strange times indeed

Tonight at 9pm Pacific time, PBS kicks off Jane Austen-o-mania with a new production of Persuasion and continues each Sunday for the foreseeable future with other Austen productions, including the (in)famous 1995 BBC Pride & Prejudice, until the entire Austen repertoire is complete.

Sorted through the books in the living room. Cannot find the shelves that go to the smaller bookcases, but have located mystery shelves that (we think) belong to a bookcase we no longer own. Urgh. So there are still piles of books on the floor, but they are all sorted (except the paperbacks), and a good portion are shelved.

Watched Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Was amused to realize the vice president was played by the same actress who played Caroline Bingley (who, apparently, is a great-niece eight times over of Jane Austen's) in the P&P mini. I recognized the divet in her chin.

I'm annoyed. They took off all of the things I like to watch on Adult Swim on Saturday night. Why do they show all the good stuff on Sunday night? Why? WHY?

Been reading Austen, "Pride & Prejudice". And I'm enjoying it, but I'm finding that I like Austen like I like Shakespeare: performed. With both, I'm finding that I can understand the context of the language better with tone of voice and facial expressions.

Had a rather decent holiday. BBQ with friends, blowing up little firecrackers on the back porch, live hose at the ready. Drank my very last Okanagan cider (::cries::), as well as some raspberry lambic ale.

Was just feeling better when the cough returned today. Yuck.

Private amusement of the day: so I stop into Papa Murphy's to pick up dinner and it's packed in there with the Friday night dinner crowd. (We always phone it in ahead though.) I am zoned out tired from lack of sleep but my ears immediately perk up when I hear the words "Pride & Prejudice" and "Ohhhh, that Mr Darcy!" When I get to the front of the line I ask the girl behind the counter which version she was talking about, and she meandered on about how she had just seen the 2005 movie and would definitely not had liked it as much if she hadn't previously seen the 1995 miniseries, that she wouldn't have understood what was going on. So I'm postulating she meant the 1995 one was the one she was going all gooey over. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.

BTW, the last time I was in there, "Evil Woman" by ELO was playing. (After I made that post.)

Also, randomly, we went for a walk yesterday and right there crossing in front of us, rolling down 12th Avenue, was a Segway. First time I'd ever seen one in person, and there it was in the middle of our quiet neighbourhood.

Also also, my cat Rowan just swatted a yellowjacket out of the air, which I subsequently smacked with my Birk.

Went to leave the house and found a note tacked to the door to advise of a late fee because we turned the rent in on the 5th and not the 4th. Then, went to Hollywood Video to rent the 2005 Pride & Prejudice to find outstanding late charges from when The Truman Show was a new release.

+++

Just saw an ad on TV featuring "Solsbury Hill", and I realized the only song I had in iTunes by Mr. Gabriel was "Sledgehammer". How did I get to today and only have one Peter Gabriel song in my iTunes library? I am remedying this as we speak. Well, at least it's trying -- it's been working on "Big Time" for a few minutes now. If this means my SuperDrive is finally dying, I'm gonna scream. (Cursed MR.)

I was in Borders, wielding a dangerous 25% off coupon, when I spotted Linda Berdoll's sequel to Mr Darcy Takes a Wife. I didn't think it was due out until MAY! So... whee!!!

Fantastically good day thus far, all around. Much accomplished, including laundry, washing out the kitty water fountain (note to self: must wash out more frequently). About to settle in with a slightly-earlier-than-usual dinner and Jon Stewart, er, I mean the Oscars...

Yes, both BJD-related. Sue me.

1.) ( OMG, it's Mr Bingley! )

2.) I realized today that in a clever "Shawn from Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave" sort of way that in an English accent, "Mark" almost sounds like "Mock". No idea if that was done on purpose. Har har har. ETA: as in "Mock Darcy". As in false Mr Darcy. *crickets chirp* Well, I was amused, anyway.

Just for the record, Mr Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll is an absolutely delightful read and I have only made it to page 25 so far. The hold at the library came through and I decided I was just too anxious to read this one and will rely on my recent viewing of the miniseries to sustain me, character- and story-wise (I will return to Pride & Prejudice, which was checked out, in the near future).

I especially liked the preface. :)

Broke down and watched P&P, part three. WAH! Now I must really be patient. Really.