Ramble

Sorry. Did not mean to kill the new ramble.

The last few days of Ramble: ___ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ austenarchive conference | Main Menu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12: Ramble Mon, Dec 2, 1996 (18:55) | ramblin' jack (terry) 71 new of 362 responses total. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 291 of 362: Doug Larue (del) * Mon, Feb 3, 1997 (17:15) * 72 lines Relationship No ship, please. Not now. I haven't a captain nor a first mate � never mind a crew� It would take all my courage to try a relation inner tube. How about a relation floatie? Frozen margaritas in the pool some sultry summer night? Relation = Relative = Relativity = Energy = ME scared. Time flies when I'm fleeing fun. Marybeth Gradziel June 19, 1995 Reproduction We women need not be alone for long. We can grow friends. Find the right seed. Care for the sprout. and Enjoy the fruit of our labor. Marybeth Gradziel August 22, 1995 Dream Thought I understood it all one night. How men looking for women get mixed up, and flit from one to another � always looking for more. If only they knew� Inside every woman is an infinite number of other women just waiting for true love, trust and acceptance, to come out and love the man in an infinite number of womanly ways. Marybeth Gradziel August 24, 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 292 of 362: mich (mich) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (16:26) * 1 lines Very nice Doug,thanks for sharing ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 293 of 362: Amy (Amy) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (19:51) * 1 lines OJ verdict is in, not read. I have this terrible feeling something awful is going to happen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 294 of 362: Joan, too (jwinsor) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (20:12) * 1 lines I wish the media would stop making such a big deal of this. They are now saying that they will delay the President's state of the union address to wait for the reading of the verdict. Where are our priorities, for heaven sake??? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 295 of 362: kathleen (elder) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (20:24) * 5 lines I agree, Joan too. I was going to shut off the tv when I heard that there was this conflict about what to cover! (However, the snow/ice storm here cut off the cable before I could get to the remote. :-)) It is delightful to come to this civilized oasis, but I had intended to pay some attention to the President's address. Oh well, maybe I'll be a more informed citizen tomorrow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 296 of 362: Joan, too (jwinsor) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (20:25) * 1 lines At least ABC is going ahead with the President's address as planned. I plan to compliment them excessively! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 297 of 362: Johanne (JohanneD) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (21:26) * 1 lines This is really scarry ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 298 of 362: Johanne (JohanneD) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (21:27) * 3 lines This is really scarry but on the other hand there's a lot of parodies outthere ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 299 of 362: The Mysterious H.C. (churchh) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (21:39) * 1 lines My TV is broken, so I'm listening over NPR -- they haven't broken into the speech to announce the OJ verdict yet ;-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 300 of 362: Henry (churchh) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (21:41) * 2 lines Last message outdated -- State of Union solid but unmemorable... OJ verdict: GUILTY!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 301 of 362: Joan, too (jwinsor) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (21:45) * 1 lines The ultimate victory! ABC showed the President's entire speech - and then was still able to tune in to the trial just in time to get the verdict live. HA HA HA! Take that CBS and NBC! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 302 of 362: Johanne (JohanneD) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (21:49) * 1 lines I'm speechless..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 303 of 362: Inko (Inko) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (22:15) * 1 lines I stayed on ABC all evening, and never realized that CBS and NBC were not on the President's speech. My feelings about the evening - what else is new??? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 304 of 362: Inko (Inko) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (22:15) * 1 lines I stayed on ABC all evening, and never realized that CBS and NBC were not on the President's speech. My feelings about the evening - what else is new??? Sorry, I'm feeling cynical!!;-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 305 of 362: Johanne (JohanneD) * Tue, Feb 4, 1997 (23:45) * 1 lines I'm speechless..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 306 of 362: Ann (Ann) * Wed, Feb 5, 1997 (00:21) * 1 lines Clinton has an excellent sense of timing. He finished exactly as the verdict came in. Now that's a great politician! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 307 of 362: Kali Pappas (Kali) * Wed, Feb 5, 1997 (03:56) * 1 lines He's a slick one, he is...;) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 308 of 362: Adi Shacham (Adi) * Wed, Feb 5, 1997 (14:22) * 3 lines I'm in such a terrible mood, I had to share it with you: yesterday 73 Israeli soldiers were killed when 2 helicopters collided. Seventy-three young men! the majority of them were just twenty years old. they were just born and now they are dead... I know at least 2 of them (there are still 20 more names not published), and the feeling is awful. If they were killed because of the war in Lebanon - I could at least understand it, but they died because of a stupid mistake, and it was a horrible death (there was ammunition on the helicopters, and it caused fire and explosions when it crashed on the ground). everyone here are so sad. almost everyone knew someone that died. I wish things like that will never happen again to anyone in any place. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 309 of 362: Kali Pappas (Kali) * Wed, Feb 5, 1997 (14:28) * 1 lines That's awful, Adi. Even if they had died in actual battle, would it have been worth it? I doubt it. Most wars today are such ego-vehicles that I have trouble justifying them. And I've always considered myself a hawk. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 310 of 362: Inko (Inko) * Wed, Feb 5, 1997 (16:15) * 1 lines Deepest sympathy, Adi. It is always bad whenever young people have to die, but in such a horrible crash it seems even worse. Also agree with Kali, death in battle or in a war would not have made it worth it--but then I'm a dove!! I hate all wars and can see no logical reasons for them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 311 of 362: Anne3 (Anne3) * Wed, Feb 5, 1997 (16:18) * 1 lines Adi, I'm terribly sorry. If the helicopters were as explosive as you say, it's likely that they at least died instantly. I hope that's some comfort. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 312 of 362: Adi Shacham (Adi) * Wed, Feb 5, 1997 (16:42) * 3 lines Kali, of course it's not worth it, those lives are so precious. those boys should not die, period. but sometimes you just can't help it - our men soldiers don't "play" in war, they are defending our northern border from terrorist attacks and from missiles. so it's understandable to die while you are defending your love ones and practically giving them life. I can assure you that in this case no ego is involved. what's killing me is that those soldiers were the top of the top of the youth in Israel: they were fighters in their way to their missions in Lebanon. they weren't just "Jobnicks" [=this is the name to describe the men soldiers who do office jobs like clerks]. they were already risking their life in their jobs protecting the rest of us, so they should have a better destiny than they had... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 313 of 362: Amy (Amy) * Wed, Feb 5, 1997 (18:22) * 2 lines Adi, I can't even begin to imagine how you must feel. But I am so sorry. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 314 of 362: Katy Kendall (kendall) * Wed, Feb 5, 1997 (21:29) * 1 lines Adi - I am so sorry. You are bringing the 'other side of the world' closer to all of us. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 315 of 362: Johanne (JohanneD) * Thu, Feb 6, 1997 (10:49) * 1 lines Let me had my voice to Inko, Amy and all us in share this pain. We're thinking of you and all who is hurting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 316 of 362: Carl W. Goss (lasalle) * Thu, Feb 6, 1997 (11:26) * 2 lines Let me add my sorrow, Adi. Life can be so unfair--the Israeli people have suffered so long; the endless war and persecution. So many Israeli youth gone in past mideast wars. Now, even technology revolts against them. And Israel the only real democratic state in the mideast. The older I get, the more I think the universe was somehow wrongly put together. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 317 of 362: Johanne (JohanneD) * Thu, Feb 6, 1997 (11:34) * 1 lines Too many have Carl, Israely and not, whether the're made knowns to us or kept in the back of the medias priorities. Too many innocent victims, especially children. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 318 of 362: Adi Shacham (Adi) * Thu, Feb 6, 1997 (17:50) * 4 lines Thank you all for your kind words. Carl, I never thought about it like that but I guess you're right: the universe was wrongly put together. God probably made a mistake when he placed Israel in the middle east. this was another horrible day. most of the funerals took place today. On the radio and T.V there were just quiet and sad songs, and between them - stories about the lives of all the dead soldiers, talks with their families and friends, talks with politicians and basically anything that could make you cry endlessly. I can't take it anymore. I wish this week will be over already. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 319 of 362: Kathleen Grant (Kaffeine) * Thu, Feb 6, 1997 (22:48) * 4 lines I just had to stop by before I head to bed to recommend a show I just saw. If "Riverdance - The Show" comes to your town, RUN to get tickets! I don't think I've ever had two hours in the theatre pass so fast! I'm not even sure how to explain it to you...its main focus is traditional Irish dance, but there's Russian, Spanish, and American dances as well. The energy level is just phenomenal. Also, in the program there was an ad for "Tap Dogs" which will be in town in a couple of weeks. Am I right in remembering that this show was highly recommended here? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 320 of 362: Anna (Anna) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (04:03) * 6 lines ] "Tap Dogs" ... was highly recommended here? mmmmnnnnhhhhh! all male, more 'modern' than Riverdance (at least the shows I saw) but definitely worth a look... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 321 of 362: Donna (Donna) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (09:00) * 1 lines Kathleen, I have seen these ads for "Riverdance" but I think it is to purchase the video. What area are you in? I don't think they are coming here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 322 of 362: Ann (Ann) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (15:56) * 3 lines MY CAR JUST GOT STOLEN!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 323 of 362: Johanne (JohanneD) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (16:01) * 1 lines So sorry Ann, hope nothing too valuable in it ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 324 of 362: Anne (Anne3) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (16:09) * 1 lines Oh, Ann, I'm sorry. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 325 of 362: Inko (Inko) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (16:12) * 1 lines That terrible. I'm so sorry Ann. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 326 of 362: Amy (Amy) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (16:19) * 1 lines That's awful, Ann. What a horrible annoyance x 50 plus disgust and inconvenience and I can't even think what else. Yuck. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 327 of 362: kathleen (elder) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (16:28) * 1 lines Oh, Ann, how awful. And it makes you feel so angry, helpless, violated -- a truly rotten experience. Were you at work or home when it happened? I hope you are OK. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 328 of 362: Mari Topitzes (Mari) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (17:25) * 1 lines Ann, so very aggravating! Ok in body, if not spirit, I hope. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 329 of 362: Kathleen Grant (Kaffeine) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (17:28) * 7 lines Ann - That's terrible! Its one of those things that's hard to grasp - you know where you parked it and it takes a minute to register that it's really not there. Donna - I'm in the Detroit area. I don't know where its headed next, but hopefully it will end up near you soon. Anna - I think I'm going to check it out (Tap Dogs). :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 330 of 362: Ann (Ann) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (19:03) * 2 lines My car was parked in the lot in front of my apartment building and was probably stolen sometime last night. The cops were hopeful that they would be able to find it, but I doubt it. This is actually the second car that I've had stolen. The first one was stolen from my brother at gunpoint. The cops eventually recovered that one and the thief got 4 years in jail. Now I've lost another one. It is a pain in the neck to be carless. At least the weather won't be too bad for the next few days, so walking won't b too bad. Thanks for your messages. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 331 of 362: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (19:39) * 2 lines That's really bad news Ann. I hope you were covered and you get some new wheels soon. What kind of car was it? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 332 of 362: Ann (Ann) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (19:50) * 1 lines 1989 Jeep Cherokee Limited Edition with tinted windows and leather seats! I inherited it from my parents when they bought a Land Rover. It is a very popular car among thieves, but is getting on in years. I don't think there is any chance that I will be able to replace it with a comperable vehicle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 333 of 362: Donna (Donna) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (20:14) * 6 lines Very sad indeed Ann. I do hope you get it back. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 334 of 362: Joan, too (jwinsor) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (20:19) * 2 lines Ann, what a bummer! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 335 of 362: Susan Christie (Susan) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (22:20) * 3 lines Ann, I'm somewhat new here -- where do you live? I'm so sorry to hear about your rig; Jeep Cherokees are cool. You have a good attitude about it, though. Hang in there and keep your chin up. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 336 of 362: Ann (Ann) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (22:37) * 1 lines I live in Minneapolis, not the best place to be carless in the middle of winter. I figure that there is nothing I can do about it. It's just going to be a pain in the butt to get it replaced! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 337 of 362: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Fri, Feb 7, 1997 (23:14) * 5 lines I lived and worked in Mpls without a car for about a year. I worked as a city planner till I left there in a schoolbus that I recycled into an "rv". Bought it from the Owatonna School district. But that was then. In today's world, getting around in a good car is more of a necessity. I really liked the town, I met some very good people there. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 338 of 362: Susan Christie (Susan) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (00:07) * 2 lines Will be sending good thoughts your way, Ann. Keep thinking positive. Hope this next week brings better things. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 339 of 362: Kali Pappas (Kali) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (03:44) * 1 lines Suck. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 340 of 362: Ann (Ann) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (14:05) * 5 lines Good news: THEY FOUND MY CAR!!! I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know how much damage was done. I know they broke a window and had to damage the ignition to start it. Thanks to everybody for your support, I'm sure it showed up so quickly because I had so many people thinking about it across the world. Thanks to all! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 341 of 362: Ann (Ann) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (14:06) * 1 lines I didn't realise that yapp takes the word news and makes it into a link!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 342 of 362: kathleen (elder) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (14:28) * 2 lines Ann, that's terrific. I hope you can get your car fixed and functional really soon. Glad you didn't have to wait too long to find out about it, either. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 343 of 362: Susan Christie (Susan) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (15:41) * 4 lines Ann, it's wonderful!!! You did get lots of instant support, and I'm sure it helped. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 344 of 362: Rebecca Davey (Becks) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (16:38) * 1 lines Hope everything works out, Ann! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 345 of 362: Amy (Amy) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (16:45) * 3 lines Gee, maybe we should start charging -- strangers, that is -- for this psychic service. Woman power. Be afraid. (Hil, did you start that "be very afraid" stuff?") Very glad to hear it, Ann. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 346 of 362: Inko (Inko) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (19:27) * 7 lines Ann, So glad they found your car. Hope it'll be driveable soon!! There is a terrific review of P&P2 in today's NY Times by Christoper Lehmann-Haupt, a book reviewer. He compares P&P2 to the book and likes it very well indeed, better than any other Austen adaptation. Link is: http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/arts/tv-austen-review.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 347 of 362: Ann (Ann) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (19:37) * 3 lines That is an increadible review!! (By the way, you probably have to register at the NYTimes site before you can view the stories there. I would heartily recommend that you do. The NYTimes site is one of the best newspapers on the web and includes most, if not all, of the printed paper (including the crossword puzzle!!)) ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last few days, part 2 ____ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 348 of 362: Ann (Ann) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (20:06) * 27 lines I have sent the NYTimes a E-letter in response to this article. I thought I would share it with all of you: Dear Sir or Madam, Your reporter, Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, is not the first to fall in love with the BBC/A&E production of Pride and Prejudice. This production in particular, and Jane Austen in general, has a large and loyal following on the internet. There are several sites which have been founded specifically for the purpose of discussing this production, and which have subsequently been broadened to include all of the works of Jane Austen. Other sites have been established solely to provide information and access to Au ten's works on the internet. Some of the URL's are as follows: http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~churchh/janeinfo.html http://www.spring.com/yapp-bin/restricted/browse/austen/all/new (requires registration) http://www.bluemarble.net/~amyloo/wwwboard/ppbb.html It is suprising to me that she, of all authors, has such a strong following in cyberspace. I am continually amazed by the wide variety of Jane Austen information available on the internet, as well as the variety of people interested in her work. The virtual community which has been created around an interest in Jane Austen includes men and women, it includes people from the age of nine to well over sixty, and spans several continents and languages. It represents the best of what the internet can be by bringing together so many people in so many different walks of life, races, and cultures. We have come together and have indeed formed a community. We cry together when one of us suffers from a loss of a loved one, and we celebrate when one of us pa ses a milestone in life. We support eachother, even though few of us have ever met or even know what the others look like. We are grateful to Miss Austen for giving us the reason come together, and are grateful to the BBC/A&E production for introducing so many of us to her work. I am glad that your paper has recognised this wonderful production, which has brought so many people to enjoy Pride and Prejudice and Jane Austen, and which has brought so many of us together in cyberspace. Thank you, Ann Elizabeth Haker haker001@tc.umn.edu ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 349 of 362: Donna (Donna) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (21:47) * 1 lines As Lizzie would say "Beautiful". ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 350 of 362: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (22:03) * 1 lines Great news Ann. Whewwww! * slaps Ann a high five * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 351 of 362: Susan Christie (Susan) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (22:27) * 2 lines Ann, whatare we going to talk about next? Do keep us posted regarding your now recovered vehicle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 352 of 362: The Mysterious H.C. (churchh) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (22:53) * 1 lines Did someone save the review -- it's expired from the NY Times site... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 353 of 362: Donna (Donna) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (23:00) * 1 lines Yes, it did expire. I did a search and found an old review about JA which listed your site HC. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 354 of 362: Amy (Amy) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (23:00) * 68 lines February 8, 1997 CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK / By CHRISTOPHER LEHMANN-HAUPT 'Pride and Prejudice': A Great Movie of a Great Book Plenty of bad movies have been made of good books, and a fair number of good movies have come from bad books. But a great movie of a great book? Speaking from a book reviewer's vantage point, I nominate Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," a co-production of the BBC and A&E, which is being rebroadcast by A&E in two parts, on Saturday and Sunday. I had missed the production the first time around, but when a friend lent me the tapes, I was instantly and completely caught up by the Bennet family and the thwarted romances of the two eldest daughters, Jane and Elizabeth. I did not get free until I had watched the entire five-hour production three or four times. The Bennets' world seemed more real than mine. I found myself repeating the memorable lines. I caught myself humming the music. As with a really good book, I discovered more and more to enjoy as I grew familiar with the main action and could concentrate on the smallest of details: for example, the way you can still overhear Miss Caroline Bingley (played with grand imperiousness by Anna Chancellor) after the camera has shifted away from the reception line at the Netherfield ball. But best of all was the way the film spurred me to read the book again after 40 years and to re-experience as literature the wayward romances of Jane and Elizabeth Bennet with Charles Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Surprisingly, the book proved somewhat disappointing at first. As the friend who lent me the tapes rightly put it when I asked him how the book compared with the film, "It makes you fear for literature." "Oh! Shocking!" as Miss Bingley would say. To admit that the literalness of film might surpass the stimulus to the imagination of Austen's language. "Abominable!" But this was my experience at first. And it is not simply to be explained by the inherent vividness of film as a medium or by the masterly performances of Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth, Colin Firth as Darcy, David Bamber as Collins, Crispin Bohham-Carter as Charles Bingley, Adrian Lukis as Lt. George Wickham and Barbara Leigh-Hunt as Lady Catherine. Other films of Austen's novels I happen to have seen don't come near to offering the pleasures of this production. One need hardly consider the 1940 Hollywood movie directed by Robert Leonard, with its mangled script (by Aldous Huxley yet!) draining the story of all dramatic tension, its miscasting of a too-old Greer Garson as Elizabeth and its simpering performance by Laurence Olivier as Darcy. Both the "Emma" starring Gwyneth Paltrow and a forthcoming BBC/A&E co-production of the novel with Kate Beckinsale (to be shown on A&E on Feb. 16) are entertaining enough but seem thin compared with Austen on paper. While Emma Thompson's "Sense and Sensibility" has much to recommend it, it suffers considerably from the lack of the novel's ironic narrative voice, which mercifully distances the reader from the excesses of its two leading characters. And "Persuasion," while the best of the feature-length adaptations of Austen, is so brilliantly cinematic that one almost misses Austen's narrative voice. Moreover, it is not nearly as faithful to the original as the film of "Pride and Prejudice" is, and one has to have read the novel to understand certain subplots that are barely touched upon in the movie. (I have not seen the 1985 BBC production of "Pride and Prejudice," directed by Cyril Coke, or the movie "Clueless.") In "Pride and Prejudice," an early work of Austen's (at least in its original form, completed in 1797 and titled "First Impressions"), little distance exists between the narrator and the viewpoint of the leading characters. In fact, the narrator's outlook is close to that of Elizabeth, who, except for the prejudice that prevents her from seeing the truth about the deceptively charming Wickham and the too-proud Darcy, is one of the most liberated women in all of literature, especially impressive considering the narrowness of the society she lives in. So "Pride and Prejudice" translates easily onto the screen. True, the initial hostility between Elizabeth and Darcy is more deeply and subtly developed in the book. And we understand more clearly the extent to which Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are alienated as husband and wife. But consider how the film improves on the book. Take, for instance, the introduction of Collins, the cousin of the Bennets who is to inherit their estate. In the book, Bennet reads aloud the letter to him from Collins detailing how he wishes to "heal the breach" that subsists "between yourself and my late honored father" and how he plans to visit the Bennets. The family then reacts to the letter, noting the pompousness of its style. A few paragraphs later, the text announces: "Mr. Collins was punctual to his time, and was received with great politeness by the whole family." In the film, Bennet starts reading the letter, but Collins' voice takes over a little way through, as the viewpoint shifts and, to the mocking sound of a bassoon, we see the clergyman's world through his eyes: his church; his condescending patroness, Lady Catherine; his departure in his "own modest equipage" and his arrival at the Bennets' estate by hired carriage. As his reading of his letter ends, he is greeted at the Bennets' front door with Bennet's words, "And here he comes!" Thus, with magical fluidity, the novel's space opens up, and we are given a tour of Austen's little world as well as firsthand experience of Collins' toadying pompousness. Comparing the film and the book up to this point, I was prepared to admit that my friend was right: It does make you fear for literature. I thought of Henry James' remark, "An acted play is a novel intensified." By the end, I'm relieved to report, the book's richness overtakes the film's. The book's suspense is greater, mainly because the narrator goes inside Elizabeth's head (as the film cannot do) and allows the reader to share at length her despair over Darcy's probable loss and her hope for the remote possibility of his return. And where the film can give us only snapshots of the various characters reacting to the consummating weddings, the book ends by leaping into the future and explaining with narrative tongue in cheek how various characters adapt to the outcome. Still, despite the triumph yet again of the written word over the pictorial image as the better way to tell a tale of psychological nuance, this reader will never again be able to open the pages of "Pride and Prejudice" without picturing the actors in this unforgettable television production. In a perfect example of the synergy possible between written word and moving image, the film brings to life the world Jane Austen saw and makes you appreciate how she sifted it in her imagination and rendered it in her prose. Home | Sections | Contents | Search | Forums | Help Copyright 1997 The New York Times Company ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 355 of 362: Susan Christie (Susan) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (23:41) * 3 lines Amy, thanks for sharing ... but we already knew P&P2 was addicting and very difficult to improve upon. This just proves the point. (Although I don't necessarily agree with his opinions regarding other adaptations). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 356 of 362: Cheryl Sneed (Cheryl) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (23:45) * 1 lines Sounds like Christopher needs to be sent our URL so he may continue to wallow with the rest of us! ;-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 357 of 362: Inko (Inko) * Sat, Feb 8, 1997 (23:47) * 5 lines Ann, thanks so much for e-mailing the N.Y. Times. I think it's great that they know their article is appreciated and that there is a bunch of us out in cyberspace who feel the same way their reviewer does! And thanks, Amy, for getting the article here. I wasn't sure how to do that. After all, that was my first link ever!! I'm learning, but ever so slowly!! BTW, I watched A&E tonight but I was disappointed--I really missed all the extra scenes I have on my tapes, and I hate being interrupted by commercials all the time! But it allowed me to get some work done and listen to it in the background! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 358 of 362: Cheryl Sneed (Cheryl) * Sun, Feb 9, 1997 (00:28) * 4 lines Inko: BTW, I watched A&E tonight but I was disappointed--I really missed all the extra scenes I have on my tapes, and I hate being interrupted by commercials all the time! But it allowed me to get some work done and listen to it in the background! YES Inko! Me too! In fact I only watched the last 15 minutes...the proposal scene...ooh baby, lots of heat in that room! ;-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 359 of 362: Anne (Anne3) * Sun, Feb 9, 1997 (17:54) * 3 lines Susan: but we already knew P&P2 was addicting and very difficult to improve upon. This just proves the point. Yes, Susan, but what delighted me about the article was that a big cheese like Lehmann-Haupt, who as regular book critic for the New York Times holds a high position in literary circles, would admit in public to being as obsessed with a t.v. adaptation as an ordinary mortal! P&P2 conquers ALL! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 360 of 362: Katy Kendall (kendall) * Sun, Feb 9, 1997 (18:05) * 3 lines Ann - I am making my way into this conversation late - like Mr. Woodhouse. I am glad they found your car - please let us know more as you get it back and back into working order. Thanks for the letter and the article. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 361 of 362: Hilary Talbot (Hilary) * Sun, Feb 9, 1997 (20:13) * 5 lines I have just been reading back, having not visited for a while. Adi, I wish I knew some way of comforting you. I hope as time moves on you will feel better. Amy (#345),not me, I think?????....I don't think I'm that scary! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Topic 9 of 12 [austenarchive]: Ramble Response 362 of 362: Paul Terry Walhus (terry) * Mon, Feb 10, 1997 (21:25) * 1 lines I guess this topic got kicked out of Austen!

If anyone knows of someone in SE Michigan who has experience with Novell, my company is in desperate need - we need to hire 50 people with 2+ years of Novell experience by the end of March! If you know of someone, please let me know - or give them my e-mail address to contact me directly. Thanks!!

I received the following message today & thought you all may be interested. Scary thought indeed! Original Message Yesterday I got a notice from the Computer User's Group that most of the phone companies are petitioning the FCC to impose a per-minute charge for internet use. Guesstimates range from 4-5 cents per minute for the large companies up to 40 cents for the smaller ones. They contend that internet usage has/will hinder operation of the telephone network. The FCC has set up an email box for comments - all replies must be in by Feb. 13. The address is isp@fcc.gov. You'll notice the public hasn't been told about this - the Computer User's Group requested help in spreading the word so we'll have a chance to express our opinions. You know who will be eliminated by these charges - students, older folks on fixed incomes, the usual "have-nots"! With the number of computers in the U.S, increasing daily, a monthly charge of $1 would provide a healthy amount. Those prices are outrageous!! And it would certainly bring to a screeching halt the current spread of computer technology and commercial use to the general public.

]And it would certainly bring to a screeching halt the current spread of computer technology and commercial use to the general public. Recently heard on a newscast, that is exactly what they want. A new internet superhighway would take close to ten years to create, as said in this article. The number of users are prolifirating at a much too fast pace to keep up with the current internet-superhighway thus rendering it not accessible, loading time interminable. There is a definite movement to stop the proliferation of unlimited-access-per-one-fee-a-month users by increasing (dramatically) the connection fees, namely pinpointing people with lower income.

Mich - Great minds, etc - I came here during work just to post this note that I got via e-mail today: Subject: FCC Internet Access Charge Reform Date: Tue, 11 Feb 1997 17:00:00 -0600 From: FlashNet Communications Organization: FlashNet Communications Dear FlashNet customer, We are writing you this to inform you of a very important matter currently under review by the FCC. Your local telephone company has filed a proposal with the FCC to impose per minute charges for your internet service. They contend that your usage has or will hinder the operation of the telephone network. It is our belief that internet usage will diminish if users were required to pay additional per minute charges. The FCC has created an email box for your comments; responses must be received by February 13, 1997. Send your comments to isp@fcc.gov and tell them what you think. Alert everyone in your addressbook, and most importantly the subject line should have "CC Docket No 96-263". FULL NAME AND ADDRESS SHOULD ACCOMPANY THE EMAIL otherwise it will be deleted. Again, the email to FCC is isp@fcc.gov More information can be found at the FCC website: http://www.fcc.gov/isp.html Please forward this email to all your friends on the internet so all our voices may be heard. Thanks for your time. ****************************************** M. Scott Leslie President - FlashNet Communications a division of WebSite Management Co., Inc. ******************************************

Kaffeine, thanks for the additional info, I've sent it out to everyone I know. For those of you who are going to email the FCC remember tommorow is the deadline.

Mich and Kathleen, thanks for the information. I sent in my email message. PS--Mich, I used your ramble as a starting point for my message. You say things most elequantly.

Carolyn, that's very sweet, thanks :-)

How would they do this? How do they know one call from another--which is to an ISP and which to Aunt Millie? Not everyone has dedicated lines for their computer. How would they impose such a sceme-- By getting the ISP's to include it in the bill--driving the low cost ISP's out of business with more paper work, and driving away servers like mine who charge once a year? Or eavesdrop on the lines to hear when the internet is being used?

In Australia we are charged 40c for each local call - hence part of our chagrin when we have a connection fault and have to log on again. There is always government talk about the introduction of timed (and therefore extra-charged) local calls. I recently heard that this would happen in 1999. Who knows? I better just talk and write twice as fast, now, in case!

Ann -- apparently the existing telephone switching circuitry can be used to keep track of which calls are modem connections. (But I have no idea who it is that will be billed for the fees if the FCC approves them...)

Michael Jackson's a daddy. MTV has been celebrating. Odd to see a career retrospective spanning so many years when he's somebody I feel like I've grown up with. Have to say though, I think the Thriller album and that year (what would it have been -- 83, 84?) was to Michael as the big year of 1905 was to Einstein -- the one time when everything clicked into place as they never had before and never would again in just the same perfect way.

Enjoyed Deryshire Writers Guild - Now that Michael is a Daddy, maybe he will go away? You are right Amy, he will never recapture those glory years. ABC...

I feel so sorry for Jackson's and Madonna's kids. Not because I think they will be bad parents, but because of the increadibly intense media glare in which they will grow up. It isn't fair to those kids. So far Madonna has done a fantastic job of keeping her daughter away from the press--not one photo so far. She and Jackson are going to have to keep fighting the press like that throughout their kids childhoods.

I'm thankful for those kids. Now maybe their parents will bore themselves down and leave the rest of us alone! :)

Notice how subdued Madonna is now that she is a mother?

Indeed! I daresay that she is almost classy!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! This is a drawing I made some years ago and recently committed to JPEG...

Very nice Kali. Happy St. Valentine's to all.

Kali, the drawing is beautiful. I did not know we had another artist. A little incongruous with your "other news," but you do like to jolt, don't you? Like me. A little outrageousness to pass the time.

2nd try with graphics--to all this Valentide:

Poor Carl! ;) Keep trying. Thanks, Amy...yeah, I guess I do like to jolt...I'm a little pervert, I guess...:)

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, YOU LITTLE TARTS...Uh I mean YOU SWEET HEARTS!

Carl -- you're giving a local-filesystem URL for your image, but to be available to other people over the Internet it has to be on a computer with an HTTP server, and the URL has to be in special form to work with the HTTP server (not local filesystem path). If you don't have a homepage yourself, you could mail the image as an attachment to somebody who does.

This mystery message will become clear when viewed in a monospaced font: X X X X XXXXX XXXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXXXXX XXXXXXX X X X XXXX XXXXX XXXXXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX ___ ____ ___ ____( \ .-' `-. / )____ (____ \_____ / (O O) \ _____/ ____) (____ `-----( ) )-----' ____) (____ _____________\ .____. /_____________ ____) (______/ `-.____.-' \______) K \ IS\Fr\ SKISS\om\ KISSKIS \Me\ SKISSKISS sKISSKISSKISs sSKISSKISSKISSKIs sSKISSKISSKISSKISSKISs SKISSKISSKISSKISSKISSKIS SKISSKISSKISSKISSKISSKIS SKISSKISSKISSKISSKISSK

AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! No it won't - I forgot that stupid html removes runs of spaces. Sorry about that. :-( Well, Happy Valentine's Day anyway...

X X X X XXXXX XXXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXXXXX XXXXXXX X X X XXXX XXXXX XXXXXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX ___ ____ ___ ____( \ .-' `-. / )____ (____ \_____ / (O O) \ _____/ ____) (____ `-----( ) )-----' ____) (____ _____________\ .____. /_____________ ____) (______/ `-.____.-' \______) K \ IS\Fr\ SKISS\om\ KISSKIS \Me\ SKISSKISS sKISSKISSKISs sSKISSKISSKISSKIs sSKISSKISSKISSKISSKISs SKISSKISSKISSKISSKISSKIS SKISSKISSKISSKISSKISSKIS SKISSKISSKISSKISSKISSK

And I forgot about how the script puts in extra breaks. X X X X XXXXX XXXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXXXXX XXXXXXX X X X XXXX XXXXX XXXXXXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX ___ ____ ___ ____( \ .-' `-. / )____ (____ \_____ / (O O) \ _____/ ____) (____ `-----( ) )-----' ____) (____ _____________\ .____. /_____________ ____) (______/ `-.____.-' \______) K \ IS\Fr\ SKISS\om\ KISSKIS \Me\ SKISSKISS sKISSKISSKISs sSKISSKISSKISSKIs sSKISSKISSKISSKISSKISs SKISSKISSKISSKISSKISSKIS SKISSKISSKISSKISSKISSKIS SKISSKISSKISSKISSKISSK Cute, Joan. Is it one of those nice almond ones?

Still not right. I give up. Some things you just can't do with all the hidden tags created by these cgi scripts.

Cute, Joan. Is it one of those nice almond ones? Of course! The only kind worth spending calories on! Still not right. But at least intelligible! How did you know where and how many spaces to put back in? (Not to meniton how did you get them to stay there!)

] But at least intelligible! How did you know where and how many spaces to put back in? (Not to meniton how did you get them to stay there!) __ [pre][/pre] tags

Not sure where to post this Amy. The VirtViews for march have been scheduled and posted on the calendar. They are as follows: March 9 the Timothy Dalton version of Jane Eyre March 23 Cold Comfort Farm starring Emma's Kate Beckisale

Ooohh. Good picks. We still have Katy's coming this week and coming soon threads, I think. I will also put them on the main page the week before each disucssion start date.

Amy, I'll add them to the "Coming this Week" topic the week before the discussion. Thanks.

March 9 the Timothy Dalton version of Jane Eyre March 23 Cold Comfort Farm starring Emma's Kate Beckisale Two of my favorites, Sis. What a surprise! ;-)

Myretta: Two of my favorites, Sis. What a surprise! ;-) Gosh! what are the odds?!

Really K! Poor Ewan.......

I can just picture it...;)

If you've seen Trainspotting, I'm sure you could picture it......

I did. Gross!

I found out about two hours ago that I have a job interview tomorrow. It is with a major national engineering company, and I would love to get this one. Of course while on the phone it completely slipped my mind that I still haven't gotten my car back, but luckily I can borrow one from a neighbor. Help me out and think of me tomorrow afternoon! Thanks.

What time, Ann? We'll put the magic to work. What do you most want us to wish for you? That you will be calm, confident? Or what?

alright Ann! Good luck, you're in my prayers!

Ann. We all wish you luck. They'll be lucky to get you.

Good luck, Ann. I'll be thinking of you all afternoon - just to cover the time zones!!

Ann -- Breathe in deeply through your nose, hold this breath about 5 seconds, then exhale slowly through your mouth while chanting "MAY THE FIRTH ...er..FORCE BE WITH ME! :-) My prayers and good thoughts are headed your way as I "speak."

Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!Good Luck!!!

Go get 'em, Ann! They would be most fortunate to have you as an employee. Good Luck!

Will be sending lots of good thoughts your way, Ann! Show 'em how it's done!!!

Thanks guys!! (Kathleen--LOL!)

Ann, all my best wishes for your health and happiness. Will keep my thumbs for you. I am grateful that you found time to post the Darcy sequel;-) Any news on car status?

Ann, the best of good luck.

Ann, have had your best wishes in mind all day! Hope cyber-wishing works!

I want to know more about Ewan, what in the world did they find on his person and why would he be smuggling it into NYC. Some people just never learn. Did I see correctly that we will be virtviewing Jane Eyre with Tim Dalton, YEAH!!! I could watch that all day, everyday. And Cold Comfort Farm, just staring at Rufus is well worth it. All that eyeblinking, it was just for me BTW

All right, here�s the scoop on the job interview. I think it went well, but he didn�t really seem very interested in asking me a lot of questions--I asked him a lot more than he asked me. The job being advertised required experience, which I, of course, do not have. But he liked my resume enough to ask me in anyway. The problem is that they don�t ever hire inexperienced people directly--they hire them from a temp agency on a contract basis. So he gave me the number of the two agencies he uses, and told me to get in touch with them. He seemed to imply that he needed a lot of people, and that I had a good chance at a job, but I really couldn�t tell. I�ll call the agencies tomorrow, and see where it goes from there. Of course in the case of temporary employees, when the recession hits, I�m the first to go, and sometimes they have temps working for them for years without ever hiring them directly, but I think the agencies might pay benifits, so there may not be much difference anyway except in job security. Thanks for everyone for you cyber-wishes! p.s. I still haven�t gotten my car back from the shop. I will call them tomorrow and see what is taking so long.

Ann, I hope you get the job. Even if you just get taken on as a temp, however, it could be just the break you need. Many people have started as temps and have been asked to stay on permanently; it's a great "in." And btw, don't call yourself a "temp"--"contractor" or better yet "consultant" is much classier! ;-)

Good for you, Ann. Contracting is kind of the future.

I'm crossing my fingers for you, Ann!

#58 Anne3 Ditto, Ann -- Anne3 took all my best lines!

Ann- your situation seems similar to what mine was about a year and a half ago....I did the "temp thing," and have gotten a permanent job and training in a completely new field! Hope everything works out for you.

I second Tracy, I was a "contractor" for two years and Now I'm at a wonderful job with lots of power. BTW, I was hired because I was the "temp" and they liked me.

It does open doors and its the wave of the future, to be your own boss :) Sending good vibrations toward your success :)

Corporate Haikus Fields of white daisies Now stained by fresh blood -- Our offsite meeting has failed. Heat shimmers from the cars Around my parking place; They all want my job. Ponderous, the glacial ice Flows still faster than My corporation. Savor a deadline; it is merely an excuse to stay up all night. A marketing bird! He tells me, tells me, and then tells me what he told me. Sunset is never ensnared in a choice between cost and quality. (c) copyright 1993 by William Warriner

Those are great, Myretta. I always get a laugh out of bloody haiku, which is typically so gentle. My 8-year old did this one when he was 7: And Henry has done variations on it, and I find I cannot object, since I've defaced some of his dearest pictures.

My crocuses are up at least 2 inches and there is supposed to be a lot of snow. Now, I know they are hardy or some varieties would not be called "Snow Crocus" but should I cover them just in case? Nor not worry unless thing get sub-zero (heaven forbid).

Amy, the U.S. Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center (NFIC) may have some info for you. They are at www.bulb.com.

Amy, Snow would actually insulate and protect them. I have had tulips get snowed on in Boston when they were up a few inches, and they were fine (except those that got beheaded by a wayward snowplow). I am a very enthusiastic, although not particularly expert gardener. Jane

Amy I only did one "variation" on it, and you've done two on my baby picture...

Oh, I suppose that is right. Though dinos have come onto the scene in other guises.

It was Chicago, Laura, and I don't have any more information...you're right...some people never learn!

There is a moon like the one in Moonstruck out tonight over Central Indiana. Makes me want to try to drive there.

Afraid that will be a long drive, because it is already rising here in California. Looks as if you could get out a ladder and climb right on up.

Wait a minute. We've got that moon here in New England! Let's all meet under it.

They dined on mince and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon; And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon. ---Edward Lear

Lovely thought. It's comforting to think about commonalities...the moon, the atomic particles we breathe, our communion in cyberspace...the world is really much smaller than it seems. I feel very close to you guys...even though I've never met most of you in person, and probably never will. The Net really can be a spiritual place.

This was posted recently to AUSTEN-L:

I saw that. Reminds me of the kind of conversations I carry on with my eighteen-year-old brother. Alternative realities again.

Congratulations, Ann!! So glad you have WHEELS again!

HIP, HIP, HOORAYYYYYY!!!!!!

Too cool, Ann! Makes me feel like dancing for you!

Verrry glad for you!

Now go interview.

Congrats, Ann!

What relief Ann, and is it fit to drive away in...? Was glad to meet you in chat!

1st. Finally got in. Spring seems slow and jumpy. 2nd. Glad you got your car back, Ann. Make sure you install one of those steering wheel locks and a secondary electronic device, if you are going to park it on the street. You need locking redundancy. 3rd. I recently purchased the l995 Edition of Jane Austen's Letters. Interesting.It appears that Cass. Austen destroyed some letters but only those relating to graphic descriptions of illnessses or harsh criticisms of her relatives.Bits and pieces of her letters are still being found. This edition is much easier to read than the Brabant Edition. Proper paragraphing and so forth. You can buy it from the Jane Austen Book Store in Chicago for $55.00. Ha dbound. This edition edited by Deirdre Le Faye. 4th Seems there is a movement afoot to tax internet transactions. I can't remember precisely where I read that. It's unlikely given the present Republican domination of Congress and the current anti-tax mood that such an effort will succeed but you never can tell.

1st. Finally got in. Spring seems slow and jumpy. 2nd. Glad you got your car back, Ann. Make sure you install one of those steering wheel locks and a secondary electronic device, if you are going to park it on the street. You need locking redundancy. 3rd. I recently purchased the l995 Edition of Jane Austen's Letters. Interesting.It appears that Cass. Austen destroyed some letters but only those relating to graphic descriptions of illnessses or harsh criticisms of her relatives.Bits and pieces of her letters are still being found. This edition is much easier to read than the Brabant Edition. Proper paragraphing and so forth. You can buy it from the Jane Austen Book Store in Chicago for $55.00. Ha dbound. This edition edited by Deirdre Le Faye. 4th Seems there is a movement afoot to tax internet transactions. I can't remember precisely where I read that. It's unlikely given the present Republican domination of Congress and the current anti-tax mood that such an effort will succeed but you never can tell.

1st. Finally got in. Spring seems slow and jumpy. 2nd. Glad you got your car back, Ann. Make sure you install one of those steering wheel locks and a secondary electronic device, if you are going to park it on the street. You need locking redundancy. 3rd. I recently purchased the l995 Edition of Jane Austen's Letters. Interesting.It appears that Cass. Austen destroyed some letters but only those relating to graphic descriptions of illnessses or harsh criticisms of her relatives.Bits and pieces of her letters are still being found. This edition is much easier to read than the Brabant Edition. Proper paragraphing and so forth. You can buy it from the Jane Austen Book Store in Chicago for $55.00. Ha dbound. This edition edited by Deirdre Le Faye. 4th Seems there is a movement afoot to tax internet transactions. I can't remember precisely where I read that. It's unlikely given the present Republican domination of Congress and the current anti-tax mood that such an effort will succeed but you never can tell.

My my, Carl, you really did want us to read your memo here! :-) I found this quote recently and find it interesting: "Small minds discuss persons. Average minds discuss events. Great minds discuss ideas." I suppose we all cycle through each of those categories, but we probably tend toward one much of the time in conversation...

Are you trying to tell the droolers something, Wendy? ;) Anyway, it's an interesting thought...although it is very difficult to ruminuate ideas when one has a bad bearing on history, current events, and notable people. I guess the key lies in the ultimate use of events and people as illustrations in drawing larger philosophical and theoretical conclusions.

AARRGGHH!! I hate trying to install new hardware on PC's!!!! I managed to do little more than disable my modem. I finally managed to find a backup of my config.sys file, and that got it working again, so I can come here and ramble. I am trying to get three pieces of hardware/softeware to work together. The problem is that each one wants the other installed first. None of them will take the lead. I get so frustrated doing this and the documentation is absolutely nonexistent! AARRGGHH !

Ann -- greatest sympathies to you. Documentation is skimpy at best, I do know that! Perhaps you should take a nice cleansing breath, and then have a nice lie down! (Or maybe a good stiff drink?!) A new professional journal arrived today: North American Actuarial Journal. [I am an actuary/professor by career choice, and Austen fan by life choice. ;)] Imagine my delight when I noticed the article, "Actuarial Issues in the Novels of Jane Austen" by Daniel D. Skwire. This may not seem like much to the rest of you, but I have found another actuary who knows Jane Austen's books (he mentions all six novels in his article). And there are some very positive comments, of a general nature, about the books, as well as the reported actuarial issues. Skwire's best "actuarial" cite is in S&S when John & Fanny Dashwood are discussing what he should do for the Dashwood widow & daughters. He quotes Fanny's comment that "people always live for ever when there is any annuity to be paid them," and goes on to show that a true value of the annuity would probably be around the $1500 pounds which John had proposed previously. My personal favorite of Skwire's citations is from P&P. He discusses the entail, and then Charlotte's acceptance of Mr Collins' proposal. "On learning of the engagement, Charlotte's mother expresses her own actuarial tendencies [italics mine]: 'Lady Lucas began directly to calculate with more interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Bennet was likely to live.' So our JA was an early appreciator of my own profession. :-) This pleases almost more than I can express. I shall now ramble on to other topics.

What a treat that must have been for you, Kathleen. Does the article explain about the Four Percents?

Kathleen, how great for you that you could put your professional and avocational lives together in such a way! Did the article, by any chance, mention the life expectancy in JA's days? I'd be very interested to know for Little Fitz purposes - I fear I have people dying off too young!!

] Does the article explain about the Four Percents? The article references Daniel Pool's book (What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew). The assumption about the investments in the 4 per cents is that it is government bonds (or the like -- national debt, anyway), and the rate would generally be 4% or 5%. ] Did the article, by any chance, mention the life expectancy in JA's days? I'd be very interested to know for Little Fitz purposes - I fear I have people dying off too young!! There is a mortality table (from Carlisle, England -- published in 1815). I shall do some calculating and get back to you.

Cool, but wow, scary in a way to think so. Leave it to a bunch of maniacs like us to get all excited about a mortality table from the 1800s.

Kathleen, as a former CAS student, I'm more interested if it mentioned the designation process of JA's days.

Cindy -- do you mean the actuarial designation? No, the article only discussed actuarial concepts. A former CAS student? Did you quit or finish the exams? I teach undergraduates, some of whom have gone on to take CAS exams. I myself am an FSA (that's Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, btw).

After goose-egging 4, having my first child during 5 (yes, I was a noshow, but they said they understood), I was looking at the limit of my student status. I moved over into the Controller area of the same company, refusing to find out if the Actuarial dept. mgmt. meant what they said of a third consequent failure. This is now all ancient history, I've not been on the exam path three times longer than I ever was. It's uncanny, though, I can still easily conjure up those "pit-of-the-stomach" feelingsove checking the mailbox. For everyone else in the sane world, the Casualty Actuarial Society and the Society of Actuaries separately and together administer 10-part examination process which allows for baby actuaries to attain designation levels. Yes, the career was fairly recently the best (?), but every student everywhere is certain that the surveyor disregarded the effects of the grueling exam process. (Keep in mind, the test designers, graders, and takers tend to all be overachiever math majors) Did I explain that okay, Kathleen? I hope not too much venom comes through, anymore. It has been over ten years, but it's hard to shake!

The career was recently advertised in some publication as the "Best". I don't think I said that quite right up there.

Cindy -- I understand you (I almost said I feel your pain!), and I know that same feeling. Although "losses" no longer count once you've finished with 10 "wins" it was a grueling time. ______________________ Inko -- regarding life expectancy in JA's time, I have finished some calculations. Based on the aforementioned Carlisle table (which is considered to be fairly representative of the era), a newborn could expect to live less than 40 years primarily due to high rates of infant mortality. A child who lived to the age of 10 could expect to live into his/her 50's or 60's. The Carlisle table is unisex (i.e., not separated out for men and women), so the effects of maternity on women's life expectancy cannot be looked at. The risk to a woman during childbirth was considerably higher than now, though. Of course all this is based on averages. Individual situations could be different. Perhaps, Inko, the people you are "killing" off could die from accidents or some epidemic?

Kathleen, goes to show how easily it all comes right back to the surface, I've been nervous about what your answer would be! Over ten years later, no less! such tremblings of my nerves and flutterings in my head, spasms in my side, yet noone knows how much I suffer...

Such tremblings! You don't know what I suffer!!

(Be patient - the above may take a couple of minutes to transfer)

Just found this. Now this is my kind of diet! 1. If you eat something and no one sees you eat it, it has no calories. 2. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, the calories in the candy bar are canceled out by the diet soda. 3. When you eat with someone else, calories don't count if you don't eat more than they do. 4. Foods used for medicinal purposes NEVER count, such as hot chocolate, brandy, toast and Sara Lee cheesecake. 5. If you fatten up everyone else around you, you look thinner. 6. Movie-related foods (Milk Duds, buttered popcorn, Junior Mints, Red Hots, Tootsie Rolls, etc.) do not have additional calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel. 7. Cookie pieces contain no calories--the process of breaking causes calorie leakage. 8. Things licked off knives and spoons have no calories if you are in the process of preparing something. Examples are peanut butter on a knife used to make a sandwich and ice cream on a spoon used to make a sundae. 9. Food that have the same color have the same number of calories. Examples: spinach and pistachio ice cream; mushrooms and white chocolate. NOTE: Chocolate is a universal color and may be substituted for any other food color. 10. Anything consumed while standing over the kitchen sink has no calories.

ROTFLOL

I wasn't sure where to post this but I thought this might be the best place In the book The Making Of Jane Austen's Emma there is a quote from Prunella Scales where she says she was in an old black and white BBC serial of P&P. She also mentioned that Darcy was played by Peter Cushing and Mr Bennet by Milton Rosmer, also that it was filmed live which may be why it has never shown up on video.

PETER CUSHING?? I'm all astonishment!

Who's Peter Cushing? And who did Prunella Scales play?

Peter Cushing played Dr. Who in the movies "Dr. Who and the Daleks" and "Daleks--Invasion of Earth 2150 AD". (Does that clear it up?). He's a British actor who has chewed the scenery in a lot of classic b-horror film work, such as "Curse of Frankenstein", "The Abominable Snowman of the Himalayas", "Brides of Dracula", "Dr. Terror's House of Horrors", "The Skull", "Island of the Burning Doomed" (great title!), and "Bloodsuckers". He also played Sherlock Holmes in one of the many "Hound of the Baskervilles" adaptations. Somewhat more recently, he was in the movie of "Tales from the Crypt", and the Zucker Brother's (of "Airplane" fame) "Top Secret". And of course he's probably best known as the Death Star captain in "Star Wars".

Yes, of couse. I'm afraid it was the Star Wars reference that I got... HIM??? as DARCY??? unbelievable.

One purple crocus ready to open tomorrow!

We still have almost a foot of snow on the ground!

Sorry, Ann. I remember those Northern waits for the thaw. I got to have some windows open today. Some neighbors did too, and I am glad for it. There is the most lovely flute duet being performed for me right now. That kind of harmony... I don't remember what it is called... where neither part is consistently higher or lower than the other but weaves in and out and up and down and questions and replies? First I thought the music must be the force coaxing the crocus up. Now I see this music is not exactly right for purple flowers. If it could make flowers, they would be peach colored.

RE #109: Cheryl, love that diet. I think I'll try it next time I go to the movies, or when standing over the kitchen sink!!;-)

RE #109: Cheryl, love that diet. Printed one out to take into work -- they'll love it. Thanks for sharing, Cheryl!

Not only do I love the diet, Cheryl, I could have written it. Amy, I could see the crocuses and hear the music and smell imminent spring in the air.

Cheryl,that's really health food!!:-) Wow if we got together to have a high tea there would be no calories considered at all, I assure you. Would love to watch your crocus open Amy! It was not injured by snow or chill then? That's good. I saw some green tiny noses on garden surface today they will grow and I shall tell you into what colour and shape. Spring is in the air. Birds are starting to return here.

in Just- spring when the world is mud- luscious the little lame ballonman whistles far and wee and eddieandbill come running from marbles and piracies and it's spring when the world is puddle-wonderful the queer old balloonman whistles far and wee and bettyandisabel come dancing from hop-scotch and jump-rope and it's spring and the goat-footed balloonMan whistles far and wee e.e. cummings It's rained so much here today and yesterday that this poem came to mind. It's one of my favorites.

That would be a good one to post in the poetry conference topic: poems about spring.

OK, Terry, I posted it at the poetry conference.:-)

I adore e e cummings and have since high school. Thanks for sharing, and for bringing back a memory.

Myretta: Not only do I love the diet, Cheryl, I could have written it. But sister, it neglected your favorite, which I have decided to incorporate into my own diet plans... 11. Anything eaten in the car is devoid of calories, for you are moving and thus burning off any potential calories as you eat!

I have been trying to send you e-mail with no success. On another thread, you talked about downloading wav files with P&P2 stuff. I've "searched" for those files with no luck. Would you mind either responding on here or e-mailing me info on where to find this stuff? Thanks!

Meggin, I have been trying to send you e-mail with no success. On another thread, you talked about downloading wav files with P&P2 stuff. I've "searched" for those files with no luck. Would you mind either responding on here or e-mailing me info on where to find this stuff? Thanks!

Amy, thinking about "peach-colored flute duets" Just that phrase sounds poetic. I'll have to ponder that with a glass of wine. speaking of spring, we were all sweating to death today. Have no idea just how hot it was. Supposed to be only mid-70s, but we blew that away, I'm sure! All of you waiting for the thaw won't be able to relate to the excitement we are experiencing anticipating our first-ever ski trip. Been over 12 years since it snowed here (except the 2 or 3 flakes we search for each winter with the kids: "Is that it?"). Can't wait! Had to buy clothes the likes of which we may never need again. The kids have been ounting down since New Year's.

Cookie pieces contain no calories--the process of breaking causes calorie leakage. ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho ha ha ha hee hee hee ho ho ho

Amy: One purple crocus ready to open tomorrow! Wysteria buds are swelling - will open any day now!

Susan, you said: ] Meggin, I have been trying to send you e-mail with no success. On ] another thread, you talked about downloading wav files with P&P2 ] stuff. I've "searched" for those files with no luck. Would you mind ] either responding on here or e-mailing me info on where to find this ] stuff? Thanks! I tried responding to your message at the address in the header (Susan@206.171.46.201) but my mailer protests that that is not a vaild address. I don't recall Meggin making any comments about wav files, but I have - might this comment be directed to me? I've recently posted a list of about 300 soundbytes which have been uploaded to the Spring - the list is in the Austentest conference in topic 17.

might this comment be directed to me? If you made the comment about wav files, then I assume I somehow got the sender wrong. Thanks so much for the info; I'll check it out posthaste!

I wore shorts today. Unbelievable.

Would that be Wisteria sinensis,Joan, too? If so, that's waht we call "blue rain". And it is not safe all over Sweden. Might very likely freeze dead during the winter. But I got inspired by Amy and have done a search in garden under last years dry and greyish-brown leaves I found one yellow crocus! Of the tiny botanical kind...

Susan, I downloaded the wav files from this site: http://www.ualberta.ca/~marilyn/wav.html#Sound files My correct e-mail address is meggin57@aol.com

This place stays busy!!I loaned my homemade tape of P&P2 to a friend while away. and she was thrilled...Stayed up until 1am and was not finished! So she feigned anger, (she has a one year old) and wanted to know why I had waited so long to loan it to her, and why didn't I tell her it was 6 hours!! She loved it!

Ohhh. Thanks, J.

I love the coming of spring too. It brings optimism to me. Here it is not as exaggerated, but I have experienced a Scottish spring. Here my Claret Ash is threatening autumn with the faintest tinge of pink in its leaves. I wonder what music did bring up your crocus, Amy?

Hil, the crocuses are just outside my front door, so likely their inspiration was that old favorite and standard, "Hurry Up, Aaron and Yes You Do Have to Wear Socks and Make Sure the Door is Closed; You Want the Cats to Escape and be Smashed by a Car's Tire?"

Oh, Amy, we play that one at our house quite often, but, alas, no crocuses!

Love to hear it sung, Amy! We might get the desired response at least once because of novelty! Rap or heavy metal? Or do you think contralto would have more impact? 'Your socks, your socks, your-or-or-or so-o-o-o-cks, your sockkkks'. No, I think crocuses must have more discernment. Some little zephyr of purple airwaves must be percolating gently undetected out under your door.

Haven't looked at this topic for awhile, so please let me say: 1) Ann -- buy a Mac; 2) Peter Cushing played Grand Moff Tarkin in STAR WARS (he has since died) 3) Spring? What's Spring? (there are no seasons in Los Angeles).

Cheryl -- regarding your spendid diet, I have yet another one: No calories in potato chips if you open the bag by hand -- I repeat do not use a scissors or knife -- the act of struggling while trying to open the bag by hand is enough exercise to burn off the calories of the chips! Regarding spring flowers -- when my husband and I purchased our home 8 years ago, we joined the "Flower of the Month Club" with much anticipation of how beautiful we would make our yard -- Month after month we ordered way to many bulbs without the proper time and attention to plant them. My husband was afraid that they would go bad so he purchased a huge plastic bag of dirt, opened the top and just shoved the bulbs into the bag. He placed the bag "temporarily" beside our deck. For the last eight years we have had the most beautiful tulips, daffadils, & iris' bloom from that ugly plastic bag. We have now nick named it the "K-Tel Bag 'O Bulbs". :-)

'Your socks, your socks, your-or-or-or so-o-o-o-cks, your sockkkks'. __ I can hear it, exactly, Hil! You are a poet. Candace: the bag was my first LOL of the day. Thanks

Candace: LOL re your bag of bulbs. Sounds like my kind of gardening--me of the black thumbs, whatever I plant dies!! Amy2: I thought your LA seasons were shake, bake, or flood!;-)

In Canberra, Hilary experiences the changing colours of the seasons and the chill icy winds off the mountain peaks. Here in Newcastle it gets cool in Winter, but we don't really thrill in the seasonal changes of places inland and south of here, such as Canberra. We've a more temperate climate of wet and dry seasons. We are heading into our dry season. Those short but cloudless, sunny June days beckon. Mmmm. Great for photographing landscapes, and gardens. Beautiful crocuses Johanne.

Candace, makes me want to go find our Bag O' Bulbs. We just may have a horticulture experiment going in the corner of our garage!

84 F here yesterday, BTW. Much cooler today, though, storm front blew through late last night.

Would that be Wisteria sinensis, Sure would. :-) And it is not safe all over Sweden. Might very likely freeze dead during the winter. Right - about 5 years ago we had an exceptionally cold week in which peoples' water pipes froze and burst - and I lost part of the wysteria, which grows all along the edge of the roof on the south side of the house. But the old, woody part survived and came back as good as new the next year.

You know, it is pretty warm here. SPring is on its way...... But the real reason I am so cheery: I LEAVE FOR EUROPE ON APRIL 23!!!!

Rebecca! You are not by any chance passing through the middle parts of Sweden are you? And Joan, too. I envy you that old wooden part of a plant; that's when you can relax and consider it a faithful part of your garden that wont disappear when you are away for a month .Did you ever mention the name of that rose under whome you placed your xmas gift (frog of manure was it?)? I'm to have a blossom on my chestnut branch in the kitchen!!!

Ann dearest, are you free to come visit Pemberley? :-)

.Did you ever mention the name of that rose under whome you placed your xmas gift (frog of manure was it?)? Ah - my "PooPet" (also known as a "stool toad") is sitting at the feet of "Fragrant Memory" (recently renamed from Jadis), a bright pink tea rose with a wonderful fragrance.

Who names roses?

"Who names roses? ' The ARA, of course. It's like the AKC only for roses. And I suppose that other nations have organizations that name their newly developed varieties as well.

AKC for roses...that's a snort...do they have toy and working divisions for flowers, too?

I must have been visiting in the morning before work and now I'm afraid you are sound asleep, sweet Cheryl! But we shall conker this time gap that tries to drive us apart. The time is nothing ! It is a mere human invention. See you soon.

Yeepee my first emoticon by heart...I thought there must be one called determined and there was. Good old reliable Ann!

I'm curious as to the affluence level of Mr Bingley. If he has an income of 5000 pounds/year, what would be that buying power be in terms of current US dollars? Anybody have any ideas?

Why Carl , are you considering the purchase of Netherfield ;-)? Seriously I think there may be something about this comparative wealth of Bingley and Darcy on Henry's site.I have seen it somewhere. Don't remember the particulars...

of Bingley's and Darcy's (was what I meant to write). Have you found the best house yet?

Carl, I posted this months ago, and it's probably somewhere in the archives, but I'll post it again. This is from a footnote in my Norton's Critical Edition of P&P and I'm not sure that it's completely accurate, but will give you some idea: Charles Roberts (quoted in James Heldman, "How Wealthy is Mr. Darcy, Really"[Persuasions 12, 1990]38-49) calculates that an 1810 pound is worth about $33.00 in current U.S. dollars. (Roberts used the value of the dollar in 1988 in his calculations,and for these necessarily imprecise estimates, his equivalences are still useful.) Mr. Bennet's annual income is therefore about $66,000; Darcy's annual income is over $330,000 (10,000 pounds) and Bingley's about $165,000 (5,000 pounds). Because taxes on i come were relatively low, labor cheap, and landowners like Darcy and Mr. Bennet could partially supply their households from their own farms, the purchasing power of these incomes was undoubtedly greater in Austen's time than in our own. Perhaps a more accurate measure of the affluence of Austen's characters is that in 1810 the nominal annual income of agricultural laborers was 42 pounds, of skilled laborers between 55 and 90 pounds, of clerks 178 pounds, and of lawyers 447 pounds.

do they have toy and working divisions for flowers, too? Well, they have quite a number of categories - Modern Roses: Floribunda, Grandflora, Hybrid Teas, Miniature Roses, Polyanthas; Old Roses: Hybrid Perpetuals, Tea Roses, China Roses - many come in bush, tree, hedge, and/or climbing varieties... :-)

Unfortunately Ann, I will not be visiting Sweden (frown)

Carl, the question of the modern value of Regency incomes is discussed on my site in the Austen-L "Pre-FAQ" at http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~churchh/pre-faq.txt Inko -- I added your thing in there back when you posted it on the old board...

Now the purple crocus has a race going on with a yellow one on the other side of the porch. I imagine the William Tell Overture, only slowed down so slow that a triplet that would normally be played in a half second takes 24 hours, 8 hours for every note.

imagine the William Tell Overture, only slowed down LOL da da da da da,dadidadidadidadidadida da da , Is it a bit Disneylike only l-e-n-te-m-e-n-t and what is the background like ? Have been away on library meeting all day so I have not seen my yellow crocus at all but we have had a sunny but windy day so anything may have happened under those leaves...

I once read I science fiction story about a mythical drug that slowed humans down about 1000 times, so that you could see plants growing; only it had a slightly sinister angle, about how plants often struggle with each other, and the combat might even seem vicious if it were speeded up 1000 times or so... Can't remember the author or title of the story now...

HC -- I read w/ great laughter and pleasure your posting to austen-l regarding the potential horror of a newsgroup. Talk about LOL. I hope none of my students were passing by whilst I was reading/laughing/snorting! (At least I had already finished my coffee, so I did not spit all over the computer monitor.) I would like to know more about this matter, but I suppose I shall if I keep up with the daily digests.

Henry, you probably do not approve of Carl Sagan's fiction any more than some of the other stuff you stick up your nose at. BUT! In Contact, which I liked a lot, there also was a reference to the very slow -- in this case ultra slow big communication frequencies.

HC -- I read w/ great laughter and pleasure your posting to austen-l regarding the potential horror of a newsgroup. Definitely ditto -- what an imagination!

Spring! Almost here! Wysteria about to bloom...

I love wisteria, Joan!

I love your new camera, Joan

What did HC say that was so funny?

You got a new digital camera, Joan? Cool.

Kate asked: What did HC say that was so funny? ============================================================================ Subject: AUSTEN-L Digest - 31 Mar 1997 to 1 Apr 1997 To: Recipients of AUSTEN-L digests There are 244 messages totalling 12,238 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Hi everybody! I want to be your friend forever! 2. Re: friend forever!? 3. Re: friend forever? Yes, indeed 4. Jane Austen in the greater scheme of things 5. HELP ME WITH MY PAPER!!!!!!!!!! 6. The monstrous regiment of women [...] 244. There are too many messages in this group, it's impossible to keep up! ----------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 1 Apr 1997 00:20:56 -0500 From: Lucky11 Subject: Hi everybody! I want to be your friend forever! I was just wunnering if this chick, Jane Austin, ever rote any other books other then Jane Eyre. Lucky11@prodigy.com http://www.amway_in_kansas.com/~lucky/sign-up-now!.html "You never know what multilevel can mean for your future... unless you give it a chance!" ------------------------------- Date: Sat, 1 Apr 1997 00:30:56 -0500 From: CharterMember Subject: Re: friend forever!? > I was just wunnering if this chick, Jane Austin, ever rote any > other books other then Jane Eyre. This is precisely the sort of thing we were cautioned about. Now what shall we do? ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 1 Apr 1997 00:40:56 -0500 From: BanAynRand Subject: Re: friend forever? Yes, indeed > > I was just wunnering if this chick, Jane Austin, ever rote any > > other books other then Jane Eyre. > This is precisely the sort of thing we were cautioned about. Now > what shall we do? Have you not an altruistic bone in your body? Lucky11 should be welcomed, nay embraced. I ask you, who among us should not be willing to simply devote an extra 45 minutes in our day to helping new fans of JA. Shame on you, Charter. -------------------------------- Date: Sat, 1 Apr 1997 00:56:24 -0500 From: Nutcase Subject: Jane Austen in the greater scheme of things I would like to start a discussion on Jane Austen's place in the larger patterns of history. I mean, we know that Jane Austen's lifetime was before there existed such things as the World Zionist Conspiracy, the Trilateral Commission, the collaboration between the Rockefellers and the KGB, or the fluoridation of our water supplies. But still, the Freemasons, the Bavarian Illuminati, and many other groups working behind the scenes existed back then, as did the British monarchy. In my own personal opinion, it is clear that for the last 500 years the British monarchy has been concertedly acting on a consistent plan to demonetize gold, and introduce worthless paper money, and thus bring about the collapse of the world economy, which is why I have taken up Survivalism. If any one wants to discuss the relationship of these topics to Jane Austen, or discuss which semiautomatic assault rifles are of the highest quality and can be converted most easily to fully automatic operation, then feel free to e-mail me, or to post a follow-up to the group. Thanks. -------------------------------- Date: Sat, 1 Apr 1997 01:15:43 -0500 From: CluelessFrosh Subject: HELP ME WITH MY PAPER!!!!!!!!!! I'M A FRESHMAN HERE AT WHOSSAMATTA U., AND OUR ENGLISH PERFESSER ASSIGNED US TO WRITE A SEVEN PAGE PAPER ON WHATEVER WE PERSONALLY FIND MOST STRIKING OR INTERESTING ABOUT PRIDE & PREJUDICE AND WHETHER WE THINK ITS A GOOD BOOK OR A BAD BOOK, AND WHY. COULD ANYONE ON THIS GROUP WRITE MY ENGLISH PAPER FOR ME? I USE MICROSOFT WORD VERSION 6.1 AND IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU USED HELVETICA 14 POINT FONT DOUBLE SPACED. OH AND REMEMBER TO SPELLCHEK IT! THANKS IN ADVANCE!! -------------------------------- Date: Sat, 1 Apr 1997 01:20:54 -0500 From: BitterGuy Subject: The monstrous regiment of women Hey man, I know that this Jane Austin, who ever she was, couldn't of been no good, like, cause she's a WUMAN!! 'Nuff said. I know all about it cause of my divorce from my third wife!!1! In fact, I'm gonna be posting the story of my third divorce to this here Usenet thingie in 13 parts, and I'm sure you're all gonna be, like, enlitened by it! Be seein' ya soon! ------------------------------ [...] End of AUSTEN-L Digest - 31 Mar 1997 to 1 Apr 1997 **************************************************

I want to encourage all who have not done so to make an effort to see the Hale-Bopp Comet. It's clearly visible to the unaided eye low in the NNE sky from about 4:00am to sunrise. I know, I know, but it's well worth the effort! The coma is as bright as any star out there and the tail is pointing straight up to the dome of the sky. A beautiful sight-- even more so with binoculars!

Thanks for the tip! Now, is it just me, or do other people feel a sudden urge to sing "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets whenever someone says "Hale-Bopp Comet" in a sentence? gosh, I hope it isn't just me ...... ;)

LOL Tracey! I admit that I hear "Be bop a loo bop, she's my baby..."

Or even "a whop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom!" courtesy of Little Richard......... Oh, stop me before I be-bop again!

]"K-Tel Bag 'O Bulbs". :-) Lots and LOL, amazing how it strikes a cord to the new gardiner in me :) Rebecca, happy spring is on the way, your wheather usualy reaches us later on, but for now it's a white covered ground and the sky a palest shade of grey which surrounds us. On another note, let me share a view of my love and be certain I will NOT be posting any other baby pictures like a clueless mom. Tough, taken a while back, just wanted to look at those fine eyes:

Johanne, what a sweet baby! What is s/he named?

Great face.

Tracey, what about "Who put the bop in the bop shoo bop shoo bop?" Somebody stop us! ;-)

Oh Johanne! (insert baby-talk noises here)

Johanne!! Those eyes sure have possibilities for the future... And Joan, too: Now we know fore sure, that you are one of those very accomplished ladies that cover screens and cultivates her garden!!

Joanne. I said it before and I'll say it again. She's a cutie!

Cheryl - I suppose it can be said that we have "bopped till we dropped," since I am ROTFLOL at this point! :-) Johanne - What a cutie! Looove the hat!

Margaret, this is my little one, Laurence Astrid. She was then around 5 monts old, she's now 3,5

Cheryl and Tracey, I can even hear the laughters :) you're great fun to have around Thanks all for your comments, this his my first attempt of posting from my Spring directory, I'm getting there...

Amy -- I read Sagan's _Contact_, and it was OK, but not really very memorable... Guys -- I only wrote half of the April 1st AUSTEN-L "Digest"; another individual who wishes to remain incognito (but frequents this board) wrote the other half...

My little guy's girlsfriends have the coolest names: Madison, Mackenzie, Montana. I think I will change my name to Madison.

Madison....wasn't she a mermaid? ;-)

Madison....wasn't she a mermaid? ;-) __ Cheryl, isn't this a little early for you? Only place I ever heard the name: minor character in ThirtySomething: Ellen's boyfriend's old girlfriend and the part was played by one of the writers on the show. I used to be Hope. Now I suppose I am more like Melissa.

I subscribed to this AUsten-L Mailing list, a week or so ago. Am I supposed to be receiving E-mail of some kind. I haven't heard from anybody. Just a note saying subscribing is not automatic. Anybody know anything about this?

Yes, sadly Carl, I tried to subscribe to Austen-L also. What you probably got was the note that your request to subscribe did go thru. You would have gotten another message if they had indeed added you to the list. I hear from Amy that they usually don't add people who post from work, which I do, because they think they are too casual (ha!). So, I only see things that Austen-L'ers post here, more's the pity.

Amy: Cheryl, isn't this a little early for you? Well, yes, had an early funeral to play for, so came here for fortification! Only place I ever heard the name: minor character in ThirtySomething: Ellen's boyfriend's old girlfriend and the part was played by one of the writers on the show. I was thinking about the Daryl Hannah mermaid in Splash. I used to be Hope. Now I suppose I am more like Melissa. Melissa was always my favorite, a complicated, fun person... ;-)

Adorable, Jo! I spoke too soon, a snowstorm hit here last night! (frown)

] I hear from Amy that they usually don't add people who post from work, __ Not me. I didn't say that.

I once read I science fiction story about a mythical drug that slowed humans down about 1000 times Um, I saw a Star Trek episode where some aliens speeded up Captain Kirk so much that other humans couldn't see him. Does that count? ;)

only if Kirk still got the girl

Carl -- I only heard it was people with AOL and Prodigy e-mail addresses who got the extra scrutiny (they will not be automatically signed up, but Michael walsh will look over their subscription requests individually...)

Look what happened today!

Iridaceae iris cristata no doubt! Beautiful!

Woaw...a thing of beauty for sure , what's that scarlet thing behind and where exactly do you live Joan? My compliments on your lawn, no traces of moss there!

That scarlet thing is a faded out shriveled up version of one of the deep purple bearded irises one of which can be seen at the very bottom of the frame. They are a lot shorter than the Dutch ones. I should really have cut it off before taking the pict, but was too lazy to go get the clippers. I am in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Moss in the lawns is not a problem here - instead I fight dandilions, oxalis and mushrooms when it rains a lot.

Joan -- you make me quite envious. Even though winter has not been as severe as usual here (western Maryland), we just got another 1-2 inches of snow overnight. I want flowers in bloom and green grass, too! (Deep breath: oh, well, to every place its season.)

should really have cut it off before taking the pict, , no no please do not make yourself uneasy...any signs of life and colour are welcome to me...as a matter of fact flowers drying off to die down can be quite beautiful, though maybe not in mix with fresh ones. Dandelions are fought in Sweden too. My arm achesremembering how I dig up hundreds only to watch new ones appearthe next day.

]I want flowers in bloom and green grass, too! ]any signs of life and colour are welcome to me This is such a beautiful and COLOURFUL pictures, thanks Joan, this is quite refreshing, winter is definitely NOT finished here!

Joan, your flowers and lawn are beautiful. We, too seem to be having an early spring although they forecast snow for tomorrow! On to a completely different subject - for all those interested in Regency dancing, this article is in this morning's New York Times: March 7, 1997 In Step With Austen: English Country Dancing By LINDA WOLFE [N] EW YORK -- For many filmgoers and television watchers, the stately dancing in the recent spate of Jane Austen dramatizations stirred a touch of culture envy: a longing for a presumably lost Eden of elegance, for forms of social intercourse less brash and brazen than our own. But for several thousand Americans across the country, such dancing is not something that has vanished, but an activity in which they engage regularly. The dances performed in the Austen adaptations and, indeed, hundreds of similar dances, some dating to a century before the time of that great limner of English country life, are known as English country dances. In Manhattan, you can learn them and dance them -- they are every bit as much fun as they appear to be on film -- any Tuesday night at the Metropolitan-Duane United Methodist Church on West 13th Street. And Friday night, under the tutelage of an expert in early-19th-century dancing, there will be a special learn-as-you-dance event at the church devoted exclusively to the dances of Austen's period. Accompanied by live music, Beverly Francis will teach experienced hoofers and the two-left-footed alike to dance A Trip to Tunbridge, named after a spa Austen mentioned in several of her novels; Prince William of Glo's'ter's Waltz, named for a nephew of George III with whom a sister of Austen once supped, and dozens of others known to Austen, who herself excelled at the form. I've been an English country dancer for years. I take part in other kinds of dancing, including swing and Latin, but I've never found a form as lifting to the spirit, let alone the feet, as English country. Partly it's because of the exquisite music. Think Purcell: He wrote many of the tunes that later English dancing masters choreographed. Partly it's because this is a very social form of dancing; participants dance not just with a partner but also with a group or set of other dancers, and engagement and even flirtation is an essential ingredient oin all their movements. And partly it's because English country dancing offers two things that seldom come together in one pursuit: aerobic activity (some dances can be quite strenuous) and intellectual stimulation (the dances are complex, requiring concentration and diligence). My first foray into English dancing was in a church in Greenwich Village some 30 years ago. A musician friend who played with a group that accompanied the dancers there invited me, and I was immediately smitten. But I didn't stick with it. I was starting a career, I had a new baby, I was starved for time. And with the arrogance of youth, I viewed the other dancers, many of whom were in their 50s or even their 40s, as old. Then, about six years ago, I was going through one of those "what is the purpose of life, what do I really like to do" crises that strike me whenever I finish a book, and out of the blue, I remembered English dancing. I'd loved it once, I recalled. Maybe I'd love it again. But how to find it? I no longer remembered the names of either the group or the Village church. I looked through listings of dance events, consulted the Yellow Pages, asked everyone I knew -- all to no avail. But a call to a folk music shop produced the information that there was a weekly English country dance at the Metropolitan-Duane Church. It was the same church I had visited back in those distant days. Members of the New York branch of the Country Dance and Song Society of America were still holding their weekly dances there, as if no time had elapsed, rather in the way they were still doing their antique dances as if no time had elapsed between our fading century and more distant ones. I made up my mind to return. My work life was under control, my baby had grown up: I had time for distraction now. And, I told myself, now I'll fit in: Now I'll be one of those old people. To my surprise, however, the composition of the English dance group had changed. Yes, there were some dancers in their 40s and 50s. There were even a few who were older. But there was a large contingent of people in their 20s and 30s. Beyond that, all was the same: the same lilting sounds, created by musicians playing piano, violin, clarinet or flute; the same easy, partners-not-necessary sociability, and the same procedure of talk-throughs and walk-throughs of the dances followed by actual dancing. I began attending the Tuesday night dances regularly, stumbling over my feet and over unfamiliar terms like "set" and "poussette" and "hey on the left." Eventually, I learned enough to attend the group's Friday night dances, which are generally for experienced English dancers only, and even -- dare I admit it? -- its annual ball, a formal affair at which the dancers, who normally wear T-shirts and jeans or unprepossessing skirts, don ball gowns, tuxedos or historically correct costumes. I mastered some 60 dances. I made friends, discovering in the process that English country dancers are a highly disparate lot: the librarian of a major theological seminary, the head of midwifery at a large hospital, a creator of computer programs for the blind, an assistant district attorney, a dog groomer, a baker. Then there is my ball partner. In a pairing that vastly amuses my non-English-dancing husband, who likes to remind me that once upon a time I was a rabidly antimilitary peacenik, I go to the balls with a retired U.S. Army general. But for all my immersion in the world of English country dancing, I still consider myself a novice. English country dancing is a pursuit that -- happily, as far as I'm concerned -- can take a lifetime to master. This is no wonder, for it's a form that flourished for 200 years and there are literally thousands of dances that can be learned. The first historical mention of English country dancing was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who was reported to enjoy watching the ladies of the court perform "country dances," simpler dances than the formal, balletic ones she herself was expected to dance. By 1650, these dances had become all the rage, and a bookseller named John Playford had the inspired idea of writing down the patterns he had seen danced by his contemporaries and publishing them. His book sold like hot cakes, and subsequently, roughly until 1850, new English country dances were written and published regularly, with pretty much the same kind of hype and fervor that accompanies the release of new pop and rock recordings in our time. The dances faded into oblivion in the latter half of the 19th century, but they were resuscitated early in the 20th by the English musicologist Cecil Sharp, who studied old dance books, clarified the choreography and founded country dance societies in both England and the United States. The societies caught on: Today, in the United States, there are close to 600 groups, nearly 100 of which sponsor English dancing regularly. (The others concentrate on its descendant, American country dancing, e.g., squares and contras.) In Manhattan and the New York metropolitan area, there are a dozen English dance groups, but local fans of the form sometimes drive or even fly to attend dances in more distant places, among them Philadelphia, Washington or even Berkeley, Calif., and Portland, Ore. The footwork is simplicity itself. The dances don't, for the most part, have steps, merely patterns, weavings and turnings that create a kaleidoscopic effect on the floor. To dance them, you move to the music with a light springy walking or running movement. But sometimes you move forward, and sometimes backward or sideways, and sometimes while moving in one or another of these directions, you turn your partner with the left hand, or with the right, or both, or execute a small bow or a swirl or a marchlike progression. These movements are the alphabet, so to speak, of English dance and from them, in the same way that an alphabet can create innumerable words, innumerable dances have been created. To do English dancing, one must therefore be willing and able to follow directions, for while the movements are the same, every dance has a different pattern. It also helps, as with any form of dancing, to have a certain amount of grace or poise. And a sense of rhythm. Manhattan's English dancers do very old dances, like Fain I Would and Man Was for Woman Made, which were danced in the 17th century. They also do a lot of "new" ones, the ones from Austen's time, the turn of the 19th century. Most of the dances from that period that Ms. Francis will be teaching Friday night have some specific connection to Austen. In addition to those mentioned earlier, there will be Knole Park, named after an estate belonging to a duke whose solicitor was her great-uncle; the Margarvine's Waltz, named for a noblewoman related to her sister Cassandra's fiance, and the Prince of Wales Favourite. Austen despised the prince, the future George IV, but, no dope she, when asked to dedicate "Emma" to him, she complied. These tidbits of history and literature will no doubt punctuate Friday night's dance. But the point of the evening will be, as always at an English country dance, movement: rapid movement, twirling and spinning your way through history and literature. I myself have been counting the days, for as Austen wrote in "Emma": "It may be possible to do without dancing entirely ... but when a beginning is made -- when the felicities of rapid motion have once been though slightly, felt -- " it is impossible not to "ask for more." Home | Sections | Contents | Search | Forums | Help Copyright 1997 The New York Times Company ----------------------------------------------------------

An interesting article, Inko. Thanks for sharing it.:-)

Thank you, Inko. A wonderful article and wonderful to contemplate people taking the time to do this.

I enjoyed it too and wonder if maybe this is going on in other countries as well.I know other folk dances are popular, my daughter is learning flamenco and it is really great to watch. Such lively music!

It almost reminds me of the groups who are into reenacting or rendezvous? Another type of obsession I suppose?

How fun! Inko, thanks for sharing.

Brilliance in the deep shade...

Great article Inko - thanks for sharing it. :-)

Great photo, Joan! Thanks for sharing all your flowers - they give us hope that spring is just around the corner! What kind of camera do you use - is it one of those digital ones that then load the pictures right into the computer?

Yes - it is my new toy. My $99 QuickCam (which had to be tethered to the computer and just did B&W) was stolen from school, so of course I had to spend six times as much to replace it with a "real" digital camera.

Thank you for the article Inko. The dance scenes are some of my favorites, in all the movies. Joan the photos are beautiful. I went out and checked my bearded Iris and they have buds! The forsythia and Pear trees are blooming and the daffodils have already peaked! Spring is early this year. but I wasnt ready for Iris. its been delightful following this conference.

Joan, you have put me in the mood to started dusting the cob webs away. I have refreshed my grape vine wreath for the front door.Country line dancing seems to be much more complicated then I imagined,Inko.Thanks for the article.

Wysteria Progress Report:

Well...I have just been struck with old is new for the third time in two weeks! But it has only affected topics up to #151. Any ideas why? Not that I'm not grateful but still...it is most vexing and I'm going to bed! :-(

I'm talking to Myretta in the yapp conference about an upgrade strategy to get a newer version of yapp that won't cause the old is new vexation.

Joan, too, your pictures have all been fabulous -- so nice to know winter is being left behind!

Terry, FYI, we in Pemberley tonight decided to descend on your "big house outside Austin" for our popcorn-throwing party. Any preference when?

How about March 20th or 21st. I have to look up and see what the first day of Spring is this year. Anyone know?

Great detail in that article Inko. I, too, liked the dance scenes in P&P2 very much. Question: Were the dances at a ball/assembly set in a particular order, so that everyone knew which dance would be danced at what interval? Seems I recall reading that somewhere. Also, in the P&P novel, Mrs. Bennett gives an accounting of who Mr. Bingley danced with...danced two-three w/ so-and-so, two-four w/ so-and-so, etc. From this, I also gathered the dances came in a certain order, and this was why dance cards were used so ladies knew which dances were already engaged. It's always been my impression that Darcy knew exactly which 'set' he wanted to dance with Elizabeth. No skipping, bouncing, spinning for him, but the more stately, precise, elegant dance he chose. Also, I believe Dance Masters taught their students that each dance was to be executed in a particular manner such as energetic, lively, stately, etc. much like the dynamics indicated when playing music ie piu allegro, pomposo, andantino, rubato, etc. Anyone have further information on this?

Very interesting questions Valen! I have been bothered about this too. If you remember at Lucas Lodge when Sir William made Darcy ask Lizzy to dance. What would have happened if she accepted? Would he have been dancing among all the young Lucases and Lydia and Denny and Sanderson? What tune was it? Not the Barley Mow? Grimstoke?! Also I think there is a sort of error(intentional no doubt) in P&P2 as Darcy only dances one dance with Lizzy. In the novel it appears to be two. But it is perfectly understandab e why Davies only wanted one duel on the floor. Also they have Lizzy go to the dance on her own, so that they could face one another like duellants before the first touch�.Even the clumsy Mr Collins had the decency to come and fetch his dancepartner. As for the rules regarding dances there is bound to be something on Henry's Austenpage...

Donna! I was very glad to see a message from you...it seems to be along time since we were in the same topic, and never in chat. Joan,the Wysteria is gorgeous so rich...(how come the name is on the picture. Can you edit the photo before scanning?)I have a nice slop where the crocuses are increasing in numbers day by day. It's spring-a-ling-a-ling, It's Springtime, it's Springtime the only happy ringtime, when birds do sing, hey-dinge-dinge-ding; sweet lovers love the Spring!

It was so incredibly beautiful here in Northern Calif. yesterday, and today the weatherman promises it to be 78 degrees! As I sit here in a little spring dress bare legged (yes! no pantyhose or long pants!) I at first was very curious as to what that is on my legs? Oh my gosh! It's spring...I have to start shaving my legs again! ;-)

]today the weatherman promises it to be 78 degrees! Sigh! Keep them coming, flowers and colors

I spoke too soon of the dry season approaching !!! It rained heavily and steadily all Sunday here in Newcastle. Now it's Monday and a fine day to boot !!! :-) Well, it's not the Equinox yet, and that's when it will really be Autumn ! :-) Joan, you are indeed a most talented person. You sing and dance too ? ;-)

Actually, I don't have that much on dancing, except of course for Henry Tilney on Matrimony and Dancing...

AAARRRGGGHHH!!! Odiznu for the second time in a couple of days. Not everything though - about half the topics have come back.

It was kind of partial oldiznu. Not all topics came back, and of those that did, some were just new posts. Others were the whole thing. Very odd experience. In the middle of it I did a post that has gone into the ether somewhere. C'est la vie.

(how come the name is on the picture. Can you edit the photo before scanning?) No - afterward. Once it is digitized all sorts of mayhem can be wreaked upon an image. You sing and dance too ? Not currently, but in bygone days I did. My deepest sympathy for fellow victims of oldiznu!

Me to. Again today. I hate this.

Great shots, Joan...you should compile them into a photo essay. But what next? Kudzu? ;) Did someone mention reenactments and rendezvous? The male members of my nuclear family and their dearest friends shoot black powder and wear buckskins...like they're mountain men or something. They've also got rather elaborate Old-style Traditional Lakota Sioux dance outfits...yes, they're insane. English and Scottish country dances...from my days as a DEB (Dance Expert's Brat), travelling throughout North America and hanging out with my dad's folk dance friends, I learned quite a few dances...among them Mr. B's Maggot, Mairi's Wedding, and the Thistle and the Rose...I miss it. Kaf, I admire your vast storehouse of sci-fi knowledge...I'm right with ya! ;) Oh, and I got into Boalt, so it looks like I'll be staying at Berkeley for the next three years. That is, unless Yale offers me a scholarhsip or something, but I'm not gonna hold my breath for that.

Oh, and I got into Boalt __ Good for you, baby.

Oh, and I got into Boalt Congrats, Kali!

I heard from Saman, who is settled into med school in Auckland, only she doesn't have web access :-( That is reason enough I'd think to see how to make the maillist feature work on this Yapp monster. She says hi to everyone.

Great Kali - you get to stay in the Bay . Congratulations.

Anybody know of any CD's out featuring old English country dances played on Pianoforte? Would the Jane Austen trust in UK have any in sheet music format?

Hi back to Sister Saman... --- Thanks, guys... --- While I'm trying to hunt down that other info. for you, Carl, I'll see what I can dig up on the pianoforte front...it's slow going...my contact is out of the country.

]Oh, and I got into Boalt Yay Kali! --- Hi to Saman from me too...

Congratulations Kali. Georgetown's loss is Boalt's gain! Can't blame you for staying in the Bay area and avoiding the winters in D.C.!!

You guys are so cool.

But what next? Kudzu? ;) Kudzu indeed! humpffffft

What's wrong with Kudzu?! It's quite a lovely, clinging kind of plant, even though it's considered a great agricultural disaster...who knew the cows would end up developing an acute aversion to it?

I knew you would get in K! Congrats!

Big CONGRATS, Kali! (sorry, I don't know how to make it big yet, though) How about March 20th or 21st. I have to look up and see what the first day of Spring is this year. Anyone know? Terry, did you really mean it? Really? Somebody had suggested maybe the P&P2BB on Spring anniversary as a possibility, but this? This is next week! Sharon, would you come from Houston? I'm sure that my dear, sweet husband would feel it necessary to accompany - he's convinced I'd be setting off to get slashed.

Good for your husband, Cindy...he's taking care of ya... Thanks again, all...you keep me sane...

Congratulations, daughter dear. Although I'm still holding out for Yale ;-)

Joan, what lovely orchids! You are a gardening and digital-camera-picture-taking fool! ;-)

Congratulations, Kali! Please send best wishes to Saman from me.

Congrats! Kali, looks like a good road ahead and a good idea to stay away from the snow too... Say a warm HI to Saman for me as well

Good luck Kali! Just stay away from those vicious women's groups while you are there ;-)

That Boalt school or University or whatever is in for a big surprise !!They will have law and disorder, learn a lot about courting, Frankly, and judging from my acquaintance with you, dear Kali they are getting a lot of life into their stuffy(?) old(?)institution and it is Emmanating from you dear emmaniac! All the best from me! I ask you to bring warmest happywishes from me to Saman, Amy.

Thank you, joan, for the beautiful flowers! And thank you Myretta, Mari, Ann, Johanne, and Hilary...(Yale, indeed, Myretta! I wish)...

Kali, Congrats...I'm really glad that you will remain nearby :-)

We can go drinking, Candy...drinking TEA, that is!

Like a crocus in the snow ...I stand knee-deep in Winter, holding Springtime in my heart! Joan Walsh Anglund Beauty arranges itself in the folds and crevices of nature, ...and waits, to be discovered! Joan Walsh Anglund "Spring ting-a-ling, Ting-a-ling, Spring," Mingy sang in a voice like walnut shells being scraped over a rock. He stopped abruptly and cleared his throat. "What nonsense," he growled. "Don't know what got into me." But Curley Green picked up the tune, and Mingy found himself adding his cracked notes in spite of himself. Even Walter the Earl came out of his reverie enough to rumble along with them: "Bright sunshine, Blue flowers, Pink rainbows, Moisty showers. Spring ting-a-ling! Ting-a-ling spring!" From The Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall

Well, dirty word! It insists on ignoring all but the first of my [big] tags! Why should that be?

Joan, even without the help of the "big" tag, the poems are still lovely...and so are the fotos, I might add...

Beauties, Joan.

Joan too, got the biggest tickle this am! Clicked on your "why should that be?" and for the first time ever heard an actual P&P2 audio! Too, too fun! I was so diverted I had to call in the hubby and have him take a listen too! Gotta go search out all the audios now... Thanks for a wonderful laugh!

Joan, you're now our own Dame aux Cam�lias, with, I'm sure, a happier story to tell :)

I like that walnut shell voice...and the sky above those branches. And Armand Duval was once done by Colin...Has anyone managed to buy that film? In vane have I tried to get my hands on it...Camille (Greta Sciacchi(?)is in it too. She is Mrs Weston in Emma2 I think). Winter is trying to have another go here, no snow but frosty and icy winds.

Count me for snow today :)

I guess that I haven't checked into Ramble in a couple of days, so... Congrats, Kali!! (better late than never)

I'm going travelling for 5 weeks so won't be around unless I can locate a net cafe or 2; if you move while I'm away please leave a forwarding address ;-)

Have a great time and good luck, Anna.

Thanks Kaf...happy birthday again...:) Anna...have a good trip...sorry I'll be to far away to see you...

I shall miss you, Anna Cabana!

HC - (from the Emma2 topic) My favorite version of Pagliacci is by Spike Jones ("Seven hours later, we're still in the durn the-ayter") ;-) But Henry, what I want to know is; do Elmer Fudd and Bugs perform your favorite version of Wagner? (Kill da wabbit, kill da wabbit...) PS; Do you have Feedulbum (sp?)

I don't have any Spike Jones recordings, but I think it's 'Fieglebaum' if you mean the race horse...

Yes, I do! My dad had a big collection (which we kids trashed), and we listened to them constantly. I was 7 or 8 at the time. This was my first exposure to puns, some of which I didn't really get; "with Banana coming up to the bunch" "and it's Girdle in the stretch" "Mother-in-law nagging in the rear" "now it's lettuce by a head" and the favorite "Toothpaste being squeezed out on the rail" Of course, the part that we replayed the most was where they gargle the William Tell Overture as the horses are called onto the track, ending with the wonderful GUNG!

Enough of all of this spring-talk (the season not the server). It's snowing here with a forecast of six to twelve inches by tomorrow!!

Come to Tennessee, Ann---the fruit trees are flowering!;-)

That's funny Ann, I was just thinking on my walk about asking if anybody was sick of the schmaltzy nature and signs of spring talk. Not me! I saw a robin today.

RE: Spike Jones: isn't it Beetlebalm? My mother had SJ collection too. Also Allen Sherman albums "hello mudder, Hello Fadder, here I am at camp Granada" Many happy hours of listening and AGing Spring Bradford pear trees, red buds, daffadils, hyacinths, violets. Soon the dogwoods and zaalea's

Carolyn: Also Allen Sherman albums "hello mudder, Hello Fadder, here I am at camp Granada" Those were great! I probably still have memorized Peter and the Commisar! ;-)

How about the Battle of Camp Kookamonga? Anybody remember who did this one? (Oscar and Jethro is what springs to mind but I don't think that is right) Had the album but that was a long time ago.

The Spike Jones I remember is: "As the sun pulls away from the shore and the ship sinks slowly in the west . . . " a take off on every travel documentary ever made!! I also loved Allen Sherman. The daffodils are out, the cherry blossoms will be at their height (so the Park Service tells us) in ten days time, and there is a forecast for a very cold weekend ahead!

I know when the "honkers"(geese) are flying over it won't be long until there is warmer weather. It is the greatest sound and sight.

The forecast has been downgraded, now instead of 6"-12", we are only expecting 4". At least that's better than originally thought.

Party time, Ann? ;)

I am taking the day off tomorrow (colleagues are covering my classes), in order to meet my little brother (who is 43!) in DC. He'll be there for a weekend of meetings, so we can spend the afternoon museum hopping and then some fun place for supper. He lives in SF (used to rent a house across from Berkeley campus, Kali), and I might not get out to see him this year. So, this is a nice bonus.

have a wonderful day, Kathleen! Does he like Austen?

Cool, Kathleen...did he live up in the hills, or on northside?

Have a good day in D.C. Kathleen! When you get home again, tell us what museums you went to. There's an exhibit of Russian (Tsarist) goodies at the Corcoran.

Cindy -- alas, no, none of my brothers (three of them) appreciate Jane Austen. My mother likes all of the novels, although she thinks I'm a bit (?) obsessed. Kali -- I never figured out directions there. But the house is a historical landmark, with almost semicircular sun room and balcony. The street may have been Le Conte (?), but I am not certain. [He and his roommate have just bought a condo on Noe street in SF, so maybe they won't keep moving every year!]

Obsessed? NOOOOOO not just a bit

Le Conte...that is northside...a bit east...not far from where I am...only a few blocks... Czarist stuff? Kaf and I are jealous...

The forecast has been downgraded, now instead of 6"-12", we are only expecting 4". We saw your snow on our weather this evening. But here, spring carries on...

OH, JOAN -- I like this one the best of all!

It's gorgeous! --- Anyone see Seinfeld tonight? Finally...someone who sees The English Patient for what it is! "For God's sake, why don't you just DIE, already! DIE!" Go Elaine! ;)

]Anyone see Seinfeld tonight? Finally...someone who sees The English Patient for what it is! "For God's sake, why don't you just DIE, already! DIE!" Go Elaine! ;) Kali, definitely ditto! I was talking about this in chat.

ok now, be careful! :-(

I like this one the best of all! They have not yet begun to bloom... (That is my bedroom window) :-)

Lovely, Joan. Your *.ia reminded me of a cute kid story about Forsythia. When my oldest was about 3 we were walking around and I was pointing out the flora I knew the names of. Just after I told him one bush was Forsythia, he pointed to the next one and asked, "Who's that for" BTW, Adam is now 12 and is my little math nerd. I'd love any teachers, former teachers, parents with ideas or smart non-parents who used to be smart little kids to come over to the parent conference here at Spring and help me figure out what to do with this kid. Maybe the discussion will help some of the other moms here, too.

Ann girl, I am with you. The weather here is bad.........so much snow! ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!

Amy: I told him one bush was Forsythia, he pointed to the next one and asked, "Who's that for" What I want to know is, who is Sythia? ;-)

Re #'s 307 and 308 (Elaine on Seinfeld hating The English Patient) Apparently, the old TEP thread has been archived, so I'm leaving this here. I was just over reading Mr. Cranky's review of TEP (he didn't like it, either) and the critiques posted by others about it. (Let me say, first of all, that I really appreciate how kind and respectful everyone is here -- some of those people are NOT NICE!!) Anyway, if you're interested, it's a good read. Not surprisingly, women seem to like it and men don't, but that's not an absolute constant. For instance, I have been unable to properly articulate exactly why I didn't like TEP overall, even though I was very touched by Hana, and by her relationship with Kip (their scenes were frequently mentioned as being the best in the movie). This guy said it for me very well: With time for reflection it occurs to me that the most annoying thing about the film is its moral bankruptcy. The message of the movie is that the personal pain and passion of the two protagonists is so great that they dwarf to insignificance issues like betrayal, infidelity and treason. this is [bad word]. give me bogey and bacall, making better and more illuminating choices in the original, exalting the human spirit rather than reducing it to a hormonal rush. After reading this opinion, I can see that that's what I was trying to say.