"What do you suppose Jane would have devoted a BB to?' Perhaps to a gallery devoted to the portrait painters of the time who managed to capture her characters in their work?

Or perhaps tacky novels? ;)

Joan, I've been doing that; it just won't give me the new ones automatically Kali - anything that doesn't recquire a black belt in judo

Of course, Kali-he is all yours (for this dance anyway).- I will sit this one out. But next I am dancing the reel with Bingley!...Wonder why Mrs Bennet looks daggers at me? Someone is creeping behind me to the piano-it's Mary-STOP HER!!!

Joan, I thought you might like to know that between the last set and this, "everything old is new again" on my browser. My! So much can happen when you are so happily engaged!

Do we have any way of discovering how many people are actually in attendance at this lavish assembly?

Joan: Do you mean the soilder that stood in front of Mr. Darcy as Jane and Lizzie entered the ball with Mr. Bingley. As for Mr. Collins he didn't hurt me I spun him across the room and he landed onright on Lady Catherine's footstool.Where he belongs.

I'm afraid all this dancing has tired me out! In my time zone it is after midnight so I must bid you all Good Night...besides, Col. Brandon is currently on PBS right now so good night. And Happy Birthday!!

Ann...the waltz is my all time FAVORITE...but I do a Viennese-style, not Fred-and-Ginger ballroom style...ah yes, Slavic Dances...did I ever tell you that my parents met at age fourteen in a Croatian folk dance exhibition group? ;)...my mom was the lighte st girl so she was always at the end of the line, and kept getting whipped around...

I'm afraid all this dancing has tired me out! In my time zone it is after midnight so I must bid you all Good Night...besides, Col. Brandon is currently on PBS right now so good night. And Happy Birthday!!

I don't Joan. Are you surprised by that answer? I am getting tired of giving it.

" "everything old is new again"' My pseudonym has also reverted. It almost looks as if some (or all?) of us were removed from the conference, and then re-joined.

I'm afraid all this dancing has tired me out! In my time zone it is after midnight so I must bid you all Good Night...besides, Col. Brandon is currently on PBS right now so good night. And Happy Birthday!!

" "everything old is new again"' My pseudonym has also reverted. It almost looks as if some (or all?) of us were removed from the conference, and then re-joined.

" "everything old is new again"' My pseudonym has also reverted. It almost looks as if some (or all?) of us were removed from the conference, and then re-joined.

I'm afraid all this dancing has tired me out! In my time zone it is after midnight so I must bid you all Good Night...besides, Col. Brandon is currently on PBS right now so good night. And Happy Birthday!!

I'm afraid all this dancing has tired me out! In my time zone it is after midnight so I must bid you all Good Night...besides, Col. Brandon is currently on PBS right now so good night. And Happy Birthday!!

Good night Pamela. D-d-d-d-d-d-dupes aplenty.

Pamela/Lauren...every time you hit reload, it reposts your last message...;)

I too must call it a night. I have enjoyed myself tremendously, though, and hope that we won't have to wait until Jane's next birthday for another ball! "If he had any compassion for me, he would not have danced half so much!"

Kaff, Mr Darcy is pooped...are you done with Mr. Knightley yet? ;)

I think we may have found the yapp limits here. I'm going to duck out and try to do a quick head count. Don't let the Colonel (any of them)leave 'til I get back.

Someone help! Robert Ferrars is explaining to me about cottages! I must be a bore magnet. Kali, would you dance with him, as a favor, since you finished with Mr Darcy?

Certainly, Marsha...but who will entertain Mr. Knightley whilst I am away? ;)

Maybe Mrs. Martin will repay him for his earlier kindness to her? ;)

Kali, At Grinnell College (my alma mater--mentioned in 1000 Acres by the way) there are two all-campus waltzes every year. The Des Moines orchestra comes and every one dances (or in many cases tries to). I was among the group of die-hard waltzers. The gym was usually very crowded, and far too many people didn't understand ball-room ettiquette--namely stay out of the fast lane. People would just stand around on the edge of the floor. So my fr iends and I became the Kamakazi Waltzers. Our opinion was: if they are going to be stupid enough to stand in our way, we are going to plow right through them. The best way was to show up early befor the gym filled with people, they you could really cut lo se with some wonderful Viennese waltzing. When we showed up before the music started we would dance to our own tune: Why are there so many songs about sperm whales? And what's on the other side. Sperm whales are visions, But merely illusions. Sperm whales have nothing to hide. Some day we'll find it, The Sperm Whale connection, The lovers the dreamers and sperm. (If you ever want to teach children how to waltz, "Why Are There So Many Songs About Rainbows" is in 3-4 time!)

Night Kaff.

I love it, Ann...actually, Ashokan Farewell works well...my brother plays it on the violin...and some good Cajun waltzes and random schottisches...oh, and hambos...another waltz cousin...

And lovely Irish waltzes...Star of the COunty Down is my dad's fave...

Who will entertain Mr Knightley? Why Kali, what a question-I, of course!

I thought you would attempt to usurp Mr. Darcy, Marsha, dear...but thank you for your kindness and good-breeding...;)

I miss dancing! I don't get much of a chance these days. One thing I would love to try to do: apply hip-hop dance steps to big-band swing music and vice versa--they both have about the same rhythms (sp???). It would be really interesting to try, and would be a hoot besides!

Well, Ladies. Colonel Brandon has kindly offered to see me to my carriage (which, by the way, is about to turn into a pumpkin). Please give my regrets to Marianne (snicker, snicker). Thank you, Amy. It has been a charming evening and I am certain that our guest of honor also enjoyed herself. Indeed, she seems quite surrounded by admirers. If I'm not mistaken, I believe HC himself is at her feet. How could we wonder where he was? A demain.

I like swing, too...Eastcoast, westcoast, or country?

Goodnight, Ms. Myretta...

Actually, I have never swung or hip-hopped, but I would love to learn.

Ann, do you tango? My dad is growing frustrated with my inability to learn it...he did manage to teach me the Santa Rita...

Night Myretta, Thanks for the counsel. If I don't talk to you tomorrow, I will see you on Wednesday. Everybody remember to watch Myretta.

How many of us are left. Maybe we should do a roll call?

Is that Mr Hurst I see sprawling on the sofa? I think he had too many refreshments. And, yes, Kali, I would usurp Mr Darcy, but it is extremely hard to extricate him from Caroline's clutches.

Ann, we must get together and dance...have you ever considered attending one of the many dance symposia and week-long camps/conferences devoted to folk dancing? My father teaches Greek dance on that "circuit"...

Be sure to keep him upright, Marsha...wouldn't want him to pull a Jimi Hendrix...;)

Night, Myretta! Have a nice time :-) A hint: Marianne has a very jealous disposition! Better be extra careful!

I love the tango!! I don't see how you could have a problem with it! ;-). 1-2-1-2-3, 1-2-1-2-3. I haven't attended any camps, but I did some folk dancing in college. The group knew more Israeli dances than anything else (I know an Israeli rain dance, if you are ever in a drought). We had someone come to campus who had just been in Hungary learning t heir dances--they were the most painful dances I've ever seen!

I have trouble with some of the more advanced moves...it's just not my dance...;)

Painfull to look at or to do?

Do any Greek dance, Ann...?

We seem to be slowing down here. Perhaps we could safely move into the drawing room?

I am going to take off, too, ladies. Night all, night dear Jane. Til next year, pal,

Hungarian dances...with all that spinning and stuff? Yeah...I never tried it...

A few Greek dances, but like I said mostly Israeli.

'Night, Amy...I'll be off soon, too...

I took dance classes, but, must announce with regret, was not a huge success. Oh well. At least I was not quite so bad as Mr Collins

hip-hop to add variety to our ball; happy thought indeed. I can see Tilney and Bingley but I fear not Darcy nor Knightley

Lots of grapevines for you then...I've never really liked Israeli folk dances...my friend Lisa is in Rabbinical school in Israel, and she's learning to dance some Israeli dances...she says the teachers are better over there...

Hip-Hop is definitely not Darcy/Knightley stuff...which is fine with me...;)

I think I must leave quite soon: Captain Wentworth kindly offered me a ride home and he is getting impatient. But, so far, it's been a blast-I'll stick around for a little bit.

Kali are you going? - good luck then

Ann, any English/Scottish COuntry dance or contras?

Soon, Anna...take care...how was last night? I hear you guys gorged on wine and foccacia, but not Arak Haddad...;)

Lots of deep knee bends. The worst move was: turn to the right dropping the left knee to the ground, come back up immediately and turn to the left dropping the right knee to the ground--repeat until your thighs explode! We had one dance where the theory was that all the women in a village would get together and dance it together over and over and over again--the last one standing was considered the most marriagable (we joked that it was because she could carry the ox bac k in from the fields). I always won!! I had a way of intimidating my worthy adversaries, I could control my breathing, so while they were collapsing, I wasn't even breathing hard. Loads of fun.

No, Mr Wickham, I do NOT want to know the story of your sufferings! Anyway, I see lYdia beconing you. Please be as good as to leave, sir! No, I do not have any fortune nor... wait, there is no need to take off!!!!

You go, Ann! ;)

A little Morris dancing and some scottish--not much though.

Happy birthday Miss Austen. I apologize for using Louisiana time to attend your party. I trust that you will be available for a quadrille, even if it is late. At the vey least I would like to thank you for all the hours of reading enjoyment you have pr ovided so many people.

fine K. I'm saving the Arak for a less civilised occaision; it doesn't seem like Miss Jane Austen's kind of drink

Marsha, let me take him off of your hands...finish dancing with Kinghtley...

My dad used to coach college soccer...half his team, it seemed, was always Jordanian...so we got lost of Arak...;)

I feel a reel would come easily to Wickham

Okay, kids...I must bid you adieu...if Mrs. Knightley asks where her husband is, he's escorting me home...;)

Thanks, Kali, he does dance charmingly :-)

Thanks, Kali, he does dance charmingly :-)

]so we got lost of Arak...;) I get rather lost with Arak too. Maybe it'd do for Charlotte Bronte's birthday?

I better go too. This was a lot of fun. See y'all real soon.

It's a plan, Anna...when is Charlotte Bronte's blessed birthday? ;)

'Night...

Kali - I must plead ignorance (where is HC when we need him?)

'night hope the blisters aren't too bad

Well, I've got to go! It's been a charming evening! Let's go, Captain Wentworth. Thank you for offering me your escort. What? I may call you Frederick? Thank you, it is great to call you by your christian name. O? You want to stop in some nice place on th e way? Of course! (Look out Anne, I do like men who write long letters, for, as my dear Caroline says "a man who can write long letters with ease, cannot write ill") G'night you all! I had a wonderful party! Bye, Jane, see you next year!

Thank God someone is older than I am - even if is "the late" Miss Austen. Thank you, Miss Austen for so many wonderful hours reading your books. Did you ever dream your stories would be on a thing called "television" and would be discussed on things called "computers"? Thanks to you, Amy and Terry, for making it possible for us to be together. I lift my cup of General Mills French Coffee to you!

So sorry that I have arrived so late. Problems. Problems have kept me from attending any sooner. I am grieved indeed, grieved shocked, that I have missed all the fun. As I was trying to cross Cheep-street at Union-passage a wild young man in a odious g ig drove by with vehemence and splattered mud all over my gown. I do hope that the ball was enjoyable to all. Even though I am so late, I still had to come to wish our sweet Jane a wonderful Birthday. May we have many more wonderful events to celebrate our Patroness.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANE!!! Mich

Sorry I missed the festivities... I overslept on my nap And I would have been a much better virtual dancer than in real life! Hope you enjoyed my party decorations...

Yesp, I knoze I'm reeely late, but oive been working and then selabrating sooo mutch that I didn't make it to the ball! Happy Birthday Jane Austen Thank you Terry and Amy for keeping fed our addiction. Oh and Anna I'll have a chocolate profiterol, thanks. Cheers Oh ... Miss Jane ... you still here? Care for a dance?

And since it is the 17th! Happy Birthday Ludwig!

And since it is the 17th! Happy Birthday Ludwig! Could you play the "Fur d'elise" while Miss Jane and I dance?

What - I go away for a mere 10 hours and miss all the fun - then again I started celebrating the festive occasion about 18 hours before most of you (except for my Aussie neighbours). A belated, but very sincere "happy birthday"!

G'day Again! Since no one else has bothered, I've here posted the link to the wonderful Beveridge Midi file at the Hawaiin Contradancers site. Thanks HC so much for finding this useful page. Anyone care to dance the Maggot with me now? http://www.lll.hawaii.edu/contra/dances/beveridge.midi

''And I would have been a much better virtual dancer than in real life!'' H.C., If you had ever learnt, you would have been a true proficient. Happy Birthday to you, Ms. Austen. You are respected, you are esteemed, we are grateful to you, especially so for your kind introductions to the Bingleys, Darcys, Wentworths, Knightleys and Bennetts. I'm sure you understand us, for you are the kindest, most thoughful of authors. Thank you on behalf of all our ''family''.

Happy Birthday Jane! I am sorry to have missed your ball. Even a late reading of your party was fun. Thank you Amy for hosting such entertaining company of people.

Glinda. Don't be so shy in the Drawing Room, Come out sometime. You don't have to say much or be clever or anything. I am not most times but like to come in any mood.

Make haste! Make haste! was I telling myself. Alas, nothing would do. And here I am, late. Oh! Miss Austen, how wonderful to see you're still here. Let me congratulate you on your honorable birthday and allow me to express the pure delight of reading your prose. Unfortunately, I can see that most of your faithfull admirors have already left the festivities. Your know surely that for us, living in this virtual country village, it is but a second from your residence. Therefore, while visiting the notables o the parish, Mr Terry and Mrs Amy and their dearest hard-working time-giving friends, be sure of our constant and eager wish to visit and communicate with you. Your acquaintence is as always cherished. But a short but heartfelt visit, farewell, au revoir and I bid you peace.

Peace.

Shalom. Perhaps on Christmas Day we can all wish Henri Churchyard Esq. a Happy Birthday.

I didn't realise that HC's bday was on Christmas, Henry own up how old?

Give up, Laura...he won't tell...

Oh Henry please tell me how old you are!!! Merry Christmas to you !!

Laura, there's a graphic that expresses my feelings on this subject -- did you never happen to see it? --

Laura, there's a graphic that expresses my feelings on this subject -- did you never happen to see it? --

The graphic is delightful and reminds me of two items. First, obviously, the personnel at our local supermarket, but secondarily, a burning question. The watch fob in the above picture looks perfectly functional, one end must be attached to the clothing and the other end probably has a watch attached. However, in P&P2, the fobs all dangle petulantly from the tops of the men's pants but, nothing remotely large enough appears to be hanging from the end of the fob. So, to what is the unseen end attached nd where is the watch? Did women wear watches?