A reaction returned...

It appears more than a few of you read my blog last week... and none very much satisfied with my inclinations of imagination. So, to the two of you who have responded with much anticipated questions -- I devote this blog to you.

To Richard, my much esteemed friend and associate in crime. I chose your part because it was -- well, it was obvious. You are my friend and so you know my knowledge of you is intimate, and every action, every misstep, every word that slipped out of that poor man's mouth smacked of El Dubie. Your character was a charming, yet unassuming gentleman. He was refined, yet uninterested (mostly) in the charge of high society, rather, he was devoted to love -- even when afar, devoted to the love he lost due to the bad advice of a friend. Please, keep in mind it is not the similarity of situation which places you in the skin of such a man, but the reaction to the situation. His reaction is in no way (in my mind) different than the way in which you would respond if put into the very same situation.

As for your second point mr. Dubie, as we have discussed earlier, my casting of bonnie baxley has nothing to do with her relationship to you. All these choices are gut instinct, immediate reaction choices based on the great amount or little that I know of each person. In the case of bonnie, it is true, I know very little of her pre relationship... however, to be honest, I know even less (first hand) of her in the relationship. But, if I must defend my selection I will. There are a few things I know of bonnie (whether true or not is inconsequential, this is what I know of bonnie)
1. She is quiet, kind, and blonde.
2. She responds to situations of stress and great thought with honesty, sincerity, and the perceived best interest of others at the heart of her response to those situations
3. Did I mention she physically resembles the character?
4. I don't know her any better to disqualify her, nor did her being chosen have any basis upon any other character. All characters where chosen upon their own merit apart from the other characters of the story (think abstract selection process and this selection may make more sense.)

Now, mr. Jones. You must know that your near selection with your character was NOT in any way picked by physical resemblance, or similarity of circumstance, i.e. a fanciful desire for a woman who in no way wants you. In fact, your strength of character was the very reason I could not compel myself to allow your name and his to be in association. Frankly, he's a punk. He's self-absorbed, and uncomfortable with the world around him. He is the antithesis of Mr. Bingley, precisely the kind of guy no one would want to be mixed up with, save a near-spinster craving nothing more than the elevated status of marraige.
Mr. Jones, I hope that your next discussion with Erin will be more enlightening once you mention what I'm about to write to her -- maybe this will shed light on your near choice of characters.

Say what you want about Mr. Collins -- good or bad, he is nothing if he is not self-assured, confident (even if undeservingly so), eager to be seen in a respectable light, and most importantly, singularly set on achieving his goal, no matter what the cost be it to his pride, wealth, or status (a seeming contradiction, except that all his decisions were based in elevation of pride, wealth and status through marraige -- thereby, any hit he takes in one of these three areas could be absorbed and repaired by the ultimate greater good of marraige which would elevate the three as a whole in a way not possible with any other life choice he could possibly make.)

JD, I hope you can see why you are far too interesting an individual to rest in cahoots with mr. collins. However, I hope that you see (when you see the movie/read the book) your self-assured confidence, and drive come out through the character of Mr. Collins. I believe it is all that will be similar.

Anyway, for any others with comments or questions please let me know your thoughts, I love the discussion.

See you Jviller's soon.

The Great and Mighty Rickshaw Jones Returns

I think if I wrote a children's book, that would be the title of it. Quite nice if you ask me -- it has a certain ring to it that affectionately and unassumingly brings an air of brilliance and innocense to the lowly young boy in question by an alter ego so much larger than the droopy socks 8 sizes too large (and slightly mismatched.) "The Great and Mighty Rickshaw Jones Returns." Yes, I do believe it's enough to begin and end my book -- maybe even my own autobiography!

Tonight I am proud to say I have just watched a chick flick all by myself. Now, normally this would be a cause for concern and though there may be still concern brewing amongst those that know me best, I assure them I could not have made better use of my time than by doing just that. I watched the most recent version of Pride and Prejudice, something I had avoided like the plague up to this point. However, I must say I'm very glad I did. The movie was absolutely wonderful. It was a brilliant love story that has had no match in my opinion -- which makes me marvel at the sheer genius of Jane Austin, Who undoubtedly is our faulted heroine. This is one case where I am feeling very compeled to:
a. Buy the movie for myself - it was astounding! The cinematography, and scenery, the atire, the landscape... Unbelievable!
b. Buy the book and read it... cover to cover. Who would have thought such heart and passion could come from such an emotional frozen nationality. I am very impressed.

For those interested, here are my casting for the roles (character of characters : character of my friends) Please, for those of you mentioned there is no malice meant by any of these characterizations, I simply thought of you as I watched each particular role play out. As always please become familiar with the story before you chastize my thoughts.

Mr. Bingley - Dubie
Mr. Collins - though the arguement could be made for Joel, I decided Joel is much too personable and interesting to be such a dull character
Mrs. Bennet - Mrs. Hopkins, but this should be understood in it's context -- I see mrs. hopkins as nuturing and loving, unassuming and (unlike mrs. bennet) lacking completely in pretention and stupidity. Mrs. Bennet's reaction to Elizabeth's engagement was what sealed the deal for me.
Jane Bennet - [Dub please don't hate me for this] Bonnie Baxley. I have to believe this is the most evident of all my choices and the least unlikely -- watch or read and I'm sure this is self appearent.
Elizabeth Bennet - I see elements of my sister, and Becca boo (who by the way, I'd like to congratulate on getting engaged in real life this last month). If only you knew them this selection would make such unreal sense.
Mr. Bennet - I didn't see this until the end and then It all made complete sense to me... but I thought the role of mr. bennet was so clearly none other than, myself -- this of course is very strange considering mr. bennet is married to mrs. bennet... at any rate you have no need of worry Jerry, I'm not suggesting any thing more than an innocent casting call.

And finally, the most controversial of all my picks, the one that would surely collect flack from any lover of this fine piece of literature the role of none other than Mr. Darcy.

I say, boone baxter. [I'll wait for a second while all 2 of you reading this pick your jaw up off the floor.] I will now defend my choice. No one knows boone better than myself and throughout the whole movie, all I saw was a man devoted to single minded loving those whom he cared about. Sacrificially he gives of himself over and again... bending over backward to show his affection -- this my friends fits one boone baxter to an absolute tea. He is without a doubt the Mr. Darcy, thus rounding out my list.

(for those you not included -- ian, and misti -- I want you to know it's because you're one of a kind and not even great english literature could capture your personality into the heart and mind of one shea willis, the great rickshaw jones.