Dedicated to Jane and Jennifer who both worked diligently
to tell a story without realizing how it would effect the future.
...and to "Alter Egos"...
Some have all the goodness...
Some have the appearance of goodness...
Some give offense to whom ever they please.
...just a thought...
From someone who on more than one occasion, has spent
quiet hours at the end of the lane, at the church at Steventon,
Hampshire, U.K., watching the wind move the grasses of the field
and the clouds in the sky, while the ravens play in the warm thermals
of a sunny spring day. May the scene and the spirit remain, unchanged.
This post is meant to be complimentary and positive in every
way possible.
- The Chair Lift Philosopher. After a day like this, a warm fire and a good book.
- GP's Spirit of Skiing.Med.jpg (37.55 KiB) Viewed 3247 times
do with the goings on at a Ski Resort, however, I would simply
say that anyone who has had the aspiration to relax before the
fireplace with a good book after a vigorous day on the slopes,
will understand.
Besides, we can only ski for 8 hours a day in winter which leaves
us with lots of time to pursue many other interests, including,
but not limited to, all forms of the "Arts", like classic English
literature.
Anyone who does not share this interest can stop right here or
move on to another topic, but for those who do, it has the potential
to be a curiously interesting experimental journey. I think Jane
Austen would have found this facinating. What would she have done
with the internet, blogs, forums, twitter or wordpress?
Actually, I had intended to start this topic long ago, but as is the
case for many writers I'm told, there is sometimes a moment of
inspiration required to commence the flow of words onto the page,
that in it's absence, constitutes "Writers Block". This was exactly
the case for me until yesterday when 19th Century "First Impressions"(*)
met 21st Century "Social Media Connections".
The 19th Century first impressions are the imprints that Jane Ausen's story
telling have accumulatively had upon me, and it's not like I actually have the
21st Century Social Media Connection... yet, if ever, but what is very exciting
is that the possibility of such a connection could exist with the mere left
click of a mouse. Here following is the short story of how this moment arrived.
To begin with, fall season is a such a transition. From the popping in and
out of door's and all the busy activities that come with the ease and comfort
of summer temp's, to the chill of the approaching winters short, cold days
that keep us inside with extra layers to hold in warmth, we may find ourselves
with an evening or two that will permit us to indulge in the personal time to
read a good book, or watch a good film.
Everyone from our home was away, so there I was with a whole, chilly fall
evening, unscheduled and empty of plan. I was unpacking from 10 days
away and as I did so, came across a box set, special edition DVD of a
Jane Austen adaptation of her most popular novel done in 1995 for the
BBC and A&E networks that was a gift to me from my Daughter.
When my Daughter was a teen, we watched this together many times.
(The old fashioned way, on tape, by VCR).
We actually sort of studied it, because we see in it the roots of our own
English customs, manners, etiquette and heritage. We have had very
good Father-Daughter conversations about how our current social behaviors
are in many cases, descendant from the era of Jane Austen.
Jane Austen also promoted the personal benefit of self-improvement
by integrating positive elements of education, experience as well as
the development of a keen wit. 200 years later, these are still
good principles to incorporate into life.
In both the story that Jennifer has performed in, as well as
"Emma", the leading female character enjoys a very strong, solid
relationship with her Father, one with an affectionate intellectual element.
Father/Daughter relationships are not completely understood,
but are universally acknowledged as important. I believe Jane pays
great tribute to good Fathers in these two examples. (I would really
like to hear Jennifer's opinion on that.)
Anyway, I keep it in my base travel gear for sentimental reasons, and this
was the perfect opportunity to toss it in and spend the next 6 hours in
another Century.
After watching the film, yet again(sorry Jennifer, you may be sick of hearing it),
for some reason I thought... "lets take a look at the internet to see about the
digitally re-mastered version I've heard of". Well, surprise, surprise! It had been
literally years since I'd done much of a Jane Austen scan and after a very short
period of surfing I came upon a fan-site that listed our modern day story-teller/
self-proclaimed part-time actress Jennifer on Twitter! OMG!, WOW, how neat
is that???!!!
But then, in what seemed to be a bizzare co-incidence of fate, there was
her latest Twitter post, containing some question to which I believe I might
actually have an insight.
I decided to sleep on it, for I would never wish to intrude, but then
again, telling any story, or sharing any moment of a possibly
philosophical/spiritual connection that is an extension of a literary
work started in 1796 means taking a risk, possibly of rejection, or of
just being plain old wrong, on my part.
(Certainly much less risk of rejection than Jane, the orig. author
suffered/endured at the time of the story's creation.)
When I awoke this morning, I decided to press on, fired up the Mac
and there it still was, 1 twitter post(at least), in over 4,500 she has made
that possibly represents a spontaneously significant, introspective moment
for her, and I feel as though I can see her humanity in a crystal clear glimpse,
a humanity we (may hopefully) all possess, to one degree or another.
Proof of first use, dated as inclosed.
We're inventing a new word here:
"Quoatweetion":
"I find other people's alter egos only marginally
more confusing than my own. No worries."
This is a great line, so we "Officially" declare you a writer/philosopher
now, Jennifer Ehle! We wonder what kind of conversations about artistic
forms of communications occur in your family when everyone so clearly
demonstrates rich talent in so many different areas?
- Screenshot courtesy of Twitter.com
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Tweet, if there is such a thing?
So firstly, I do not suppose to know what the authors actual personal
meaning is for the above twitter post, only my perceived understandings,
based on this and multiple publicly made comments she has made previously
about her work and life. Regardless, I do claim a particular level of empathy
for her post because of the very human quality of it, to which many of
us can relate, for any number of reasons. The addition of "No Worries"
gives it a lighthearted, relaxed connotation that softens the serious side.
To me, it simultaneously reveals the the thinker and the pragmatist in her
character.
Commonly accepted definitions/interpretations of the use of "confusing"
in this context could be "uncertain about, unsure of" and I think she is
eluding to any number of possibly confusing elements of her experience,
such as frequent moves or "bigger than life" roles she may have played,
just for example, that could lead one to, and/or contribute to, a state of
question about Alter Ego's.
Watching one interview from youtube in which she describes the realization
that her work had become a "Hit", but not until almost 2 years after its release,
one can see and understand perfectly well that the ensuing notoriety would have
become overwhelming to someone who had no expectations of it in the first
place, and why she might be reluctant to embrace it now.
Fame could well be an unwelcome shadow, even a blaring spotlight for someone
who would not wish to be defined, remembered or face limited prospects as a
result of a singular effort, or simply wants to live a quiet life.
So, back to the Twitter post... what's the point?
This author's personal insights generated by reflections on the above post:
(ie: speaking for myself, please bear with me for a minute...)
We own a First Edition of Emma, from 1815.
This will always be my most direct connection to Jane Austen, for it is not only
the closest thing one could have to a direct connection to her, (seperation
by one degree?) but it also represents a previously unknown level of
Jane's own independant self management, uncommon for women in 1815.
Every time I hold those slender 3 volumes in my hand I realize that we
are not really owners, rather that we have taken the part of stewards of history
for the safekeeping of this rare work that is an undeniable thread in the very
fabric of our current society.
In this same way Jennifer and her alter ego may well be stewards of history
in that they are responsible for preserving the story through their
interpretation, for those that come after us. Like it or not, for the time we
are here, if we have accepted a part, we are the stewards of this history.
Additionally possible insights...
-The significance of Jane Austen's work is still not completely understood.
-The franchise of a well played character is of great potential value.(*)
-Confusion about origins does not preclude acceptance of realities and
we may all have to deal with this, sooner or later.
-Unexpected blessings may (initially) be perceived as unwelcome.
-Take the honest appreciation of your efforts at face value.
-Embrace the role of being a steward of history to expand models of
goodwill, decency and family.
-Praise and support may come from unexpected places and for things that we
did not know were significant to begin with.
-Twitter, with all due respect, is rather like the potato chip/crisp of
the writers world, rather prone to cliche`s and hindsights, an interesting
snack sometimes, but not singularly suitable for a steady diet.
Has fate ever ordained anything? Who knows absolutely, but I would only
wish first, for Jennifer's own happiness, but then secondly, that she should
find the strength to bravely face the Jane Austen attachment with the quiet
resolve of acceptance for the role, and the link with the characters motivation
to elevate herself toward a better outcome.
Jane Austen lives because she started a conversational dynamic which
still exists, ongoing. This heritage is a cornerstone of our society and
behaviours that deserves the utmost respect.
Even by todays standards, Jane Austen is one of the most noble "Brands"
within the Arts and Culture levels of our society, however, it is
undervalued in this authors opinion and frankly, our modern world might
be a better place if we could instill some/more of the wisdom of Jane Austen
into current practice.
I have no idea whether or not this is a good way to kick-off the Mont
Tremblant Jane Austen Society, and when I work up the courage I will
set my fears aside and eventually send a twitter note to Ms. Ehle.
There may be a slim chance that this will be read, and perhaps a slimmer
chance that it would be responded to, however it is non-the-less a genuine
and ernest tribute to a great work of depth, character and artistic beauty.
Besides, we see she supports Farm Sanctuary in Up-State N.Y. that we also
visit and support, so that alone makes her cool.
Wonder if this will get a smile.... I've titled it:
"Apres Ski Jane Austen Stories"
- www.tremblant360.com photo.
- Apres Ski J.A. Stories.jpg (116.53 KiB) Viewed 3232 times
For her benefit, I have written this entire piece without mentioning the
title of the work she is famous for, just to prove that it can be done.
Perhaps a little like Jane Austen, I have written it for my own amusement,
without any expectations (despite hopes) of readership, and so that I may recall
the thrill of discovering Ms. Ehle on twitter. I truly believe this is the kind of
personal access that Jane would have been enthralled with, a tiny window into
the hearts and minds of those we respect or those whom we find interesting
and wish to know better.
Will there be another chapter here? No idea, but we non-the-less
hope for the best. No Worries.
With access comes responsibility, which I completely accept for these
ramblings, so if there are any concerns, please let me know.
Very, very Sincerely,
P.S.
We seek those interested in the Tremblant region with good home theaters
to occasionally host an infrequent, revolving, Jane Austen review evening.
Reply herein.
P.P.S.
We have an oddly direct sort of connection with Michael Ondaatje,
which if nothing else, highlights the notion that "it's a small world".
P.P.P.S.
We also have a personal "seperated by 2 degrees" Frank LLoyd Wright"
story, and the pic's to prove it...
P.P.P.P.S Oh, and if you/family ever wanted to either learn, or just ski
better, get in touch, we can work magic in that dept., ...it is
after all, a ski resort.
* 10 points if you get the humour.
*