February 04 Newsletter

Back of the class Ms. Goodrich! I KNOW I am late. Unfortunately this newsletter was ready to go up when I was suddenly taken ill while abroad - where I left it on my computer - so it has taken me all this time to get it back to the UK. March will go up within the next few weeks to give you all time to read this one.

Gremlins: As you may have noticed the forum is currently down. I am so sorry about this. Apparently some sad person with nothing better to do with their life is trying to spoil your fun by using the forum to hack into people’s mail with distasteful and upsetting messages. As I have a legal obligation for what is published on the site the technical team have had to close it down temporarily until they come up with a solution. I understand that all the big stars experience this problem - so let’s take it as a compliment that someone thinks we are worth taking notice of…..

I told you so: Sorry to have to bring it up but it seems that everybody and his uncle now agree that both Blair and Bush exaggerated and distorted Intelligence on W.M.D.'s in order to mislead us into supporting their pre-emptive and unprovoked attack on Iraq. The United Nations is not perfect but it is the only body existing that represents international interests. Surely we should be supporting and improving it to deal with world terrorism rather than politically undermining its power and acting outside its agreed legalities. Bush and Blair cannot arbitrarily ignore international law without first proposing and agreeing a new order to replace it, with the other members of the UN. This is not my idea of democracy. Personally I think Kofi Annan is an excellent leader of the United Nations and he deserves the greatest respect.

I told you so again: I am pleased to say that I was right about my lovely friend, Matthew Kelly. I was over the moon with happiness for him when he won the prestigious Olivier acting award this month, beating other great actors like Kenneth Brannagh. Well done, Matty!

This month I have been mostly reading: "Ghostwritten", by David Mitchell - Absolutely brilliant, "Star of The Sea" by Joseph O’Connor , as rightly recommended by Bob Geldorf on Richard and Judy and "Collected Stories" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, my birthday present from Amie.

Best Angel: Did anyone see Emma Thompson’s incredible portrayal of the angel in Angels In America? Talk about the WOW factor. It was absolutely the best angel ever - it has been inhabiting my dreams ever since. "I. I. I…"

West End Girls: I've been to the theatre a few times recently. Notably to see two musicals. Firstly "Anything Goes", an inspired, glamorous production in classic Hollywood style. Take your mum, auntie, girlfriend or boyfriend. It is a really uplifting night out. Watch out for the romantic male lead. He is a dead ringer for a singing Tom Cruise. The second was "Jerry Springer, The Opera". The air is blue but the content is very thought provoking. I wouldn't take your mum unless she is hard of hearing. I brought home some " This Is Your Jerry Springer Moment " bog roll and a badge stating, "Slut Junkie" which I duly posted to Amie at University.

Cultcha Club: Gracie took me to the Tate Modern for a treat. Great fun. We lay on the floor in the great hall making shapes in the giant ceiling mirror. Then we experienced exploding angels - really - go take a look. It is well worth the effort. Heavenly… Then we walked home over the wobbly Millennium Bridge with St Paul's beckoning us onto the other side. When you come out of the Tate Modern your mind set has changed and everything looks like an exhibition piece - even the Bakerloo Line.

From Russia With Love: I have received many requests for a decent picture of my beautiful daughter, Gracie. (Well, I would say that wouldn't I?) The main gist of the complaints is that those I have put up have her with eyes closed, or pulling a face… So here is one I just took of her keeping warm in my Russian soldier's hat.

Back In The USA: And one sporting a cowboy hat - yippee-ay-yay! Is that enough? Or do you want more?