What can I say about myself that would be remotely interesting to a young go-getter like Leonardo DiCaprio? I'm hoping this won't come across as a dating agency personal ad!!

Well, my name is Julie Gerard, I'm a working mother with 3 children of school age and I live in Stratford Upon Avon (Shakespeare County) in England. I was educated at Stratford Grammar School For Girls where my favourite subjects were English Lit., French, Biology, Art & Drama. My school uniform colours were mainly purple & sky-blue. We were known as "The Purple Perils" probably because of our reputation for living dangerously & flouting the rules of dress & behaviour, 'socialising' with the local high school boys!

I work as a horticultural research scientist looking at forecasting plant diseases in order to reduce pesticide usage which makes our food safer to eat (we have adopted a good 'green' issue here, I'm sure you'll agree).

My personal interests are: home & family, reading, fitness & exercise, healthy living and (when I've got time) conservation of wildlife & nature (I'm against the ivory trade & killing of whales & tigers plus bear-baiting which is particularly cruel), horse-riding (so much a part of my life before kids) and I'm a fairly good pastels artist! I enjoy theatre & cinema outings, with that most famous of English theatres, The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, very nearby, looking like a giant ship at night reflecting on the River Avon. I also enjoy a good laugh & a drink with friends whenever time & freedom allows & of course, my Psyche friends here on the Internet! I'm fairly quiet and shy but I like to have FUN!!

Music interests: U2, Savage Garden, Nirvana & Celine Dion.

My Thoughts on Leonardo DiCaprio:

First of all, what name does he like to be known by? Probably not Leo! LD? D? The Noodle? bro'? (LOL) Julio? (Who Leo?) HELP!!!

My Shakespeare connection is my greatest link to Leonardo the actor which is one more reason for loving Baz Luhrman's adaptation of Romeo and Juliet in which Leo(nardo) BECOMES the historic part of Romeo (it has been said many times but it's a fact). His modern portrayal of Romeo together with his deliverance of lines from Shakespeare's time speak volumes about how he interprets a role. Brilliant!! I bought some cards with beautiful quotes from "R+J" done by local calligraphy artists with an intention to write to LD but they are too precious just to sit on someone's desk untouched due to sheer volume of fan-mail he must receive!

It's all too easy to get flowery & romantic, I'm afraid, at the mention of either "R+J" or "Titanic" love stories but that is where my love affair (or infatuation) with Leonardo DiCaprio began. I know he has played (& will go on to play) some equally enjoyable hard-hitting roles. I have just bought "Marvin's Room" on video & I can see what a remarkable talent he has. His extraordinary ability to BE the character is so compelling. That, combined with charisma & fine looks (sorry, can't separate the talent & looks - he is SO attractive!) has surely made him THE actor for the new millenium! It's the first time in my life that an actor (or any other celebrity) has struck such a chord in my heart, and I can't quite explain it!! (Don't let it go to your head though, boy! LOL)

On the other side of the coin, his huge popularity has brought with it an equally huge backlash from the sceptics, the envious males, and people with such a negative attitude that they have to create Leo hate-sites. They bring this negativity into fans message boards frequently, and with such venom & obscene hatred that we Psyches have had to take action to remove them! Others impersonate LD to lure young girls (and older women), we also have been victims! It is because of these people that we feel it is our duty to defend Leonardo's rights as a human being against defamation of character & slander. Hope he appreciates what we are trying to do! LOL!

I wish him continued success as a serious actor, or in whatever he chooses to do with his life, and a lifetime of happiness & good health. I sincerely hope that despite fame & fortune, he remains a down-to-earth, fun-loving individual and that his huge female following doesn't influence his opinion of women & society in general.

Above all, Leonardo DiCaprio (and his films) has brought The Psyches together and I'm thankful for that. Long may that friendship continue!

You can email JayGee right now!