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Much of a muchness
Things that make you go 'hmm'…
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Posted by on May 14, 2009
I know you will think this is just another excuse for a gratuitous George Clooney photo and you are probably right but hey! it’s my blog, right? And there is a reason for mentioning him – a tenuous reason I know, but read on and you will see why I mention him….
I’ve never been a big coffee drinker. I went off it big style when I was pregnant with my first son and never really rediscovered my liking for it. This all changed when I was in Los Angeles last year, the apartment I was staying in had a Nespresso machine and I was hooked. My son, also impressed, bought me one for a gift and now I drink a wonderful latte every morning – delish! Of course the fact that Nespresso use George Clooney in their advertisements has nothing to do with my sudden passion for coffee – although it is yet one more thing George and I have in common :-)
I am reminded of gorgeous George as I am off to Cannes on Saturday for the film festival. I’ve never been before but my friend Claire’s movie is being premiered so we are going to see the film and to do some partying. It will be a short visit as I am getting up at the crack of dawn on Monday to fly to Geneva to rendezvous with my friend Edwina and we are then travelling to Crans Montana to begin our epic road trip to Barcelona and then Mallorca.
It will be so good to see some warm sunshine (I hope). I love the Mediterranean but it is interesting to note that one of the places I used to go for days out when I was a child living in Manchester, is trying to attract French visitors. It’s a great many years since I last visited Blackpool – my memories are of bitterly cold winds, grey skies and a brown sea. Although they are stuck with the weather, I’m sure the town itself will have improved – here is the latest ad campaign by the Blackpool Tourist Board. In the immortal words of John McEnroe ‘You cannot be serious!’
Vodpod videos no longer available.Now then, I need your help. I’ve been invited to do a reading at my god-daughter’s wedding in October. I wouldn’t be MY first choice of people to wax lyrical on the joys of love and marriage but I will do my best. I’ve been searching for something suitable to read, it has to be a secular reading – and not too mushy (remember it’s me reading it!) I found this extract from ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ by Louis de Bernières which I think is rather nice.
“Love is a temporary madness,
it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together
that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness,
it is not excitement,
it is not the promulgation of eternal passion.
That is just being “in love” which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away,
and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground,
and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches,
they find that they are one tree and not two.”
Any other suggestions will be very gratefully received!
Now, I’m off to pack, it takes several packings and unpackings before I am ready to go, so I need to start early! See you in a couple of weeks.
Much of a muchness 
Love the love passage. Perfect. See you at Gatwick. If you have a plug adaptor that will charge up my American camera in France or London, please bring it. I’ve lost mine this trip. I’ll get another one at the airport if you haven’t got one. Yes We Cannes!
Do you mean the adapter that makes an American plug fit into a UK and a French plug? I have several so I will bring one for you.
Yes, we Cannes indeed! Are we there yet?
Just realised you need a US to France adapter, I only have UK to US or UK to France, I’m sure we will get one at Gatwick….
This text is very nice, but be sure it won’t save you from the wedding guests’ tears! ;-)
BTW, wasn’t Blackpool deprived of its major attraction, the Victorian Pier, by a fire? Or was that somewhere else? (Bath?)
I always cry at weddings!
There have been quite a few pier fires over the last few years – Brighton, (which is the one I think you mean) Weston super Mare, Southend and Fleetwood all had serious fires. Spooky!
Have fun. I’m sure it will be an amazing time.
My favorite Clooney movie is Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou? He get an automatic coolness pass in my book for that movie alone.
I adore ‘O Brother where art Thou?’ It’s a perfect example of what I love about Geoerge Clooney – how he can send himself up (and still be gorgeous!) He is indeed uber cool :-)
It was a great movie. I’m not a fan mostly because of Clooney. I just love the movie itself (though there’s no denying that he was amazing in it)
I love the film, but to me it’s extra good because of George. But then I’m biased!
Tsk at your adventures and George Clooney and bravo for the quote. That is one of my favourite books – I’m sure I should live in Greece – perhaps in another life.
[Have a wonderful time, keep safe and take plenty of clean underwear]
Tsk? For why? Us goddesses (mostly) all love George. He is intended for me of course…
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin is a great book (but a truly awfully miscasted film) Nicolas Cage? Pah!
I like Greece but I have a particular affinity for Italy…
I will try to have a good time (and my suitcase is full of clean knickers)
:-)
I do agree; great man and lovely poems – thanks for sharing!
Have a great break – enjoy!
Thank you, Renny, I will do my best and I will also try to take some photos as nice as yours :-)
Loved “Oh, Brother where art, thou”, and all the other Coen Brothers films. George was great in it.
I really liked the love passage. It would fit perfectly. I wasn’t crazy about the book. I forget why. Maybe because I didn’t even notice this really nice passage.
I’ve just started a book art class. It’s more book altering but with some binding,etc. I’ll report back.
Have fun in Cannes.
Have just seen ‘Burn After Reading’. George again, gorgeous again – even when he is being faintly ridiculous and a character I wouldn’t like in real life!
Ooh! Book art sounds good. Let me know how you get on…
I think this is so appropriate, a wonderful book, but Nicholas Cage!??
I will give your love to Kefalonia, as I will be in Fiscardo next week!
Enjoy your adventure, have a wonderful time, which you will!
Will be in touch about the books.
Take care
I know! I much preferred Christian Bale as Mandras, it just didn’t ring true she would dump him for Nicholas Cage!!! Good book, rubbish movie.
Hope you enjoy(ed) Fiscardo. Lovely place. I’m off sailing in Corfu on 14th – can’t wait!
Regarding George Clooney; he’s an OK actor I guess; but I’ve never seen what so many women seem to see in him. He’s certainly not “gorgeous” as you put it.
I beg to differ! Each to his own, as they say :-)
He certainly floats my boat!
That sounds like an amazing holiday, have a wonderful and safe time, bring back loads of photos. The Captain Corelli extract is beautiful, now i’ll have to read the book (I don’t have the time!),
It’s one of those books I keep meaning to read again. The film was so rubbish I need to read the book to expunge it from my memory!
oo first off my first adventure out of divorce said he was once mistaken for George C… mmm? what a vivid imagination he had lol
2nd off the Blackpool clip is superb it was featured on BBC Radio 1 by Scott Mills a few days ago .. there was no way I would have guessed it was Blacky!!… were where the donkeys and kiss me kwik hats??
3rdly how fabby is your trip to Cannes I am so in awe awaiting your review of the whole experience
4thly .. the wedding speech.. Shakespeare and ‘ Shall I Compare Thee to a Summers Day!’ or Christina Rossetti ‘The First Day’.. pure heaven!
I really hated Blackpool as I grew up. Maybe it would be interesting to see it again to see if it has improved any. Nah!
I’m looking for something in the third person, I think that ‘Shall I compare thee’ is for me to read to someone if you see what I mean… I’ll check out ‘The First Day’, don’t think I know that one.
I am gearing up for the trip review :-)
Blackpool is still Blackpool I am afraid but it is a clever advert for those who don’t know it lol
Sorry Diane I realise now what you were looking for for the speech… what you chose is perfect
Looking forward to reading your adventures .. did Milo miss you?? I bet he did
I love the Corelli piece too but I also like and put forward the very spiritual and down to earth (yes a juxtaposition so very balanced) Marriage – from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. Also Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116:
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments; love is not love
Which alters when it alteration find
Or bends with the remover to remove.
O, no, it is an ever-fix-ed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worths unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickles compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ , nor no man ever loved.
x J
Hi Jane
Will check out the Kahil Gibran quote. Not sure I’m up to Shakespeare! May need coaching :-)
Thanks for the suggestions – didn’t know you read my blog!
Coming in very late to this discussion, never mind. Poysonally, although the Shakespeare is lovely, unless I was a Thesp (which I’m not), Captain Corelli might be easier to deliver and is SO true….. Unlike Nicholas Cage. I avoided the film. Sacrilege.
My thoughts exactly. Don’t want the congregation nodding off :-)
You did well to avoid the film. A travesty. And Penelope Cruz spends most of the film running from place to place – and she has THE most silly twine toed running style – must be the espadrilles :-)
Oh brother. Did I mention the latest Romanian tennis star with dark eye liner?
Not yet, but you will, Creechman, you will…..
:-)
Have a great trip … or should I make that plural?! You are sucha jet-setter.
Thanks for the Clooney picture. That’s always a welcome sight.
I don’t know any love quotes other than mushy ones. I’m a mushy-kinda gal. I like Elizabeth Barrett Brownin’s “How do I love thee” because of all that she says AFTER those famous lines. Oh, and because I know about how she defied her family go off with Robert.
But I like the one you quoted, too.
Well, good gravy, how on earth did I mange to miss this entry…with GEORGE in it, no less!
I couldn’t have helped you with love poetry anyway…I pride myself on being a very unromantic person. ;)
Nespresso is amazing! I’m hooked on it ever since I had the first sip.
I don’t mind George, at least as an actor ;)
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