - you probably all already know about it, in fact it wouldn't surprise me if one of you brilliant peeps had written it! (Watch out the link opens on the latest chapter so you might want to scroll down straight away. Also Watch out #2 there's one chapter that is best described as porn - don't say I didn't warn you!)

http://jemmainlove.wordpress.com/

Kirsty (Tuesday, 28 February 2012 17:46)

@hoppe How is that up already when it hasn't been on tv yet!?! I haven't seen any of Lost Girl yet and the DVD isn't on Amazon yet, although I keep looking. I would be interested in your link to the site where I could watch it. Also, I'm not entirely sure most people watch Rizzoli& Isles for the plots. If they do,they'd be disappointed. One of the best things is watching out for what Afterellen call the TGTGT or Totally Gratuitous Totally Gay Touching. The Afterellen recaps are good to read along with the show.

@Wired Lucy with 3 arms.. :) I love Pretty Little Liars, but here we are only on the episode after thhe Halloween special about 12 eps into Season 2 I think. It's a little confusing sometimes, lots to think about and remember but it's great. Covert Affairs is ok. I recognised Annie's boss, Joan, from somewhere and it took me ages to work out where but I think it was a sci-fi program with Eddie Cibrian about lights falling from the sky and into a lake or something.

I was messaging a girl on Youtube earlier today about what Lucy might be doing next and whether it might be with Kasia. She said there was some chatter about her being in Vienna to audition for the musical 'Elizabeth' I also mentioned that 'Tarzan' in Hamburg is having a cast change in the autumn and a musical called 'Ich war noch niemals in New York' is heading to Zurich. Lots of possibilities. Maybe she will put out a little teaser photo soon!

eyelesstrees (Tuesday, 28 February 2012 19:09)

I'm taking a break from reading fanfic. I had no idea there were so many!

The Upstairs meeting at the museum and kiss look like they air in episode 3 next Sunday. I checked the ending of episode 2 on the BBCiplayer.

On YouTube is the Jennifer Saunders/Dawn French and co. comic skit 'Upstairs Downton Abbey'!

San (Tuesday, 28 February 2012 23:07)

@Kirsty and @hoppe I had stopped watching Rizzoli & Isles because the plot was no The Closer (if you know what I mean?), but TGTGT pulled me back in. That's some funny stuff :)

@Wired Happy Snow Day! 'Tis the season for big buckles here, but usually not that big. It has a rhinestone sparkle to it too. I'm still processing the Tut exhibit. Amazing artifacts! A lot of gold and calcite. They tried to give the items context by guiding you into the tomb and its various chambers. It's one thing to see and read that a pair of solid gold sandals were on the mummy's feet or a coffinette held his mummified stomach. It's another thing to comprehend it. I think what I liked the best was the simple bed found in the tomb that he might have actually used during his life.

@eyelesstrees Oh no, you've fallen into the fanfic vortex! Thanks for the link. I'll have to check it out. Oo, and thanks for the Uptown Downstairs Abbey tip. That is hilarious! French & Saunders never disappoint.

Kirsty (Wednesday, 29 February 2012 07:22)

Just a couple of wee videos of Emilia Fox with her usual blonde hair
first a clip of her talking about her character in Silent Witness...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoqeSgF0Y1s&feature=related

and now a compilation, although not an up-to-date one, of her as the awesome Morgause in Merlin...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMx4RwRLUT4&feature=related

@San I know what you mean about the exhibition, I was happily looking round..death mask, jewellery, etc but then I came to a little foot stool and it looked quite recent, quite similar to things I have seen in antique shops around town but actually this one was thousands of years old. Tutankhamun used it- so amazing! Hard to comprehend..

@eyelesstrees thanks! have now joined you in the fanfic vortex! There're some good stories in there, nice writing.

@hoppe love the little animation clip, so far- I'm only a few minutes into it, will watch the rest later. So clever how they have done all the models, even the bacon and eggs!

Kirsty (Wednesday, 29 February 2012 07:24)

@hoppe no problem. I've now watched it about 5 times...!

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 29 February 2012 07:38)

@Hoppe thanks for the kiss scene from Upstairs Downstairs, I can't wait till the ep. airs in full on Sunday.

Love the skit by French and Saunders.

Kirsty (Wednesday, 29 February 2012 08:03)

Can't wait to find out the whole story of this couple. When we first meet Blanche she's so confident, gung ho etc but the minute she gets the letter, presumably from Portia, she kind of crumbles. In the kiss scene she looks so vulnerable. Interesting. Love Alex Kinsgton too :)

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 29 February 2012 13:04)

@Hoppe the letter is in ep. 2, she throws it in the fire, and we see it is addressed to "Dearest lover".

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 01 March 2012 08:57)

@Hoppe thank you, I've just had a quick look at your answer over on the forum. Good idea about @Kirsty asking her teacher...So @Kirsty do you think you could ask your German teacher my question over at the "learning German" thread?

Kirsty (Thursday, 01 March 2012 09:09)

will have a look...

Kirsty (Thursday, 01 March 2012 09:28)

Ok, have printed your posts on that subject and will try and remember to show my teacher tonight. Hoppe you're doing a great job trying to explain it to us. Must be hard, thanks :)

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 01 March 2012 11:25)

@Hoppe I second @Kirsty, it must be difficult to explain something that is just natural to you.
@Kirsty thank you, I really appreciate it:-) have fun at your lesson tonight.

amidola (Thursday, 01 March 2012 17:48)

Hi guys, sorry for not catching up on the last uhm, 3000 posts or so,but I was a little short on time;-)
Just wanted to pop in and say Hi!
Hi!
Ohm and compliment you on your page!
What I especially like is this:
https://www.mymonopoly.com/
:-D
Guys, I have one suggestion or request to make:
I was wondering if we couldn't peddle the show to some channels abroad.
You know how we have been translating and SRTing the whole eps,I think half of the episodes are translated by now..all the channels would need to do is buy the rights add the SRTs in and burn the show onto different regional codes.
Aren't there some television channels in your country you could ask?
Logo,for example, would be perfect for the US, the latter eps are also fully translated into Spanish and Italian, we're also working on the Srts for those..so Italian and Spanish speaking countries would also work..anything,really.
I guess the show could be popular elsewehere because of being a more toned down version of Glee.And it is a teen soap after all.
So, let me know what you think, and carry on being awesome.
Take Care!
ami

frananifan (Saturday, 03 March 2012 09:08)

Thursday, March 8th, is International Women's Day. This website lists over 1,200 events occurring around the world on this day. How will you celebrate your feminine perspective?

Please share.
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Wired (Saturday, 03 March 2012 19:49)

HI Everyone
@hope thanks for your rundown on those tv shows. I had heard Rizzoli & Isles was not too deep a show but it did sound good for the tgtgt. The Afterellen recaps do make is sound funny. VL is now added on my list of shows to watch.

@Kirsty @hoppe Wow what a scene from Upstairs Downstairs! I love Alex Kingston. I really have to watch the show when I can. My list is growing of things to watch. I may have a very long summer. That fanvid of Morgause was good. Emilia Fox certainly looks different as a blonde.

@eyelesstrees ah fanfic! The best way to keep a ship alive. I have purposely not gone down that road with Jemma because I’m sure I’ll be drawn in to the vortex as San says, for quite awhile.  Also that French and Saunders Upstairs Downstairs Abbey was brilliant! I love those guys!

Good news I made it to some Jemma episodes today! I'll post about that separately soon. :) Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wired (Saturday, 03 March 2012 20:37)

Yay I managed to get in some jemma this weekend! I’m still going on with my 5 or so episode blocks which puts me watching episode 98 to 101. I know I didn’t weigh in earlier on these scenes but I have to agree with Frananifan that when I first saw the scene with Bea coming back into the choir room all disheveled after talking to Gotting I totally thought he tried to attack her or something. Especially when she said that the “negotiations were tiring” I thought that was code for sex. I didn’t even think that Alexandra was involved! Sure makes a difference when I can see more of the scene’s now! So I think this is also the first time that Jenny comes up to Emma and I think she genuinely wants to get to know Emma or something. I’m not sure why she comes up to her (other than interest that Emma is yelling at the drink machine) and to move the story forward but her voice to Emma is actually nice and soft and calm. Previously I thought she was rather haughty or mad or giving off an “I don’t care attitude”. Maybe I’m off on this. Unfortunately Emma becomes like me and turns into a 2 year old. I always laugh when she says “That’s my cocoa!”. This is typical giving mixed signals and they really are showing that spark where they probably could say anything and the other will take offense. Also Jenny asks if Emma has a problem with her. Foreshadowing!

Giftzwerg!!! Love that word! Also, I know someone mentioned this earlier and I never forgot it but I second how funny it is that Emma carefully takes one of the numbers and Jenny takes the whole page. Very indicative of their characters! I wonder if the actresses just did that or they were directed to do so.

So who thought the girls were actually going to fight or start pushing each other when they were digging up the volleyball field? Also how mean was Jenny when they met each other at the interview. She could probably be even worse the Caro if she ever wanted to be. Smiling while she is saying a pretty mean thing. Lucy Scherer is a great actress! If you don’t listen to the words though it looked like she was going to kiss Emma when they were talking at the interview I thought. Maybe I was projecting there? When they both get the job, I love these two girls when they smile. When they smile I smile. By the way how is it that they have to dig out the sand and they only managed with over 10 people there to dig only one hole that far down? I think too someone had mentioned during the Saal1 scene where Hotte was talking that the actors were laughing and looking off screen. I finally noticed that. Whoever was off screen was really making them laugh. I wonder how they got through the scenes most of their faces are red and they really look like they are smiling at someone else. Classic!

San (Sunday, 04 March 2012 00:38)

@Wired My absolute favorite part of these eps is how Jenny and Emma answer their phones. Jenny's all sing-songy "Hi, Jenny Hartman!" and Emma is all gloom-and-doom, "Emma Mueller." Emma's makes me smile more and more :)

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 04 March 2012 05:54)

@Wired You have been busy! I was one of two people who mentioned the taking of the phone number off the noticeboard, I think they were probably directed to do it differently to each other and it just fits in with their characters. Who would have thought it, something so simple.
I think you're right, Jenny could be worse than Caro if she really wanted to be, but luckily Emma made her softer side come out. Which episode number are you talking about when Hotte is talking in Saal 1 and they are all distracted?

Wired (Sunday, 04 March 2012 06:18)

@San That was a good one! It reminds me when Jenny answered her phone after the radio contest too. Same sing dingy voice...I think.

@ Clijsters I don't know if I look busy douch as I have a lot of words written down. ;). I think the to number was 101. It was when Hotte was defending saying that the skeleton was a soldier from the war and Timo, Luzi & Emma are at the bar or counter.

Kirsty (Monday, 05 March 2012 09:29)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy8Eh--q4h0&feature=youtu.be&a

Scenes from U.D last night( not sure why they have the first scene of Lady Agnes and Percie though)

Right, it's been too long since I watched HaH. Watched ep 80 last night and planning a good couple of hours tonight :D I'll catch up with y'all soon..

@San love your bluebonnets and planets photos on facebook. I wish I knew more about the stars. Because I live in the country sometimes we have an awesome night sky full of stars, and possibly planet, twinkling away but apart from Orion I don't know any of them. It's something I keep meaning to get around to learning about.

Wired (Monday, 05 March 2012 09:29)

Wow post #474 to @Clijsters I just realized I think I called myself a douch(e). I meant to say "I don't know if I look busy so much, as I have a lot of words written down". That autocorrect may know something I don't...

frananifan (Monday, 05 March 2012 09:55)

@Wired hahaha I saw that and found it amusing.

Clijsters3 (Monday, 05 March 2012 10:58)

@Wired I wondered what the word douch(e) was doing your post! Thanks for the ep. number, I will check it out.

@San I've just played three hours of tennis, doubles though not singles, and I'm pleased to say I won!

eyelesstrees (Monday, 05 March 2012 11:43)

fly-by posting; am on a break between getting home and starting work again.

I watched U/D last night. The Blanche/Portia scenes were longer than shown in the YouTube link Kirsty has done well to find. The museum scene is great and explains their backgound. There's another scene where they go upstairs to bed and then another of them in the morning. There's also a scene of them talking in a park. I read an interview with Alex Kingston and I'm guessing they've cut out a sex scene - it sounded like they filmed one but it wasn't in this episode. Does anyone know how many episodes Emilia Fox is in?

I just got an iphone and my favourite app is 'Star Walk.' (There's something similar for android.) You get a realtime view of the stars with labels telling you which they are- even those on the other side of the world! The last few weeks I've used it to track when the International Sapace station is coming over and the Uranus/Mercury/Mars/Venus (I think that's right)lining up with the moon! Its an amazing app!

Fanfic? Lied? Will check at weekend - damn work!

Kirsty (Monday, 05 March 2012 14:30)

@eyelesstrees wow, now that sounds like an app I might actually want. Cool. If only I had a swanky phone! Also, I think you may be right about the missing sex scene in U/D, found an interesting article about her, talking about her role...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9089246/Emilia-Fox-on-her-lesbian-romance-in-Upstairs-Downstairs.html
Not sure if she's in more episodes or not, hope so, poor Blanche. I want a happy ending for them but I suspect they were hard to come by at that time.

@hoppe oh, I forgot to tell you. My teacher was no help at all! Maybe she was in a rush to get home or something but all she said was that da and dort were interchangeable. And there were some instances you would use da/dort ist (zB Da ist Jenny!) and some you would use es gibt but didn't really give examples. Pah! You were much more help. :) Hmm, have just thought of a song line from a song in Rebecca..'Da sind die Orchideen von Mrs. de Winter' where the orchids had previously been mentioned, so that works with what you told us.
Sorry my teacher wasn't more help.

Eyelesstrees (Monday, 05 March 2012 18:44)

@Kirsty, thanks for that link. Did you read the comments? OMG - I flaged several of them.

San (Monday, 05 March 2012 23:19)

@Kirsty Thanks! I put the pics in my sandbox. We, Texans have a love affair with our bluebonnets, the state flower. They bloom for a short time in March and April, mostly in the Hill Country (Central Texas). In good years fields look solid blue, like water. It becomes a bit of a spectacle with lines of parked cars along the side of the highway as families wade out into the fields to take the quintessential "Sitting in the field of bluebonnets photo." It's a lot easier to point out stars and planets in the city when there aren't so many. But, man, the starry country sky is magnificent! You're very lucky. Like @Eyelesstrees pointed out, there are some great skygazing programs that you can also install on your computer to explore the sky. I use Celestron software that came with my telescope. Google Sky is pretty cool! You can also get a cheap star wheel at the bookstore. Planets aren't too hard to spot, especially Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. They are some of the brighter points in the sky, they don't twinkle, and they all follow the same ecliptic path across the sky as the sun and moon and (kinda) Jenny Chair Dance (Orion). Venus is probably the brightest - and my personal favorite for so many reasons - at the moment you can see it in the west in the evening sky. Mars (big red dot) will be in the Eastern night sky.

@Clijsters A 3-hour doubles match! That sounds like a well-deserved win. Congrats! I played all-too-short singles match Sunday afternoon - against a lefty! More of a hard hitter than a wall. Great 1st serve! I only squeaked out a couple of games, but that's more because I didn't execute my shots very well. Lesson learned: focus on the ball and make necessary adjustments.

@Eyelesstrees Have you have this on your iPhone yet? http://www.nwfa.mmu.ac.uk/mcrtimemachinev4.html The Manchester Time Machine! Talk about making history come alive! I love what we can do with archival film content these days.

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 06 March 2012 04:50)

@Kirsty thanks for the link to the Telegraph article of USDS, sounds like they did cut out a sex scene. I recorded the ep. and watched it this morning, I felt a tear coming to my eye when Blanche said "I'm all alone". It doesn't look like Emilia Fox is on next week's ep, I hope that wasn't it. Thanks for asking your German teacher, looks like we'll have to rely on @Hoppe!

@Eyelesstress I read about 10 comments from the Telegraph article and didn't want to read anymore, I was not happy.

@San My legs are aching this morning, I can tell you! Us lefties are everywhere, you don't have to worry about my serve, it's rubbish!

Kirsty (Tuesday, 06 March 2012 06:35)

@Eyelesstrees @Clijsters3 yep, read the comments, pathetic. But you know what, if the BBC hadn't made such a big thing out of 'The(brief)Lesbian Storyline' and got all this publicity for it and made such a big deal about it then less people would've reacted like that- or at least that's what I'd like to think. Why can't tv shows just quietly get on with showing it and not make a big fuss about it? Hello HaH! Hello Pretty Little Liars! It's just a storyline about someone who's gay not a gay storyline. I'm probably not getting my point over as well as I'd like but I'm sure you now what I mean :)

@San Thanks San, when I get home tonight after my drumming class I will have a look for Mars and Venus!

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 06 March 2012 09:07)

@Kirsty hear hear! Well put. I hate it when the media make a big deal about a 'gay storyline' and trying to make out it's contraversial, it's not, get over it.

eyelesstrees (Tuesday, 06 March 2012 16:03)

@all You lot are brilliant. It's a pleasure to 'know' you all.

@San Crikey it's a small world! I'd heard about that Manchester (Mcr) map. I'm based in London at the moment but I'm going home in a few weeks and had it in mind to check it out then. I'm so excited that you know about it though that I'm now downloading it as I type! I'll report back....

San (Tuesday, 06 March 2012 16:57)

@eyelesstrees Please do! It was posted on the motion image archivist listserv. We used to dream up stuff like that in grad school only a few short years ago!

@hoppe Yep, the texensis species is only naturally found in Texas.

frananifan (Tuesday, 06 March 2012 21:10)

@hoppe Our cat has a homemade latin name: Fatassicus. True story.

San (Tuesday, 06 March 2012 23:08)

@hoppe I lean toward the shorter of the 2. My Latin is limited to carpe diem.

The azaleas and jasmine made my walk home from work very colorful and fragrant.

Kirsty (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 04:44)

The things you learn here in this little room!... I googled Bluebonnets and it turned out to be completely different to what I thought they were. I thought they were like bluebells but they're more like lupins! Then I found an interesting article...
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Tex-Arcana-How-bluebonnets-became-state-flower-1792133.php

@hoppe lol at the latin t-shirt slogans altho to keep things fair I'd just shorten it again..Puellae sunt optimus :D

@frananifan best.cat.name.ever. :)

Kirsty (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 04:51)

Oh and new poll on AE about best kiss. A kind of kiss-off..
http://www.afterellen.com/node/99255

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 07:25)

@all you guys are crazy, you do know don't you?! I find it brilliant one minute we're talking about Jemma (obviously) then the stars and then bluebonnets, oh and Fatassicus gets thrown in, is there no end to our knowledge?

@Hoppe thanks for the link to all the Blanche and Portia scenes, nice to have them all together.

@Kirsty I've voted on the AE best kiss poll, Jemma are winning easily, should get into the next round. Jemma and Pepsi are definately my two favourites.

frananifan (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 10:09)

@Clijsters3 Those are my favorite kissing teams too! Haven't really bothered to vote for any others.

I am enjoying the most gorgeous day I have seen in months. Full blown sunshine...warm breeze...sigh....if the right song comes up on my ipod, I just might break out into a Jenny dance. I am feeling that good about it:)

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 10:21)

@Frananifan Just thinking about how Pepsi ended makes me feel sad, but the sun is out here as well, which always makes me feel better. I might just join you in the Jenny dance!

Kirsty (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 10:23)

I'm not sure they picked the best Jemma kiss..It's nice but I might have gone for the rolling-up-the-banners/Lady and the Tramp kiss. I've just watched it again and it's beautiful. Also for pure emotion the piss kiss or the farewell kiss??

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 10:34)

@Kirsty I agree, it is a good kiss, but not THE best. I would have gone for either the couch kiss or the one you said, rolling up the banners. As for most emotion for me it's got to be the farewell kiss, the swirling camera and the tears do it for me.

frananifan (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 11:29)

Man oh man. When people talk about drinking, I get thirsty. When people talk about Jemmakisses...I want to go leaping through the bluebonnets!

San (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 14:27)

Funny how we name our favorite Jemmakuss and follow it with a few others :) Clearly, we like all of them! Each in their own way. I like the one they have because they're kissing and talking at the same time - they can't get enough of each other :)

@Kirsty I saw that article the other day! Glad you found it interesting. Oh, and now I can tell people who say, "that's just a bluebell" that they're completely wrong. Thanks!

Kirsty (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 14:50)

Man, I want to go leaping through fields of bluebonnets too.. When I walk the dog before work every morning we have to go through a patch of woodland with wild garlic growing in it- makes me hungry :) Also, we have some snowdrops popping their cute little heads up everywhere.

@San Ok,I do like that kiss they've chosen but I think the kissing in it, well from Emma mainly, seems a bit stilted. I almost want to say wooden but I couldn't bring myself to put that. It doesn't seem as natural as other kisses

frananifan (Wednesday, 07 March 2012 22:06)

I wasn't able to Jenny dance or leap through any beautiful flowers, but I did analyze some kissing in my head as I was driving home from work. In no particular order:

Couchkiss- Emma allows herself to feel good and happy and begins to weigh all of that against her fears, while Jenny remembers what good and happy feels like and already knows its worth a fight.

Bannerkiss-Each heart is saying to the other "I cannot believe how good I can feel just by looking at you.” Emma becomes more comfortable with her flashes of fearlessness.

Pisskiss- naive. brave. blind faith. One heart is saying to the other "I am with you even through my fears because love ain't gonna let us down no mo-ore"

Bodokiss- "I am so attracted to you right now I could eat your face off"

Did I get that right?

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 08 March 2012 04:01)

Happy International Women's Day!

San (Thursday, 08 March 2012 08:51)

@frananifan "eat your face off" sounds about right to me :) The others are spot on as well.

I hope it doesn't rain on my International Women's Day tennis night. I was going to break out my "hear me roar" forehand :) In observance of the day enjoy this oldie but a goodie http://youtu.be/obUTg6vkdpk

Kirsty (Friday, 09 March 2012 04:26)

@frananifan Good review of the kisses, I had to watch them all again... awesome

@hoppe Love the new spoiler photos!! I am also really liking the new Rebecca she has so many more facial expressions than Jasmin Lord had! Looking forward to seeing the swimwear fashion shoot- Wet Fantasy FTW (it's the name of the line of swimwear... ;)

@San listened to that song, brilliant. Wonderful lady. Then I saw a link to her original recording- amazing :)

Kirsty (Friday, 09 March 2012 10:46)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_aufs_Herz

Have you guys read what Wikipedia says about HaH? Apparently 50% of it's viewers watched it online!! And Jenny was involved in a 'popular lesbian storyline' with Emma' :)

Kirsty (Saturday, 10 March 2012 00:12)

@hoppe haha Helena wished she could have been part of a triangle with Jenny....and Bea

Oooh, Kasia just posted on FB that she might be auctioning a HaH poster signed by all the cast. No more details as yet.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 10 March 2012 04:43)

Update on AE best kiss poll. Jemma have made it to round two, but are up against Shane and Carmen from The L Word, and so far they're along way behind 70%/30%. Pepsi are against Glee, so no chance of them getting to the next round, the comments are good to read, plus some nice gifs, including slow-mo kisses.
http://www.afterellen.com/other/afterellen-march-madness-2012-round-2?page=1,5

@Kirsty thanks for keeping us non FB people up to date with Kasia.

frananifan (Sunday, 11 March 2012 08:42)

Helena's mean face came at me in my dream last night. I was a little scared and laughing about it at the same time.

Kirsty (Sunday, 11 March 2012 09:50)

@frananifan oh boy, that made me laugh.

You Guys!! and by this I mean @Clijsters3 and @Frananifan! I've just spent the last 2 hours watching PepSi clips on YT and I'm only at compilation number 15. What a fantastic couple. Pepa reminds me a little of Deb from Dexter - the gayest non-gay character around. I have to get out of the house now. My dog thinks it's very unreasonable of me to want to chill out on a Sunday when we could be walking in the hills and chasing rabbits. I'm trying not to look at her...

Kirsty (Sunday, 11 March 2012 13:49)

I had vaguely heard something about the ending but have put it to the back of my mind just now! Thanks for the warning :)

Clijsters3 (Monday, 12 March 2012 05:41)

@Kirsty Pepsi are addictive!!! My advice is to take it slowly (which is hard to do because I didn't!) and enjoy it. You're ages off the ending yet so don't even think about it.

frananifan (Monday, 12 March 2012 07:33)

@hoppe I commend your activism. That is an impressive line of action for an important cause. Did you sing “F*ck You” inside your head for kicks? I am beside you in spirit. Thank you for the links and details.

@Pepsi fans I have a pretty strong aversion to certain scenarios that are often found in police dramas (that is an understatement). Having said that, the passion and sensuality is so yummy and gorgeous it makes bad stuff easier to dismiss. Knowing the ending doesn’t stop me from going back to visit them over and over again. They are so worth it.

Spring knocked on my window yesterday and I gave her a big giant embrace.
Thank you my friends for keeping me connected and getting me through the long gray months.

Kirsty (Monday, 12 March 2012 13:35)

http://kasia-borek.blogspot.com/2012/03/so-meine-liebsten-wie-schon-einige-von.html

Kasia has posted on her blog again!! The auction is now a competition. It's in English after the German, keep scrolling. I'm not sure of all of what she says in German but she says something funny in English and I'm not sure if she meant it or not. I think yes, because she followed it with a wink! She's awesome :)

San (Monday, 12 March 2012 22:55)

@hoppe Wow, that protest looked pretty intense! The solidarity must have been exhilarating though.

@Kirsty I see what you mean about Kasia's wink. I tend to take it as purely innocent. It is a common figure of speech, but the German doesn't have the winky face! Hmmm. Interesting.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 13 March 2012 17:59)

@Pepsi fans. Couldn't do it. Couldn't watch the ending. Stopped with 2 clips to go , then watched the 'alternative ending' That'll do me :) So I love this couple. So sexy, both of them, and fun and such good chemistry!

Yeay, got asked if I wanted to join the samba band tonight and therefore graduate from my beginners class. Oh hell yes! And not only because there is a cute girl from Omaha in the band- although, if I'm being honest, that's also a big draw ;) Sucks though, first session is this Friday night but I will being working, because here in the UK it's Mothers Day this Sunday! So no day off til the 25th and the next 6 days will be tough!! Still...I'm going to become an aunt for the first time around the 28th, sooooo excited :)

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 14 March 2012 12:23)

@Kirsty congrats on soon becoming an aunt and of course being promoted to the samba band. I'm wondering how you managed to get through all the Pepsi clips, just the other day you were on clip 15 and suddenly you've finished! I don't blame you for not watching the real ending, but maybe one day you will???

Kirsty (Wednesday, 14 March 2012 15:18)

Thanks everyone. @Clijsters3, well I just couldn't stop watching the clips once I'd started! I can get kind of obsessed that way sometimes. Maybe I'll watch the ending one day. The actress who plays Silvia intrigues me, she's a redhead so you'd think she'd have lighter coloured eyes but they're not, they're really dark brown.Beautiful. I've looked closely just to check..

frananifan (Wednesday, 14 March 2012 15:57)

@Aunt Kirsty I went back to check too. You are absolutely correct about Silvia's eyes:)Congrats on making the band. Chics in the band always get the chics...so I hear.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 15 March 2012 14:26)

@Kirsty i understand how you watched Pepsi so fast, such a beautiful story, and yes the actress has lovely dark eyes, so dark you get lost in them........:)

@Hoppe thanks for the link to the interview, nice photo as well, even though the interveiwer doesn't look very happy to be standing next to Lucy! Is that a Dodo on Lucy's jumper?

Kirsty (Thursday, 15 March 2012 16:30)

@Clisters3 you got that right about the eyes! :) Not sure what that bird is on Lucy's jumper, don't think it's a dodo, maybe just a made up bird. Also, if I was standing right beside Lucy I'd sure-as-hell have a huge grin on my face not staring off in a different direction, wonder what could possibly have caught her eye??

@hoppe why did this girl get to interview Lucy? Is she just a fan? thanks for the link.

frananifan (Thursday, 15 March 2012 17:29)

It looks like a Dr Seuss character. Where does she find this stuff?

San (Thursday, 15 March 2012 22:45)

Hey everyone! As of this evening, I'm on vacation!!! Flying out to visit my sis in the Washington, DC-area tomorrow! We'll see cherry blossoms, roller derby, national treasures, and maybe (cross your fingers) a teddy bear floating.

@Kirsty auntdom holds a very, heavy responsibility of spoiling. I hope you're ready for it :) Congrats on making the band! First, samba band. Next, bongo belt dancing. Lucky, lucky girl!

I never need much of an excuse to share this video :) http://youtu.be/Lp2JAhF4xLE Enjoy, everyone. I know I always do.

While I'm on a Andrews Sisters binge, this one cracks me up (in a "I can't believe what they're singing" kinda a way). http://youtu.be/iEqj3FIBFwI

Re: Lucy Interview, maybe there were 2 cameras. Lucy looked at one and she looked at the other. It happens. She chose the pic with Lucy looking at the camera - wouldn't you? Ostrich looks about right.

@frananifan You took down the 28 or so Suessisms to live by! I liked #14 The knowing how to learn is better than knowing (or whatever).

Sounds like I need to get on the Pepsi train. I'll get right on that. Even though I'm more of a Coco & Colleen fan (get it - Coco-cola!). *laughs for 10 minutes* *sigh* *wipes tears from eyes* It should be a thing.

frananifan (Friday, 16 March 2012 14:22)

@hoppe Dr Seuss (his pen name) wrote and illustrated over 40 children's stories and poems throughout the 1940's and 1950's. They were often seen as having a political message cleverly cloaked in a moral. You might be familiar with "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" or "The Cat in the Hat".

@San I have put the 'Seussisms' back in my sandbox. And for you a franseuss mashup:
#14 is quite special, I would have to agree
But it seems #8 better represents me!

@Clijsters3 I was giving my dog a haircut with the electric trimmers today and kept thinking about those sheep in your sandbox. I probably could make Randy a sweater out of all that fur.

San (Friday, 16 March 2012 23:22)

@frananifan hehe It took me WAY too long to get the rhyme. I blame my mobile phone. Love it! And I've been saying tirafranseuss all day!

frananifan (Saturday, 17 March 2012 06:59)

@hoppe #8 UNLESS! It represents me because I see myself as someone who finds contradictions, or alternative points of view. I'm always eager to suggest what could happen if circumstances were tweaked just a little bit.

@San I saved the Andrews Sister clips for this morning when I knew I would need to get a postive start to a potentially nagging day. OMG they did not fail!! Thank you so much for that:) :)

Kirsty (Sunday, 18 March 2012 08:51)

@hoppe Du hast recht! that's not Pia and Lucy. But it also doesn't look like the lady I saw playing Mrs Danvers. And I thought a lady called Valerie Link (who was also in Wicked) was Lucy's alternate but it doesn't look like her either. Is it the two actresses who are on the cd - I've forgotten their very long names.

San (Sunday, 18 March 2012 11:23)

@frananifan Give me some skin, my friend! That is one curious, yet awesome song, eh?

@hoppe You got it! Tiramisu, fransuess mashup.

Roller derby was pretty cool. I hear it's adult night at the roller rink, so I'm gonna roller skate like I'm 8 years-old again!

Wired (Monday, 19 March 2012 12:17)

@All Hey guys! Just popping in for a flyby post. Was away on vacation and just got back last night. Looks like I have a lot to catch up on! I did a quick scan of previous posts and see lots of "kiss" and "Dr. Seuss". I am intrigued!

Anyways, "hi!" big hand wave. Missed you guys - I may have missed some craziness. :)

frananifan (Tuesday, 20 March 2012 12:51)

Good day to anyone who is paying attention. Today is a beautiful day in the northeast US. We don't have cherry blossoms yet like San's sister in Washington (hello? pics please) but I do have green grass. The sun is shining and the air is joyful. I walked through the park on my lunch break and learned to play "If I were a Boy" on my harmonica. I wasn't half bad until the whole idea made me smile hard. If you don't already know, it is impossible to play harmonica while smiling. Can't be done. Just can't.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 20 March 2012 16:52)

@wired Hi! Big hand wave right back at you :) Where have you been on vacation?

@frananifan Today was lovely here in Edinburgh too. Lovely sunny spring day, hooray, dark Winter has passed! I was having a happy whistle to myself today, that's also impossible to do when you're smiling...

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 21 March 2012 07:12)

@Wired Hi yet another big hand wave in your direction! We're all dying to know where you've been.

@San You need to get on the Pepsi train, life will never be the same again. Actually it will but never mind.

@Frananifan Hope the dog's haircut went well, sounds like there was a lot of fur to cut off.

San (Wednesday, 21 March 2012 12:35)

@Wired Hello! Welcome back from vacation! What a wonderful time to get away!

Spent a long day in the Nation's Capital yesterday. Walked until my hips dislocated, checked out the national archives, national portrait gallery, and a few monuments or whatever. Put a few pics up my sandbox. I hadn't taken any cherry blossom pics until @frananifan made the request (see someone is paying attention!), so we walked a little more to snap a few at sunset. Earlier in the day I wasn't impressed, but after stopping to really look at them, they are quite beautiful - like white fuzzy caterpillars branching off in all directions. I guess there's truth in the saying "stop to smell the roses."

@frananifan "If I were a Boy" on the harmonica? Love to hear that!

San (Wednesday, 21 March 2012 23:26)

@hoppe I did not know that! I like that meaning for "sin". It's more of a "dust yourself off, get back up, and try try again" view of life's journey. And perhaps the ultimate sin could be not enjoying life and all it has to offer. A goal that guilt greatly undermines. Thanks for this insight, and I'm glad that the image impacts you. I worked hard in the darkroom waving my hands beneath the enlarger to make that print - handmade photo of sorts. So it means a lot. Thanks!

frananifan (Thursday, 22 March 2012 07:36)

@hoppe I watched and enjoyed A.C.’s Festhalten music video. I kept your description in mind while watching it and I agree. Without knowing the translation, the images express what you describe. I think I can relate to some of that myself. I also reminisced about playing team sports long ago. I kind of miss rolling around on the ground with other women ;)

@San I have been to DC a few times and never been able to catch the blossoms. How fortunate that you were there to capture them for us. Hoppe says it best-I couldn’t look away either. I do not like to ask for things and even asking for pictures seemed to ask too much. But you walked your tired self back to take them anyway. And that is when you really noticed them. I think you could be right about that “ultimate sin”. I love how life works. Thank you.

@Clijsters3 hoppe is putting together a band! I recall that you have some skills. That was you wasn’t it, who sang and strummed at the campfire hootenannies? (aka folk-music parties) As for my dog’s long hair, he was starting to look a little dreadlocky and out of control. Sometimes you have to shear labradoodles right down like sheep. He looks goofy but appreciates it this week while we experience August-like temperatures.

@Wired I think I may have been Canadian in a past life! My favorite things right now are “Walk off the Earth”, “Bomb Girls”, and “Coffee Crisp”. Are you familiar with any of these things way up in the Maritimes? Search them. They won't disappoint. Still not fond of round bacon though. You can keep that:)

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 22 March 2012 09:24)

@Frananifan Sorry you've got the wrong woman! You don't want to hear me sing and I have no musical rhythm whatsoever, which I learnt after I got a drum kit one Christmas. I think the camp fire singing might have been @Wired, or was it @San actually it could have been anyone, I can't remember!

@San thanks for the pics in your sandbox. I like the ones of Lincoln's memorial, very arty through the colomns:)

frananifan (Thursday, 22 March 2012 09:44)

Sorry @Clijsters3 It was eyelesstrees, that's who it was. She is the one. She can't hide.

Wired (Friday, 23 March 2012 12:50)

Hey everyone again! Gads I can’t seem to catch up on these posts yet! :) I’m working on it though!

Thank you for the waves back and to let you know: I had vacationed in California visiting Disneyland, Sea World and Legoland with my whole family (Mother, brother, sisters and mine). Much fun was had by all! It’s unbelievable what they can make with Lego! Also I haven’t been to Disneyland in 30 years so it was a nice time to revisit with my family and remember when it was much much smaller! I’m hoping to post some pictures in my sandbox this weekend. I did think of you @San when I saw World of Color and they projected images onto giant water sprays. Also I was soooo close to having tiramisu but didn’t due to a full belly. The gods were with us too as there was no rain and no fighting. Successful in all I think! @Hoppe I could give you all those details but I think you’d be bored of them! :) Also I do drink but will always join in an orange juice salut!

I second wanting to hear @frananifan playing “If I Were a Boy” on harmonica also she gets extra points for figuring out how to actually do it while smiling! Look now I’m smiling thinking about that! And ummm…yeah, I’m definitely not the singing camp person. I do sing along but in my head it’s far better then when it leaves my mouth. I used to play drums but that was in high school! So basically I can carry the rhythm but not the tune.

@San I grew up in Vancouver and have family in Victoria and the cherry blossoms absolutely riot there. It’s amazing and it’s like snow when they all fall. I miss that! Great pictures! The Lincoln Memorial is amazing too!

@Frananifan You are an honorary Canadian! You drink Tims! :) Yay for Bomb Girls! I haven’t watched it yet but I have seen some pictures and know what has happened and I feel I need to keep up. Also Coffee Crisp the candy bar? Is that not in the US? “Walk off the Earth” I need to look up. Did anyone hear about the marriage proposal during the Ottawa Senators game? That is so Canadian and makes me feel proud!

Ok gotta run and pretend to work for a bit before I can try to drown myself in Jemma again. Beautiful day today and temperatures are amazing. I’m dying to BBQ now and have a beer!

frananifan (Friday, 23 March 2012 14:57)

@hoppe In WNY we would call that an "after party". After the bars close at 4am.

@Wired It sounds like you had an awesome vacay. <...it's a small world after all...it's a small world after all...> :)
The marriage proposal at the Sens game rocked! I saw the clip of it but could not save it. Two of my favorite things-hockey and lesbians! Coolest thing ever.

Walk off the Earth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9NF2edxy-M

This one is for hoppe:
http://www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek/beitrag/video/1599844/Walk-off-the-earth,-die-YouTube-Stars#/beitrag/video/1599844/Walk-off-the-earth,-die-YouTube-Stars

frananifan (Friday, 23 March 2012 17:13)

@hoppe I wasn't able to find anything on youtube. See if you can open this link up:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/19/canada-lesbian-couple-proposal-hockey-game_n_1363413.html

Marie-Helene (Saturday, 24 March 2012)

Hello everyone! Maybe it's just a coincidence but I found an interesting information on internet. It's about auditions for Rebecca on Broadway which are scheduled on 5th April 2012. Lucy is supposed to take a break from Stuttgart this entire week. Maybe I will have the chance to see Lucy after all...

http://broadwayworld.com/equitylisting.php?id=3943

frananifan (Saturday, 24 March 2012 14:21)

OMJ @Marie-Helene that would be das hammer! I will try not to get too excited about this idea but I have to admit...I already am.

I saw a wonderful film the other day by Céline Sciamma called Tom Boy. This is an all around great film with exceptional acting, especially from the little people. If anyone gets the chance, you should see it. I give it *****

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 25 March 2012 04:20)

@Wired Glad to know you had a super time, sounds like a great trip with your family.

@Marie-Helene That sounds like a big coincidence to me, and it's hard not to get excited as proved by @Frananifan. Fingers crossed you will get to see Lucy perform.

eyelesstrees (Sunday, 25 March 2012 12:21)

Haven't read comments for days but might get time next week :)

Meanwhile @all if you get chance to see Kyss Mig (Kiss me) I can very highly recommend it. Actually I'll go further than that; it may be my favourite lesbian film.

@Frananifan - just noticed your post above - I'll check out Tom Boy.

@peeps with access to BBC iplayer: re-runs of 1st season of Lip Service are on- presumably ready for season 2 starting soon.

Wired (Sunday, 25 March 2012 19:52)

Well it took me until 9:30 at night on Sunday but I did put pictures in my sandbox on the weekend! :) They are pretty blurry but I only had my iPod and it was the best I could do. Just a couple of the World of Color show and Legoland models. Very cool stuff what you can do with those bricks!

@Frananifan I just checked out Walk off the Earth and how did I miss them? That video is great because they are all playing the one guitar. I love it when artists do something different like that! Also I hear about Tom Boy. I will definitely watch it now that someone has recommended it!

@eyelesstrees I have been waiting to get a chance to see Kyss Mig. I've seen a lot of reviews but getting one first hand is always better! Now to find it! Will add that to my list! Awesome!

@Hoppe By virtue of having maple syrup just once you are an honorary Canadian! Speaking of it's maple syrup season so time for my annual trip to the farm! Can't wait...pancakes, sausages (not round) and maple syrup. Also hopefully a nice hike into the trees! Yay!

@Marie-Helene That would be beyond amazing!!! Fingers and toes crossed it could be as you mentioned! I don't even want to say it incase I jinx it! How exciting!!!! I will have to follow this closer me thinks!

@Clijsters Thanks! I was fun! Unfortunately I probably wont have another trip like that for another 4 years. I will have to live precariously through you all then. :) ha ha!

Ok toddling off to bed. Am debating on starting a quest of finding things Jemma related. Perhaps making a list, taking a picture and posting it on my sandbox. Thinking of starting with chocolate croissants, pizza, whatever flower Jenny had for Emma with the croissant, tiramisu, chocolate eclairs...hmmm these items all seem to be food. Any suggestions? If I can't find the item I think I will try to make it as close as possible in a fun way. Might liven up my spring/summer.

Wired (Sunday, 25 March 2012)

Seriously I think I need to proof read my stuff before posting! I must be too excited to post! Anyways, sorry I left out some letters in the above post but I think you catch my drift.

At least I didn't call myself a douche!

Kirsty (Monday, 26 March 2012 14:05)

@Marie-Helene I have my fingers crossed that Lucy will be over trying out for the Broadway production of Rebecca but isn't her birthday at that time? She's maybe just taking time off for that...

@Wired Your trip sounded great. It's nice to have a really special holiday every now and then :)

Urgh, spent most of the weekend assembling flatpack furniture from Ikea for my pregnant sister. 7 chests of drawers, 1 cabinet and 1 storage unit, Furniture assembling is one of my favourite things but I think that was a bit much! Still, her baby is due on Thursday and, much as I love my brother-in-law, he would have taken ages.

Nenedallagonegro (Tuesday, 27 March 2012 09:13)

Hi!!!!

About Rebecca in Broadway I have read that they already have an artist for ich. But now I can't remember her name... When I Will be' at home I Will search better....

About Jemma kisses: I love the banner kiss, the kiss in jenny room after the restaurant , and the piss kiss! But I have to say that also the kiss between tears is beautiful!!!
These are my favs, even if, in my opinion the couch kiss was the most realistic .


About Lucy' s interview: when I have read that she was not going to act in Hahe season 2 , a cold horrible chill run down my body... I mean : no Lucy, no Jenny=no Jemma ..... And this is a terrible thought in my mind....
I love Jemma story because it is positive. We have two young woman that we have seen growing up as persons and as persons in a relationship. Again, they stay togheter and fight togheter and we have no , betrayals, no one dies or leaves. And we can hope that they Will be togheter forever. That true love really exist. I really don't want to see them divided... Jemma is a hope to me....

Wired (Tuesday, 27 March 2012 20:34)

Hi @Nenedallagonegro! Ah Jemma kisses! I like your choices and agree the couch kiss was pretty realistic. Hard to choose isn't it?

@Kirsty Wow that is a lot of furniture to assemble! You are a great sister! I'm sure your sister and brother -in-law apprecited that! I also love assembling Ikea furniture but I also love jigsaw puzzles so I"m sure that's related! Hats off to you for putting together that much! After the 4th piece I don't know how you could see straight. I have trouble after 2 and usually end up putting the piece that is supposed to face the outside inside and upside down. It turns into a mess and I end up putting it together and taking it apart at least twice!

San (Tuesday, 27 March 2012 22:44)

One of the best things my dad gave me was a sawed off Allen wrench - best drill bit ever!

@Wired Love the pics! I'll tell you this: World of Color looks so much better than film on fog. Made me want to go to Vegas. It's been WAY too long. And Lego Superman looks angry :) My absolute favorite roller coaster is Superman: Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. It's like your freakin' flying, man!

@Kirsty Yeah, I seem to recall Lucy's b-day is April 5th, right? Happens to be the same as my sister's, which reminds me that I need to put a package together and mail it off to her.

@all Anyway, you never know, there will probably be plenty of Ichs before the Broadway run ends.

@frananifan Walk Off the Earth, how amazing are they?! That was cool! Stuff like that reminds me why I'm not a musician. They have fun and play with music.

Nenedallagonegro (Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:03)

@hoppe: what is happening in VL?

hoppe (Wednesday, 28 March 2012 16:43)

hi Nene! Rebecca is back and a totally different character. She will fall in love with Marlene, the singer. they already had some scenes were Rebecca was supporting her while she was pregnant from a rape. It seems that Marlene will start to feel something too, but it's not clear where it will head to till now... spoilers don't go THAT far ;)
you can find some things on youtube about the new rebecca and on MeL's Rosalie & Co (werkseife on yt has one clip about the return of rebecca with subs, but not much more till now - unfortunately) and the newest pics on the mentioned forum :)

Nenedallagonegro (Thursday, 29 March 2012 07:16)

Thanks @hoppe!

frananifan (Thursday, 29 March 2012 20:29)

Amazon.de is trying to sell me a DVD called "Die Rache der Wanderhure". My search engine translates this into "Revenge of the Hiking Whore". I can't stop chuckling over this. I better go get some sleep.

Wired (Thursday, 29 March 2012 21:25)

@frananifan Really? Now I'm chuckling before bed and will have to google that at work tomorrow!

Kirsty (Friday, 30 March 2012 04:19)

@frananifan made me laugh too! What have you been buying that it's recommending that for you?! :) Have a lovely weekend everyone. My sister's baby is now overdue. This is annoying waiting for it.

@hoppe did you see the little video Tatjana Kastel has done on the VL website? Where she shows us her dressing room and wardrobe? She's so cute. I love Rebecca's clothes on her, very sexy. Can't wait for the Marlene storyline. So glad that thing with Ricardo didn't go anywhere. All the time she was dancing with him in the club I just wanted Sonja to walk over and take his place...!

San (Friday, 30 March 2012 09:05)

@frananifan Very funny! Is the logline something like, "She's ticked off and charging!"?

@Kirsty The baby must be holding out for April. I met two people about to visit Scotland last week. I almost said, "if you find yourself in a flower shop in Edinburgh, say 'Hey!' to Kirsty for me." Hope your weekend is blessedly eventful :)

@Clijsters Please teach the ways of The Wall. I'm tired of needless unforced errors. You probably just won the first set after I flubbed a backhand into the net and whacked a few forehands long.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 31 March 2012 04:35)

@San,San,San I can't just teach you the ways of The Wall, it's something that's inside you...plus I want to beat you! You just keep on whacking those forehands long. Ok, I'll be nice now. You've just got to have patience, keep the ball nice and deep, with height over the net and work the point. Manoeuvre your opponent until you have an opening and wham! unleash your forehand. Don't rush! Looks like I won the opening set 6/3.

@Kirsty Hope your sister's baby has come and you are officially an auntie.

Kirsty (Saturday, 31 March 2012 07:54)

Nothing yet...

I was recommended to watch a new comedy series and am halfway through the first ep but this sketch had me laughing so hard my stomach hurt, had to share it with you. Just simple comedy, love it..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrQUmWJapi4

frananifan (Sunday, 01 April 2012 10:23)

This is a personal appeal to all Disney fans (and who isn’t?): I am sharing this information on behalf of a family member who works with The Jane Goodall Institute. For every moviegoer who sees Disney’s CHIMPANZEE during the film’s opening week (April 20-26), Disneynature will make a donation to JGI through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. The fund serves to protect chimpanzees and their habitats. I want to help spread the word. This film looks amazing. I have attached the trailer. Join me in the theater and bring your friends! Thanks.
http://www.janegoodall.org/chimpanzee-movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CI5BjbI_IZ8

frananifan (Sunday, 01 April 2012 14:51)

@Kirsty that was funny. She reminds me of my great aunt Isabelle.

Libellule (Sunday, 01 April 2012 15:04)

Hello my dears,

My apologies for not having been around for the last 3 months. Never stopped thinking about you and Room 234 during this time though. And nope, this is not an April fool on my part! :D
I know I've missed a lot on here and I'm trying to slowly catch up with everything, but my life needed a few fixes and I had to temporarily "abandon" the Jemma ship in order to do so. Maybe it's because I'm not much of a multitasker? :p

Anyway, you might recall how I was stuck in a very unhealthy situation at work at the end of last year. After vacation, things started to get really bad again, draining all my energy (to actually contain myself from jennypitating the little bunch of arschlochs I was surrounded by everyday...). But since I decided to make 2012 an amazing year full of positive vibes, I started to quietly prepare my way out for a more fulfilling professional horizon, with the help and advice of precious friends.
I couldn't achieve this step though because ironically enough, the company proceeded to some layoff for "restructuration" a few weeks ago and I was part of them. My first feeling was of strong anger because I was suddenly cut from the choice of doing that move on my terms, you know, cut from the pleasure to announce my departure a happy random day to bosses I could not stand anymore. Also because considering all that I gave to that company the last couple of years, it badly hurt. This aspect of things was a hard pill to swallow, and it took a little while to accept it, but aside from that, I now feel...kind of glowing, in all honesty!!! :)
Of course, here and there, I still have a small thorn of bitterness aching, when I think about how (badly) they treated me, but nothing major, nothing that prevents me from enjoying my new status, my new freedom, this golden opportunity of taking some distance and questioning what I really want for a new start, which personal projects I really care about and want to see come true. Taking the time and above all, not suffocating under constant stress anymore. And that, my friends, makes a really huge difference in everyday's life!
So that's where I am at the moment and what I wanted to share with you all.
2012 is definitely filled with sunshine, it's gonna be some crazy jennytastic year with, I'm sure, lots of opportunities to joyfully kill the strawberries, so let's rock our best emmabeams!!! :D

Libellule

PS: I love Ayo essentially for her deep melancholic songs, but her punchy "I'm gonna dance" perfectly illustrates my current mood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx97iHXgVXk&feature=BFa&list=AL94UKMTqg-9CI1X23PoR6Rpd1m6iDVetJ&lf=list_related
Plus it can also be a tribute to Jemma. ;)

frananifan (Sunday, 01 April 2012 20:04)

@Libellule I haven't stopped thinking about you and your journey. Thank you for sharing and for reaching out and touching us again. Just this evening, while drafting an email to a friend, I was reflecting on an angry and hurtful experience that I had a year ago and how today I am grateful for it because it changed everything about how I see things. I hope you can continue to find gifts in your own experience as you work through all of this. 234 is a place you can count on for positive energy, kindness and respect. We love you Libellule.

PS: I am already now in love with Ayo. Thanks for the turn on.

San (Sunday, 01 April 2012 22:35)

@Clijsters Patience. I was afraid of that. In fact, after 2 rather subpar matches earlier in the week. I decided on Thursday to focus and just getting the ball back and had positive results. I really appreciate the advice, and don't worry, a fair share of my forehands will still fly long and/or hit the net. That's how I do. Ok, as a return gesture, I offer you the ways of my serve. At it's core, I keep it smooth and simple. I don't have height, I'm about the same as Justine Henin, so it should fit anyone. 1. I think of Pete Sampras' smooth service motion, very efficient. 2. Toss the ball like pizza dough, or as if your placing the ball on a shelf above your head. 3. Focus on the ball against the sky and turn your shoulders into the shot more than swinging your arm. 4. As you hit, bring your free hand to your hitting shoulder. Once you get the hang of that, add a wrist snap at contact. Then, when your really confident, buggy whip the racket into the shot (if that makes any sense - slingshot maybe?). When my serve gets off, I just focus on turning my shoulders and placing my free hand to my hitting shoulder. For some reason the hand to the shoulder keeps the serve from going long. Yeah, first set @Clijster3 6-3. I usually have great 2ns sets though :)

@Libellule *emmabeaming* Hiya! So glad you dropped in. And you're landing on your feet. I certainly understand the feeling of freedom after very stressful times. Anything is possible! Hope you can drop in more often. I was looking at the Jictionary today, and missed all the fresh words you always create.

@frananifan Maybe I'll recruit a couple of impressionable children and their mother to go see Chimpanzee with me :)

Kirsty (Monday, 02 April 2012 00:56)

@hoppe have just looked at the new spoiler photos of Rebecca and Marlene dancing and kissing. And Tristan and Rebecca duelling! -only in VL!! There's something about Tristan I don't quite get..And Hagen..

@frananifan I usually don't need an excuse to go and see a Disney film :) Not sure if they'll be doing that here in the UK but I will certainly look out for it and spread the word if they do.

@Libellule I can understand your slight bitterness at being treated so badly and not being able to metaphorically give them the two fingers and storm out on your own terms but at least you're free and away from there.It must feel liberating and many possibilities lie ahead of you. I wish you all the best :)

Hey, I'm off to Germany again next month. Down near Stuttgart again but I don't think I'll go and see Rebecca again. If Lucy had still been in it I may have reconsidered, although..Pia..:)
It's actually a sad reason why I'm going. My Grandad has been having trouble with cancerous 'things' in his bladder for a while but we thought they'd be able to take off part of his bladder and he'd be fine. But they did a scan last week and it appears cancer has spread to his lungs and his bones and he has only 6months-a year left. We're only a small family and we're devastated. He's 93 but it doesn't hurt any less. Just as my sister is about to bring someone new into the world we will lose the head of our family. So we are just going to enjoy whatever time he has left. My uncle had planned on taking my grandparents to Germany next month anyway but he asked if I wanted to come too- hell yeah :)

Wired (Monday, 02 April 2012 19:13)

Hey 234s! Countdown to Easter and I am attempting to stop myself from buying all of those darn chocolate eggs, rabbits, chicks, flowers and other assorted shapes until at least closer to Easter. By the way when did they start making Monster Trucks made out of chocolate as something related to Easter? Favourite treat as a child though were those bright pink and yellow marshmallow peeps or bunnies. I would leave them out of the package for a little while to get a bit chewy and then eat them. Weird I know but memories nonetheless! What reminds you of Easter when you were younger?

@Frananifan thanks for the info on the movie! It looks like a good one and will keep it in mind for sure during that week in April.

@San & @Clijsters So what is the total score now? I should update your tournament poster! ;)

@Libellule! Great to see you posting again! I always love to see your posts. I am so glad you dropped by and appreciate your sharing! I too agree with @Kirsty how it must be frustrating not being able to have the satisfaction of telling those arschlochs where to go. Kudos to you however for accepting how it ended up happening and moving ahead with hope and opening yourself to new possibilities! I think experiencing one small change to your life can start you on one of the biggest and possibly most rewarding journey of your life. The path you can take now is very exciting so I say congratulations and good luck! You are free and clear! Hurrah!

@Kirsty Fingers and toes crossed your sister has a relatively stress free birth experience! Any word yet? Also I am sorry to hear about your granddad. In my line of business I interact a lot with the families of people who have passed away and I can always say that the ones who have the memories and spent the time with their loved ones never regret it and those memories always help to buoy them up during the tough times. Enjoy your trip to Germany with your family, seeing your grandad and making more great memories.

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 03 April 2012 09:33)

@Kirsty Sorry to hear about your Grandad, like @Wired said, enjoy all the memories which are yet to come by having a great time in Germany and treasure all the memories in the past.

@Wired I won the first set 6/3, thanks to @San's wild forehands:-)

@San Patience is a virtue:)Glad the advice seems to be working. Thank you for the serving tips, I'm playing next on Thursday so I will test them out then. Anything to help me get a reliable ball toss is greatly appreciated. And the tip about putting the free hand to the hitting shoulder sounds interesting, will let you know how I get on. I'm smaller than you (believe it or not!) so I need all the help I can get on the serve. I love running to balls that the opponent thinks they've hit for a winner, only to see it come back and having to start the rally all over again, making them think they have to hit the ball harder and closer to the lines, often resulting in an error.

@Wired You've got chocolate monster trucks and we've got chocolate pigs! I ask yer, what on earth have either got to do with Easter?! As for Easter memories, I don't really have any...er eating chocolate:)

Libellule (Tuesday, 03 April 2012 11:58)

So if I understand properly there's a virtual tennis tournament between @San and @Clijsters3? How does this work exactly? Wow, I've definitely missed so much in here for the last few months and I'm super happy to see again the creativity greatness of Room 234!!! :D

Talking about tennis, yesterday afternoon I saw 2 guys playing a racket sport while I was sunbathing in a park (that's one of the many joys of unemployment! :p) and it looks like real fun, but I didn't get the chance to ask them the name of that sport before they left. So I need your help to figure this out!
Description of said racket: a very long (metallic?) stick and a small kind of triangular "floating" net (=not tensed like on a tennis racket). Basically the racket looks like some fishing tool, the "fish" being a small rubber ball like the one used for racquetball.
Any idea what this might be? Sorry if my question seems really stupid, but this was the 1st time I saw this played.

@Kirsty: Really sad news indeed for your grandad, but your way of approaching the situation is beautiful. As you said yourself, enjoy every moment by his side in Germany, life is too short to bare this kind of regrets afterwards (when you had the opportunity to spend some precious time with your loved ones and you didn't seize it). Like @Wired and @Clijsters3, I wish you to create all the best memories with him while there.

Libellule (Tuesday, 03 April 2012 12:11)

Oh, and also:
@all, thank you so much for your very positive and encouraging words, it means a lot to me and makes me glowing even more! :D
Hope you can feel back this amazing vibe in the Room.
"HaH wonderful symbol" with my 2 hands for all 234ers! :)

frananifan (Tuesday, 03 April 2012 16:03)

@Libellule I think you have described a Lacrosse stick. It is Native American in origin. The game has become a very popular high school sport in my area. It is a team sport similar to hockey only the players toss the ball around in the air trying to score goals. Or you can just play catch as you witnessed while sunbathing.
PS I feel the vibe:)

San (Tuesday, 03 April 2012 16:55)

@Libellule It does sound like Lacrosse! Good catch, @frananifan! Clijsters and I are in a epic match. Have you seen @Wired's poster in her sandbox? The match seems to be hinging on how I'm playing at any given time. Or through clips found on youtube.

@Clijster3 Yep, that's me being all annoyed that my beautiful shot just came back. I'll have to slice that smirk off your face :) Although I do have a knack for chasing down lobs and hitting them backwards over my head with some pretty amazing results. With the sevice toss think "placing" it in the air just above your finger tips as oppose to throwing it up in the air. You can practice that anywhere. I'm doing it right now at my desk with a squishy earth.

@Wired I'm a fresh bunny peep eater. Love them fluffy and by the "line", just like my cocaine :) I've cut back in recent years.

frananifan (Tuesday, 03 April 2012 17:27)

I gag on peeps. Cannot handle the sugar load. My memories of Easter Sunday have been clearly captured in family photographs. From about 4 to 11 years old, in every photo I have a mad scowly face because of the stupid outfits I had to wear. My idea of dressing up was as a cowboy, doctor, or an explorer. Certainly not in pastel colored polyester frocks with lacey collars. Grown ups, ugh! What those people did to me!

Kirsty (Wednesday, 04 April 2012 00:32)

Thanks everyone for all your kind words, means a lot to me :)

@Libellule Regarding lacrosse, we don't play it much here. A couple of the private schools play it, but mine didn't, and regular high schools don't play it. I wonder if maybe it's played more in England, @Clijsters3??

Easter memories..I vaguely remember decorating Easter 'Bonnets' in Sunday school and normal school, which made me scowl too because- pretty flowery, decorated hats?! no! Give me back my baseball cap! and my mum and dad hiding little eggs for us to look for in the garden. My friend gives her children actual big proper presents for Easter as well as chocolate eggs. Just like Christmas, I was astonished at this!
This Sunday I will be going to church with my family, then playing my first gig as a member of the samba band in the gardens beneath Edinburgh Castle and then dashing home to watch the Manchester United game which I'll be recording. Awesome day! :) Oh, plus chocolate consumption is a given!

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 04 April 2012 03:59)

@San Help! What do you mean "I'm a fresh bunny peep eater"? That sentence doesn't make any sense to me at all! Hope you're alright, I've seen the tornado on the news ripping through Texas. Will keep practising my ball toss, just wish I had a squishy earth to practice with:)

@Libellule @Kirsty We don't really play Lacrosse in England either, like you said just in public (private) schools, I don't know of any regular high schools that play it, I had to play netball nearly every week, what a bore!

@Kirsty Wow! You're playing by Edinburgh castle, that sounds like a good gig, good luck.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 04 April 2012 08:53)

@all Bit of a longshot, but I'll ask anyway. I'm researching my family tree and have discovered a relative emigrated to America in 1912. I've been looking at the 1920 US census and found him living in Manhatten, New York and working as a chauffeur. And now I've just found him in the 1930 census living in Old Westbury, Nassau, New York and it says his occupation is a superindendant on a private estate. He is 50 years old in 1930. I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what this means. I've looked at other people living near my relative and a few are listed as being superindendants on private estates. Also any information on the area of Nassau at this period would be greatly appreciated. Please email me if you have info or suggestions.

San (Wednesday, 04 April 2012 08:59)

@Clijsters3 Whaaa that didn't make sense?! I guess it does sounds like I eat bunnies or something :) No, I just meant, I like bunny marshmallow peeps soft and fresh from the package, unlike @Wired. Bad things can happen if they're out of the package too long. For example, http://dissociatedpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gangsta-peeps-drive-by-lg.jpg

@Kirsty Nothing like an Easter Samba at the castle, eh? How exciting! Have a blast!

Kirsty (Wednesday, 04 April 2012 09:08)

@San Oh my goodness, that picture gave me a laugh!! :D

Here's some more...

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=4889558783297499&id=1a2a48cd9dc3c1a822d5f4085411ee1b

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=4781780893107555&id=289bdb06879be5ab5eb784d0a220a962

http://axewielderx.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/ep5.jpg

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 04 April 2012 10:36)

@San I'd never heard of peeps and had no idea what they were, hence not understanding your sentence, but yeah for a second I though you like to eat raw bunnies!

frananifan (Wednesday, 04 April 2012 11:18)

@Clijsters3 emailing you regarding #616.

Wired (Wednesday, 04 April 2012 12:10)

@San & @Kirsty hahahaha! Loved those pictures! You see San you have to eat the peeps just before something tragic like that happens. Fresh peeps are too squishy for me. @Frananifan I get the sugar thing though. I can only have a couple before my teeth start to hurt.

@LiLibellule I am on board with everyone else who guessed the sport to be lacrosse. In BC (where I grew up) there were lacrosse teams outside of schools or in private schools only. I never played but I do know lacrosse balls are the hardest balls around. Not fun to play with without the stick.

@Kirsty Samba!!! Get down with your bad self! I love the samba! What instrument are you playing? Interesting venue though with the castle.

@Clijsters Interesting info about your family tree! Amazing where people end up!

Kirsty (Thursday, 05 April 2012 02:58)

@hoppe No! no niece yet, that's a week overdue now..

Ok, here's a wee video someone posted of the beginners samba band playing a couple of weeks ago..I'm in the back in the yellow vest top with the big kick-ass drum! The girl in the front with the pink feathery thing in her hair is the girl from Omaha that I have a little crush on :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTJ0lgTdjo0

Kirsty (Thursday, 05 April 2012 04:16)

Meant to say, gotta love British weather.. we have gone from 22/23 degrees last week to 3/4 degrees this week! Whaaaaat?? Bring back the warmth!

@hoppe am 2 episodes behind on VL. Just saw Marlene trying on a swimsuit with Rebecca, then getting it on finally with Tristan eeuuu. Also, is that what we're calling them then? Marbecca?

frananifan (Thursday, 05 April 2012 06:49)

@Kirsty That looks like sooo much fun. Nice big kick-ass drum too! That is the one I would pick to play, it I could keep a beat for more than 15 seconds. So...are you just going to crush on Omaha or are you going to do something about it? Life is short, have fun.
You have just inspired my theme song for the day. Oh yeah!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjavMEeXF4&feature=related

Kirsty (Thursday, 05 April 2012 08:43)

@Frananifan That's a cool song! And now it's in my head for the rest of the day :D
About Omaha-girl...a)she ain't gay :( and b)I'm like the shyest shy person ever. I may get round to testing her 'straightness' but I don't rush into things. There's a couple of other nice girls in the band.... We'll see. I will, of course, keep y'all updated! The other girl that plays a kick-ass drum is gay but not my type. Must be a lesbian thing to pick the biggest drum around!

frananifan (Thursday, 05 April 2012 09:17)

@Kirsty Size does matter!! And I know that you are shy that's why I'm being so helpful:)

Kirsty (Thursday, 05 April 2012 09:54)

@Frananifan :)

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 05 April 2012 12:15)

@Frananifan Thanks for the email, I really appreciate it. Just to let you know I will reply to it, but will probably be at the weekend.

@Wired I also had a relative who moved to Canada as a Methodist minister, so watch out I might just be asking you for some info!

Libellule (Thursday, 05 April 2012 22:44)

@frananifan #611
Yessss, that's it, I googled some images related to this name and here were the same "fish net sticks" I described!!! :D
It seemed really fun to play catch with these, and quite technical also. I'll go back to that park for sunbathing on a warmer day and keep inquiring on the Lacrosse game. :p
Anyway, for your guess you win a happy dragonfly contemporary (pizza) ballet, that everyone who confirms the sport's name after you can also enjoy, I mean imagine. :D

Talking about contemporary dance, I was looking for a video of some choreographer, and from clic to other clic (you know, the amazing randomness of the web sometimes), I ended up on this website:
http://www.wnyc.org
which had me discovering this artist:
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/soundcheck/articles/music-hub/2012/apr/05/gig-alert-perfume-genius/
and wow! I really like his music sensitivity.
@frananifan: all gigs displayed in the "shows" tab of this website are in your area I think, and there're some pretty cool stuff, you should check it out! :)

Now talking about dance AND music :p, I love your samba band @Kirsty! It seems even more fun than playing Lacrosse with a friend in a sunny park. :D
It's so colorful (literally) and everyone seems enjoying themselves. I really like the big green "djembé" (not sure if this the proper name of that instrument as I don't play music at all).

Have a great night (or morning), my Jemma leute!

Wired (Friday, 06 April 2012 09:52)

@Kirsty funny thing about big drums - I used to play bass drumin my university marching band. It was fun but I'm 5'1 and if there was a cross breeze I had a hard time holding on to the drum!

Kirsty (Saturday, 07 April 2012 02:28)

@ Wired Jings! Yes I can imagine how that would be a problem! :) At least mine is flat..

Hey, so I'm an auntie now. My sister had a wee boy yesterday, he's called Calum. So sweet. And he's very long, 59cm, he must have been very curled up in my sister, she's not very big.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 07 April 2012 04:08)

@Kirsty Congratulations to your sister and you for becoming an auntie!

Wired (Sunday, 08 April 2012 17:53)

@Kirsty Congrats to your sister and becoming a new Aunt! May the spoiling begin! :) Great news!

Happy Easter all! Our Easter Bunny brought snow to the Maritimes. Not impressed!

frananifan (Sunday, 08 April 2012 21:52)

@Libellule Thanks! The happy dancing dragonfly has given me quite an image! I will keep it and use it for great things. In March, I went to see the Doug Varone Dancers. I was hoping someone would run across the stage wearing a striped shirt, eating pizza. I was trying to manifest a JRM but that didn’t happen. You know this is a true story :)
I played on that website for hours. Perfume Genius is very interesting. I agree with your “wow”. I don’t live very close to New York City but I try to go there once a year. I have saved the link in my favorites. These are the kinds of things I like to do when I visit.

@Wired- 5’1 with a bass drum in the wind is another image I’m storing away for future use:) It reminds me of the time I was standing in a do-it-yourself car wash bay holding open my dad's new camping tent...while my best friend tried to spray all the mud off of it. Nearly tragic ending.

Congratulations @Aunt Kirsty. Let the fun times and the head sniffing begin.

@hoppe Those Easter eggs are outrageous!

Kirsty (Monday, 09 April 2012 02:54)

@franifan thanks, and yes, I did have little sniff, They really should bottle that lovely baby smell, it's so nice, just makes you go ahhhh :) Oh and the performance yesterday went well although my knee is covered with bruises. Need to but knee pads to go with my shinpads- samba ain't for wimps! Had a lovely afternoon then a couple of hours in the pub where I sat squashed up against Omaha and we had a lovely chat and I gave her a lift home. Which was totally in the other direction from where I was headed but what the heck!

@Wired thanks and wtf, your Easter Bunny sucks! He should be bringing lovely Spring sunshine, maybe the occasional spring shower but snow's not good :)

@Clijsters3 Thanks! :)

@hoppe thanks, I looked at your pictures..interesting indeed! I like them both, how they've been made etc but have to say, I prefer the top one :)

Kirsty (Tuesday, 10 April 2012 00:29)

@hoppe Sorry, had a listen to the song but I don't recognise it all...

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 10 April 2012 03:37)

@Hoppe Sorry I'm the same as @Kirsty, no idea what the song is.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 10 April 2012 09:17)

@San excuse my ignorance.. but who is your FB profile photo?? It's very cool.

Libellule (Tuesday, 10 April 2012 13:22)

Hi everyone,

Did you all survive the chocolate storm? :p
Today I'll try to restrain myself to just one square...

Congrats to @auntie Kirsty!
Which had me wondering what kind of "aunts" would be Jenny and Emma... Since Emma had siblings and I think she was the oldest one ( I don't know if it was implicite in any way, but my mind just deduced it as such), she was used to babysit and taking care of youngsters.
But Jenny? She was a lonely and spoiled child (before becoming an orphan) so not sure how that would have played out. In a virtual season 2, an episode where Jenny and Emma would have to babysit one of Emma's siblings could have created quite a funny situation I think. I mean, to take a bit of distance from their regular drama, that could have been great. I remember Lucy Scherer's ability to give some comical relief to Jenny character at a few rare occasions, like the face she was doing when Emma told her about the cabin in the wood.
And I imagine Jenny completely lost around a tiny one. :D

Congrats to @artist hoppe! I really like the first painting (the one that has more of an "orange" tone to it).

@San and @Clijsters3 : I still haven't understood how you decide who won a point in your virtual tennis match. Is there some word rule? HaH word rule, of course, applied to tennis? Like if one of you says she's doing a "Frank-lift" (related to Frank's ocd with his cell phone. Yes, he's constantly flipping and lifting it between his 2 hands) after the other one served an "Emma-slice" (related to Emma slapping Caro's face in diagonale for the latter's accusations over Jenny), we, Rm234ers, decide who wins the point? And in this example, personally I'd vote for the Emma-slice because that would be an ace, for sure! :DDD

frananifan with tongue in cheek (Tuesday, 10 April 2012 16:19)

@Kirsty and hoppe I know who that is but I'm not telling because a) San has not facebook friended me and I would have to admit that I stalked her in order to find out what you were talking about...and b) I am always walking away with the trivia prizes around here. (No BS, it's BS)

@Libellule Through a series of virtual lobs and vollies, mixed with cyber smashes and misteps, San the Houstoooooon Hammerrrrrrr has gone up against The Waaaaaaalllll Clijsters3. They have taken turns trading syrupy sweet 'bless your lil' heart' Texas trash talk for the ever so subtle and polite 'verbal stick in the eye' jabs that some snappy Brits are famous for. Then Wired stepped in and really stirred things up while Kirsty provided halftime entertainment doing rodeo tricks on horseback.
The point system is known only to them so no one ever really knows if there is cheating going on. At one point they tried to psych each other out by exchanging technical tips but who knows what that was all aobut. Oh, and hoppe wears a special shirt that San convinced her was really cool (but only in Texas). Does any of this make sense? :)

@Kirsty Nice Jenny maneuver driving home Ms Omaha like that ;)

I have had an incredibly silly day and hope I just passed it along!

San (Tuesday, 10 April 2012 16:32)

Ugh, just thankfully completed a teaching obligation for work. Now, I can focus on more important and fun things, like Room234 :)

@Kirsty My FB pic is Barbara Stanwyck from the film Breakfast for Two (1937). (@frananifan's BS is no lie. However, I always win at Stanwyck trivia, just so you know) Look her up, she's rough, tough and awesome! What an exciting weekend for you - nephew, samba, Omaha (does she have a passion for Cornhusker football? I think that's a pre-req for Nebraskans. Not one of my favs. They beat my team by 50pts or so. I'm happy to say we eventually returned the favor - their worst loss EVER!). And I was watching the last half of the Arsenal- Man City matchup, and it sounds like Man United is sitting pretty. Good times!

@hoppe Awesome Easter pics - Very collorful. Uterus bunny!!!

@Libellule Yeah, what @frananifan said. But there's really no rhyme or reason to the scoring :) If you can come up with one (preferablly that benefits me), by all means. You're right, Jenny would be out of her depth babysitting, and it would be very funny. Emma would be doing everything and cleaning up after Jenny more than the baby. They'd probably have a little fight - so cute! I think Emma had an older sister. In 104, didn't she say something about if she didn't want to wear her sister's hand-me-downs, she had to earn money to buy new clothes?

@frananifan Ha! Friend me anytime :)

On Easter, I watched baseball - yay!!!

Kirsty (Wednesday, 11 April 2012 00:54)

@hoppe Thanks for the heads up on the Lost Girl eps, I think you've told me before but I couldn't remember where that post was. I discovered Amazon Canada are released the season 1 DVD on the 23rd April,I think, but the postage is a bit steep for me. Nothing on Amazon usa or uk yet. Also, I've read that fanfic you were talking about. There's also a couple where Jenny and Emma have at least one child of their own. I imagine Emma would be a good mother but Jenny might be, well different. There maybe wouldn't be so many boundaries with her, the child would have a lot of freedom to explore, to make mistakes, to try different things, but Jenny would be fiercely protective of it and love it completely. They would be such a great family unit.

@San, frananifan Ah, Barbara Stanwyck..not too familiar with her, will have to investigate. If she's along the lines of Katherine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, etc then I will love her. Oh and Deborah Kerr..ah, they don't make movie stars like that any more :)

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 11 April 2012 07:37)

I love @Frananifan tongue in cheek, had me in stitches:)

@San I sense cheating and I quote "@Libellule Yeah, what @frananifan said. But there's really no rhyme or reason to the scoring :) If you can come up with one (preferablly that benefits me), by all means." This sounds very underhand if you ask me! I think you'll agree I'm entertaining the crowd with this shot, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=out1g20I_Po
I do have to say a big thanks for the serving tips, my opponent asked me if I was doing anything different and said it was much deeper in the box and get this...had a bit of a kick to it!!! (I think it just hit a twig, but hey I'm not arguing.)

Kirsty (Wednesday, 11 April 2012 09:05)

wow, Barbara Stanwyck was in 'The Colbys'!! Probably not her finest role but that means I have seen her in something...

San (Wednesday, 11 April 2012 09:53)

@Kirsty Yeah, she played a lot of matriarchs in her later stuff. I like Stanwyck more than Hepburn or Bacall. They're a bit bland for my taste, but I am biased. I put her in league with Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, and Ginger Rogers. They have more edge and character. Might I suggest Ball of Fire (1941) and The Lady Eve (1941) for a real Stanwyck experience.

@Clijsters3 Ha! I'm not above to a little gamesmanship. BTW, Lucky shot! Did you see this recommended video after that clip? http://youtu.be/BH8W9vRBJ9E - You will find that I can run down a few shots myself. The video quality is bad, but I think you can see the amazing forehand precision. Yay, glad to hear my tips paid off! Twig, kick - always credit the wrist snap :) I played a 2-hour match last night. I won, but not without a fair bit of cursing at myself for silly errors. I tried a little bit of The Wall tactics to some success. I located my serve well up the middle to her backhand - had a few aces! Her shots were right in my forehand wheelhouse, so I let fly, and it felt good!

@hoppe You can say it again, "because it's totally a uterus"! because it is and that totally made me laugh! :)

frananifan (Wednesday, 11 April 2012 10:27)

See @Libellule? Doesn't it feel like your are watching this match? I can feel the intensity (googling forehand wheelhouse). And I can almost see a Jenny-like eye roll response to that call on the cheat comment in post #652.
Maybe Kirsty should ride out on her rodeo pony and pick up that twig.

Wired (Wednesday, 11 April 2012 10:30)

@San Barbara Stanwyck I remember seeing her in “The Big Valley” re-runs and the Colbys! I always thought she was a rock solid actress and tough as nails – especially when handling a gun!

@Libellule Chocolate storm…love that imagery! Well I survived and am now trying to pawn extra chocolate off on my officemates so it is no longer in my house. Wish me luck! Regarding the virtual tennis match amazing isn’t it? Actually reading @San and @Clijsters3 verbal sparing is as much fun as the real thing I think. I also believe that after reading their technical posts I can discuss tennis with someone and actually sound like I know what’s happening or how to play. Brilliant! Also regarding Jenny and Emma around kids – I think Emma would be fine around kids because of her siblings. Jenny would be the cool crazy aunt wearing coloured leggings and different jewellery everyday. One thing for sure – amazing at singing a lullabyes! I think this of Sarah McLachlan too. Also I thought Emma was in the middle or a younger sibling because she said she gets hand-me-downs a lot. ???

@Frananifan I forgot about that baby smell! I giggle too thinking about you washing that tent off at the car wash. Those ideas always seem better in your head right? Also awesome commentary on the tennis match so far. LOL

@Kirsty Hope your knees are recovering from the performance last weekend. Good job with Omaha too! I’ve gone out of my way many a time for certain ladies. Never hurts and is very friendly. :) Now to find other crowded venues for future chats!

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 14 April 2012 04:14)

@Wired Love that you're loving our "technical" discussions on tennis, not sure how technical "forehand wheelhouse" is:)see #654.

@San nice forehand from Steffi, I mean you. Very sprightly movement around the ball to hit an into out forehand. (@Wired is that technincal enough?:))

@all I think you've got it spot on with Jenny and Emma as aunts/around kids. Emma would be all sensible, while Jenny would be really cool and relaxed. I can imagine the scenario if they had for example Luzi and Timo's 6 year old daughter (yes, they have a daughter now) and went to the park, but lost her. Emma would be panicking all over the place and the camera would be swirling around her head, while Jenny would try and stay calm and shout Emma! in her face, to stop her from Emmaing.

frananifan (Saturday, 14 April 2012 23:33)

@Clijsters3 So funny. Emma!! I say that out load every time I put on my favorite "ripped up, work outside, get dirty" emmajeans. Losing the kid...that's a good one:)

faf (Thursday, 19 April 2012 10:50)

@hoppe I want to…but I can’t ignore your comment because I have been in a pissy mood for three days straight. Instead I will share a timely JA true confession. I am still very much an addict. It has not been a nice week for me. On Monday I lost all of my cool and finally fired a problem employee. On Tuesday I saved someone else’s arse on the job, knowing it would impact my own credibility. Last night, the $500 I spent in repairs to my truck fell apart on the expressway along with $75 worth of gasoline. The bright side(and this really is a big deal) was that I didn’t have a complete f*cking mental meltdown rage on the highway when the cop who assisted me looked at me funny and made an insensitive comment. So I came home, drank a Labbatts, and behaved pitifully for about twenty minutes. THEN.....I watched Hah before I went to bed because it still works for me. Specifically, I watched ep118 and felt Jenny, with her one bullet earring (joy) and beautiful face, console a teary eyed Ben about Caro. I have no idea what they were saying because I didn’t have the umph to fuss with translations… and I didn’t care because I only needed their expressions. Jenny is my superhero right now. Pitiful but true. Today I read that you are moving on. Please go quietly, because I’m still feeling very sensitive. I hope you find what feeds your need for dynamic. However, if you want to send me some healing energy before you go I will welcome it.

San (Thursday, 19 April 2012 11:45)

@hoppe It's been breaking my heart not being able to contribute anything meaningful to the conversation these past few days. I haven't been able to focus on much of anything. I have a new position at work where people suck my energy all day. I found out early Saturday morning that I had at least one bug sucking my blood while I slept, which freaked me out to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder proportions. I did have a meltdown. I'm sleeping on a futon in my living room where I can here my neighbor and his friends talk and play loud music all night. I respect your question, and on some level it had to be asked, but no I'm not done. Perhaps mid-April is when shit hits the universal fan.

I'm going to follow @fran's example and watch HAH, like I've been wanting to. I've been putting it off because I didn't think I could devote enough attention to it. Just turn off my brain and let Jemma take care of everything.

Kirsty (Thursday, 19 April 2012 13:54)

Hey guys. hmmm, guess this was always going to come up at some point. As for me, I don't really watch a lot of Jemma these days. I am still working my way through the DVDs though and like to watch the odd clip on youtube. I know things move on and we all have new interests and other things that are taking up our time but I like that I can pop in here every now and then and get a bit of support and hear what you're all up to..
@faf @San Man, you guys are having a tough time just now! I hope things are going better for you now or will be soon. :)

So, I had another band performance at the weekend. There's a group of about ten of us who hang out at the pub after rehersals and meet up to eat together occasionally and I'm really enjoying being part of it.

faf (Thursday, 19 April 2012 16:41)

@all I hope my crankiness wasn't responsible for altering the cosmic nature of the tribe. I was definately soiling the heavens with my mood. So sorry if the universal fan spewed it around. Things are never as bad as they first seem. My auto repair was still under warranty and being stuck home all day while it was fixed wasn't so bad. It was however interpreted as "she is so pissed off...she didn't even come to work today!". Its an image I can live with :) The problem person I fired took responsibility and even apologized for putting me in that position. There is hope for humanity. Emmabeams for everyone!

@Kirsty Thank you very much
@San My Jemma ipod playlist is like crack right now.

San (Thursday, 19 April 2012 23:12)

The exterminator identified the specimen (double zip-lock bagged, labeled "Exhibit A") that I left for him with a frowny face. Not very helpful, but kinda funny :)

@hoppe I often enjoy a soothing cup of coffee after juggling chainsaws :) I need to take a closer look at the soul on a bigger computer, but I love the delicate texture of it. Thank you so much!

@Kirsty That's a nice size group! Lots of laughs and good conversation makes life fun. So happy for you!

@faf Maybe I'll make the crack hit the fan now :)

Kirsty (Friday, 20 April 2012 04:49)

@faf I don't know if the universal fan is strong enough but i'll blame it for my low mood a couple of days ago. I'm usually a glass-half-full kinda girl but that certainly wasn't the case at the start of the week. EVERYTHING sucked!! I used to get really low and harm myself and stuff and I did think about it on Tuesday but luckily managed to get through that spell.
Now I'm back on track :)

@hoppe Niiice pictures. Is the soul meant to look like a heart or just an abstract shape? I like it. Also, what's Geomancy??

@San Wonder what your bug was, did you not take a picture of it?? :)

Regarding my awesome drumming group...Omaha is lovely but as a friend I think. However I seem to have fallen hook,line and sinker for one of the other girls who I'm almost certain is straight. It's driving me nuts. Dammit! :)

Kirsty (Friday, 20 April 2012 10:36)

@hoppe I love how you can describe that so it makes sense to me in a language that isn't your mother tongue! That's awesome.*hat's off to you* It sounds interesting, I will need to read up on it some more.

Also, did you see next week's VL clip? Marbecca fencing FTW! :)

San (Friday, 20 April 2012 12:53)

@Kirsty Don't worry. I had already ID'ed the bug. He just confirmed it in big box letters inside what I think is a cloud - playfully artistic. I wanted him to tell me the extent of the problem and what to do next. Apparently, a specialist has to do that. Meanwhile, I'm looking for a new place. I have a nice balance of denial going, so that's about all I can grant existence to. *subject change* So Marbecca fencing, eh? Playful or competitive or both?

hoppe (Friday, 20 April 2012 14:44)

@San I'd say both ;) mittag had it already up on her yt channel, but had to take it down again, because the sources needed som protection I guess. it will air next thursday

San (Friday, 20 April 2012 22:07)

@hoppe It's like a pillow fight with swords! Curious.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 21 April 2012 03:40)

Hi Leute! I'm not feeling great, I don't know what I've done but I think I've strained a muscle in my back. Whatever it is it hurts a lot. I get a sharp pain nearly everytime I move and maybe got 2 hours of sleep last night. Anyway, it's nice to hear from you all, after we all disappeared. I watched an old interview with Lucy Scherer the other day "Kaffee Klatsch mit Lucy Scherer", which has finally been translated, so my love for Jemma still abounds, maybe just not quite as much as before. Although my love for Lucy will never die:)

@Kirsty Sounds like you have a great group of friends, which is great. Did you see the first ep. of Lip Service? I've not seen it yet.

@Faf thanks for the Emmabeam!

Kirsty (Saturday, 21 April 2012 07:07)

@Clijsters3 Aow! I hope your back sorts itself out soon, that doesn't sound like much fun. I haven't seen Lip Service yet, I was out last night, it's on the agenda for tonight though. Can't wait to see Cat again. And Sam..

@San I only asked about your bug because I'm curious about what it was, a big scary bad-ass American bug!! Sorry you're having to look for a new place, hope that goes well :)

San (Saturday, 21 April 2012 13:43)

@Clijsters3 Oh No! Back muscles are the worst! Take it easy with some anti-inflammatories (or muscle relaxers if it's REALLY bad) and a hot tube.

@Kirsty No, not big and scary. We certainly have big American bugs here! I try my best to never see those. I have baits all over the place and spray to keep them outside where they belong.

So today in 1836, Texas won the Battle of San Jacinto and its independence from Mexico. Texas was a republic for about a decade before becoming a US state. I threw a few pics in my sandbox of the festivities from 5 or so years ago. I wanted to go today, but I couldn't muster up the motivation. Before, I was paid to be there.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 21 April 2012 14:25)

Thanks for the well wishes, it's not any better. I've taken some pills, all legal of course! Think I'll be sleeping on the hard floor tonight.

@San thanks for the info and pics in your Sandbox, looks like a good fun day out. You say you used to be paid to go, don't sat you were on horseback!

@Kirsty I've now seen Lip Service and for me Tess steals the show again, she needs to be in more scenes!

I was in Liverpool yesterday where...I don't know how to explain it so I'll let this link tell you. http://www.visitliverpool.com/whats-on/search/sea-odyssey-p304651
I'll put some pictures in my sandbox. I didn't see the girl puppet, but the uncle walked right past me, it was incredible. There was a live band playing which gave it a really good atmosphere.

San (Saturday, 21 April 2012 15:12)

@Clijsters3 Ha! Not on horseback :) Although it would've given me a better vantage point. I worked at the library located in the very tall obelisk for years and took pictures of the event.

That is a scary puppet! I don't blame the little girl for crying. She'll probably never be able to watch a sea odyssey movie or even a a sifi flick the rest of her life. I think your back is scared, too :)

Kirsty (Saturday, 21 April 2012 15:23)

@San 'Eine Kleine Texas History' lol ! It looks a lot of fun, especially the fighting re-enactments. I didn't know Texas was once part of Mexico, that's interesting- I have learned something today, thank you.

@Clijsters3 What a cool but strange event! Almost tempted to pop by tomorrow morning and look for the giants on my way to Old Trafford but I've never been to Liverpool before and I'd probably get lost and miss my kick-off..

Ok I saw Lip Service tonight and I have to say, sorry but I'm Team Frankie. Sam just seems a little dull. Really enjoying watching Tess and can't wait to see if she and Lexy get together- surely...

@hoppe don't take this the wrong way but can I just correct a couple of things you wrote? Instead of 'is stealing my nerves' I think you should have said 'gets on my nerves' and instead of 'reminds me to a neighbours daughter' it should be 'reminds me of a neigbours daughter':)
Haven't watched Hollyoaks for years and I'm not really sure I want to now but hopefully someone will put this storyline on youtube, what are their names ?

San (Saturday, 21 April 2012 17:03)

@Kirsty You're welcome! Just to round out you're new knowledge: A common phrase is "Six Flags over Texas" for all the nations who have controlled the area - Spain, France, (back to Spain), Mexico, Republic of Texas, USA, Confederate (during US Civil War, shoulda remained neutral in that one), and (back to USA). It's a sordid history filled with heroes, scoundrels, profiteers, and stubborn hotheads, not unlike all histories I'd imagine. Actually, one of the Mexican re-enactors one year had a Scottish accent. He was showing people how to shoot a flintlock rifle. Of course, I have pics of that somewhere. Have fun at Old Trafford! I'm going to a NBA basketball game tonight myself :)

faf (Saturday, 21 April 2012 18:09)

@Kirsty and San If I may add…when a Mexican bandito named Pancho Villa tried to ronnie his way in and mess with Texas, my grampa, who belonged to the US Cavalry, drove him out. He probably knew some rodeo pony tricks too.

Kirsty (Sunday, 22 April 2012 13:00)

@San Isn't 'Six Flags over Texas' an amusement park?! :) France!! I really need to brush up on my American history, did they sneak along from Louisiana then?
@faf cool, I will look up Pancho Villa too. Well done to your grampa and lol at the use of the word 'ronnie' again :)

San (Sunday, 22 April 2012 14:41)

@Kirsty Yep, it's an amusement park chain. The original is in Dallas. Spain went broke fighting heretics, Moors, & pirates and pretty much gave Texas to France for a short time who were trying to expand the Louisiana border anyway.

@faf Oh damn! Was grampa faf the first to say "Don't Mess with Texas"?! btw, For some reason your new moniker started an endless loop of "The Thane of faf had a waf" in my head. Out, out damn spot! (not you, the loop... it's like Shakespeare in the Trailer Park)

faf (Sunday, 22 April 2012 16:29)

@San you're a nut!! Grampa was an ass kicker and might have shown Texas a thing or two. Just sayin':)
My new moniker is because I'm plain lazy. Last week chewed on my life force.

@Clijsters3 I'm sure you have had loads of advice, and hopefully by now you no longer need any but I suggest you alternate warm and cold using more cold than heat. If your not sure if its a muscle pull, kidney stones will jab you in the back like a hot poker. Be well soon.

@hoppe HA! Is that what a “good lesbian” does?!

@All Can we put an end to this 'shit hitting the universal fan' thing right now? Our collective awesomeness should be able to shake things up. Group emmabeam perhaps? (Now who is being cheezy?:)

faf (Sunday, 22 April 2012 17:37)

@All Can we put a rush on that 692 request? Tommorrow's forcast is high winds with 10-12 inches of !#*&@!! snow.

San (Sunday, 22 April 2012 22:04)

Ok, it's crunch time! @faf What did one snowman say to another? "I'll stop the snow and melt with you." Now, picture a snowman singing this - http://youtu.be/Gf88ZcmhC1I

This is also pretty funny: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1VxRPe

Also, have we tried simply turning off the universal fan? I guess the Group Emmabeam will do that.

Clijsters3 (Monday, 23 April 2012 07:39)

@All thanks for all the well wishes and advice, I think just reading your comments has helped my back. I did end up sleeping on my bedroom floor Sat night, but today it feels a lot better. Just in time for my first tennis league match tonight.@san I thought I might have had to retire from our match, but instead it was just a long injury time out:)

@Hoppe @Kirsty I've never seen Hollyoaks before (honest!) but at the moment I'm watching it just for Tilly and Jen. @Hoppe The artwork at the beach is a piece called "Another Place" and was designed by Antony Gormley, which is probably what you heard as "Gormbies".http://www.sefton.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=6216

For me the fan is well and truly off! Emmabeams all round:)

faf (Monday, 23 April 2012 10:22)

@San Oh yea San, that is working! I couldn't feel more warm and fuzzy right now. I laugh at the thought of no power by this evening. I have firewood, snacks, a fully charged ipod, and I'm feeling the love....bring it!!!

@hoppe Someday I'm going to watch all of these shows. Twice. I need to be a much better lesbian. Really.

faf (Monday, 23 April 2012 10:37)

Crap. I was singing F*ck You to the fan and it is now snowing sideways :0!)

faf (Monday, 23 April 2012 13:18)

@hoppe Okay, first let me clarify. I am pre-tty darn "good" at the things that define "lesbian". Some might even say I'm...nevermind. As for being a "good lesbian", you raised the bar in #691 when you said, and I quote "...as a good lesbian I watch those scenes more than once". I read that to mean I could do better because I haven't watched the programs you have been talking about. Not once, let alone multiple times.

When "the shit hits the fan" is a vulgar descriptive phrase for many things going wrong all at once. The universal fan being on a much grander cosmic scale. Not Jemma related. But I was noticing that several people who have posted lately have had crap going on in their lives. I believe with a concerted effort of postivie energy maybe we can put a stop to the crap and give the fan nothing to work with. Its an idea.

San (Tuesday, 24 April 2012 08:34)

@Clijsters3 That's the great thing about virtual tennis matches. You can all the injury timeouts that you need :) I was practicing my serve the other and hit my leg on the follow through. Huge ugly bruise, but it hasn't slowed me down. How did your first match go? You totally walled it, didn't you? :)

@faf When you come across lesbian bits, just replay them a few times. That'll keep up your "good lesbian" cred up :) - hmm, read those two sentences a few different ways and that might do it, too.

@hoppe I'll let Airplane! provide a fan visual - http://youtu.be/aZdp46Jen_w :)

faf (Tuesday, 24 April 2012 11:06)

speechless

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 25 April 2012 05:09)

@San I'm saying this in a completely modest way, yeah i totally walled it! When I eventually missed a return, my opponent even said "that's the first one you've missed, I'm in shock". I'm thinking of getting a t-shirt with "The Wall" printed on it:) I won all my sets and the team won as a whole, so far so good for 2012 season! Nasty way to get a bruise! I've done that myself a few times.

@Hoppe I think the problem with my back was a trapped nerve, the fact I could hardly move and it was really painful, but luckily it's 100% again.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 25 April 2012 08:45)

@Hoppe Have you seen what everyone's calling Jen and Tilly - Jelly!

San (Wednesday, 25 April 2012 22:46)

@Clijsters3 Go Wall!!! You totally should get it printed on t-shirt or cap, so people can know what they're up against and feel defeated before the match even starts :) I'm working on my dropshot and lob combo, and it's getting pretty good.

Kirsty (Thursday, 26 April 2012 03:42)

@Clijsters3/TheWall Seriously? Jelly!! That's funny :) Am going to have to start watching I reckon.

But not yet...my grandad died suddenly on Tuesday morning. So, not exactly the 2 or 3 months they'd promised but glad for him that he went faster though, none of us were looking forward to what we thought would happen. Very sad but luckily I have a small but close family and we're getting through this together.
I'm lurking here too and get cheered up reading all your posts,:)

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 26 April 2012 04:52)

@Kirsty Sorry to hear about your Grandad. At least it was painless and it sounds like he had a happy life with his loving family.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 26 April 2012 05:00)

@San Congrats on your improving drop shot and lob combo, that can be really demoralising for the opposition having to run around like a headless chicken. It's also good that you can mix your game up a bit and not just be one dimensional, the opponent won't know what's coming next.

@Hoppe It sounds like Jelly won't be on next week, or if they are not in scenes together and the storyline won't develop. But I think in the second week of May they'll be in it more. I've been reading and there's meant to be a lesbian relationship with characters called Texas and Jodie, it started at the beginning of the year but disappeared, hopefully that storyline will develop as well. Infact is it just me or is nearly everyone on Hollyoaks gay!

Wired (Thursday, 26 April 2012 07:11)

Hey everyone. Sorry been MIA but life's been pretty busy and stressful lately. Also my mind isn't awake 100% and I don't know why. Anyways, just wanted to drop in and say I've been checking in still and reading posts. I still love this place and it has given me needed boosts throughout.

@Fran just read you had had a hard time. Hopefully it's getting better and you get your Emmabeam back!

@Kirsty So sorry to hear about your Granddad! Thankfully you have your family near and you all can be there for each other. Sending hugs your way!

@San & @Cljister3 you guys go! The match is progressing no? Man I need to make a scoreboard...

@Hoppe I finally watched 5 minutes of VL and now am wondering about the whole story. Saw bits of Hollyoaks too but last I saw it was not promising...

Will check-in more fully later hopefully with more details (?). :(

faf (Thursday, 26 April 2012 07:34)

@Kirsty I am sorry your family didn’t get more time with grandad. Like you said, perhaps the time you did have will have more meaning than everyone might have otherwise endured. My thoughts are with you.

@Wired I left something in my franbox to wake you up.


I will be restoring my lez cred this weekend by watching some bits :)

Wired (Thursday, 26 April 2012 10:37)

@faf thanks so much! That made me smile AND wish I could just take if out of the screen and drink it (like Wonkavision!). I'm sure that will help WITH the mini chocolate eggs that I'm still eating...

Ah watching bits...I love doing that! ;)

Kirsty (Friday, 27 April 2012 03:57)

@everyone Thanks for all your kind words. :)

@Wired You still have chocolate eggs left?!?!

@faf haha 'lez cred'! That reminds me..Lip Service tonight..so for those who are watching it..A)Team Frankie or Team Sam? and b) Shag, Marry or Dump(from AfterEllen site)..Cat, Sam, Frankie? Me- a)Team Frankie b)this was tricky but Shag-Frankie Marry-Cat Dump -Sam

San (Friday, 27 April 2012 13:06)

@Kirsty My thoughts are with you and your family. It's nice that y'all are so close and can pull together in such sad time.

@Wired I hear ya! I've been a bit scattered lately. I think this song might be playing on @faf's radio - http://www.myspace.com/terrihendrixmusic/music/songs/it-s-about-time-74683592

@Clijsters3 I forgot my glasses last night, so I had to play wearing sunglasses! Very tough. But I played one game without them, and I kid you not, I totally swung and missed a forehand! I guess we know my true weakness, now :)

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 29 April 2012 04:19)

@Hoppe it says on the Hollyoaks website under Jodie's profile that "her true feelings are yet to be revealed." Not that that tells us anything at all! Jen has her own profile page, which suggests she may be on Hollyoaks for a while. You're right the added info about getting up to see the sunrise was a nice touch.

@Kirsty I don't really like any of Lip Service charaters, apart from Tess. So I'd just marry Tess and dump the rest!

@San airshot forehand! I didn't actually know you wore glasses, but thanks for letting me know all I have to do is hide your glasses and I'll win:) Just when you were in the ascendancy in the second set, I think I feel the tide may be turning:)

San (Sunday, 29 April 2012 13:51)

@Clijsters3 Ha! Easier said than done :) Also, I think I'll be able to adapt and hone my focus on the ball. Thanks, @hoppe, it's good to know I have a backup pair from you :)

Clijsters3 (Monday, 30 April 2012 05:44)

@Hoppe I see who's side you're on! Now the crowd's turning against me, this of course makes me more determined to win:) Although I don't want the reputation of Caro, so @San I'll leave your glasses alone.

faf (Monday, 30 April 2012 06:47)

@Clijsters3 Hang tough...tit for tat.
Speaking of bits, I caught up on Lip Service, Texie, Jelly and all the gang. Then I came across a naked yoga video that was just way too much for me. I'm still uncomfortable about it.

San (Monday, 30 April 2012 09:21)

@faf I once knew a poodle named Naked Yoga. Kinda bitchy. HA! Thank you, thank you, I'm here all week! Try the vegan lamb chops :)

San (Monday, 30 April 2012 12:55)

@hoppe I closed the discussion hopefully that will direct people the next room. Changing the link isn't as easy as I would like it to be. We could switch the order of the pages where the navigation will read "JA Meetings.2" The pics on the home page do direct people to the current room in progress.

@Clijsters3 Maybe we can make it interesting. You have to wear my glasses while I play without them :)

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 01 May 2012 03:59)

@San Luckily I'm a superb player with or without handicaps! I'm pleased to report I (well the team) won our second match last night. It's sad about the German player Andrea Petkovic, she went over on her ankle last week and will miss the French Open, Wimbledon and possible the Olympics. She was playing in her first tournament since having 3 months off with a back injury. Have you seen any of her videos, she's very funny and her English is incredible.

@Hoppe I forgive you:) To show no hard feelings here's a picture of Jelly, just scroll down.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/spoilers/a377681/3338-doug-confesses-his-feelings-to-ste.html

Wired (Tuesday, 01 May 2012 14:09)

@faf I'm kinda wondering what led to the naked yoga video but kinda don't want to know. Sounds like a train wreck to me...can't look away? :)

@San post #723 You kill me! No seriously!

@Kirsty - yes I still have chocolate eggs! I'm not big on chocolate so they last a long time - chips are another story though! Also in response to your question: I don't watch Lip Service either (not yet) though I have read all about it and seen pictures (of course!) so I'd say: Team Sam - Hot Cop! and b) Shag: Sam, Marry: Cat Dump: Frankie - I think Frankie is cute but a bit too tragic for me.

@Hoppe I have watched bits of Hollyoakes but last bit I saw was Jelly breaking up...is there hope of them getting back together? Same with Rebecca on VL she's single right? Just checking in to see if I"m missing more of the story!

Wired (Wednesday, 02 May 2012 10:25)

@Hoppe ah ha! So reconciliation for Jelly. That plays about right in soaps for the getting together breaking up thingy - you're right!

Did you guys hear that the US Soap the Bold and the Beautiful will have a lesbian couple now. May tune it to that eventually as well.

Speaking of lez cred via online video...does anyone watch a particular webseries? Or seen one that is good? I have watched Out With Dad (from Toronto!) which is quite good - young teen coming out, and Anyone But Me - again young teens - which was also good but now over. Can anyone recommend any others? Just wondering... :)

Kirsty (Wednesday, 02 May 2012 12:44)

@hoppe Sure, I can proof-read for you, no problem. Just catching up on my VL. Loved the fencing :)

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 03 May 2012 03:44)

@Wired I can't recommend any other webseries at the moment, but I will be on the look out for some:)I watch both of the webseries you mentioned. ABM first 2 series were good, but then went downhill rapidly. OWD is quite good, it's different because she's not in a relationship and it focuses on her and her dad coming to terms with the fact she is gay.
There is more to come from Jelly indeed, I think next Wed, Thurs and Fri are the episodes to watch:)

Wired (Friday, 04 May 2012 12:44)

@Clijsters & @Hoppe thanks for the info. I haven't watched Seeking Simone but will check it out again. OWD I like as well because it's homegrown from Toronto. It's nice to see something come out of Canada!

Will keep my eyes open for Jelly info next week!

I'm stuck at my mechanics today for a 4 hour repair (and many $$$ lost later) so perhaps I'll look for shows or get a Jemma fix soon to distract me from my dwindling account balance!

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 05 May 2012 04:30)

@Wired Oh no! that doesn't sound like fun. A good Jemma fix sounds the right cure! There's also girl/girl scene, which I first saw via AE. But the acting is pretty bad and all they do is drink, do drugs and have sex. It's very dark. So instead of recommending it to you, I'm probably advising you not to bother with it! Unless that's your kind of thing of course.:)

eyelesstrees (Saturday, 05 May 2012 15:19)

Hi all, hope everyone is well.

@Kirsty, so sorry to read your news about your grandad.

@San and @Clijsters3 Is your match 2 sets or 3?

@faf, naked yoga?! I feel sure that would have been something Jenny was good at - with her limber body :)

@hoppe, @Wired, @Clijsters3 and @all, I like all the webseries you've mentioned.

I cried laughing watching one called 'lesbian cops.' I have no idea about the people behind it but I really hope they make the film they are trying for. :)

I saw some similarities between 'Jelly' and 'Jemma' (mostly a school/college and some chemistry!)so I wrote to Channel 4 to ask them not to make it another crap lesbian storyline. I won't hold my breath but I got a positive reponse back. Putting aside the possibility of Jen being a sexual predator/abuser of position of trust I think the storyline has got potential. I think it's great the way that Tilly's sexuality is only mentioned in positive terms (eg her friend Maddie says that Tilly can't die because it'll take her ages to find another ginger lesbian! Or, that Tilly shouldn't be cut up about Jen because 'Jen's hot but I'm hotter!)I'm hoping the story centres around the student lecturer dynamic rather than the same sex couple one. We'll see....

I told C4 that they might want to think about keeping 'Jelly' clips up on their YouTube account once the whole episode clips expire. They didn't reply about that but said they'd pass my feedback to the programme. The point about this is that C4 seem to be pretty rutheless about taking down fan sites - I assume that's because they've got their own YouTube account:http://www.youtube.com/show?p=CMQrDzBxZLg

Jelly starts on the 16th of April. They were in it for about a week but haven't been in it for about the last week. The spoilers say that they are back in it from next Weds.

eyelesstrees (Saturday, 05 May 2012 15:29)

@all forgot to ask, has anyone ever followed 'Yvonne and Gwyneth' on Pobol Y Cwm (People of the Valleys)? It's a BBC Wales soap and it's on the iPlayer. There are a couple of clips on a fan channel on YouTube.

I've seen bits of their story from time to time. They have some reeaaally far fetched storlines but they've been in it a while - which is interesting because a small Welsh village wouldn't historically have been a good place to be out: I'm not sure it would be even today.

Kirsty (Saturday, 05 May 2012 16:14)

@eyelesstrees Thanks. Haven't heard of that Pobol Y Cwm storyline, will check it out, thanks.

@hoppe Happy to give anyone some help with proofreading if I can :) Also, can you give me the link to the site where I can watch Lost Girl again please? I keep forgetting to write it down!

Did I mention I liked one of the other girls in my drumming group?? Think I did, but last week I found out that she might be gay! Boom! Unfortunately she's away just now and won't be back for a week but I asked if she wanted to get a coffee and she said yes...hooray :)

eyelesstrees (Saturday, 05 May 2012 16:37)

@Kirsty, to quote Jay (I think!) from Lip Service: 'Getttt innn there!'

eyelesstrees (Saturday, 05 May 2012 18:32)

@ hoppe, the first one is: 'whatever happened to breaking boundaries, defying convention.'

Maddie says: 'you can do way better than her.'

The clip has been taken down so I'll go and check what Tilly says on the E4 site.

Jen says 'Guess I'll have to grow broader shoulders then.'

In defence of the English and our ennunciation, I am delighted that you didn't catch what Maddie said! She speaks with pretty much received pronunciation (BBC English, which I associate with the south east of England.) The actress who plays Tilly is from Manchester which, as a Mancunian, I accept can be a bit tricky! By random coincidence, if you aren't familiar with Coronation Street (Siophie) or Shameless, which are both based in Manchester, and you want to hear the accent then you could check YouTube for 'Mr Jelly' (see what I did there!) from the BBC2 series 'Psychoville.' 'Mr Jelly' has a really strong Mancunian/Salford accent. 'Mr Jelly' is insane and is very, very tongue in cheek (some may say sick - as in: in poor taste. You have been warned!)

Only yesterday the guy (in the south east) I was oredering pizza from for our office 'Friday Pizza' couldn't understand me to take our order; I had to pass him to a colleague from the south east so we could place our order! #babelfish! (He was very impatient and couldn't be bothered trying to understand me though.)

I can't believe the 4OD YouTube site is geoblocked - does no one in the entertainment industry realise the potential of the interweb?! Shades of Jemma anyone? Sigh. *goes off to e-mail C4 again*

eyelesstrees (Saturday, 05 May 2012 18:44)

@hoppe ......'I wouldn't want her if she was the last woman on Earth' is Tilly's line.

Kirsty (Sunday, 06 May 2012 01:31)

@eyelesstrees haha, I never really liked Jay but he had the odd good line. Excited about the Swansea game today. Just not sure who's going to win the league, very tense. I know it's still technically possible we can do it but Citeh don't look as though they're going to slip up...fingers crossed though eh? :)

Eyelesstrees (Sunday, 06 May 2012 04:44)

@Kirsty, oh no, not the football. Anything but the football. I'm surrounded by Chelsea fans and Citeh are top with a massive goal difference. Part of me wants to be home and part doesnt! COME ON NEWCASTLE!!

@hoppe Is the Channel 4 internet site geoblocked? I didn't bother posting this one because I just assumed the 4OD YouTube site would have free access. If you can access this site search for Hollyoaks. http://www.channel4.com

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 06 May 2012 14:44)

@Hoppe I wish I could take the credit for the translation of Jelly, but I can't! It's Eylesstrees you need to thank:) But yes, to have broad shoulders means to toughen up, you're spot on! UK viewers can't watch Jelly scenes on YT, it says it's blocked. So I've spent a lot of time watching the "Masquerade" fan clip:) Obviously we can watch the episodes as they air, otherwise I watch it on 4OD.

@Eyelesstrees the tennis match is best out of 3 sets. I'm one set up, but @San is making a strong comeback:) Talking about accents, I was "down south" at Wimbledon and was at the counter in the Wimbledon shop and the sales assistant said it was nice to hear a northern accent. I don't view myself as having a distinct accent, so it was nice to hear that comment. She was from Yorkshire.

@Kirsty Oooh coffee with your fellow band player sounds promising, keep us up to date:)

eyelesstrees (Sunday, 06 May 2012)

https://twitter.com/amidola/status/199179076777422849

Not sure who else is on Twitter but I picked this, above, up today!

I've got a question: does anyone else think that the Rebecca character in VL is a bit creepy? What was she doing kissing Marlene while Marlene slept?!

The reason I ask is that, while I don't always agree with her, I like a lot of 'Valksy' 's posts on After Ellen. I responded to a post of hers in the 'dead character thread' this weekend by saying that we should write our own storylines. That came up for me because Hollyoaks is recruiting writers - so in theory one of us could get the job and write lovely, happy storylines for Jelly! Anyhoo, (stay with me, I'm nearly done!) I still love the writing style of whoever writes the 'Jemma in love' stories and keep wondering why people that good arent writing for TV/film or don't pitch stories/scripts. It's just it seems that we, often rightly, find fault in a lot of the content we get and I think we could do better at getting made what we'd actually like to watch. Am I nuts?

@Clijsters and @San, After a very trying day following football I thought I'd try some tennis. I assume that to follow your match I need to switch to analogue and maybe shut my eyes?! Seems like a good match- hope it's not geoblocked :)

Eyelesstrees (Sunday, 06 May 2012 17:54)

@hoppe : )

@all, this might be another one for the webseries list: the 'Newtown Girls.' It's an Aussie one.

Eyelesstrees (Sunday, 06 May 2012 19:17)

@hoppe, sorry, my description wasn't at all helpful. Here it is:

http://www.afterellen.com/content/2012/05/rating-lesbian-character-deaths-scale-1-5-crying-santana-lopezes

faf (Sunday, 06 May 2012 20:49)

WTF!?! I finally play along...watch some televison shows...get caught up with a story and what do I get? Lip Service episode 2.
I can't handle it.

Wired (Monday, 07 May 2012 13:57)

@faf I didn't watch that episode but have seen the clips and read the recap and it seems pretty dramatic. The AE "Santana's Crying" article pretty much sums it up that @eyelesstrees mentions sums it up.

@eyelesstrees hi!! You're back! I did watch Newtown Girls and Lesbian Cops! Love the aussie one (and the accents!) and Lesbian Cops is the funniest thing I've seen in ages. It's so over the top it's good. I also hope they make a movie out of that.

@Clijsters made it through though didn't get to watch Jemma. I have watched Girl/Girl scene the first 3 episodes and then had to stop because the acting was so bad and the storyline was crazy! Yeah not my cup of tea! :)

@Kirsty - Woot! Yay to the coffee date and fellow lesbian! Is that the same girl you were interested in after Omaha? Just wondering. Either way awesome to be going out?

San (Monday, 07 May 2012 23:30)

@Clijsters3 Sounds like I'm up a break in the 2nd 4-2. It was a tough service hold. You fought back to deuce twice, but I finally won the game with a forehand cross court that sliced just out of your reach. Your serve! How frustrating for Petkovic? Ankle sprains are the worst! No, I'm not familiar with her. Watched a little of her on youtube against Henin yesterday during lunch. Great shots! Your team sounds tough to beat. Go Team Clijsters! :)

All this talk of Jelly, Texie, Pepsi is making me hungry. Even MarBecca sounds like a tasty cake decoration. I have so much to catch up on. I never have time for bits!

@Eyelesstrees The Mancunian is back! Where o where do you find the time to send off so many letters?! Accents are everywhere, aren't they? There's a lady at one of the coffee shops I go to (hell, it's one of the many Starbucks I frequent). She has an interesting English accent and says "my love" and "my darling" to everyone (actually I think it's more like at the end of every sentence). I wonder where she might be from? Linguistics is fascinating! Sure, I have an accent, just depends how heavy I want it to be. Anyone catch any clips of GCB (the new Kristin Chenoweth soap-comedy)? Those Texas accents make me nauseous!

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 08 May 2012 04:28)

@San ha ha ha no wonder you're feeling hungry. I'm feeling pretty down since you held serve after I was so close to breaking back. I'll have to refocus. Bad news, the team suffered our first loss last night, althought I have to add I won all my sets! Sounds like your coffee woman might be from up north, up here we like to say love at the end of every sentence, people also say pet and duck! "cheer up duck", "don't worry pet".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RcPyO0e9VQ This is one of my fave videos of Petkovic, her alter ego is Petkorazzi. And she does the Petko dance at the end of every match she wins. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ2eJYHoGFg Thought I'd add this video as well:)

@All bad news just looked at the spoilers for Hollyoaks next week and no mention of Jelly at all!

@Hoppe What was Emma thinking of ordering Club mate, good job her taste in women is better than her taste in drinks!

@Wired I'm glad to hear Girl/Girl Scene isn't your cup of tea:)

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 09 May 2012 05:42)

@Hoppe Oh yeah, i hadn't made the connection of the swing! You're right about your earlier comment on only blocking HaH on YT for german viewers and not international viewers. That would have made a lot more sense.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 10 May 2012 06:34)

@Hoppe Sorry for our accents:) I'm guessing they're all difficult to understand, except perhaps Jen who talks quite posh when compared to the rest of them, but especially Sinead because she has a proper Scouse accent i.e she's from Liverpool. I liked their first scene when Jen got right up behind Tilly, she can't resist her! and of course the "I prefer to work one on one" comment and Tilly raised an eyebrow.

Kirsty (Thursday, 10 May 2012 13:48)

@hoppe i'm rubbish with computers, they don't like me. I'm still working on figuring out these SRT files stuff for VL. And I'm about 4 episodes behind on VL just now so I'm no use to you at the moment anyway, sorry.Also the website link for Lostgirl you gave me doesn't seem to work. Maybe the site's finished..
Quite liked Bianca the police woman in VL, it's a pity she's not going to be on longer.. Am also frustrated that all Rebecca does just now is mope after Marlene. She's better than that, hope she gets to be strong-Rebecca too every now and then.

Also @hoppe, my grandad was a prisoner of war for 3 years and the camp he was at the longest was at a place called Braunschweig..is that where you live??

@faf yep, she's the one. Hopefully she'll be at practice tomorrow :)

did anyone see the FB from Kasia? Will try and put it up here soon

Wired (Thursday, 10 May 2012 17:30)

@Kirsty Kasia was back on FB? I'm still out of the loop. Is she still on AuL? Anyone know what Lucy is up to now? Just wondering...

Hmmm accents. I think I need to do some research there. I am terrible at figuring out where someone is from by listening to their accent. I can pick out Australian and that's about it. It seems I need to watch more international shows! :) Sadly in my daily interaction with people the only other accents if hear are people from Newfoundland or PEI.

This is where our forum is so neat, if we were all to meet in person and talk our accents would really come out but via computer it's non-existant. :) Again Jemma transcending borders! hahaha

@San take time for the bits - you should always make time for bits!

@Kirsty we want a full report of the coffee date! Well ok whatever you will share but I"m up for sordid details! :)

@Hoppe Will have to find that swing scene in Hollyoaks. Is club mate a juice or a pop? Does not sound good!

San (Thursday, 10 May 2012 23:22)

I credit my pink collared shirt tonight for my awesome forehand. They were deliberately trying to avoid it, especially when I was returning serve. It's a close service game @Clijsters3 :) You're team better shape up and hold their own!

So the "My love" barista is probably from the north - good to know. It's kinda funny. she was telling somebody one time that another English woman came in and told her she was being top over the top and making the English sound bad. Any guesses to where that woman was from? :)

@Wired You're totally right. I need some bits! I made time for some HAH the other night. Unfortunately, it was ep 126 and 127. I can only assume that Jenny and Emma were off kissing in the banner closet for most of these. It's an interesting thought of our little group around a table with a very eclectic mix of accents.

Now, I've never tried Club Mate, but I'm going to have to stick up for it. Sometimes a sweet, fake-citris, glow-in-the-dark-bright-green drink (preferably extra caffeinated) is very refreshing, rejuvenating, and tasty. I'm speaking hypothetically of course.

@Kirsty I had great luck watching Lost Girl on tv-links.eu.

Libellule (Friday, 11 May 2012 12:48)

@faf #767
Is it bad that this comment really made me laugh? :p Because I saw that episode and yeah, what you said. But fortunately for me, I had read some recap before so I was kinda "prepared". Still, very traumatic. But very well played!
If it's of any comfort, there was a post from the creator of the show, Hariett Braun (sorry, not sure if it's the proper spelling), explaining why she chose to write the episode that way, and apparently it was mainly due to (Laura Fraser) schedule conflict.

Clijsters3 (Friday, 11 May 2012 13:31)

@Wired Tilly on the swing isn't actually a scene, it's part of the opening credits. Just seen tonight's episode...not good, although we do get a scene where they kiss so not all bad (although it's only in Tilly's imagination)

@San Killer forehand is destroying me, I can't seem to keepthe ball away from it, lose my service game to 15, you lead 5/2 and I'm guessing brimming with confidence. However, I never give up and the set ain't over yet! Oh and I'll have a word with my team. I'll tell them there's a Texan gal who ain't happy:)
The second woman in the coffee place might have been from a posh area down south. There's quite a bit of a north south divide, with northerners viewing southerners as posh and soft and southerners viewing northerners as common and less cultured! Of course it's just stereotypes, but these views do exist, believe me!

@all I had a thought the other day, imagine if we all lived on the same street...

Eyelesstrees (Friday, 11 May 2012 17:21)

@San, this shift with the vowels usually gives people away: if she says 'lav' she's a southerner; 'luv' she's a Northerner/midlander

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 12 May 2012 03:58)

I'm really getting into the second series of Lip Service, really enjoyed episode 4, probably because Frankie wasn't in it. I even felt a bit sorry for Sadie! A bag full of cheese:)

Eyelesstrees (Saturday, 12 May 2012 04:33)

@Clijsters Glad ep4 was good- ill be watching it today :)

@all Some Jen and Tilly clips from last nights ep are on YouTube if you are quick- seems likely they won't stay up for long.

They use the 'height' directing trick in this episode - like HAH did. Amy Downham is the taller actress but when Tilly gives Jen the photo Tilly is higher on the screen that Jen.

'm certain this ep is the end of their test marketing period for the couple. Based on all the positive comments I've seen on the interweb I'm certain Jelly will be back on soon.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 12 May 2012 07:54)

@Eyelesstrees I love your positiveness! I'm just thinking of all the rubbish endings Hollyoaks have done to other lesbian couples. But I will aim to stay upbeat like you:) In earlier episodes I always thought Tilly was taller than Jen, which I always thought was odd, but then last night's episode I saw Tilly had heels on and Jen was wearing flat boots, therefore making sure she was taller.

Eyelesstrees (Saturday, 12 May 2012 11:08)

@Clijsters3 Totally agree about Lip Service! Best hour of lesbian tv in years- for me since the L Word ep when Bette and Tina got back together (no, not just for the sex!)

faf (Saturday, 12 May 2012 15:32)

@Eyelesstrees, Libellule All right...I'll give Lips another try (perhaps because of the sex:) but I swear if anyone gets violently vaporized off my screen again, that will be too much for me.

@Clijsters3 ...on the same street? That sounds like a very nice neighborhood to me...and an awesome block party!

We have an accent in Western New York called Buffalo English. It's a cross between Fargo (the movie), Sarah Palin (the arschloch), and central Canada (the country). Somewhat nasaly with short vowel sounds. I don't speak that way of course. Travel a few hours to the East and you have your typical New York City accent. We go heavy on the ending "r", while they don't bother to use it at all.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 12 May 2012 18:03)

@Faf I haven't seen episode 2 of Lip Service, so when i was watching the beginning of ep.3 I was thinking what the heck is going on? It came as a huge shock. And yes it would be a lovely neighbourhood, we could talk about Jemma all day!

San (Saturday, 12 May 2012 23:01)

I was away from the TV for less than 2 minutes. TWO MINUTES! And I missed the Dynamo score the first goal in the new stadium - two minutes! Ah well, there'll be plenty more.

@Clijsters3 Can I borrow a cup of sugar? I'm making a Jelly filled Lip Service cake with a Marbecca topping for the block party :) That would be fun! You're right, I am feeling pretty darn confident serving for the 2nd, but I still have to win 4 points against The Wall. There's a pretty good distinction between north and south over here, too.

@Eyelesstrees I think it's more of a luv, but I will make note next time she's in the shop.

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 13 May 2012 03:31)

@Eyelesstress @Hoppe glad you liked Lip Service as well.

@San Sounds like a yummy cake, sure I'll pop round with a cup of sugar, long as I get the biggest piece:) Just so you know I am very determined to break back, no pressure!

@Hoppe I really don't know about the placement or how old Jen is. I really want to know myself how old she's supposed to be. How long were you in Ireland for? Fancy thinking you were from Australia, just slightly the wrong continent.

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 13 May 2012 04:12)

I've put a picture of Lucy Dixon, Amy Downham and whoever plays Maddie in Hollyoaks in my sandbox. Also I've discovered Lucy Dixon (not Scherer:)) goes out with the actor who plays Callum in Hollyoaks. So they aren't having an affair in real life!

Wired (Sunday, 13 May 2012 08:25)

@all Oh the height trick! Place one higher on the screen or heels vs. flats. I'm not the tallest so when I used to go out I'd stand on a stair if one was nearby to seem a wee bit taller. Now I don't care but those were the old days of trying impressing girls. :)

Whose house will we have the BBQ at so @San can bring her awesome cake? I make a great pasta salad!

Hmmm gotta find Lip Service on line now. I've only been reading the recaps on AE (which I find hilarious)and not seen much actual video.

Kirsty (Sunday, 13 May 2012)

@all Oh, I would love it if we all lived on the same street. Best neighbours ever!

@Wired Have you been reading the spoof Lip Service Facebook page that Heather Hogan doe,too? Also really funny.
Lip Service- I know it's maybe kind of soon but I really want Lexy and Sam to get together, I kind of like them together. Lexy's f*ck buddy is nice too. And the funniest part of the night for me was when Annoying Make-up-artist Girl kissed Tess and she first didn't want it and then was all f*ck it, why not?! I thought this was a really good episode, just a but sad the series is only 6 eps long- could've done with a couple more.

Kirsty (Sunday, 13 May 2012 17:31)

@hoppe That's brilliant! Man, I'd forgotten how good Emma's faces could be... :)

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 13 May 2012 17:41)

@Hoppe great link, good to know Jelly are getting a following, but of course they'll never be as big as Jemma, long live Jemma!

@Wired swop! I've been watching Lip Service but not read any of AE recaps, I need to get onto that pronto.

@All I'll whip up some brownies for our street party:)Pasta salad sounds delicious!

faf (Sunday, 13 May 2012 21:00)

@All This link says it all
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/161647/rebecca-sets-new-broadway-dates-leads-still-to-be-announced/

I haven't felt much like cooking lately so I'm just going to get really big cheese wheel for the party. When we've had our fill we can chase it down a hill.

Clijsters3 (Monday, 14 May 2012 08:22)

@faf I think we all know who should be cast as "I".

@All Heather Peace was interviewed on a breakfast show this morning, talking about the release of her first album and of course Lip Service. She said it was a bit embarrassing watching the first ep of the new series sat next to her mum, as you can imagine:) She was really good talking and I love her accent, she's from Yorkshire which I've only just found out and I love the Yorkshire accent.

Eyelesstrees (Monday, 14 May 2012 15:41)

.....and in more good news:
http://t.co/RCifRd3x

: )

Clijsters3 (Monday, 14 May 2012 16:50)

@Hoppe I can't tell how excited that photo makes me feel!!! Thanks so much for posting. That photo looks very promising and can give us all hope for more Jelly. I think Amy Downham looks very cool in the photo and the fact that she isn't on Twitter makes me like her even more. Spoilers are out tomorrow, hopefully Jelly will be mentioned. I think I'll stare at the photo a bit more:)

I needed cheering up because my team has just lost another tennis match and it was my fault, this week nul point for The Wall! @San Me and my partner were 5/3 up and had 5 set points on the oppositions' serve, but lost them all. It went to a tiebreak, which we lost then it all fell apart.

Clijsters3 (Monday, 14 May 2012 17:11)

Just reading an interview with Amy Downham and one of the questions is name a TV programme that reminds you of your teenage years and she answers "Strange but True" which reminds me of my teenage years! Are we meant to be or what?! She didn't have a TV till she was 18 (she watched Strange but True at a neighbours) and so became handy at arts and crafts, which has come in handy playing Jen. Sorry I think I'm starting to get a bit obssessed with her:)

Eyelesstrees (Monday, 14 May 2012 17:46)

Eek: support needed?!

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1661693&page=2

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 15 May 2012 03:17)

oops sorry a bit thank you to @Eyelesstrees for the photo:)

@Hoppe I think English soaps usually film about 6-8 weeks in advance.

No mention of Jelly in the spoilers:( Jen gets a mention on Monday but becasue it's exam time. However, if it's exam time surely Tilly's got to be on.

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 15 May 2012 03:19)

Another mistake. "A big thank you" I didn't mean a bit thank you!

San (Tuesday, 15 May 2012 12:46)

@Clijsters3 Oh no! How did this happen?! Did they up they're game? Did the wind blow your balls just long? Could you not forget about the 5 set points? Next week's opponent better watch out because you'll be on the rebound.

@faf I'm super excited that our neighborhood has a hill! Cake, brownies, pasta salad, and cheese sounds like a meal to me.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 16 May 2012 06:17)

@San I don't really know what happened, it was bad weather wet and very windy, but it's the same for both sides so it's no excuse. I think maybe I just wasn't in the mood, I blame you because of our match, it's tiring me out! Hopefully I'll turn it around next week. I played a friendly match this morning and played great. Infact next week's match is away and on clay, so I'll pretend I'm playing at the French Open:)

@Hoppe I'll check out what Tilly was like last year. I'd heard she had a thing with Esther but I didn't bother watching it. I really want to know why Jelly are in the woods!

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 16 May 2012 09:28)

It's that time of the year again, http://www.afterellen.com/node/101004# It's soon come round and what a difference a year makes, I can only see one person who voted for Lucy Scherer and no sign of Kasia at all.

San (Wednesday, 16 May 2012 12:40)

I heard at least 2 HAH songs while at the dentist today - Can't Fight the Moonlight and Drops of Jupiter. Weenus, y'all!

@Clijsters3 I understand. Sometimes the mood just isn't there. This long-distance match is tough. We have to hit the ball extra far :) It's almost over. Sounds like I squeaked out my service game to win the 2nd, 6-2. Into the third we go :) Wow clay! How exotic! Do you have a nice slide into your shots? The nice high bounces should give The Wall plenty of time to work with. I wouldn't even know what to do on clay :)

hoppe (Wednesday, 16 May 2012 13:17)

well right clijsters you'll have to keep in mind that you always have to hit the ball over the bigpond... that's quite impressive don't you think? wonder what the ball-boys or girls do... diving into the deep ocean? :)))

eyelesstrees (Wednesday, 16 May 2012 16:44)

@San and Clijsters3 I'm getting massive whip lash!! - mostly on my left side as London is in the East end of the South stand!

By total coincidence I was in Abersoch when those episodes were filmed!! Small world huh?! I haven't watched Hollyoaks for about 15 years so I was only interested because I couldn't get to some parts of the village as they were filming. Who knew that Tilly kissed Ester on Abersoch beach?! Or that I'd be following Tilly and Jen a year later?!

@hoppe - a lot of the comments on that site were negative ones and Digital Spy is often checked for feedback by the tv companies.

@all, I'm good at cakes so maybe I could bring them?

hoppe (Wednesday, 16 May 2012 18:18)

@eyelesstress ah, ok... it's just i hate all those logins - everywhere you can't post without a login. I only do it at places where I really want to be and feel good with the people. but if this side is important I might rethink.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 17 May 2012 04:54)

@San I have no idea how to slide on clay, if I tried I'd probably fall over:) I have played on clay before but only on holiday, never in a proper match. The team I'm playing next week used to have rubbish shale courts, which is like fake clay. The bounces were awful, i remember once the bounce was so bad i didn't even try to hit the ball i just caught it in my hand! Yes, so into the 3rd set we go, I've got a feeling this could be long set of Isner and Mahut proportions:)
You know who else is good at baking cakes...Amy Downham http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/amy-downham just scroll to the bottom of the page.

@Eyelesstress It certainly is a small world:) Fancy that you were there.

@Hoppe I didn't have a clue where Abersoch was, it sounds like a German word, say a word Jenny would use to describe Ronnie! Anyway it's a seaside resort in North Wales. Haha "not committed to any type" that makes me laugh.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 17 May 2012 05:13)

@Eyelesstrees I've just added a response to the Digital Spy debate, putting forward my views for Jelly. Luckily I was already registered for the site.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 17 May 2012 17:39)

@Hoppe Committed is fine to use, I don't know why I just found it funny, not that you used the word committed, just the sentence as a whole, maybe I have a strange sense of humour:) Although the word fixed is probably better to use.

So the catering for the party is coming together nicely. @San with her special cake, @Wired with her pasta salad, me and @Eyelesstress have the rest of the baking covered, @Faf is bringing... er cheese! Is it me or do we sound like we're all vegetarians?

@All I won't be around for a few days as I'm away for a long weekend. Have a great weekend!

faf (Friday, 18 May 2012 08:13)

Okay, I'll bring a hometown specialty. Roast Beef on kimmelweck sandwiches. I still won't have to really cook anything and there will be MEAT.
Are we bringing our instruments? If you don't play one, you might be expected to dance. But dress appropriately. You all remember what happened during Jenny's pizza ballet;)

San (Friday, 18 May 2012 13:50)

@Clijsters3 I just figured we were terrible nutritionists :) Good luck on the clay after your extended weekend.

@faf Thanks for the MEAT. Sandwiches sound delicious. I'm not in the mood to lug the cello up on a hill, so I'll either sing or pizza ballet.

Does anyone have a couple of lacrosse sticks? Or shall I just bring a frisbee? :)

Wired (Saturday, 19 May 2012 19:06)

@San lacrosse sticks! Forgot about those! ;). I'm ok with a frisbee or throwing a baseball around.

@Faf I can't sing and bringing a drum or clarinet is right out so I'll clap along.

@Clijsters hope you have a good long weekend! I'm on one now and enjoying 21 C weather. Yay! Canoeing has occurred and campfire next!

faf (Saturday, 19 May 2012 23:23)

@Wired I sat in my canoe today! It was in the middle of the yard but still...I was imagining where we will go next. Enjoy!

Clijsters3 (Monday, 21 May 2012 03:30)

Hi everyone I'm back. Looks like Britain is finally going to have some nice weather, possibly getting up to 25C by the end of the week!

@Hoppe Thanks for the Amy Downham link, I'm not a fan of her short hair though, glad it's longer now. She's done mostly stage work, she does have a very clear voice so that makes sense. Just to let you know it's "I'll sleep on it" #825 :)

@San Good news, I don't have to get dirty as I'm not playing on the clay anymore. I'm playing for the first team tonight, so it's a home match! I vote for frisbee, I've got a mean technique!

@Wired hope you're having a good break and enjoying the weather:)

I have no musical skill whatsoever, but I'll clap along together with @Wired, although I'll be slightly out of time with the tune:)

faf (Monday, 21 May 2012 09:04)

I thought this was going to be just another manic Monday but as I was driving to work this morning I saw a petite blonde girl running through town wearing jeans and similar blue running shoes! I haven't had a JRM in soooo long. God that felt good to see. Sharing the beam my friends...I'm sharing the beam.

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 22 May 2012 03:16)

No spoilers for Jelly again this week. There was a trailer for Hollyoaks called 'enchanted wood weekend' and i thought it would have jelly in it because of the picture of them in the wood, but there's no sign of them.

@San I won last night playing for the first team, feels good to get back to winning ways:)

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 22 May 2012 10:27)

@Hoppe Jen was on Hollyoaks last night, but no Tilly. Jen was helping Bart to get into art college. I think she's trying to find a distraction to stop her thinking about Tilly:)She did seem a bit too happy though, considering she must be missing Tilly. However,it's good to see what Jen's like as a person away from Tilly.

Wow! Summer has finally arrived in the UK.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 22 May 2012 17:42)

@faf aw, that was a good JRM indeed!

@all Obviously I'll lug my big drum along to our little gathering. Not quite sure what to bring food-wise. Grapes and yoghurt maybe :)

Hooray! The girl I like is gay! For definite. I just asked her, well, messaged her. And now I will just have to get round to asking her out. But I'm getting there my friends, slowly but surely..

Also, having a very brief visit to London tomorrow, back on Friday morning. I'm going to see Wicked again on Thursday night. Just.Cannot.Wait.

@Hoppe Loved the scene with Rebecca and Tristan fencing. Rebecca looked very hot. Some people say there's no chemistry between her and Marlene but I beg to differ, I think there is. Chemistry and a real close friendship. Also loved when Marlene was trying to teach Rebecca to dive into the pool. :)

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 23 May 2012 06:57)

@Hoppe Hollyoaks are filming in Abersoch again.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s13/hollyoaks/scoop/a383039/hollyoaks-lucy-dixon-scarlett-bowman-post-photos-from-abersoch-shoot.html As you can see, they are very lucky with the weather:)

San (Wednesday, 23 May 2012 23:32)

@Clijsters3 I knew you'd come back strong! I was actually worried about your shoes getting all dirty on the clay. Yes, these are the things I worry about :) So I'm glad you didn't have to slide around on the dirt. I missed the registration deadline for the Summer season of my singles league. Hope I don't lose my edge while you get in a groove. I'm enjoying the weather here, too. The highs are around 90F (what is that? 30C?). Still kinda cool, springy, and pleasant to me.

@Kirsty How exciting for you! Who's to say she won't ask you out first?!

Ok, I have the frisbee and a ball. @Clijsters You'll need to teach me your mean frisbee technique. I guess I can bring my guitar to the party as well (geez, I wish I had a bongo belt!). This may be a shocker, I have been known to play some Indigo Girls tunes, including that little diddy Closer to Find. "There's more than one answer to these questions pointing me in a crocked line..." Let me hear you now!

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 24 May 2012 04:49)

@San thanks for being concerned:) I was so happy i missed out getting dirty on the clay. Shame you've missed out signing up for the singles, no i really mean it:) Excuse me! Are you saying 90F is cool and spring like? 75F is hot enough for me! As for the frisbee technique, it's all in the wrist. I've got some shocking news...I think I might be allergic to tennis! I'm ill again, and it always seems to be the day after I have a tennis match. This is not good.

@Hoppe Jen was on last night's Hollyoaks, acting a bit suspicious. She was at school late at night and gave no answer when asked what she was doing there at that time.

San (Thursday, 24 May 2012 13:13)

@Clijsters3 Oh, it is getting toasty here no question (of which I was reminded this morning waiting for the bus). However, it's still below body temperature, so it feels cool, and I hold onto that as long as possible. Last year, we were nearing 100F around this time, so a great improvement this year. 75F?! How do you get the proper sizzle on your skin when you walk outside? I don't know what I'd do without a good 3 months of that :) I have way too much going on this next month and couldn't commit to the summer season. I think consistent practice, doubles on Thursdays, and some Saturday morning drills will keep my game above par. You can't be allergic to tennis! The would be TERRIBLE! Perhaps, there's something in the air that you're sucking into your lungs more when you play.

faf (Thursday, 24 May 2012 20:44)

I long for this party to be real.

@Kirsty You go girl! Have some fun. I've never asked anyone if they were gay. Ever. I just assume everyone is:)

@San What kind of ball do you have? If you are talking about a small fuzzy yellow one, I'm bringing my sawed off shovel handle and you had better go deep!

@Clijsters3 Yesterday I thought I was allergic to cake. But allergic to tennis?! <is this a ploy to psych out you. know. who. ?>

Kirsty (Friday, 25 May 2012 06:45)

@Clijsters3 Oh I hope your illness isn't tennis related, that would be awful. I'm sure it's something else entirely

@faf Well my gaydar was pinging, then she said she'd seen something I was talking about in Lip Service- but I thought I'd better just check. So then I Seized The Day and just told her that I like her and she said she liked me too! Hooray. We've got a lot of drumming related things on this weekend- well, dinner tonight before drumming, pub after drumming, lunch get-together tomorrow, drumming and bbq on sunday!- so that'll be good to spend time together. Sweet!

I've mentioned this before but the road I took to London City Airport this morning was called Hartmann Road! Ahhh, a nice unexpected Jemmawave came over me as I'd forgotten it was called that :)

Clijsters3 (Friday, 25 May 2012 11:02)

@Kirsty good for you, very brave of you. I'm so glad it's worked out for you, enjoy your many hours together this weekend:) Oh and yeh for Hartmann Road. I've recenty seen loads of Sister Act the musical posters:)

@Faf Maybe it is just to psych out (@San), actually it really isn't! But no you're right I can't be allergic to tennis. Hopefully I'll be on the mend soon, I don't want to bring all my germs to our party.

@Hoppe I don't know why i just thought Jen's face looked a bit suspicious, I'm probably wrong! Fingers crossed Amy Downham was filming in Abersoch.

@San to me 75F feels like 100F! Sounds like you're playing enough tennis without signing up to the singles league.

San (Friday, 25 May 2012 23:51)

@Clijsters3 Whoa, according to your temperature scale, it's either summer or hell here :) Definite home court advantage for me. I'm not overlooking your strong desire to win, though.

@faf I was thinking a Nerf softball. But I'm sure I have a fuzzy yellow one somewhere. Your sawed of shovel handle might come in handy with Kubb also. Looks fun @hoppe.

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 26 May 2012 04:27)

@San hahaha!!! I must say the heat from the sun is making me a bit tired, but as you know i will never give up! One thing i love, (but also hate at the same time) when the UK gets some decent weather are the comparisons to other countries. The newspapers print how the UK is hotter than Greece and Morocco, well yes for about one day!!! What about the rest of the year?! I guess we have to go a bit crazy because our good weather only lasts 2 weeks.

Eyelesstrees (Saturday, 26 May 2012 08:07)

25C today, not a cloud in the sky and no air con! Too hot for me!

@Kirsty, hope your trip was good :)

@all, I've got gifts:

Nicole on Shortland Street (NZ) is dating women again (and for anyone who knows the story; Maia is back too)

Emmerdale (UK) has got Ali and Ruby who are a grown up couple! Each seems secure in their own sexuality and the only angst is about where they should live. For once the fact that they are lesbians/bi seems incidental. Is anyone else following this couple?

I feel a bit let down by AE not giving attention to these two storylines. Both soaps have really high viewing figures.

AE has the links for HULU so that peeps in the US can watch all of Lip Service this weekend!

For anyone who wants to see more of Abersoch check out Turtle photography. Martin Turtle is the local photographer.

Abersoch is a place where lots of people from the North West and Midlands of England go on holiday/have second homes.

The Hollyoaks filming this year is the same week as last year- bank holiday week. That's why I was there last year! This year the Queen has moved the bank holiday back a week for her Jubilee. Abersoch would have been easier to film in this year because it would have been a lot quieter! It'll be mad busy next week!

Happy weekend to all!

eyelesstrees (Saturday, 26 May 2012)

@hoppe, that's hilarious! As the crow flies (ie in a straight line,)Abersoch is about 100 miles from the east coast of Ireland! Abersoch is on the south east tip of the Lleyn peninsula. On a clear day you can sometimes see the the Irish coast from Aberdaron, which is on the northern side of the southern end of the peninsula! The coastline of the Llyn and western Wales are very similar to Ireland's.

On the Turtle site in 'sunrise and sunsets' if you click 'show all' about half way down is a striking blue picture of a moonrise. That is taken from Abersoch main beach (ref BLMN.) I've watched the moonrise from that beach hundreds of times and each time it's just as awe inspiring each time! It's that's beach that the Hollyoaks crew are on in those recent pictures.

(Those beach huts in the background of the Hollyoaks shots sell for about £80,000!!) And, Bear Grylls (the adventurer) owns one of the two 'St Tudwalds' Islands you can see in the background of the picture of 'George' and 'Maddie' !

Wired (Sunday, 27 May 2012 07:31)

Hey everyone! Well it seems my long weekend resulted in work build up and I haven’t been able to post since then! @Clijsters I hope you had a good one and @Kirsty how was your trip to see Rebecca?

@San & @Cljisters When we reach 25C it is just perfect here. @San I’m with @Cljisters and 30C is too hot for my delicate system! Though here when the weather gets above 10C in the spring everyone starts running around in shorts and sandals. Crazy!

@Kirsty yay for you!!! You asked the tough question and it turned out so well! Hope you had a great weekend hanging with The Girl! I am way to shy to be that straight forward. I usually prefer a friendly stalking.

@Faf wouldn’t the party be so cool if it actually happened? What location is in the middle of us all so I can make travel plans? :)

@Eyelesstress wow what timing! I just watched the Shortland Street scenes last night until 2 am! The last scene I saw was the crash. What is it with crashes and lesbians? Thanks for the info about Abersoch too. I was wondering where that was. Also I’m with you on AE. They really don’t talk much about UK or any other international storylines. Very frustrating.

Well spring has sprung here as evidenced in my sandbox. :)

Also I’ve added a couple of pictures from my long weekend last week. @faf hopefully this will help you picture where you’re going when you sit in your canoe! Though I did end up dragging my kayak through trees and brush which I think you would want to miss out on - an adventure!

Ok off to battle the dandelions in my lawn today. It's a wonderful 18C right now and sunny!

Kirsty (Monday, 28 May 2012 14:18)

@Wired I guess the party may be at your place.. you must be halfway between us Europeans and San or Randy over on the west coast?? Also, I'm still shy , that's the beauty of Facebook messaging! Although now I can say things like that to her face. Things going really well, fingers crossed it continues that way.

fyi, @Faf and @San if you look at the photo of me in a group wearing miners hats on my FB profile page, Sarah is beside me on the lefthand side of the photo. There are no pictures of her at the drumming on Sunday as she's our official photographer!

Wired (Tuesday, 29 May 2012 11:14)

@Hoppe I am in Canada but on the East coast and Montreal is about 1.5 hours by plane from me. Marie-Helene is from that area though. I can't access that link from work but will check it out at home!

@Kirsty Hmmm I'd need a bigger yard for the party to be at my place. I'll work on a new location! :) A-ha! FB messaging! That does help doesn't it? I hadn't thought of that. Well glad things are going well! Hurrah for you!

I am trying to decide whether to get into VL with Rebecca and Marlene but it seems to be progressing awfully slowly. Is this pace killing anyone else?

Eyelesstrees (Tuesday, 29 May 2012 17:18)

@Wired In a word: yes!
Since they were last on I've re-watched all of Maia/Jay/Nicole/Lana on Shortland st and watched all of Ruby/Ali on Emmerdale!

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 30 May 2012 06:25)

@Europeans Did anyone watch the Eurovision Song Contest? I love it and went round to a Eurovision party!!! Good to see the UK did rubbish again:)

@San I can't believe Serena is out of the French Open, huge shock. I won on Monday for the 1st team and I'm playing for them in a cup match tonight, this will probably involve me playing singles, so The Wall will be tested:)

@Wired I'm the same, so far I've not bothered watching any of Rebecca and Marlene and don't know whether I should or not.

@All I'll have a think where we can have our party. Although it may end up on a tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic:)

Wired (Wednesday, 30 May 2012 14:20)

@eyelesstrees I didn't know about Ruby and Ali! I'll have to check that out then.

@Hoppe Well I am bad and didn't know that the show only aired 3-4 times a week. I guess I was spoiled with HaH being on 5 days a week. I think the pacing is a bit slow and it does make it harder with a guy involved. I'd just wish he'd be out of the way. :) I did see on the forum that in June things heat up but then back tracks. Even reading it makes me frustrated! :) @Clijsters if I watch it I'll let you know how it goes too. BTW what is the Eurovision song contest?

faf (Wednesday, 30 May 2012 21:25)

@Kirsty I checked out your friend's FB page. You have my blessings:) Please don't wander off on us now that you are preoccupied. Make sure you both come to the party. I think Wired and Clijsters3 are scoping out a location in The Azores.

@Wired Love your portable fire pit. Very clever. You're bringing it, right? Not sure about that beer though. Won't you get kicked out of Canada for drinking Budlight?

@Eyelesstrees and hoppe I have been trying to keep up with your references and checking out the links you post but that is as far as I have gone with these programs.
A moonrise from the beach is what I would really like to see right now.

San (Thursday, 31 May 2012 00:59)

@Clijsters3 I keep forgetting about the French Open! Ugh, one of these days I might break down and get a TV. I always loved watching the first week in the Grand Slams. You're a freaking league superstar! Singles is the natural habitat for The Wall - plenty of room to run :) Cup match? Sounds fancy. Your league sounds fun. Hope you did well and frustrated the hell out of your opponent like I know you can.

@Wired Like @faf I was taken aback by the Budlight :\ But then, I remembered if it's cold and gets you drunk, it's all good! Also, I'm sure it was the only thing left at the very remote corner store, and you were desperate after all that paddling! I have advice for all those summer clothes wearers at 10C. Pace yourself! No wonder 25C is hot! You have nothing left to take off!

@eyelesstrees I understand. The air con helps IMMENSELY!

@Kirsty Aw, she looks sweet! Enjoy getting to know each other. And don't forget to check in and let us know how you're getting on :)

Well, it's pretty clear that none of y'all can stand the heat to visit me during the summer months, or I would offer to host the party. I'm moving down the street from a park (with dog park) that has a water fountain that we could play in. I guess I'll just enjoy it by myself. We could also meet up in Rio or Greenland. Take your pick. There's plenty of space in Greenland :)

San (Thursday, 31 May 2012 01:30)

@hoppe Denny! How is ol' Denny? Good to know she has a new girlfriend. I believe Shaz died the Great Larkhall Fire of series 4 :) Actually, while I was watching Lip Service, I was thinking, why is Cat's accent bringing back such good memories? Never hurts to be reminded of Helen Stewart. I suppose it's nothing special to @Kirsty, though.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 31 May 2012 10:14)

Hoppe I'm curious too:)

@Wired The Eurovision Song Contest is the greatest TV show ever! Let me rephrase that, it's so bad it's good! It's an annual music event, European countries enter an artist/band to sing a song and then evey country in Europe (and I mean every country, it takes a while) votes for the winner. The UK don't take it seriously and we haven't won it since 1997. Sweden won it this year and therefore it will be held in Sweden next year. Oh yeah and it's very political i.e Portugal always votes for Spain and Cyprus always votes for Greece.

@San I was playing a semi-professional! At least it felt like it, she gets loads of coaching and was about 12! I lost but it was all good fun. At least we can concentrate on the league matches now, back to good old doubles. I've entered all the events in my inter-club tournament.
Greenland sounds...interesting. That's going from one extreme to the other, a bit too cold:) Are you moving house? I wasn't sure if that's what you meant in your last post.

San (Thursday, 31 May 2012 16:17)

@Clijsters3 When playing coached-up semi-pros, you just have to enjoy the small victories. Good luck in the tournament! When does it start? Yes, I'm moving to another apartment at the end of June. It's in a wonderful part of town not far from where I am now, but a nicer neighborhood and a smidge closer to the museums. (Hell, there's an art museum practically across the street!) I can't wait!

I have to say you have a very slim window for your climate preferences :)

Kirsty (Friday, 01 June 2012 02:29)

@hoppe :) Marbecca is getting good. Marlene looks seriously hot right now when she's all flustered and confused.
Can't seem to attach a photo here, will work on it or try e-mailing you.

@Clijsters3 You forgot to mention that the UK are not likely to win ever again even if they put in some kind of One Direction/Jessie J/ the Wanted supergroup as Europe doesn't really like us much.... :)
Also, Well done Any Murray for getting through his game with an injury. Have to say though, I find him quite hard to understand what he says sometimes so I'm guessing you guys must be pretty much the same!!

@San Oh a water park...well, I guess if we planned the time of year right we could come on over to your place. Oooh, like when they were doing those re-enactments. And I'm not quite sure where Laura Fraser from Lip Service was from but she had an accent that even made me shiver. Guess every country has 'nice' accents and not so nice ones and you are so right- it never, ever hurts to be reminded of Helen Stewart! The actress who played Nicki had a bit part in something a few weeks ago- it was a lovely reminder.

Wired (Friday, 01 June 2012 07:32)

@faf thanks for the fire pit comment but unfortunately I can’t take credit for that. My father in-law made that, and he had seen it somewhere else. When I found out about it I thought he might be a bit crazy but he wasn’t and it is pretty awesome. Have fire pit will travel!

@Faf & @San yes…well that beer choice was what was on hand and as mentioned, at the end of the day I’m not going to be picky. They didn’t have Sleemans Honey Brown which is a favourite of mine!

@San A move! Exciting! Being across the street from a museum does sound fantastic. Can we re-enact the Friends opening montage in your fountain too? Hmmm…Rio or Greenland? Rio = carnival and @Kirsty can play her drum. Greenland = land of the midnight sun so we could actually party all night long… choices!

@Clijsters3 hahaha! I love those shows that are so bad they are good! Wow that is quite the contest where it spans that many countries. Sounds fun! And if it spawns parties even better!

@Kirsty Marlene must be looking hot a lot right now. She seems flustered all of the time about Rebecca. Helen Stewart and Nikki! Classic couple – that was a great story! I’m with the others too – please check on during your pursuit of lady love! If only for an update and encouragement when you need it!

Kirsty (Sunday, 03 June 2012 02:04)

Hey, love life going swimmingly thank you. Very happy just now. And she likes my dog- woohoo!

Just saw a tweet from Amidola about Lucy- apparently she may have a new part in another German soap opera!! (Sturm der Liebe- was that right, hoppe?) I'm a little surprised at that, I thought she would go to another stage show for a while longer before venturing back to television. Now if they could just somehow sign Kasia up as well...

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 03 June 2012 04:11)

@San My inter-club tournament starts in about a week. It's actually 2 tournaments, 'the open' where we pick who we play with and 'the drawn' where our names are picked out of a hat, so that's quite fun. They are both round robin in format. Sounds nice where you're moving too, I love museums. Lol, saying 100F is too hot and -30F is too cold means I have a slim window of preferance! Ok, well I'd say my perfect climate would be 80F, sunny, no wind.

@Hoppe Good news about Jelly, it's just a
shame we have to wait so long.

@Kirsty I live in hope that we will win Eurovision one day:) I can't believe Murray won that match and now he's won another. There's been some great matches this year.
Wow, I'm shocked Lucy would do another soap so soon, considering how fantastic her stage career is going. Glad to hear your love life is so good:)

Wired (Sunday, 03 June 2012 15:36)

@Kirsty Definitely interesting news about Lucy. Also if it's not geoblocked (thanks @Hoppe) then there's hope for me to see her regularly again! Even if it's cheesy I'd like to see it if only for a little bit. Also it would be great to see her awesome facial expressions again! :)

@Clijsters Your tennis tournament sounds like fun. Neat you get to pick who you play and get drawn as well. What do you look for in a good match partner?

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 05 June 2012 04:06)

@Hoppe, Wired, Kirsty Super news to hear it's not geoblocked, and yes will be great to see Lucy's facial expressions again:)

@Wired For me the most important thing I look for in a partner is someone I get along with. That way I'm relaxed on the court and don't feel terrible when I make a mistake. If I'm relaxed then I play better. And of course they have to be awesome at tennis like me!;) I've entered the ladies doubles and the mixed doubles in the open tournament and both partners asked me to play with them, rather than me having to find a partner. What can I say I'm in demand! It's nice to answer a tennis question from you @Wired, does this mean you're getting into tennis?:)

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 07 June 2012 04:24)

There's a programme coming to TV soon called Love Life, I think it's a five part drama made up of five storylines. One storyline involves a female teacher that falls for one of her female pupils, sound familiar?! The teacher is played by Billie Piper.

@Hoppe I'm fairly positive we should have some Jelly spoilers next Tuesday. I think they should be on again week beginning 18th June, fingers crossed. But don't get too excited, I may be wrong:)

@All I watched the video of Lucy cleaning her bike yesterday, it made me fall in love with her all over again. I love her accent when she speaks in English. I also read on the 'All About Jemma' site by Mel that Lucy only got the part on Sturm der Liebe after the original actress pulled out. She plays a shy pianist called Marlene who falls in love with a guy (nooo!) called Konstantin. Her first appearance will be 11th July.

Wired (Friday, 08 June 2012 11:10)

@Clijsters3 Thanks for answering my tennis question! :) I have to admit I don't think I'm ready to play tennis yet (that old trouble of me not being able to hit the ball - which is weird since I play baseball) but I am becoming more interested in the sport as a whole. Again, I like your technical details which makes it more interesting to me since I don't play. Does that make sense? I sound pretty geeky there...

I saw that Lucy video too! She is pretty cute isn't she? So it will be interesting to see what her character is like in this new show. I wonder if they will get her to sing at all? What is Kasia doing now anyways? Anyone know? Is she on VL still? Is that show on? I know nothing... :)

San (Friday, 08 June 2012 11:29)

Hey ladies! Despite what you've heard, I'm still alive :) Although, a few hours of not existing would be nice.

@Wired Clijsters and I need to get a racket in your hands STAT!

Ok, so I finished watching Lip Service, and there's one thing that I can't get out of my head. SPOILER ALERT! I cannot take Sam seriously as a cop in skinny jeans. We all know bootleg and even a classic straight leg are the more authoritative jean/pant styles. There, I got that off my chest and feel much better.

@Kirsty Turns out Laura Fraser is from Glasgow.

@Clijsters3 I can't argue with you about 80F, Sunny, and light breeze, but yeah, a range of 120 degrees is a pretty slim window ;) Good luck in the tourney!

San (Friday, 08 June 2012 22:26)

Thanks @hoppe, It is most definitely awesome that you are alive, too :)

Still fixating on Sam's pants. Not to rip a pair of skinny jeans to shreds, but they wouldn't be so bad with a nice hefty pair of boots or something. What is she wearing Toms? Loafers? Ballerina flats? I don't know if she was going to a drug bust or a Tegan and Sara concert! I may never get over this. *sigh*

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 09 June 2012 04:17)

Yey glad everyone is alive! I was starting to get a bit worried:)

@San The case of Sam wearing the wrong pants, very interesting and i can imagine how agonising it is for you. Please hang on in there:) Not started my tournaments yet, it's all fairly relaxed, just play when you want. Last year I won the ladies open doubles and the mixed drawn doubles and came runner up in everything else, but this year I'm playing with people from the 5th team. And yes I am getting my excuses in early just in case I don't do as well this year:)

@Wired it's strange you can play baseball, but have trouble hitting a tennis ball. Maybe it's all psychcological! Mission: to get you playing tennis, then we'll nearly have a doubles team! Kasia was on AudL not VL and I'm pretty sure it was cancelled. Is Kasia concentrating on singing at the moment? I don't really know either, which I feel quite bad about, but least you're not the only one:)

Wired (Saturday, 09 June 2012 06:31)

She's alive! She's alive! (insert maniacal laugh here) @San and all so very glad you are alive too! :)

So I finally watched all of the VL episodes that I could last night (thanks Hoppe for the info before) and I must say I'm glad I waited because I don't know if I could have waited so long between episodes. Watching it all at once it was much better! So story is good but slow. I like how they are working up to the girls getting together but not much has happened other then the replaying alot of 1 real kiss and 1 near kiss and 1 fantasy kiss. I realize that HaH spoiled me with alot of soap opera drama like a car crash, gang attack, drug test and airplane/car chase all in one storyline. @Kirsty and @Hoppe what do you think?

@San Did Sam at least wear a properly cop-like belt? At least that? Or does that go with skinny jeans? Liked that Tegan and Sara comment though. That was funny! Ok so who has the best cop look? Or what cop do you like on tv? I'm partial to Benson and Rizzoli. :)

@Clijsters3 Hmmm it may be psychological. Also I think I don't have any forearm strength. Does that fit? I feel weak when I try to hit the ball but with the bat I've got my whole body involved. Oh right AudL! I knew there was an L in there! I thought it was cancelled. Hmmm where is Kasia? Glad I"m not the only one wondering! :)

faf (Saturday, 09 June 2012 11:26)

@San, I can understand how it is hard for you to get past a pair of pants. I'm not a shoe whore like some women I know (and might even be married to) but I do appreciate a nice pair. JA confession? I never liked Jenny's rainbow wedges. They distracted me from her really nice legs. In fact, I was often distracted by the shoes in Hah. Emma’s grey boots bugged me to no end.

@All
The question on AE was: "What gives you pride?"
One answer was:
Heather Hogan-One the big gay things that filled me up with so much Pride was seeing the Hand aufs Herz fandom get born and grow into something remarkable and powerful. It was little-watched, soapy German drama with one of the sweetest, silliest, funnest lesbian storylines I've ever seen. And everybody wanted to watch it. So the fandom raised up teams of translators and recappers and video editors who literally invented ways to share the Jemma love. I one time saw in the comments of YouTube a person translating the German dialogue to Spanish so that someone else could translate it to Italian so that someone else could translate it to Portuguese. Just so a lesbian in Brazil could understand what Jenny and Emma were saying in a 90-second clip. The fandom even convinced the network to add every official Jemma clip to their website so the YouTube videos wouldn't keep getting yanked down. I'd never seen anything like that fandom and it made my heart so proud.

:)

San (Saturday, 09 June 2012 13:34)

@Wired NO! The belt is the worst part! The single most accessory burned on the retina of my mind! We all know that a simple leather belt (usually black) with a width of 1.5 inches (give or take a 1/4 of an inch) and classic buckle is the only thing that should hold up lady cop pants. What is Sam wearing? A punk studded monstrosity! Also, I think it's more of a gold/brassy color and not the slightly more respectable silver. Now, Rizzoli wears some good pants :) Later seasons Scully rocked the suits. Maria Bella in Prime Suspect, I only saw like 1 episode, but she had the belt, the bootleg, AND a fedora! Jennifer Beals in Chicago Code... can you imagine Bette in skinny jeans? You can't can you. Because that doesn't exist!

@faf Funny you should mention rainbow wedges. Last weekend I was ruthlessly packing up/throwing out my shoes. But I still couldn't get rid of these 70s-style elastic rainbow wedges. Not great for walking, more of a standing shoe. Never worn them outside the house, but I have a feeling they'll finish a nice outfit one day, poking out from under some bootleg jeans or something - nothing too distracting :) And yes, Jemma fandom is something to be very proud of :)

@Clijsters3 It sounds like last year was a cakewalk, and your making it more challenging for yourself this year. Just makes victory more sweet.

San (Saturday, 09 June 2012 13:43)

Oh yeah, Kasia checks in occasionally on her blog - http://kasia-borek.blogspot.com/. Answers a handful of fan questions. Seems like she's focusing on songwriting and making an album. I wouldn't be surprised if she does some indy films here and there. Hopefully, she can distance herself from soaps for a while and really be creative.

Libellule (Saturday, 09 June 2012 19:05)

A quick hello to everyone before I go out helping out for an art event.
I'm still alive too, and I haven't forgotten any of you, Rm234 is still very strong in my heart though I haven't stopped by in a while (and I'm well aware that again I've missed a lot in here, but I'll catch up). :)
Have a lovely night, leute!

PS: I'll take the fact that I'm #888 comment as a super-positive symbol, it's like infinity tripled with the wonderful Jemma and Rm234 spirit in it. :D

Kirsty (Sunday, 10 June 2012 16:57)

@San Really? Laura Fraser's from Glasgow? Shame. oh well, I still like her accent.

Hot cops- I'm going to have to go with 1)RIZZOLI!! 2) Jennifer Beals in Chicago Code 3) Rachel (I think that was her name) from an Austalian show called 'Water Rats' about the Sydney Harbour police- man, she rocked her uniform.

VL is getting good right now. I don't know if it's just my imagination but I think Marlene is getting hotter... I'm enjoying having Christian be a sounding board for Marlene and Rebecca, he's been great and it'll take his mind off Olli not being there.Also @Wired, VL do a lot of flashbacks and fantasy sequences which are very annoying and very weird.
@faf totally with you on both your shoe observations!!

Right, just a flying visit. I don't know where my time goes these days. My life is a logistical nightmare just now. New girlfriend, new job and living between three different places aaarghh.
The Olympic torch is in Scotland right now on it's tour of the UK. It comes to Edinburgh on Wednesday and I'm going to a special concert at the Castle to mark the occasion- Emeli Sande is headlining. Very excited, she's a great singer.

Hope everyone's all well etc- will be back soon..

San (Monday, 11 June 2012 23:48)

@Kirsty Sounds like your time is being put to good use :) Very happy for you! Logistical nightmares are no fun. I hope it starts to settle down for you. Oh, say "hey" to the torch for me!

@Libellule Always nice hear from you! I was kinda bummed that I just missed 888, but I'm glad it was there for you. It made me think, who were the other 888s and what were we talking about. @Kirsty was 888 in Room #1, talking about the Jictionary around the time of Jemmavana. @hoppe was 888 in Room #2, talking about my sad kitchen. Yours is the best in Room #3 because you're alive!!! and checking in. Don't be a stranger :)

@hoppe Great minds think alike ;)

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 12 June 2012 03:13)

@Kirsty Your life sounds a bit hectic, but it all sounds positive. New job sounds interesting, are you still your own boss?

@Hoppe I got it wrong! No Jelly spoilers, which means they aren't on next week ahh. This is getting ridiculous now. Fingers crossed for the week after.

@Wired I think I'll start watching VL, after reading everyone's recommendations. Could you or @Hoppe give me the link so I know where to start watching from, thanks. I don't know anything about baseball, but when batting don't you start side on to the pitcher?(is pitcher even the right word?!) In tennis it's similar, you turn side on to the ball before you hit it, therefore rotating round so you use power from the whole of your body, not just your arm when you make contact. Hopefully this makes sense:) Oh and because I know you love all the technical stuff, it's called the 'closed stance'.

@Faf thanks for letting us see what Heather wrote about HaH, she's just gone up even higher in my estimations.

Kirsty (Tuesday, 12 June 2012 11:54)

@Clijsters3 Ok this is the link to watch the unsubtitled full episodes of the show..

http://www.daserste.de/unterhaltung/soaps-telenovelas/verbotene-liebe/index.html

just click on videos. 'Folgen' gives episode recaps. It may be possible to translate them if you want.

For just the Rebecca and Marlene storyline with subtitles just type ' Rebecca Marlene part 1' in the Youtube search box. It should bring up the subtitled clips from Novemberstern(and hoppe) also Mittag1234 does the same, I think.

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 13 June 2012 06:09)

@Kirsty and Hoppe thanks for the info.

Wired (Wednesday, 13 June 2012 08:10)

@faf The shoes! I am right there with you. Those grey booties of Emma’s bothered me very much. It almost made it too distracting to concentrate on the girls. ;) Also very cool about Heather Hogan’s post. I missed that but I agree with her 100%! I am still shocked by that groundswell and look at the result for me personally - Rm234! Yay!

@San Sam’s belt I can not comment on that. It has taken me this long to get over the fact that it was not even silver and was the gold/brassy color you mentioned. Am glad I didn’t see it since that is not something that should happen. Ever. Sort of like Jenny without some sort of animal print on or bright color. So wrong!

@Libellule congrats on the #888 post! Good luck for the Chinese so I hope it brought you good luck that day! Also @San thanks for the run down on the previous #888 posts. I wonder how many we can cycle through eventually? I was thinking too of your kitchen when you mentioned you were moving. I thought I had remembered you weren’t happy with it but I couldn’t remember when…near post #888! Well I hope your new kitchen in your new digs is more conducive to cooking/baking or experiments. :)

VL - @clijsters3 as @Hoppe mentioned Mittag1234 has the videos and that’s where I watched them. As mentioned it was nice to have it all together and the subs were great – thanks @Hoppe! By the way, I like Rebecca too with the whole motorbike, fencing, wide range of interest as well but I found it funny that they never actually show her riding the bike and just show her in her leathers. Not that I’m complaining! Also I agree @Kirsty I think Marlene looks better and better as the episodes progress. My one question is what is this musical they are talking about? It seems to come out of the blue right after they open up the club. Also I really like Christian. He’s seems like such a great friend he’s always counselling those two! All of the time!

Hot cops – Jennifer Beals! Forgot her, I always think of her in her power suits which I admire greatly.

@Kirsty Awesome about the torch! I saw the Winter Olympic torch come through Halifax in 2009 and it was amazing the feeling that went through the crowd as it passed by. For only a symbol of the games the feelings ran very high. Hope you have fun at the party and have fun with your girlfriend!

@Cljisters3 Ah ha! Yes you’re right you do stand with your side to the pitcher in baseball. Did not know about the closed stance (of course) but that makes sense! Hmmm I am wanting to try this now…. Also let us know what you think of VL.

I also watched all of Tierra de lobos and feel the same way about that as VL. Lots of drama, more heaving chests and rifles but ok. Naturally nothing compares to HaH yet in terms of character development and genuine connection with the leads. I do feel happy though that TDL does not have the girls together as a ratings stunt and are definitely keeping them as a couple…so far…that I can tell. Soap are so unpredictable so I dunno.

Ok enough rambling this has turned into one of those long posts without saying much. ;) Hope everyone has a great day anyway! The sun is burning its way through the clouds this morning so I’m trying to find a good excuse to spend the rest of the day on a patio instead of in my office!

Wired (Wednesday, 13 June 2012 11:00)

Just saw pictures of Lucy Scherer as Marlene in Sturm der liebe. Wow! She looks great! She's going with a blondish look. Anyone else see them?

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 14 June 2012 04:31)

@Wired I've just seen the new pics of Lucy and I'm not sure whether I like the new look or not, I hope it's just for the charater she's playing. I like the style, but not sure about the blonde hair, I prefer brunettes! From the picture, Lucy looks older than Jenny Hartman and she does look her 31 years now, I'm not trying to be cruel:)She's absolutely beautiful, although the pic looks heavily airbrushed, making Lucy look a bit fake.
Anyway, yesterday I finally got round to watching VL (on Mittag1234 channel) and one word springs to mind slow!!! I now know what you guys mean. It was ok (I've not seen all the eps yet, for some reason I kept losing my Internet connection) but I didn't feel like they had great chemistry and the swimwear photoshoot was a bit cringy for me as it seemed unrealistic. If they were girlfriends doing that shoot then fine, but the fact they are just friends just somehow seemed wrong! I've not got up to the fencing scenes yet, but I am looking forward to them. I guess we've been spoilt by Jemma and the amazing chemistry they had and even though they are hardly ever on I prefer Jelly as well. Even after saying all this it's still nice to be watching another lesbian storyline on YT. it brings back memories of watching HaH. Thank you @Hoppe for the translations and everyone else involved.

@Wired Have you tried the closed stance yet?:) It's all about rotation, I find it's easier to do on the backhand side. For a right-hander (which I presume you are) you should step in and place your right leg infront of you, turning your body round so you're side on to the net, then rotate round so you put loads of power into the shot and finish facing the net with the racket over your right shoulder. At least that's how the pro's do it:)

San (Thursday, 14 June 2012 13:32)

@Clijsters3 Lucy's trying my hairstyle out this time around. She's entitled to a little fun as a blonde, don't ya think? :)

@Wired Turns out, the skinny pants trauma made my mind fabricate the brassy studded punk belt. I went back an reviewed the scene (screencap in my sandbox), and while the outfit is still autrocious, the belt is a light brown leather. Sounds like @Clijsters just described a two-handed backhand. Something I do very badly and only in emergencies. For a right 2-handed backhand, imagine that your batting left-handed. That would basically be the grip you would have on the racket. Your dominant hand is on the bottom and pulls the racket to the ball while the top hand snaps it through at contact, usually adding topspin which keeps (should keep) the ball from going long.

The two things I love most tennis and baseball - the great American time-suck (I mean past-time) because there's a game almost everyday for 6 months! My team just had a perfect game pitched against them - kinda rare. If you don't know what that is, all you need to know is they lost and they never had the chance to win, which makes me sad :(

Libellule (Friday, 15 June 2012 04:18)

Just to say that when I opened the page (I mean Room 234's door ;)) and scrubbed to the last comments, my eyes got instantly drawn to Lucy's name on Wired's post #897.
So I immediately looked up the whole "Lucy Scherer as Marlene in Sturm der liebe" thing on Google.
And after seing a few pictures, I thought, in this precise order:

1. Lucyyyyyyy!!!!!

2. Where is Kasia?!!!
Can somebody please hire her on the same soap so their chemistry can blow our screens again? Because even if that Konstantin is played by a good actor, I just don't feel it (and yes, my perceptions are based on one single still image).

3. I don't like Lucy's blonde look for that Marlene character, it makes her more, I don't know how to phrase it, "insignificant" maybe? More common, especially in the soap world, where there're so many blonde actresses and characters. It gives her less temperament, sort of. I don't know, I don't hold anything against blondes ( :p @San) but I usually don't like the look of those who go for that color when it's not their natural one, most of the time it makes them look tame or dull. To me rare are the brunettes who can sport a blonde look with success.
But maybe all this negativity on my part is just due to the fact that I just want the wild brunette Jenny Hartman back! I've been on a crazy HaH nostalgia lately...

On that note, it's 5am and I need to find sleep. I hope Jemma will be visiting my dreams... :)
Love you, all.

Libellule (Friday, 15 June 2012 04:27)

PS: Is it me or do all the soaps in Germany have "Liebe" in their title (Verbotene Liebe, Anna und Liebe, and now Sturm der Liebe)? @hoppe, is it mandatory to get funding? :D Maybe that's why HaH didn't get renewed? There was heart but not love in the title. Though they depicted true Love way better than any other soap...

Clijsters3 (Friday, 15 June 2012 08:49)

@Libellule That's funny, but also quite a serious question, what is going on with all the Liebe's? I really want to know.

@San I apologise. Infact I have a crush on someone who's natural hair colour is brown, but dies it blonde and it really suits her (she's straight before you ask and also a dancer mmm I need to find out if she can play the piano too). Love the line about a two-handed backhand "Something I only do in emergencies". Does this mean you have a topspin one-handed backhand or is it always a slice? If it's the latter I'm definately peppring your backhand side. Maybe we should form our own online tennis coaching service?:)

San (Friday, 15 June 2012 11:23)

Geez, she has a crippled leg, people! I think the girl derserves a few blonde highlights :)

@Libelulle You have very definite hair opinions :) My hair dresser calls my natural color "ashy" and grimaces when I suggest phasing out the highlights. So, there's a tween area where one has to choose light or dark. Anyways, I think Lucy will use her facial expressions and flair to give her plenty of significance. We will see.

@Clijsters3 Ha! The Wall and Hammer Onine Tennis School!!! Let's do it :) My topspin backhand is a work in progress. I like using a continental grip for all my strokes, and the topspin requires a more western grip. I haven't perfected switching between the two. I have a natural slice, so yes, I rely on it heavily. Targeting my backhand is probably a sound strategy, but I think you underestimate my slice :) The more you hit to it, the awesomer it gets. I can hit it hard and low as well as lob it or drop it on a whim. Last night my serve and forehand (both slice and topspin) were magneficent! Have you started tournament play yet? How's it going?

Not only "Liebe", but Marlene seems to be a common soap name. There's a soap here, "Day of Our Lives," in which the main character (for a few generations now) is Marlene. When I stopped watching many years ago, she was possessed by the devil.

My slumbering subconscous treated me to a very pleasent conversation with a curly-haired brunette with a French accent. I'm wondering if it would be as pleasent if she were blonde. Probably.

Libellule (Friday, 15 June 2012 12:52)

Lol @San!
As I said, I think my "very definite hair opinion" was mainly due to the fact that it's just not Jenny. I saw a still where Konstantin is holding Marlene's hand and she's smiling (I think it was labelled as "Konstantin and Marlene meet" or something), so straight away I was "meh" and picking on anything with harsh critism. :p

It probably would have been more honest from me to say that the main problem with the character seems not to be the hair color choice but that guy she's gonna meet.
Jenny, you can't do that to Emma! The one night stand with Ben was already hard enough to deal with. And I dare you to play "Be mine" on your new grand piano, this song is only for Emma! Emma, put on your magic shoes, and come rescue your girl from a tv crash!
Sorry, I got carried away for a minute, lack of sleep... ;)

I propose the next new German soap to be called "Liebe Marlene"...

Libellule (Friday, 15 June 2012 13:06)

Edit: *criticism

Wired (Friday, 15 June 2012 13:25)

@San I have scrutinized your picture of the "hot cop" in your sandbox and wanted to clarify that the black vest she is wearing is a bulletproof vest? If not another fashion faux pas! Also even if the belt is brown and the shows are brown boots is it not regulation for all cops to wear black - shoes and belt? Gotta be! By the way I see how you pulled Clijsters into thinking you have a weakness in your back hand but really pull people in with that and finish them off with your slice! Ummm what is the difference between a continental grip and a western grip?

@Libellule "Liebe Marlene"!!! I love it! Opps sorry I liebe it! You're right maybe it was the lack of liebe the resulted in HaH's demise. Very sad! In regards to Lucy's hair color hmmm...I don't know if I like it or not. She defintely looks older but as @Clijsters mentioned it could be the heavy airbrushing they do on these pictures I'm sure. I think I might have to immerse myself in pictures of Lucy with her brunette and blonde hair. Tough assignment. I will power through!

@Clijsters3 Sadly have done nothing with your tennis lessons yet as I have to work on getting a racket in my hands first. It seems none of my friends play tennis (could be another reason why I have not taken up the sport) so am biding my time until I can get a racket and time to hit a court. Will keep you updated if it happens though! Also still liking this technical talk...strange. :)

San (Saturday, 16 June 2012 01:09)

@Wired Yes, it is a bulletproof vest. However, I'm not sure if it's for the drug bust or possible deadly fire from the "hot cop" fashion police. Thanks for confirming that the belt and shoes are definitely non-regulation :)

I hope I can explain racket grips well enough. @Clijsters, feel free to correct me if I get anything wrong. A tennis racket handle has 8 panels. Holding the racket perpendicular to the ground, the panel facing up is panel #1. The next panel to the right is #2 and so forth as you go around the handle to #8. How you hold the racket (or grip) is determined by where you place the base knuckle of your index finger. For a continental grip it goes on panel #2. The grip is good for forehands, backhands, serves, and volleys. For a western grip the knuckle goes on panel #4 for a forehand. I should've said eastern grip for my topspin back hand, not western. It's kinda confusing between forehand and backhand. I try to rotate the racket so my knuckle is on panel #1 or even #8. I think #8 is more effective. This seems like a helpful description and diagram - http://www.ushsta.org/COACHES/PUBLICAREA/HSTC/STROKES/TennisGrips.htm

@Libellule "Liebe Marlene" or "Marlene Liebe"? I completely understand. That Konstantin fellow looks like a wet blanket (total bore) and absolutely nothing like Emma, which is a sad loss for humanity :)

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 17 June 2012 04:26)

@Hoppe and San What?! Marlene has a crippled leg? This will be very interesting to see. I did not know this fact.
If Jelly aren't in any spoilers next week I will stop playing tennis. This is how confident I am that they will get a mention. I just hope I don't live to regret it.

@San I'm very impressed with your lecture on tennis grips. I was slightly confused with your grips at first, but then I realised I was thinking as a lefty, so the continental grip for me is #7. I'll stop there, I don't want to confuse @Wired:) Although it sounds like I use the same grips as you, non of this western grip rubbish! To show how kind I am I'll let you go first 'Hammer and Wall Online Tennis School'I think it sounds better that way:)Let's do it!!!
I've been comparing brunette Lucy and blonde Lucy and brunette Lucy always comes out on top, sorry. I love how you can tell Konstantin is a wet blanket from one photo! Still not started the tournament yet, the weather's been pretty bad. Will keep you updated.

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 17 June 2012 06:41)

@Hoppe and Wired I take it back ,I've just watched more VL and I'm getting into it a bit more now. I'm starting to see the chemistry between Marlene and Rebecca, although I would prefer it if Rebecca had more than just two facial expressions:)I think I have about 8 episodes to go before I'm up to date.

Kirsty (Monday, 18 June 2012 11:56)

@ lol Clijsters3- Rebecca having just two facial expressions!

I do prefer Lucy as a brunette but I got used to her as a blonde in Rebecca and Wicked- will just have to see how she pans out in this new soap..

Tennis fans..did you see what David Nalbandian did in the final of the Queens Tournament on Sunday to get disqualified?? WTF! Idiot.

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 19 June 2012 10:44)

@Kirsty ...and those two expressions are worried and more worried:) Unfortunately I didn't see the tennis live (because I was playing tennis) but saw it on YT. I feel sorry for Nalbandian, ok he shouldn't have done it, but you can get frustrated on the court and he didn't mean to hurt anyone, it was a heated reaction to a missed shot (albeit a mis-judged one). Now it looks like the line judge has got the police involved, which I think is ridiculous. Would he have done so if it was Nadal or Federer? I think not. Anyhoo, I've now watched all of VL and am just dying to see them get together.

@Hoppe Obviously I was joking about giving up tennis if there were no Jelly spoilers:) I was so sure there would be. This means they won't be on again until July:(

@San Tournament update: the open tournament has been cancelled, not enough players signed up, so that's a shame. The drawn tournament is still going ahead and by chance I've been drawn with the same man I won with last year! Some people are shouting fix:) The final is only 9th September, so loads of time to play. I'm very excited, Wimbledon starts next week!!! Fingers crossed for the weather.

San (Tuesday, 19 June 2012 23:30)

@hoppe I'm very interested to see Lucy's limp as well. I hope they don't have her anchored to a piano all the time.

@Kirsty My overall impression of Nalbandian is he's usually a pretty big jerk and complaining about something or another. Even his quote in the news story was self-centered. But then again, it's one quote out of everything he said. Reading about the incident, he didn't directly assault the line man, so maybe everyone overreacted in the heat of the moment. It was an emotional reaction during a match and very stupid, but like @Clijsters, I can understand. I've done some stupid things. Usually, I hit myself, but fences and the net also come in handy at times of absolute frustration. That said, that was a pretty big gash. Ouch!

@Clijsters3 Hammer and Wall Tennis School does sound better! Thanks for taking one for betterment of the school :) Forehand, backhand and now left side, too? Ugh, I can't keep it all straight. Having perspectives from all sides of the game is what makes Hammer&Wall so effective, don't you think? (Or is it HAWOTS, H&WOTS?) True, the western grip is more trouble than it's worth. I might consider working it into my groundstrokes if I can effectively use it for a sure forehand winner, though. So there's a couple of ringers teamed-up in the drawn tournament?! As long as "the fix" works, there's nothing wrong in making your own luck. Wait... my scruples might be upside-down :\

Libellule (Wednesday, 20 June 2012 04:25)

Hello lovely leute,

I need your help to figure out...a cellphone brand and model!
So I saw a few vids of the Marbecca story, the last ones of the beginning of this week included, and there's a whole debate on Marlene's kissing technique that I won't engage into for now (I just think she would need some serious Jenny's advice), I'm just interested in her phone! :D
To anyone who would be willing to investigate to help me, if you freeze Mittag1234's vid of Folge 4091 at 2:44, there's a good close-up of that phone but I still can't figure out what it is exactly. It looks like a Motorola but I'm not sure. I just love the design and the red keyboard with keys that seem big enough for me and my clumsy fingers when it comes to texting.:p
I WANT THAT PHONE, I just fell in love with it! Marbecca who?...
:)

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 20 June 2012 10:12)

@Libellule Sorry I can't help you with the phone brand, I'm rubbish with things like that. But as for the Marlene kissing technique, wow it's pretty bad...no wait it's extemely bad. She completely misses Rebecca's mouth! I'd love to see what other people are saying abour it. At least Jemma don't have anything to worry about.

@San I think HAWOTS looks the best, but in a formal setting I think using Hammer&Wall would be wise:) but I can't work out what the O stands for, is it just me being a bit slow?:) That's what's so good about HAWOTS, the viewpoint of a righty and a lefty we can help everyone:) As for getting angry on a tennis court, I don't usually get frustrated with myself but with the opposition. Monday night I was playing ladies doubles and one lady I was playing against really got on my nerves big time!!! Even the way she bounced the ball before serving riled me. I felt like hitting her over the head with my racket. I'm usually a very gentle person, honest:)

Libellule (Wednesday, 20 June 2012 18:47)

@Clijsters3:
"She completely misses Rebecca's mouth!" that made me laugh, because it's so true! It gave the feeling that she was trying something to avoid locking lips (like "absorbing her own lips inside" so they were no more visible. Such a shame because like Lucy, the actress who plays Marlene has real beautiful lips and mouth shape, I think) but still give the illusion of passionately kissing.
Failed... :D
It reminded me of a newborn/todler trying to put their thumb in their mouth to suck it, and because they're not aware of their body/anatomy yet, they sometimes have their hand bumping on different areas of their face before it finally reaches the mouth. :p
To me the acting and chemistry were way more believable before the kiss. The contradictory feelings, the longing and turmoil on Marlene's part were very palpable.
And about the "worried and more worried" expressions on Rebecca, now I can't look at her without thinking about it! You're gonna be served on Folge 4093, @Clijsters. :D

@hoppe
I too used to find lots of Jemma's kisses quite stiff, but when I was writing that Marlene should get Jenny's advice, I was thinking about the couch kiss (before the banner kiss) when Emma finally makes a step. And I don't know, even though I was noticing this "stiffness" from time to time, Lucy and Kasia's acting and chemistry were so mindblowing that I wasn't stopped at that, I still could feel every emotion the characters were going through, it was sooooo believable.
With Marbecca yesterday, it was just cringeworthy, really. ;)

faf (Wednesday, 20 June 2012 20:31)

Oh yea worst kissing ever. I almost went straight for a minute. I'm no actress but unless Rebecca just ate a fish Marlene should have been able to do much better than that. No wonder Rebecca was worried and more worried. She knew how bad it was going to be.

Libellule (Wednesday, 20 June 2012 22:55)

Oh @faf, I love your wicked sense of humour, always makes me laugh! :D

Libellule (Thursday, 21 June 2012 00:20)

@Clijsters3
I'm also rubbish with things like that, well, technology in general. I've never had a cellphone before, but now I'm looking for one for practical reasons. However, as you can see, I flashed on some completely superficial feature (ie look) before even any kind of technical/performance considerations. :p
Anyway, I think I just found the model, after scrubbing through different pictures of my "sliding red keyboard cellphone" Google search (you gotta love the web!).
If anyone is interested, I think it's an LG Chocolate BL20. But the thing is, on Marlene's one, there's a little black ledge on top (so it seemed) that I like (because I think it adds to the overall design :p) that is not on the LG. So I wonder if it's a piece from the props department on VL to cover the brand.
@hoppe: Do you know if it's allowed on German TV to show brands that might not be sponsors on a show? Is it allowed to show any brand at all? Because it reminds me of the Kinder ads we had to watch before HaH, so one would think that Kinder was some kind of sponsor for the TV-serie, and we could have seen the characters eating the famous bar here and there, but actually there were no brand visible for anything at all, if I recall properly.

I don't want to bore everybody with my fascinating investigation of the moment (what I wouldn't do for a sliding red keyboard :p ) so I'll go watch some more cringeworthy Marbecca kissing, because it reminds me of how so good was Jemma in comparison!
Plus I think what makes it worse for Marbecca is that they're 2 adults, I'd say in their thirties, in any case at an age where you supposedly have overcome a few complex regarding sensuality and expression of your desire with the one you love. Jemma were 2 teenagers, so when the kissing seemed too "stiff", it could have been easily justified by the characters' age.

Clijsters3 (Thursday, 21 June 2012 08:18)

@Libellule That's a good point about the ages of Marbecca compared to Jemma. Marlene (and I mean the actress who plays her) sometimes looked terrified of kissing Rebecca, as if she's embarrassed. But because of her age she should be kissing Rebecca like she kisses Tristan. Sure she's scared because she's fallen in love with a women, but she's attracted to her so should at least look happy kissing her. Rebecca's expressions, sorry expression, is getting quite annoying now:) When they were in bed and looked at each other, she still had the same face! Eventually she managed to crack a smile.

hoppe (Thursday, 21 June 2012 16:56)

oh my god! Kasia uploaded a song of hers on her youtube channel. It's soooo beautiful! Heaven on earth, playful, joyful, tender ... just ... aahhhh!
Sorry do you have a tissue??? :)))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUKaQvoHUy0&nofeather=True

Libellule (Friday, 22 June 2012 00:48)

Oh, seing that smile again... I'm in peace for the night.
As for the song, I really like it, the simplicity of it, but the video makes me a bit dizzy. I'm very sensitive to camera movement. :p
In any case, it's definitely great to see and hear Kasia again. It's perfect for today: entering summer in the grace of an emmabeam... :)

San (Friday, 22 June 2012 00:58)

@hoppe Ah, that was a very lovely experience. A little singen, a little tanzen, and a lot of emmabeams all around. It should give me sweet dreams.

@Libellule You have a point about the lack of product placement in HAH. I wonder if they were legally restricted from exploiting that potential cash cow, or they just didn't think of it. It's funny to think of Saal 1 as Chocofresh Bistro or something :D

@Clijsters3 That damn bitch and how she bounces the ball! Who does she think she is?! :) I totally believe you're a gentle person. I usually get frustrated with myself and my mistakes, but there are some people that for some reason get under my skin. One time an opponent and I yelled and cursed each other off the court. She said she would never play me again. I said "never" would be too soon for me. Not a good day. True to my word, I forfeited a playoff match because she was my opponent.

Oh, the O stands for Online. And, yes, Hammer&Wall is much more dignified for schmoozing the money people (PS, you're funny :D).

San (Friday, 22 June 2012 01:04)

@Libellule I had a sense when I pressed send that you would have a new comment just minutes before mine. Just like old times in Room 1! Sweet dreams and emmabeams :)

Libellule (Saturday, 23 June 2012 00:58)

@San This comment made my day, thanks! :)

I have to say that I'm really sorry that I went m.i.a for long quite a few times. It's never been intentional, that's just life with its aleas, happenings and surprises where you sometimes find yourself drifted away from the sacred place you used to visit nearly everyday. So your routine changes for a while, but you know you gonna come back at some point, and the mind is at peace knowing that the safe havoc will still be there when you do so.
To which: I remember I had a terrible moment of panic when I visited on the fly at a moment because since few days had passed without any class in Rm234, or let's say any attendee :p, one of us was asking if it was the end. I remember my heart shattered at this eventuality, and I screamed "OMJ, please no!" at my screen. I'm not ready to let go, I don't know if I'll ever be. I don't want to be actually. Rm234, what we created all together, is really precious to me.
I couldn't write an elaborated comment about my distress on the matter at the time, though, and I felt guilty not being able to sustain the activity and exchanges we used to have in the beginnings.

But during these periods of silence, Rm234 is still very present in me nonetheless. I always travel (either mentally or physically or both) with it, all of you, and the amazing spirit of this dear sanctuary.
Of course it was gonna evolve and go beyond Jemma at some point, it's natural because with the end of the serie we would run out of direct HaH material. However, as far as I am concerned, even if I haven't seen a jemmasode in ages (well, not totally true: I quickly watched 2-3 short ones the other day, and I went all nostalgic again), Jemma is also still very present in me, and still very inspirational each time my thoughts travel there.
And I love it. I love that whatever we talk about in Rm234 now, whether that be profound or on a totally light level, whether there're long silences or not between posts, to me the energy and spirit that got us together initially is still here, palpable in our lines.

All this to say: Long live Room 234!!! (And beware, 3rd Jemmageddon ahead! :D)
PS: Love you all, please don't go. :)

faf (Saturday, 23 June 2012 09:44)

@Libellule Throughout some of the long winter days I likened posting comments to throwing a log on the fire just to keep it burning until someone else would come along and do the same. Someone would always come along :)
You were not alone in your distress at the thought of our support group dissolving. That point blank post you are referring to came on the heels of a terrible week. I was on a comfort seeking binge consisting of chocolate, alcohol, naps with my blanket, and lots of emoting. I watched some jemma and went from feeling like it was just me and my dog left on the whole earth, to laughing my ass off. I just posted in my franbox one image that makes me laugh. I don't know exactly why but I'm not going to question it if it works. Anyway, San built this place *bows head to her sense of foresight and technical awesomeness* and we’ve each kept it alive. Just come and be here whenever you can. I love you too.
A few weeks ago I went to a funeral mass for the mother of a friend. While doing my best to be respectful by attending a funeral…inside of a church, I was mentally all over the place. I think the deceased would have preferred a celebration of her life rather than the traditional dirges and long faces. Anyway, when the organist began to play and sing Ave Maria I thought of Kasia’s version. I sat in this solemn atmosphere thinking about Hah, STAG, my 234s and I began to beam. So then I had the problem of wearing a big smile in the middle of a sad song at a funeral. I accept that this is who I am…someone who might smile and weenus a little to myself during a funeral, and I justified it by the notion that I’ve never believed passing over should be so sad anyway. Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time I had inappropriate thoughts in a church. My point is, I take you people everywhere!

@hoppe hurry back soon!

@San I love how you follow up your off court cursing and yelling comment with concerns for dignified behavior suitable for schmoozing :)


Now, regarding grip style and stance: I have played years of fast pitch softball. I am a switch hitter, meaning I can bat both righty and lefty. This skill has become useful when battling my nemesee… my nemis…nemesii…nemeses…my enemies with my rainbow colored emmabeam light saber. I was practicing both the continental grip and the western grip. I find that, regardless of what stance I use, or style of grip I hold it with, I am still an invincible warrior in my own mind :)

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 24 June 2012 04:13)

@Libellule and Faf your last posts were beautifully expressed and indeed it was a worrying time when Room 234 was deserted, but I know think we have recuperated and are stronger than ever.

@San I'm hilarious! No, I think you've been on comedy pills or something, even the most simple of sentences makes me laugh, like the thought of Marlene anchored to a piano (#915), I just have images of Lucy dragging a grand piano wherever she goes. Remind me to never get on the wrong of you, such undignified behaviour on a tennis court:)She must have been a nasty piece of work.
I've put a picture of brunette and blonde Lucy in my sandbox so we can compare, and yes I have been slightly biased towards brunette Lucy:)

@Hoppe Don't stay away too long. Thanks for the post of Kasia's song. It's beautiful and it's great to hear her voice again. It's amazing how simple the song is and yet...I don't know!,I just love the tune.

San (Sunday, 24 June 2012 23:39)

@hoppe Please, hurry back. I already miss you :)

@Libellule and @faf I love what you said. It's amazing how much we have connected in this little space. I feel that I take the spirit and everyone with me where ever I go. And @faf I can only imagine what it was like as the first notes of Ave Maria were sung. I don't think any of us could've contained our emmabeams.

@Clijsters3 I have to say I didn't feel well that match. I was getting over an illness and popping cough drops throughout. The one thing that I clearly recall that aggravated me, she would "give" me the balls when it was my serve by dropping them just over the net, instead of hitting them to me. And her changeover convo left a lot to be desired. Anyway, now I have that image of Lucy dragging a grand piano around in every scene! There's no reason a piano can't also serve as a walker. Did you see the spoiler pics? Marlene has a pink crutch! I prefer the piano :) I reviewed blonde and brunette Lucy, and I'm ok with both at face value, but yeah, brunette is slightly ahead because of the happy memories.

It's moving day (actually week)! There is something that I'll miss about my old apartment. Every morning waiting for the bus, I'd see a pizza place called, Pinks Pizza, and I'd imagine a little pizza ballet to start my day. That was nice :)

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 26 June 2012 04:37)

Uh oh we've not all disappeared again have we?
I've not much to say really, just that yet again there are no Jelly spoilers.

@San I guess you're ultra busy moving, hope it's relatively stress free and nothing goes missing or gets broken, hope I've not jinxed you now:) That sounded like a lovely way to start your day, everyone needs a pizza ballet to start their day. What an idiot not passing you the balls, how rude can you get?, I don't blame you for yelling at her. I've just had the biggest giggle, those spoiler pics are hilarious, a pink crutch! The guy has a crutch in pic 6 (I presume you saw them on the JI site).


@Faf I'm very impressed by your skill of being a switch hitter, and it's an expression I've never heard of before.

Libellule (Tuesday, 26 June 2012 22:55)

@Clijsters3
I don't think we've disappeared again nor on the point to, we're just praising each other. :) Which might sound like a goodbye, but it really just is a reminder of how great a bunch of people we all are in here. Which doesn't hurt once in while. Plus maybe it's our subconscious way of dealing with traumatic reminiscence of the first Jemmageddon, and now each time we're close to one, we all go to the emmabean shed to hug each other. :D

@hoppe
I'm joining everyone to say don't take too long to pick up your next computer, I'm eagerly awaiting for your return. :) While you're away, I'll try to rebound on some of your posts (I'm so late it's insane!), that way you'll have a lot to read when you come back. :p
Like your post #853: yes, I do live there and I know this company, they're really good. I didn't play with this art installation though, a few days after your post I passed by it and they were removing everything. But what they do is very inventive. If you like to have a look (and play a little with technology):
http://blabla.nfb.ca/

Libellule (Tuesday, 26 June 2012 23:02)

Edit:
*emmabeaM, not emmabean.:p
We should use that for kids who are reluctant to eat vegetables, though. "Look at all the tiny emmabeans in your plate smiling at your lovely face. They all want to be the first to be eaten. They're magic, they'll make you glow." :D

San (Wednesday, 27 June 2012 00:39)

@Libellule hehe I'd definitely eat my emmabeans :)

@Clijsters3 The guy has a crutch, too? I punched through them very quickly on facebook. I wonder what that's all about. How's Wimbledon? When are you hitting the All England Club this year? I'm missing everything :(

So far the move is going well with 1 or 2 hiccups. I like (not) how the hi temps suddenly shot above 100F this week. Besides that, the new apartment is great and the kitchen is awesome! It's amazing what a little granite and stainless steel do for the psyche. I'll share a pic when I get it setup. Oh, the coffee shop on the corner has rainbow layer cake! Tempting, but I usually prefer the monochromatic cakes :)

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 27 June 2012 07:26)

@San Maybe to gain some brownie points with Marlene he's spending the day using a crutch?! I'm not going to Wimbledon this year, for the first time in about 8 years. I didn't put my name down at the tennis club, because I thought I'd be away, but I'm not anymore, so actually I could have gone. Anyway, I'm enjoying watching it on the tele. Heather Watson (British girl) is into the 3rd round, so that's brill. Venus was knocked out in the 1st round, as was Isner and he was due to meet Mahut in the next round, so Mahut has a chance now to get into the 3rd round without playing for 11 hours.
Can't wait to see your new kitchen, I never knew I could get so excited about a kitchen:)

Clijsters3 (Wednesday, 27 June 2012 07:33)

@Hoppe you've got to come back soon because I've put a recent picture of Lucy and Amy relaxing during filming Jelly scenes in my sandbox.

Libellule (Thursday, 28 June 2012 00:57)

I'm in a bad mood today, I don't know why, I woke up angry. PMS-ing maybe. :p
Anyway, I just watched the last Marbecca bit and it pissed me off even more... I wanted to snap all the characters, mumbled some swear words at the storyline, and could barely go through these worried and more worried expressions anymore. Must be some kind of freeze acting technic (that is once you get an "appropriate" expression, you keep it the longest you can just in case they have trouble filling the episode length in the editing room. They'll probably add a flashback too. For today episode's shooting, it must have been something like this:
-Director to Marlene: "So while you're super tenderly caressing Tristan's face in bed, you'll suddenly turn your head on the opposite side -that won't look awkward at all...- to have a flashback in a frozen worried expression of guilt mixed with worried doubt mixed with worried fear. Like you're on the edge of farting or something. It's important to sustain it so we'll have time to insert the flashback. Then you'll turn back to Tristan all lovey dovey again."
-Director to Rebecca: "So while Marlene is just back from her thinking trip and trying to find the words to dump you, you'll be standing in a frozen expression of worried surprise, mixed with worried hope, mixed with worried anger, like you're on the edge of an hemorroid crisis or something. It's important to sustain it so we'll have time to do several close-ups of your face." )

The only thing that felt nice was when I heard the name Frau Jäger at several instances because it "sent me back" to the Pestalozzi school and my dear Frau Jäger, the lovely secretary not being fooled by Gottig nor Helena, just loyal to the students, Bea, Frau Krawzick and the ones she genuinely loves.

On that note, I gonna head to bed hoping to teleport myself in some HaH dreams so my morning will be all sunny and my day full of emmabeams.
Jemma to the rescue against the mediocrity of some days! :)

faf (Thursday, 28 June 2012 06:37)

@Libellule HA! You nailed it! Rebecca practically shat herself trying out that new expression. I was disappointed in their whole effort to entertain me. So sorry you woke up angry. There is someone in my franbox who is very concerned :)

@Clijster Thanks! That term is sometimes used to describe people who "play for both teams" (Jenny-Ben/Emma), but in this case it means your team has a versatile weapon.

I'm getting psyched about the Olympic Games. I'm a big fan of track and field.

Libellule (Friday, 29 June 2012 03:24)

This Marbecca storyline is getting nasty (just watched Folge 4098)...
I know, this sometimes happens in real life too (with less frozen worried and more worried expressions though):
Woman falling for woman, well, best friend in that case, but too scared by her feelings to take a chance so she runs the opposite side of them, where she believes it will stay comfortable and safe with no surprises (so probably boring at some point) by saying yes to marry best friend's brother.
But c'mon!... That's one thing to ignore your own feelings, but that's a completely different story to play with others'. Plus the guy is nice, you know. He seems to really love Marlene. (And it's not like Marlene hasn't been to second base with Rebecca already, she can't play "coy" anymore; I mean she has fully crossed the friendship line, she can't hide behind some "blurryness" of seduction anymore).

I find it really terrible to raise someone's hope to smash it after (I'm talking about Tristan's hope here). I find it more hurtful when you're at the receiving end of that than a betrayal. How are you supposed to trust and fully love after that in your next relationship(s)?
There's no easy solution and probably no real immediate happy ending in this kind of love triangle, but even if you lack courage to live according to your heart, you should try not to mess up with the feelings of the ones you're supposedly in love with, at least.
I'm starting to dislike Marlene. Rebecca too, she's getting on my nerves; she's too eager to get Marlene, at whatever cost, ready to sacrifice her own relationship with her brother with no much guilt it seems. I'm actually sympathizing with Tristan, I feel like hugging him in anticipation of all the pain and distress he's gonna feel when he realizes all the masquerade...

Can you tell I'm still in a bad mood today? :p

PS: Oh, and I think I found out why I'm in such a state (aside from pms-ing :D): 2 close friends have really disappointed me lately. I can feel that I'm still mad at them for their recent attitude because I simply can't understand it. I'd like to let go, to not hold it against them, but it's like my perception of them is now stuck to this disappointment point. So when I think about them at the moment, some kind of negative energy is striding me (if that makes sense)...

PPS: @faf, that picture in your sandbox with your quote had me emmabeaming. I mentally answered to it with: "Oh Jenny, if you knew..." :)

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 01 July 2012 04:09)

@Libellule I love reading your comments, as I know everyone does. They are written so honestly and you express yourself so well, with a nice bit of humour included, "I know this sometimes happens in real life too (with less frozen worried expressions though)" I love this line:)
I actually felt bad for Rebecca when Marlene came back and she builds Rebecca's hopes up, only to be told that she does indeed love Tristan. Tristan is ok, he does seem nice, but a bit clingy! He's romantic, I'll give him that, but he doesn't seem to be very exciting. Rebecca can whisk Marlene away on her motorbike (if she can actually ride it, which we've seen no evidence of yet!) to a romantic destination. Anyway, the storyline is getting a bit ridiculous now, it's starting to drag, although I'm still loving it:)

Clijsters3 (Sunday, 01 July 2012 09:18)

I can't believe we're nearly up to a 1000 posts again!!!
Both Lucy and Kasia made it on the Ellen Top 100 list, or whatever it's called:)

San (Monday, 02 July 2012 00:38)

Hey everyone! My life is slowly coming together at the new place. Maybe Ican take a few pics later today. I'm kinda sad that I have to go back to work. Thank goodness there's a holiday in the middle of the week. It makes it a little more bearable.

@Clijsters3 Hehe Spending a day on a crutch for brownie point is exactly what a wet blanket would do! It wouldn't surprise me if you're spot on about that :) Sorry you did get to Wimbledon this year. At least on tele you can watch several different matches (in some cases at the same time). Super sucks that Nadal is out. I guess it opens up the field for a new champ. I always thought Mahut got the bad deal through all the longest match hoopla. Is there still a British hope in the running? Will the Queen make another unprecedented appearance? I'm really out of the loop. Have I mentioned that I might break down and finally get another tv? Maybe in time for the US Open.

@Libellule I'm just going to watch Marbecca through your PMS-recaps. Thanks for keeping me posted :)

Libellule (Monday, 02 July 2012 01:49)

@San Heehee, you're welcome! You gonna have a bloody hell of a time... :DDD
Actually, now that I think of it, Marlene was probably also pms-ing during the whole time, that would explain her confessing to Rebecca that she needs her in her life to brushing Rebecca off with a "Get out of my life!" after they had happy sex and she went on a "reflecting isolation" to process her current love life, ahem...
But be aware that pms can't explain her bad kissing. Let's just say that she has a very unique conception of passion... :p

@Clijsters I also felt bad for Rebecca at some point, even though her frozen worried expressions make it difficult for me to empathize with her (because empathy is the opposite of frozen, you know ;p ). And I agree that Tristan is kind of "blank", but he's the only one being honest with the ones around him. I also loved the fact that when he was having suspicions about Marlene and acting jealous, he said to his other sister (? Not sure how they are related. I'm kinda lost "soap-genealogically" talking. But you know, the other small brunette with curly hair) that considering his own nature or past history, he doesn't really care if Marlene cheated on him, he just wants her to be honest with him, to trust him, to trust them as a couple. And that seemed to be his whole point. That's why I said he really seems to genuily and fully love Marlene.
He has no clue what's happening behind his back. I actually think he would be torn knowing his sister is in love with his girlfriend (well, future wife if Marlene doesn't act on her own feelings for Rebecca before it's too late), but not in a mad way. I mean he seems to respect and love his sister enough to not "stab" her even in this context. He would probably feel his sister's pain too. But the same cannot be said from Rebecca. Though she doesn't want to consciously hurt her brother, it's clearly not her first priority in the process. She just wants Marlene, nothing else seems to exist for her, not even others'feelings or close friends advice. She looks really selfish to me.
As for Marlene, you know I don't have much positive things to say about her at the moment. Aside from the fact that I love her cellphone (which is not produced anymore, btw. Absolutely impossible to get one, even second hand. The only place where there're some left are in Switzerland. So I guess Marlene got hers when doing a business trip over there, probably some bank meeting to find sponsors for the opening of the "No Limit" conceptual bar. :D Can you believe it? I was finally ready to get a cellphone and the one I want does not exist anymore! Story of my life... :P)...

Libellule (Monday, 02 July 2012 02:00)

Edit
* 'is' in Switzerland

San (Monday, 02 July 2012 23:17)

@Libellule OMJ, that made me laugh hard!!! :D In a backwards kind of way, you're making the storyline sound interesting. Too bad about the cellphone. You could just get one to carry around for the cool factor of it. And there's no law against pretending to talk on a phone :) I do it all the time.

Finally, have my kitchen pics in my sandbox!

Clijsters3 (Tuesday, 03 July 2012 03:45)

@Libellule I couldn't stop laughing at your post, it was hilarious, even though it got a bit sad at the end with your phone situation. I think the curly haired women is his twin sister, at least I think that's what @Hoppe said. Love this line; "But be aware that pms can't explain her bad kissing. Let's just say that she has a very unique conception of passion... :p" This line is genius!!!
I've just watched the next episode and I'm sick of seeing that green dress, it's getting on my nerves now:)

@San Nice kitchen. You're right Jemma look right at home on your fridge. I hope the Mexican wrestlers don't mind being moved, they look tough:)
Now Sharapova's been knocked out, although that didn't surprise me too much, Lisicki is a great grass court player. Infact it's an all German quarter final between Lisicki and Kerber. Lisicki actually smiles on court and seems really nice, so I'm rooting for her. Poor Clijsters was thrashed by Kerber in her last ever Wimbledon. Murray's still in, but (and I hope @Kirsty doesn't read this) I really don't like him so I can't really support him. My worst nightmare would be a Djokovic v Murray final, becasue I don't like either of them. For some crazy reason The Queen doesn't like tennis (she prefers horse racing) so I doubt we'll see her at Wimbledon again. I really don't know how you live without a tele you crazy person! I'd be lost not being able to watch the tennis.

Libellule (Tuesday, 03 July 2012 13:46)

@Clijsters3 I just watched it too (Folge 4099). As I was about to clic the video thumbnail frozen on Rebecca's worried face, I thought I should prepare myself to a bad mood rush again... I love contemporary dance but at this point Rebecca and Marlene dance around each other makes me want to turn to WWE wrestling (like the magnets @San has on her fridge. Go "Chicken Tiger", knock all the frozen worried eyebrows down! :p)... So I was surprised to kinda like the ep though of course I couldn't stop being quite sarcastic while watching it:

-Seriously, it must be painful for the actress who plays Rebecca to keep her eyes like that. She must have some special prop for each scene, like some botox injection in the edge of her eyebrows once they're up or something, otherwise she probably has lots of cramps in the forehead. Actually we're not realizing how physical these scenes must be to shoot. In any case, she must certainly need some drops in her eyes after the director's cut to "undry" her eyeballs. Or it's an actor's trick to be on the edge of tears quite easily. And since Rebecca has to be on the edge of tears each time she crosses Marlene's path...
-Tristan, I like you but please move your obvious happiness off our non-frozen faces.
-I can't stand Marlene's pyjamas. Though silk suits her character, it's "slippery"... ;p Why is she looking so empty at Rebecca? It's a first: a frozen NON-expression! Oh, she tries the missed mouth side kiss again, on Tristan this time, because that's what you do when you're getting married (you start to avoid each other. Just kidding! :D). But that looks more natural here. Probably because we know she's not passionately in love with Tristan.
-How many takes for the badroom/bathroom scene between Tristan and Marlene? Because the fruit bowl he's eating doesn't seem to diminish, just saying. And there's Marlene daydreaming at her mirror but no flasback? Verbotene Liebe, what's happening?
-Rebecca is running in the woods, Rebecca is running in the woods! Oh, she's probably gonna fall in the big hole in front of her... Nope? Ah, Rebecca is just sitting by the river, so we can have a long close-up of her crying (because she's crying a river, we get the subbtlety of the metaphor, Verbotene Liebe). I hear you, Rebecca, it must be such a relief to finally put your eyebrows down...
-Marlene pops at Rebecca's like an innocent flower (she's dressed in pink from head to toes. Too bad I hate that color)... and I like the fight that ensues between the 2 of them. That scene was worth it, despite the return of frozen up eyebrows. Go Rebecca, let the "Chicken Tiger" wrestler in you get the whole situation "straight" with Marlene indecision! I'm rooting for you here, too much is too much, don't let yourself and your feelings be stumbled upon and abused by the carnivorous peony in front of you! And btw, we can tell you why Marlene was dithering: pms-ing.
(I couldn't help but noticed Marlene's big calves when she opens the frontdoor to leave and wondered if she could also be a dancer like Lucy Scherer. That would make sense in Verbotene Liebe's context as she's very good at dancing around Rebecca... :p)
-Other empty look from Marlene to Rebecca at the official wedding announcement. Did the director let the actress improvise and she couldn't think of anything specific her character would have in mind after breaking her best friend's heart, or what? Oh, or maybe she doesn't like pink either and it was too much for her to focus while being dressed in a pastel Barbara Cartland kind of way...
-I like the green fitting dress (it has a greek touch to it; I guess it must be a hint to tell us it's gonna end up in tragedy, under up eyebrows fireworks, like a classic (soap-)opera) but how many times do they need to adjust it before it's ready?
That sighs fest had me smile at the end, especially Marlene at the bottom of the stairs. Poor little lamb!... :p

Libellule (Tuesday, 03 July 2012 13:47)

Edits:
-'click' the video
-'bedroom', though badroom is a perfect lapsus in this instance... :D

Libellule (Tuesday, 03 July 2012 13:55)

Edit again, sorry (well, I'm probably missing others but since I just spotted this new one):
'subtlety'

Libellule (Tuesday, 03 July 2012 15:39)

PS: @San Nice kitchen and how I heart thatpicture on your fridge... :)

faf (Tuesday, 03 July 2012 22:30)

@Libellule I haven't seen this episode and I see no reason to now. It could not be more entertaining than your recap. Really enjoy your take!

San (Wednesday, 04 July 2012 01:18)

@Clijsters3 I got off work early on Tuesday, so we went to one of the British pubs in town. I got to see the last half of the third set of the Kerber and Lisicki match. It looked like a good one. I was rooting for Lisicki as well. I have a soft spot for Sabines :) And she served for the match! Ugh, downhill from there - too bad. The Queen is a bit of an odd ball about tennis. I mean, how can you not like tennis??? I'm ok about Murray. Haven't seen him play much. He should just win already and get the angst over with. And Djokovic has a nice sense of humor. His dad wearing those t-shirts of him was both disturbing and hilarious at the same time. I think that was at the US Open one year, or does he still do that? Life without tv isn't too bad. The Australian and US Opens have great streaming. You can pick the court you want to watch and have 2 others playing within that picture. No commercials - you see the entire changeover while Virginia Wade talks about something or other. It can get pretty funny.

@Libellule Now that Mexican wrestler is officially called "Chicken Tiger" :)

San (Wednesday, 04 July 2012 13:42)

@Libellule Better yet, "El Tigre Pollo" :)

Kirsty (Wednesday, 04 July 2012 16:21)

Hey all. I'm back. My life is a bit nomadic just now. I spend a night or two at home and the rest of my week split between my gran's and my gf's. And now my washing machine at home is broken and as water was leaking somewhere I have temporarily turned off my water supply and will stay elsewhere. And my gran is having internet connection problems just now(- which is on my to-do list to sort out) so I haven't been able to spend as much time here as I would've liked.
Still, I have had a fun evening catching up on your posts!
@Libellule your VL recaps are awesome, especially 'don't let yourself and your feelings be stumbled upon and abused by the carnivorous peony in front of you!' :) This storyline is actually starting to annoy me now. I used to really like Rebecca, she was feisty and funny and edgy. Now they have her moping around with the same stupid expression. She is, however, being restrained in that she hasn't actually blurted anything out to Tristan yet. I mean she could, that would be one way to split up Tristan and Marlene you'd think. Although probably that course of action wouldn't exactly get her Marlene but it seems like something the 'old' Rebecca might've done.

@Clijsters3 #948 *affronted face* How very dare you! :) Yeah, Andy's kind of hard to like sometimes but I'm impressed by how he's doing. Did you see the end of his game against Bagdatis the other night? When they were going to stop the play at 11pm and Murray just thought 'bugger that, I'm not coming in again tomorrow' and played some kind of speed tennis and got the game finished at 11.02! Brilliant. So now he's into the semis against Tsonga, that should be a good game!

@San Lovely kitchen! Cute Jemma photo. Glad your move's gone well,

Libellule (Thursday, 05 July 2012 00:58)

@San El Tigre Pollo it is, the wrestler of frozen wrinkles (the ones that Rebecca gets on her forehead when she's worried and more worried)! :D

Clijsters3 (Saturday, 07 July 2012 05:13)

@San Lol at Virginia Wade, I don't think she knows what she's going on about half the time:) I'm rooting for Radwanska today, I don't see how she can win, especially as she's got a cold and is blaming it on the British Summer! But it's nice to support the underdog.

@Kirsty I can't believe how easily Murray beat Tsonga, he was up two sets up in no time. If he plays like he did in the first two sets he has a real chance against Federer. He needs to be agressive and get a high percentage of first serves in.

@Libellule Behold, I do believe Rebecca had different face expressions in the last two episodes. I can't quite remember what they were as i watched them last night, but I remember thinking to myself, that wasn't a worried look.

Also we have Jelly scenes!!! They were finally on together. It felt a slight disappointment as it felt a bit rushed and like we missed a scene (even though we haven't)But they are still together and Jen said the line "I've got a feeling this is going to be a great Summer" at least it was something like that. So plenty to look forward to with that storyline.

Wired (Saturday, 07 July 2012 21:10)

Hi all!
As always I’m sorry, sad and a little put off every time I end up with an unintended leave of absence from Rm234. I usually try to check in but this time I wasn’t able to until now. I missed a lot in 2 weeks! Anyways I have finally caught up on these comments and wish I had been here in real time! After this I’m going to catch up on my Marbecca and will post later about their kissing technique and frozen facial expressions! Though after reading @Libellule’s comments/recaps I don’t think I missed much. I love your recaps please keep those coming! They are hilarious and very honest. Wonderful you kill me!

@San – thank you very much for your clarification of the racket grips. Gadzooks there is quite the nuance in tennis isn’t there? I still find it extremely fascinating! Glad your move went well and your kitchen is beautiful! I like the tile on the floor! I also covet your picture on your fridge of Jemma and you have made me want one myself. Now to choose a picture/scene…any suggestions anyone?

@Clijsters3 - so you are a lefty! Or do we say that to psyche out @San? ;) Bummer about the open tournament being cancelled! Good luck for your drawn tournament though it sounds like it may be a breeze with you tennis partner/fix. Also I think you now need to work on your HAWOTS or H&WOTS brand t-shirts with @San.

@Hoppe - I didn’t know either that Marlene/Lucy had a crippled leg. I also wonder how Lucy will play that out as she does like to move. No pizza ballets for Marlene! Come back soon too! Hope all is well!

@Libellule! You’re back! Bad news about the phone though I must say you have an eye for detail! Please keep up your recaps if you can stand watching Marbecca! You really make me laugh and you do add such a personal/pms touch! ;) You should be a critic I would read all of your reviews! Emmabeans!!!

@faf this kissing scene I have to see it! Post #920 was hilarious! It must be bad to make you straight right? I second @Libellules next post! Also – switch hitter? You must have many skills! ;)

Kasia’s song on youtube! That was great! Emmabeams all around! I really wished that I had been on here sooner! That was posted the day before my birthday and it would have made my day to hear that! I miss hearing her voice so much!

@Libellule your post #928 and @Faf #930! You made my heart swell! I couldn’t agree with you guys more. Also since I am coming back after a brief hiatus this made me feel even more for rm 234. I love that I have somewhere to come back to and I always think about this room when I am away too. HaH is over but little things remind me of certain scenes and feelings I had while watching (certain words, German, and songs) and they always make me smile. That has carried over to this room and I remember what you guys have written and how you make me laugh or smile or wish I could be a bit closer to lend a hand. I talk about some things we mention in this room and call you my friends to the people I have here. I feel that truly even though we don’t see each other or talk frequently sometimes. Heck I am learning how to play tennis here! I count myself very blessed to have connected with you all. If this is too mushy sorry blame libellule and Fran! ;)

Libellule (Sunday, 08 July 2012 01:58)