Up their own derrieres

[Tinker]

Sorry, just loved this quote from the radiant Kate Winslet in the Independent today:

"Being a single mother is not remotely daunting. There's an instinctive strength that just kicks in. I didn't even get a nanny until she was nine months old. It's absolutely exhausting , but I wanted to experience all those thngs."

I like the "didn't even" bit. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a choice about wanting to experience exhaustion!

Oh God, how could I have forgotten Madonna! Queen of the Affected Irritants. Where has that absurd accent come from? I really can't stand her but wanted to see 'In bed with Madonna' - just for more ammunition, you understand. Had to watch it on fast forward.

Dh was really into Madonna at one point, still likes her now, and has this book she did, cant remember what it is called, pretty porno though. He says he is saving it to sell, its tucked away in the loft.

For Rozzy! Nothing to do with derrieres, but two recommendations for non-touristy, romantic eating places in Venice (although judging from the list of what she consumed, my sister's derriere should rightfully be at least foot wider...)
Alla Zucca (At the Sign of the Pumpkin) in the Santa Croce area. Apparently it was a bit different from the touristy trattorias you get all over the city, a bit alternative, run by women, and really nice food.
Anice Stellato (Star Anise) in the Cannareggio district...they didn't get there because it closes in January. But it's supposed to be good.
Pumpkin torte with provolone, anyone? Buon appetito!

Dear Rozzy
If you need somewhere to go with all the amazing sights like St Mark's Square, the Doges Palace, the Gritti Palace Hotel,the houses,etc,etc,etc, the bridges, etc,etc,etc and the canals, etc,etc,etc because it can be quite chilly still in April, go to the Guggenheim Museum.

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Okay, Tinker, this one is going back a bit, but what about Ann Diamond? A real irrational irritation towards her that I just can't(don't want to?) shake off.

BTW, couldn't think of anyone to put forward on the "who do you admire?" thread - I am so 'orrid.

Sis - good one. Was watching Natalie Imbruglia on Graham Norton the other night. Don't loathe exactly but she didn't come across as having, er, a great deal to say! Vacuous? My favourite word.

Yeah, but fair play to Nat, it's a full time job keeping That skin with That chocolate addiction.

(Yuk!)

Geri Halliwell gets my vote for Most Irritating Bint on the Planet. I remember her saying not so long ago on a kid's TV programme that diets don't work and if you want to lose weight eat sensibly, blah blah blah. I think she needs to follow her own advice. Cos if she's eating sensibly then I'm the bloody Queen!
Those bints from All Saints annoy me as well. Not so much the one called Shaznay, but the other 3.

Here's a wee game for you and your kids to play when the lovely Geri ( anyone who contrives to shorten their name and end it in a an "i" gets my silly billy vote)is being interviewed.
Count the "you know"s. She ends every sentence with them, as well as interjecting them in place of commas.
The lovely Mrs. Beckham does it too.

Everytime we see David Beckham being interviewed we count the 'you knows'. There was 21 once!! Keeps us amused anyway. Reading this thread there are a lot of people I agree with you about -Kate Winslet (mainly since she left her husband and shacked up with the director), Tracey Shaw (did you see her on Frank Skinner?), Geri Halliwell. Too many. My vote is for Delia Smith - great cook but for God's sake shut up Delia. Nicole Kidman bugged me on Parkinson because she was fine until Ewan McGregor came on then she went all giggly and stupid - why she's an intelligent woman (well apart from marrying Tom Cruise). Saw her at a premiere for something else and she was fine until the (male) director joined her. Talking of Parkinson did you see him when he Robbie Coltrane and Ben Elton on? He shocked even them by talking about shagging, I mean you just don't expect such phrases from Parkinson!

Does no one else share my absolute dislike for Zoe bloody Ball? Everyone's always going on about what a down to earth mum she is but no one seems to have picked up on the fact that she has a live in nanny-type person who looks after the baby in the day when zoe's "working", cleans/washes/irons, etc. and - get this -gets up in the night for her six nights a week (or used to when Woody - Woody! I ask you - was tiny). I actually read this in an interview with the woman herself, so it is true! oh dear - am i very bitter and twisted?

Racheal68, I have always puzzled over this one myself.
I read somewhere that Zoe topped a poll on best celebrity mothers. WHY?????
I couldn't beleive she was chosen to front The real birth show on channel4. Like we would all relate to her birth experience NOT!
She had an elective C section in the POrtland.
And get this, the reason for having a c section was that her mother had a terrible time giving birth 30 yrs earlier! Errrr , isnt that the point!

So zoe decided to have none of that and paid big bucks for a plush suite in the portland and chose the date she coulkd have woody wipped out!

I also read she has a full time nanny and she is forever being pictured ciggie in hand or carrying booze.

ANd where is she now! Sunnind herself in the carribean for 3 weeks whilst baby is being looked after by nanny at home.

It amazes me why the papers seem to love her!!!
Yet the vilify kate winslet who seems much more responsible.

Callie, I now loathe Zoe Ball after what you've just written. How could she leave poor little woody for 3 weeks while she's on holiday? Quelle strange if you ask me. Don't mind so much about the fags and booze bit, thats ok in moderation and she is usually photographed when shes out on the razz, but the holiday thing I just think is bad form. By the way I don't mind the name Woody as theres that gorgeous actor from Cheers, Woody Harelson who's rather fine...

In another Zoe article she also said how motherhood shocked her, and she didnt take to it like she thought she would, and didnt become an earth mother. She found the first year really hard. I found that article (cant remember where it was) very honest and refreshing.

It always made me laugh the way Zoe 'I've had a baby!' Ball used to grimace as she watched women giving birth on the Real Birth Show.

Yes Enid I know what you mean. The tv bosses obviously picked her to present the show because she had recently had a baby herself, but she was so far removed to the real bith experience it was laughable.
There is nothing wrong with having a c section but she had one because she didn't fancy the mess and pain of childbirth. Only a true up themselves celeb would do that.

I got the impression when I watched that programme that Zoe Ball thought the mothers who gave birth naturally were a bit bonkers and/or felt sorry for them because they obviously could't afford the Portland option anyway. I found it quite offensive because she evidently couldn't relate to most of them.

You've hit the nail on the head CAM ! thats exactly what I was thinking. Im afraid Zoe Ball is a classic case of "too posh to push".
Yet she seems to think she is ever so down to earth.

I thought one of the reasons she had a c-section is because little Woody was due, I believe, Christmas eve'ish and Im sure that would have got in the way of her Christmas arrangements. Cant stand her.

Seems from that information that the child is seen as totally having to fit into her life rather than any compromises being made!! She obviously can't really respond to the child properly if she seems him in that light and so it was easy for her to go on holiday for 3 weeks without him. I wonder whether Fat Boy Slim agrees with this view or even whether he presses Zoe into believing in it? I know a couple, not celebs but act as if they are, where the wife had 2 elective Caesarians because her partner believes that natural childbirth causes problems "down there" that will affect their sex life (his enjoyment obviously). He also completely but erroneously believes that C sections are safer for the mother and child than natural childbirth.

Cam - he sounds very american!!!

In defence of Zoe - I feel a bit sorry for her - it seems open season on her at mumsnet. The funny thing is, if she was on this thread, or asking advice, no one would dream of talking to her like that! everyone is very supportive of each other here. Is it because shes a celeb? in the end, shes a new mum like many of us, and I'm sure she tries to do her best by her son. (Wish I could go to the bahamas without ds, but fear I will miss him too much!) I'm sure that she'll look back on some of her decisions and regret them, as we all do. Many women try to balance child care and attention to marriage / husband, which it seems like she might be trying to do. Also, many women are terrified of childbirth and would love to have the luxury of an elective cs at the Portland. Having an elective c section doesn't make you a bad mother ! (32hrs, no drugs, 10lb baby for me, in case you're wondering!) Finally - being from that media world myself - don't believe everything you read - it's often trimmed, to say the least.

I see where your coming from manna. But I didn't read it about Zoe she said it herself on the real birth show. Your right there is nothing wrong with an elective c section at all . Execept with zoe I strongly get the feeling it was a case of she could afford it so why not. After all pain is for lesser mortals like us.

As for the holiday. Well I could afford to go to the bahamas for 3 weeks if i wanted too. I could even leave the kids with my mum. But what it boils down too is the celeb attitude being soooo differebt to ours.
Don't forget Zoe ball grew up with a famous farther and i think this has added to her general snobbiness and attitude towards her son.

As much as we slag off other celebs not many of them pretend to be down to earth but then do the exact opposite like Zoe!

Another one who completely gets on my pip!!
Martine mccutcheon!!
Is she a total butt kisser or what!

I heard she is going to be bridesmaid at Liza Minellis wedding! They only met a few months ago so how much brown nosing must martine have done in order to pull that one off.