5 Jane-ish Things (of Some or Little Importance)

I think I might change the title of this blog to Jane Austen Slacker.  Where does the time go and where to my blog posts go that I write as I'm drifting off to dreamland?  Surely, Jane is finding them across the mist and is pleased by my thoughts, at least.

Here's a short recap of thoughts and ruminations Jane related since my last true post.  (Excluding birthday wishes.)

1. I watched "Jane Austen in Manhattan", circa 1980, as one of my "things" in the Everything Austen challenge.  I have one word to say about it: BAD.  So bad I'm not sure what to say or write. I'm just speechless.  I really struggled with the premise, the idea and the well, just plain old strangeness of the story and characters.  Not really a whole lot of Jane Austen here.  The one and only highlight:  A very, very young Sean Young.  I think it was her first movie--ever.  Overall, not worth my time.  Slightly regretting the time I spent watching it, although I think I got some laundry folded. (At least I can tick off an EA item?)

2.  As seen in the Janeite blogosphere:  From the website Single Minded Women...They are offering up a series of "What Would Jane Austen Do?"  to their blog/article post.  Priceless relationship advice from Jane's POV.  I suggest reading them.

3. Also as seen in the Janeite blogosphere:  Read this article:  "Colin, Go Jump in the Lake.  Wait, don't!" by Scott Herhold from the San Jose Mercury News.  If this article doesn't make you smile, nothing will.  (I've heard Colin Firth is up for some serious Oscar nods with "The King's Speech."  Must see this before the Oscars...!)

4. Why I Wish I Had A HECK OF A LOT OF CASH! Austen family china available at auction?!? AND some of Martha Lloyd's copies of Austen's books?  Drool! (And no that wasn't a zombie...)

5. Blush.  Awww shucks! I was mentioned on a blog:  Laurel Ann at Austenprose mentioned me in some of the JA Blogs in the blogosphere.  I'm flattered and blushing, but really.  This momofa2yrold, schoollibrarianwhoonlyreadsllamallamaredpajama, janeiteluciddreamingbloggerwhodoesn'thavetimetoshaveherlegsletanloneblog does not deserve the nod! (Again, I am contemplating changing the name of this blog to JA Slacker.  Any artists want to help make me a cute header to go with that thought?)  Sigh, blush and well, I'd better get my act together and try to work on writing inspiring thoughts (and maybe some new ones rather than just reporting what I see/read in the Janeite blogworld). (At least the librarian in my knows about copyright etc. and I don't steal content from others without citing my sources properly!)  Anyway, I guess I've just discovered what one of my new year's resolution needs to be:  write some fabulously witty thoughts regarding JA.  (Hmmmm.....does it count if I write them in my head and they never make it to paper/computer?)

Happy Day To You, Dear Jane!

Dear Jane,

Today (December 16) marks your 235th birthday.  Happy Birthday, Dear Jane!  Or, as I like to say to my friends and family, Happy Day To You!  (You don't mind if I liken you to friends and family, do you?)  I just wanted to make sure you know how much we're still enjoying your delightful wit and wry humor these days.  We know you didn't mean to be such a big deal, but you have this amazing ability to share day to day life regarding friends, family, & romance in ways that still speaks to so many of us today.  Well done, kind lady!  That's quite a talent that you've got there!  (Which must be why I've asked for yet another copy of P&P for Christmas this year.  It IS a different edition, I tell you!)

Granted, there have been a few set backs related to your works (Namely mashups--Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.  The zombie fighting duo of Darcy and Elizabeth seems to work for most.) Know that it's done out of love.  (Well, some love, and a lot of money making schemes....but I think as someone who worried about money and their livelihood throughout most of your life, you can understand.)

Either way, I digress.  Today, I raise a copy of P&P in your honor.  I will recite to my now sleeping 2 year old the first few paragraphs of the book just as I did to her as she slept in my arms in the hospital when she was born.  Whether she likes it or not, she's a Janeite in the making.   Happy Thought, indeed!

To you, dear Jane, to you!
Bloggin' BB

Delightful graphic from Adriana Zardini (JASBRA) to celebrate the day and to celebrate the online party!
Should you want to participate in Jane Austen's Birthday party online, go to My Jane Autsten Bookclub and checkout the links of great bloggers!

Miss Elizabeth Bennet's Inbox

Miss Elizabeth Bennet's Email Inbox

 Worth a great laugh!  The author has it spot on! From a marketing firm, but he's done it so well.  So very well.  (And he's got other Famous Inboxes that are worth checking out, too.)

Everything Austen II

Remember last summer about this same time when I joined the Everything Austen Challenge online?  Well, Ms. Stephanie at Stephanie's Written Word is at it again!! She's sponsoring Everything Austen II, starting July 1st and going through January 1.

Here's the blog post for exact details.  But here's what you do:
"Truly, the list can be endless! All you need to do is pick six Austen-themed items to read, watch or craft to participate. Note that you can mix it up a bit – maybe commit to watching three movies and reading three books – or if your TBR pile is huge, pick out six movies you would like to watch – YOU DECIDE!" (Quoted from Stephanie's blog post.)

So---da, da, dada, da, daaaaa (that was a drumroll) here is my list.  A bit longer than last year so I have some options to roll around.  (Remember how I didn't do very well with non-fiction?)

• Read: Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford (currently sitting on my nightstand.)

• Read: A Truth Universally Acknowledged: 33 Great Writers on Why We Read Jane Austen edited by Susannah Carson (also currently sitting on my nightstand)

•  Bake something from The Jane Austen Cookbook (remember last year's Everything Austen?  I did find the cookbooks. I read them, but didn't make anything.  Now is the time!)

• Figure out Abigail Reynolds JA continuation books---what haven't I read and read one of them.  (I don't have the time to figure out what I've read etc right now.)

• Read: Persuasion (got a pocket copy for Christmas and it's time to crack the spine, also sitting on nightstand.)

• Watch: Northanger Abbey, some version or another.  (I don't own the newer BBC productions so this might be my impetus to purchase them.)

• Read: The Annotated Pride and Prejudice (edited by David M. Shapard) by participating in my Pride and Prejudice Group Read online at Austenprose. (Hmm, that's too, was on my nightstand for eons until last week...)

• Read some/skim/part of: Jane Austen's World by Dierdre LeFay (on nightstand, too.....qualifying this so I have a chance in Hades...)

• Watch the film: "Jane Austen in Manhattan" (Stephanie suggested this one and it sounds interesting.)

• Watch: Mansfield Park.  (Again, might be inspired to find one of the newer ones, as  I am not sure I can handle the horrific 1980's BBC version of Mrs. Bertram and Pug....)

It's All About Jane.

An article to read from Salon.com about Jane and her many sequel/spinoffs--The Battle for Jane Austen by Laura Miller. I thought it was interesting to say the least.

Austenblog writes some thoughts on it here.

My thoughts:  I think Ms. Miller hits it by saying this,

"However, you can read "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" pretending that you're in it for the zombies or the laughs while secretly relishing Austen's sublime romantic comedy. At least, that's how I read it -- not, that is, with any pretense, but, as I went along, finding myself increasingly skimming over the interjections of horror and combat to get back to the real story....The great advantage, the secret weapon of "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," is that when you tire of the beheadings and the martial arts and the blood and guts, it's still "Pride and Prejudice." And you know that can't be bad."

It's all about Jane, folks.  All about Jane.