From: mattdamoncolumn	Date: August 14th, 2011 02:58 am (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Politics talk

But it continues. Here's The Guardian taking the idea semi-seriously:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/14/matt-damon-us-presidential-race

From: (Anonymous)	Date: August 14th, 2011 01:01 pm (UTC)		(Link)
Re: Politics talk

I think the reason it caught people's imagination here is because everyone is so frustrated. The Republicans look like George Bush all over again (who wants to go there?) and the President has demonstrated himself to be a truly dreadful tactician politically.

Hearing Matt speak with such common sense and intellectual heft and passion is like waking up from a bad policital nightmare. Why can't our actual politicians be like this? I love my country. We should do better.
Paula

From: (Anonymous)	Date: August 14th, 2011 09:35 pm (UTC)		(Link)
Re: Politics talk

Michael Moore's comment also got picked up in the Sunday Times today in the world news section. Nothing new but had a nice picture of Matt and Lucy, which I think was from Emily Blunt and John Krasinki's wedding where they were on the boat, and discussing politically active celebrities. George Clooney and Brad Pitt were both quoted.

Not to be taken seriously but the amount of coverage it's received is very interesting. Marcia

	From: mattdamoncolumn	Date: August 14th, 2011 10:32 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: Politics talk

Thanks Marcia. I think at this point the talk's not going to go away until the Venice Film Festival press conference.

	From: mattdamoncolumn	Date: August 15th, 2011 09:23 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: John and Emily

The only pics seem to be of John and Emily leaving the airport - as posted by Lainey who includes a veiled reference to something in the final sentence:

http://www.laineygossip.com/Emily_Blunt_and_John_Krasinski_spend_weekend_in_Vancouver_with_Matt_Damon_15aug11.aspx?CatID=0&CelID=0

From: (Anonymous)	Date: August 15th, 2011 10:08 pm (UTC)		(Link)
Re: John and Emily

I've had issues with Lainey gossip ever since she attributed Matt to a blind item couple years ago. I won't repeat what the blind item consisted of here but they are never nice. I'm assuming this is what she's referring too.

I thought we would see pics of all 4 of them too. Wait and see I guess

	From: mattdamoncolumn	Date: August 15th, 2011 10:51 pm (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: John and Emily

They stayed away from public places and there are never paparazzi photos on Grouse - I'm not expecting there's any photos of the group together except for maybe photos with fans. None of the celeb photographers in Vancouver mentioned getting any photos except for the airport (where they were snubbed by John and Emily to their displeasure).

I think Lainey's line is intentionally misleading as to whether it refers to Matt or Ben.

Edited at 2011-08-15 10:52 pm (UTC)

From: (Anonymous)	Date: August 16th, 2011 12:03 am (UTC)		(Link)
Re: John and Emily

You're right there are never any pap pics from grouse mountain. Haven't seen any fan pics either. Not too many sightings this past week. Seems he's working more on set

Yes I agree that her comment is misleading. I always remember that blind item when I see the name of her site. Couldnt help looking to see the pics and her comment.

	From: mattdamoncolumn	Date: August 16th, 2011 01:18 am (UTC)		(Link)
	Re: John and Emily

I've seen a lot of fan pics from Grouse - at top of mountain or before the climb. Some incredibly intrusive and rude photos of just post-climb too. A few photos have been posted on the Grind Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/grousegrind

Here's a summary of the blind item in question and the clues which led to the implication that it is Matt:
http://laineyblinds.blogspot.com/2008/12/cuba-chocolate.html

(The logic of the 'blind' is insanely stupid, ie that Ben, Lainey and her readers all know this supposed fact but that Lucy does not? Apart from anything else...) After reviewing the site above, the line in today's article is clearly intended to relate to Matt.

Edited at 2011-08-16 04:00 am (UTC)

From: (Anonymous)	Date: August 16th, 2011 07:11 am (UTC)		(Link)
Re: John and Emily

This is so stupid! How can they say such lies?! They obviously have too much time on their hands!

From: (Anonymous)	Date: August 16th, 2011 07:19 am (UTC)		(Link)
Re: John and Emily

It's pretty silly. I think it's unfathomable to gossip journalists that male celebs may have non-famous male friends/contacts that they aren't having a gay affair with...hopefully everyone takes those things with a grain of salt.

I can't believe Matt is apparently jogging the Grouse Grind! It is brutal - I did it once and I was literally crawling by the end of it. Mountains are not for climbing! They seem to be enjoying Vancouver, love it :)

Grace

	From: mattdamoncolumn	Date: August 16th, 2011 08:01 am (UTC)		(Link)
	Gossip items

Blind items are a great way for any gossip site to create sensation with zero accountabilility. It does tarnish the reputation of the subjects because even absurd allegations will likely never be proven one way or the other.

Matt told the paparazzi on his way back to Vancouver after the Washington trip that his time for the Grind was down to 42 minutes. By comparison, Hugh Jackman's best time is 36 minutes and Bradley Cooper is below 30 minutes (and pretty close to the course record) - according to press reports. I think Matt's pretty rare amongst celebs in that he's doing the Grind every few days and not as a one-off.

But congrats Grace for doing the Grind and completing it!

Edited at 2011-08-16 08:02 am (UTC)