Gabriella, my three kids ages 13,9, and 6 all play soccor. If you saw Americans now you would think you where in "Sweden". We love it,wish I played as a kid. "Classic American Soccor Mom" Donna.

Donna, This is great news! Then you'll love the book :) But well, we over here are starting with the American Football after all... and wasn't the World Championships in the US after all in 1994? But otherwise soccer IS of course the most common thing here in Sweden and Gothenburgs nice little team �rgryte Idrotts S�llskap was for a long time the only team for me :) Thanks for the info btw!

Glad to have you with us, Gabriella. Switching to Chinese? Tell us more. Where would you study?

Donna, then you're the "soccer mom" that decided the presidential election! I heard so much about you during the campaign, how does it feel to be the most sought after person in America?

G'day All, Just back from Sydney and feeling somewhat frazzled by the long New Year's Eve day and the lack of sleep last night. The fireworks over Sydney Harbour were spectacular, but only an estimated 500,000 people were actually in the CBD and around the harbour. But I can understand that because Sydney's geography lends itself to gain very good vantage spots from many of the suburbs too, viz. very hilly terrain. Anyway Happy New Year to All, and now I'm off to bed in the arly hours of the 2nd January! Cheerio.

Thanx for the welcome, Just watching the old 80's movie Ivanhoe on the telly.. an old tradition here in Sweden :) And Anthony Andrews isn't so bad, either, but really nothing to Colin of course :) Just had to thank you all for all the interesting new insights the different discussions have given me. Have to watch P&P2 again today. And btw, saw a bumch of countryfolks on the list! Hej allihop!! Kul att fler �n jag �r tokiga i P&P2 Jag missade f�rresten sista delen av Moll Flanders, n�n som vet om den finns att hyra? Amy, about the Chinese, I'll probably study it at first in Lund, IF I manage to get accapted at the course, LOTS of applicants so it's hard... Anyway, I really hope that in the future I may go to Britain and study, and of couse China and Mongolia :) but that's another story :) LOve Britain and want to move there. Happy New Year all!!!!

Happy New Year Ian and Gabriella!

Ian and Gabriella, Carl and everyone else WELCOME!!!! Oh new people new people. We also have crushes on Colin Firth if you can all deal with that. Most of the women just swoon over them. happy new year everyone

Hey, guys, it's me again, if you remember me! ;) I hope to be around more now that Donna has encouraged me. Gosh, there's so so much to catch up on! Well, I must leave now, so I can indulge myself in the other messages!

Hey Tay -- welcome back! New people, "old" people, what a wonderful group this is.

Hey! My name is Mike and my sister is LisaC. If you read her post you will find out that she is quite the P&P2 fan. It was she who introduced me to the trials of Lizzie. I enjoyed the series but not to her same extent. We share different opinions on such things as Lizzie's change of heart towards Darcy. I believe that Lizzie is a money hungry feminist who only eased up to Darcy when she saw how rich he was.

Have you read the book, Mike??

I believe Walter Scott shared Mike's perspective. I can only say it is exactly what a male would think! I second Ann's request: Mike, read the book!

Mike, do I detect just the teensiest shade of a teasing troll?

I have not read the book, my deeries, but from what I understand the book is practically the same as the series. Moreover, I did read a few passages from the to validate my post. If you believe that I need to read the book before making an opinion on a fact that occurs in the series and the book, then please tell me why!

my deeries shades of a certain deplorable M !

You know Mike there are more "subtle" ways to get your point across without ruffleing so many feathers.You should be reading more poetry then prose and consider driving a "big" "truck" for a living. "Why should you read the book",because you have know idea what was "expected" of respectable men and women in the 18th century.You spelled "dearie" wrong "deerest".Donna

Ouch!

Dearest Donna, I apologize for misspelling "dearie", it was simply a typo, as I'm sure your "Know idea" was also a typo, do you KNOW what I mean! As for your big truck comment, I would have you KNOW that I am a computer engineering student who doesn't back down from a good argument. I hardly ever lose, after all my big truck and I make one hell of a one-two punch! Look both ways before crossing the street Donna, because if you are not careful it won't be a MACK truck that hits you but a MIKE truck instead Look forward to arguing with you in the future.

Lin: I am from Toronto. Where are you from?

I was talking about being polite. I can see that it is not in your "violent" nature.

I am not ashamed to admit to losing arguments, all the time. I think I learn more that way........

Dearest Donna, let us be friends. Come now, surely you do not believe that I would harm you in any way. However, when you watched the series the thought of Lizzie being materialistic must have crossed your mind when she said: 'and of this place,I might have been mistress!'

Mike I would like to be friends, read the book and go to H.C.Churchyard's Jane Austen Info page http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~churchh/janeifo.html I have worked very hard to understand Jane Austen and it has been very rewarding as I am not avid reader. At first, I thought, related to todays standards a materialilstic remark.If you read these pages/book you wil see it is not.It is much more complicated then that. That is just the reason why I could not wait to read her books. If you noticed, he was thrilled that she came to Pemberely and wanted her to love it as much as he does.

Mike I would like to be friends, read the book and go to H.C.Churchyard's Jane Austen Info page http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~churchh/janeifo.html I have worked very hard to understand Jane Austen and it has been very rewarding as I am not avid reader. At first, I thought, related to todays standards a materialilstic remark.If you read these pages/book you wil see it is not.It is much more complicated then that. That is just the reason why I could not wait to read her books. If you noticed, he was thrilled that she came to Pemberely and wanted her to love it as much as he does.

"Look both ways before crossing the street Donna, because if you are not careful it won't be a MACK truck that hits you but a MIKE truck instead" Offended by these rude manners, this "gentleman" seems to think nothing of politeness nothing at all, the simple courtesy of inquiring into a site/topic before making judgement and therefore prejudice others. Pray Sirs Henry, Terry and Ian show the way to being an agreable man, so genteel and so easy and those people who fancy themselves very important and bold and opened their mouth to easily, quite mistake the matter! Utterly vexed

Mike, It is true that in Austen's time marriage was handle a bit like a biz proposal. Everyone including the Men were sensitive to making a good match in a practical sense. Love was a plus but not the reason many people married. Also women in Lizzies situation had very little options outside of marriage. The only two I can think of were being a governess and prostitution. Unlike our society in most cases pure survival depended on the match you made. Even though I've said the above I think if you read the book you would find Lizzie's is not as you have described her. For one thing she knows of Darcy's wealth the first time she meets him. She is reminded of it in nearly every scene yet it does not sway her dislike of him. She turns down his first proposal and gives him a good lashing while she does it. She is impressed with Pemberley but in it's simplistic elegance and what it says of Darcy's taste. It is only a short time before going to Pemberley that she learns how wrong she has been in her prejudice against Darcy. I would call Lizzie's many things but not a feminist. She will not marry without love but she fully accepts a lady's place in society. I hope you read the book I think you'll enjoy it. Lastly I think you'll find that although we disagree at times, we rarely have arguments. Mich

MikeC -- I have some discussion of this on the web-page at http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~churchh/pptopics.html. Neither Jane Austen nor Elizabeth Bennet were really self-conscious ideological feminists (Jane Austen's family was not in a social position where they would be likely to be very sympathetic to the radical politics of the day), but on the other hand, Jane Austen did insist on a right to individual integrity and conscience which included women (follow the "Feminism in Jane Austen link", or look at Lizzy's remarks during the latter part of Mr. Collins propposal in Chapter 19 of Pride and Prejudice).

Hi Y'all, I am from Georgia, USA..a small town called Peachtree City, just 45 min south of Atlanta. I have two children - one son 25 years old and a daughter 15 years old. My son is an art student at Art Institute of Atlanta and my daughter is a freshman whose passion is English riding (Hunter Jumping) and yes, we have one horse. I found P&P while channel surfing one evening and could not wait until the following week for the next episode. I purchased the video and have about worn it out. I am thrilled to kno others out there have excellent good taste and look forward to getting to know many of you. I only found you a few days ago so have alot to learn. (Linda)

Hello, Linda. I think you will find that this is an amazingly diverse, very knowledgeable group of P&P fans. I know I have learned a lot about books, movies, internet sites, HTML, and many other topics from them. And best of all, we get to indulge in far-ranging discussions about out favorite tv/movie adaptation. Welcome.

Re: 189 "Lizzy" posted at Amy's BB that she received the "Making of P&P" video when she bought it directly from A&E. I hope she will tell how long ago she ordered it. Lizzy where are you?

I'm just dropping in to say hello after a long absence ... happy new year everyone! Also, I wanted to say hello to Gabriella - the geology student (I'm a geologist - don't find too many women in the field over here!). You want to study Chinese next - Cantonese or Mandarin? That should be interesting (and very difficult)!

Yee-haw! Tay and Bells and Mich are back!

Hi! I am Ragnhild, female, 22 years old and hopelessly in love with Darcy (idiotic to find mr.right in a fictional character, and one who is about 200 years older than me at that...). I have lost count of how many times I've seen the bbc/a&a production, but I'm starting to know the whole thing by heart. More about me at http://www.stud.ntnu.no/~ragsan

MikeC, let me explain why the book makes so much diffrence, becouse there Lizzy's feelings are TOLD! you don't have to guess them out of JE's way of acting, you KNOW them, do you understand what I mean? Your theory just dosen't WORK in the book, so read it!

Ragnhild, so glad you made it in. Any trouble? You are with kindred spirits in your crush on Darcy.

Hi Ragnhild. Have we met on Austen-L? Nice to see you here!

Hello from Alabama. I am Jan, I'm six and forty and am a law librarian by profession. The first time that A&E broadcast P&P2 I tuned in in the middle of Darcy's first proposal. Well, I though this was quite a show! At the beginning of the summer, a friend told me that A&E was going to rebroadcast the series, but I didn't watch the listings and as I was flipping channels in August, I encountered the middle of Darcy's first proposal AGAIN!! Well, I was very vexed indeed. I immediately began searching the IMDB for any information on the series. I found the old BB and read a message that A&E would rebroadcast P&P2 as a part of its classroom series starting in November. I'm quite shy about posting, but I can let no more time go by without expressing my gratitude. Of course I have my own set of tapes now and I read the book for the first time over Thanksgiving. I've followed you and your move to the Spring off and on since the November-December broadcast and you are quite a group-- a model, I think, of the positive things that can come from this amazing technology. Please allow me to say this, please allow me to thank you, for I DO know to whom I am indebted. Jan

Thanks for coming out Jan. We always like to know who else is out there. Don't be shy -- or be shy. Just as you choose. You are very welcome either way.

I've met most of you in the Drawing Room, and thanks to your help I've finally made it to the Spring. I've got a lot of reading to do. By means of introduction, I'm Paula and three and twenty and I live in Greencastle, PA. A town of very little consequence. I'm a high school English teacher, but have not had the opportunity to teach P&P yet. I'm waiting for the head of our department to order the books. I've also recently married a great guy in March, and have been chatting with everyone in the dra ing room for about two weeks. I love P&P (the book and the movie), and hope to meet all of you in the chat room. I'll try to read all of the postings very soon!!! I'm going to follow Cheryl's advice....

]Lin: I am from Toronto. Where are you from? On the other side of the country: Vancouver

Hi Paula...glad you made it in! ;)

Hey, hey, hey Paula! (ooh-showing my age here!) Glad to see you're signed up! Re following my advice...does that mean you're headed over to the drooling topic??? Have fun... :-)

Hi, I'm Sharon and P&P has been one of my 2 favorite books (The Witch of Blackbird Pond is the other) from my early teens. I have owned about 5 paperbacks in the last 20 years because they fall apart on me. I am trying to preserve the first copy I ever read, which my mom had from her Jr. High days. The tradition has now passed on, because since my 7 year old niece watched the A&E production, she likes to be read the book at bedtime. I too, am very pleased with P&P2, even with the parts added to the film. I had seen the first Masterpiece Theatre version years ago and thought it was so lame that I had trouble sitting through it. I remembered my anoyance so well, that I originally was not going to watch the second BBC production, so I didn't see it until the second time around. Now, I also dished out $100 for the video set.

Welcome home, Sharon.

Hi! I'm glad I finally found my way back. I'm a student at McEachern High School, and I am an advid Janeite, clarinet player, and amature composer. I am stoll addicted to P&P2 and am awaiting the showing of Emma on A&E. I'll talk to you later! :) Alicky (Laura)

Alicky -- let me be one of the first to welcome you. You couldn't meet a nicer group of fellow Austen/P&P2 fans!

Welcome Alicky. You are back, you say? Were you a visitor on the old board?

I first read "P & P" about 8 years ago and fell immediately and irrevocably in love. I was amazed to find out that I was not the only one totally besotted with Colin Firth's protrayal of Darcy. I swear the man could act with eyes alone! It's nice to know I have company.

Welcome Susan. It is nice to find you are not alone, is it not?

Hello, I'm Cassandra W. from small town Ohio (brought to you by bright.net), born in Texas, came here by way of Arizona. I have both B.A. and M.A. from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. I've loved Austen since I first read her one summer in early high school. I think I made book reports on Pride and Prejudice in several different classes. The books are SO much better than the movies, but that's probably another conference or something (gosh this is complicated!). What else did you want to know? I'm a children's librarian, have a neat husband, and two mouthy teenage daughters, the younger of whom is hopelessly addicted to the you-know-what of 1995 (There must be some gene involved.). Nice to be here.

Though I have seen you in chat, welcome officially, Cassandra, O namesake of our dear Jane's sister. Did you know we have other kid librarians here? Kim works in a school in Tennessee. Ann2 in Sweden -- Ann, I guess I assumed you are with a public library, is that not so? Or do you work in a school too?

Welcome Susan and Cassandra...I am fairly new here too...I've found all sorts of kindred spirits here....and yes, Susan, it's those "fine eyes" he has himself. You will find all sorts of interesting conversation and information to satisfy your "addiction"....have fun and welcome!

Cassie, don't worry, you will find many great admirers of the book haunting this BB. In fact, rumor has it that a frequent and much loved participant, the Mysterious H.C., hasn't even seen the miniseries, but we have reason to suspect that he has read the book. .

Hi, ya'll. I tried to introduce myself on Dec. 22 but didn't get through. I live in West Texas Have B.A. from Texas Tech U. Have son in early 40's who is an English professor in a Texas University. A daughter who teaches Kindergarten in Plano, Texas - suburb of Dallas. I am retired from medical field (Jack of All Trades). Since my children are as old as most of you I'm sure you would not expect me to own my age. This meeting place is one of the joys I have discovered since retiring. I am a widow and live with two wonderful dogs and a cat who allows us to live here. I enjoy all of you so much.

Jane, for a long time I didn't see it (no cable or VCR), but now I have watched it twice...

Wow, almost 12 hours of P&P2.

Hi again, Claudia. You can be my virtual mom. I need one; get tired of being the mom.

I've been lurking around the edge of this site for a few months and have finally decided to jump in! I live in Brisbane, Australia am a mother of 3 adult children and 3 brilliant grandchildren. I first read P&P when I was about 16 (by the light of gaslight, owing to my great age, you see!). I saw P&P0 and wondered what the heck I was watching, but finally found heaven when P&P2 arrived. I couldn't believe they were actually saying words from the book!! Not only that, but everyone looked exactly as I pictured them. BLISS.. My children gave me the double tape for Mother's day and I have watched it so many times it is showing alarming lines right in the middle of much loved scenes (you know the ones). I also bought the "Making of" from the ABC shop here and know that by heart.I have watched my tapes so many times that my favourite thing at the moment is to focus on a different character each viewing and watch their actions. Also to slow-motion through crown scenes (the village dance, the ball, the double wedding AND THE KISS). I play it while I vacuum and know just exactly what scene is playing by what is being said.....The true addict - I don't even have to WATCH anymore ... Do I qualify?

Hi Lyn, you most certainly do qualify, Welcome! It's nice to have another Australian come out of the woodwork.

Welcome, Lyn. You can get the Making of video in Oz? Can grandmothers still drool? Please say yes.

HeellOOO, Lyn! Hey guys, she actually has the TAPE!!!!!

Yes, yes; please tell us Lyn;can we order by mail from this store; name adress, specifics, please!

Lyn may have the Making of P&P2 tape, but being in Oz it is in the PAL format and therefore cannot be used on American VCR's. Curses, foiled again! :-(

Lyn, did you mean the "Making Of P&P" tape or the book? The ABC shop in Newcastle only had the book; if the tape is available in Aus I'll bully them into ordering it for me...

Lyn..could it be that we have lines in our tapes at the same places....I know exactly what you mean....I was so relieved to find others who felt the same way...I think it very interesting that having read P&P so many years earlier that the characters were exactly what you had imagined for so long...that rarely happens...usually a production changes it for you...I hate when that happens...to find your imagination come alive on the screen must be terrific!

Hello- I'm finally delurking here after a couple of weeks. I must say I was pleasantly surprised to find this board, and more pleasantly surprised at how nice everyone here seems! My interest in P&P began when I saw the miniseries, and culminated during hurricane Fran last Sept., when I was without electricity for 8 days and spent my time reading and re-reading P&P by candlelight. Now, one slightly stronger glasses prescription later, I have treated myself to the videos of P&P and S&S, and am through most of he novels. I do have a Lit. background (MA in Medieval Lit), but never spent much time on 19th century British. It's great! As for personal info, I live in Raleigh, NC with my brand new husband and ill-tempered dog, and have abandoned academia for software marketing--go figure. Well, I imagine I'll be drooling/posting here often...........so 'bye for now.

Guys, calm down.....Sorry, it's the way I put things. I had so much to say and just kept going without making sense. It was the Making of BOOK, not tape I have. I have sent an e-mail to the BBC asking if they produced a tape for sale to the general public, and if not, why not as there sure is a market for it. Fingers crossed. Sorry about the confusion. And yes Amy, grandmothers still drool - haven't you heard, they are probably the BIGGEST droolers.....

OOHHH! LYN! You could have started a riot here! LOL! I, too have emails in to 1) BBC; 2) A&E; and 3)ABC (Australia). A few others have had emails out for a while, and no response.

Amy, what a happy thought - to be your virtual mom - I can't think of an honor I'd rather have. My daughter is as much an Austen fan as I so I'll tell her she has a virtual sister. The Eng. Prof son keeps us informed on all sorts of good tidbits from Regency and Victorian lit. and lifestyles. Could you use a brother too?

]The Eng. Prof son keeps us informed on all sorts of good tidbits from Regency and Victorian lit. and lifestyles. Could you use a brother too? A wonderful addition to the family! Can we all adopt him?

Yes, please. He shall be our brother.

Has anyone tried hitting up the BBC and A&E about the Making of video using snail mail?

How about getting A&E to sponsor this conference and the conference website?

}Has anyone tried hitting up the BBC and A&E about the Making of video using snail mail? And by voice phone and by any other method that could be thought of. They remain inscrutable and implacable.

G'day Lyn and G'day Claudia. It's lovely to have some Grandmas here! Now we are a real family, but where's Pop? By the way, Lyn have you heard about our little Aussie Austenite get together? Now you've come out of the woodwork Hilary, Anna and I may plead for you to come too. The weekend of 22/23 February we are meeting in Canberra for a Picnic and then a meal in the evening. Final plans have not yet been agreed upon, but hopefully you will be able to meet most of us, including Lilian!

Ann, I've telephoned, EP:e

Anna, the English Prof is fun. He would love you. The latest tidbit was on Poor Laws of the two periods and a receipe for Pork Pie. Yuk - the fat gram police would come after us if we ate that.

I love meat pies, though.

Hello everyone....I'm so surprised that I haven't found this place sooner. I, as many of you, am hopelessly in love with the BBC's version of P&P. I did not see the first airing of the miniseries last January in the U.S. and luckily saw it in August when A&E showed it again. I have been in love with it ever since. Yet, I'm not so sure what I am in love with...Is is Colin Firth's portrayal of the proud Mr. Darcy? Is it Jennifer Ehle's performance of Eliz abeth Bennet? Is it the music? I don't know, but I just love it. Thank you for creating a site for us fanatics. Unfortunately, AOL will not permit me and others to go into the Pemberly chat room, but this is great enough. Thanks again.

You not the only AOL discontent these days, I hear. Welcome, glad you found this place.

Welcome, Cris. Are you a nurse?

Chris: I'm not so sure what I am in love with...Is it Hi Chris - it is all of those - and more. If any one element of the production were removed or altered, it would not be the same. It is such a triumph of ensemble performance (technical as well as dramatic) as is seldom achieved.

Ann, I have wriiten, faxed E-mailed and telephoned the BBC numerous times with regards to "The Making of P&P2" video. Thus far I have had no joy. No responses to mail enquiries and no positive noises from telephone conversations. I've even asked about the special teacher's package, which costs over a 100 pounds, to no avail. At least I'm lucky in the sense that I have seen the video. :help q

Finally got myself back in here after several attempts :( Ann, I have written, faxed, E�mailed and telephoned the BBC on numerous occasions with respects to "The Making of P&P2" video. Thus far, I have had absolutely no joy � no response to mail enquiries and telephone queries have resulted in nothing positive either. I have even asked about the special teacher's package, which costs upwards of �100, to no avail :-( At least, I'm lucky in the sense that I have seen the video.

Cris..welcome...Prodigy won't let us get into the chat room either! It is so maddening...I am still trying to bully them however. I signed on with Compuserve for my free 5 hours just to see what I was missing...but hang in there....they are still updating all these systems and trying to keep up with not only the demand, but to keep their "already faithful" happy.... If you loved the series..you will love all the various topics and discussions here at the conference!

In here, love in P&P might very well transform in love of P&P2BB, and the feeling will extend to gargantuesque proportion. Happy thoughts and lucky you in experiencing this ;)

Just an idea for Linda & Cris - Try downloading Microsoft Explorer from the MS website and use it to get into the Pemberley Drwrm. Start up the Explorer after you have logged on to AOL or Prodigy. I have done this when I was on AOL because the Explorer seemed to download files faster. And in addition, when AOL cut me off, all my screens would still be up for me to look at on the Explorer.

Can do the same with Netscape as well (and I found it much faster)

Sharon....bless you girl! I will try it..Microsoft Explorer is what I use with Compuserve. I use Netscape with the new Prodigy Internet...it doesn't work for me.... Johanne...Netscape works for you? I wonder why it doesn't on Prodigy Internet????????

Actually it works wonder : am with an independant provider.

I am glad to descover this location, being the only P&P2 addict some what lonely. I have enjoiyed reading all the comments. ednaw

Hi Ednaw, and welcome. I saw you try to come into chat yesterday. Try again sometime. What was the trouble?

Welcome ednaw.