Chekhov Short Story Thread

[Janine]

I'll wait for you Janine!!! No leaving you on the sinking ship!!! We all go down together in this thread!! but, seriously, I am content to wait a few days... I just read a most interesting book through the night last night as I could not sleep... and then went to work.. ahhh... insomnia is god... i mean good... but "Sanine" by Mikhail Artzybashev is just a fascinating novel... I was shocked at how good it was considering I had never heard of it, and you can only get used copies as it has fallen out of print... so good and now I need a day or two to mull over the originality and uniqueness of this story...

Hi Everyone,
Here I was thinking maybe my last post sounded a little rude or perturbed, so I was going to modify it and sound a little more friendly. I am just stressed out at the minute, and not feeling well again. Sorry, if I did come off to all of you as being rude. Fact is, I was hoping for a little time; I am still in the midst of picking out the Lawrence story and have not decided yet, so I have to re-read them. Pressure, pressure, pressure and you, Quark, were the one who kidded me before, about having no time to sleep!

islandclimber, you are sweet saying you will wait for me. I like your sinking ship analogy... made me laugh. I wanted to thank you for your nice comment in that other thread, too. That really made me feel good, like my time is not wasted on all my loooong 'drawn-out' posts and my countless hours of research. I am so glad they helped you in the L thread.

Hummm...."Sanine" - gee, just one letter different than my name. I will have to look into that book, but you say it is out of print. How did you find it?

Well, if you all can wait till next week, I would be eternally grateful. I need this time to: wrap gifts tomorrow/buy cards; attend a baby shower Sunday; do some laundry, I need my clothes(!); read more L stories, so I can pick a good one everyone will like; and now read two additional Chekhov stories, plus this one; oh and yes, complete my reading of "Camille", before I forget the book and what is happening. That is all I have to do in the next few days!

[Quark]

I didn't think you came off as rude. I know you have stuff to do--lots apparently (have fun at the shower). We're just getting restless in this pause between stories.

Islandclimber, I don't know the book you're talking about, much less the author. Oddly enough, though, we have talked about Hardy novels on this thread in the past. In fact, I remember bringing up that tear-jerker scene from Jude the Obscure before. Somehow the conversation always comes back to that.

[Janine]

I didn't think you came off as rude. I know you have stuff to do--lots apparently (have fun at the shower). We're just getting restless in this pause between stories.

Quark, what - 'restless'?....it is almost the weekend; don't you guys ever have dates? Weekends are for the youth to go out and raise a ruckess and have fun with their friends. I am an old lady, becoming stodgy and inert; sometimes I just want to stay in the house, and be warm until spring comes. "Staying in makes Johnny a dull boy. "

Thanks, about the shower, Q - it will be great fun. I can't wait. I haven't seem my pregnant daughter-in-law since Christmas, just my son, he stops by on his way home from work. It will be a good reunion and with other people I have not seen now for awhile.

Islandclimber, I don't know the book you're talking about, much less the author. Oddly enough, though, we have talked about Hardy novels on this thread in the past. In fact, I remember bringing up that tear-jerker scene from Jude the Obscure before. Somehow the conversation always comes back to that.

Warning - this could be a Hardy Spoiler!
Did he refer to Hardy? I missed something......duh? Quark, do you like Hardy? Just curious. Did you know the story of the children in Jude actually came from a true life event? That is a scary thought, isn't it? There were many tear-jerker parts in "Jude, the Obscure". Good book, but devastating.

[Dark Muse]

Quark, what - 'restless'?....it is almost the weekend; don't you guys ever have dates? Weekends are for the youth to go out and raise a ruckess and have fun with their friends. I am an old lady, becoming stodgy and inert; sometimes I just want to stay in the house, and be warm until spring comes. "Staying in makes Johnny a dull boy. "

Hehe well the little misanthope that I am, I do not go out really. I do not attend socical events. Go to the movies sometimes but mostly I spend my time just reading anyway.

And the few friends I do have including my boyfriend live in different states.

[Janine]

Hehe well the little misanthope that I am, I do not go out really. I do not attend socical events. Go to the movies sometimes but mostly I spend my time just reading anyway.

And the few friends I do have including my boyfriend live in different states.

Well....sorry DM, should have put "and makes Jane a dull girl" too....hahheehe. I am just kidding with all of you. I have been there and done it, with the boyfriend in another state; three times now. I hope it works out better for you, DM, than for me. I hope the state is close by, anyway. Still those bridge/highway tolls are murder.

How 'bout relaxing and watching movies or reading, any hobbies? You must have computer blindness, by now. I thought I was bad, but I always see you online, DM.Now that statement made a lot of sense - since I am also online to see you online...hahhe
For me, I am soon going to retire to my sofa to watch a film. Quess which one? Actually, an early play (on DVD), of Lawrene's, I just bought from Amazon called "The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd." I anticipate the play is very much like the short story 'Odour of Chrysanthamums'....we discussed that story in this thread awhile back. It was a good one, so the play should be very interesting. Then I will read, read, read, before I go to bed! Promise.....

[Dark Muse]

Well....sorry DM, should have put "and makes Jane a dull girl" too....hahheehe. I am just kidding with all of you. I have been there and done it, with the boyfriend in another state; three times now. I hope it works out better for you, DM, than for me. I hope the state is close by, anyway. Still those bridge/highway tolls are murder.

How 'bout relaxing and watching movies or reading, any hobbies? You must have computer blindness, by now. I thought I was bad, but I always see you online, DM.Now that statement made a lot of sense - since I am also online to see you online...hahhe
For me, I am soon going to retire to my sofa to watch a film. Quess which one? Actually, an early play (on DVD), of Lawrene's, I just bought from Amazon called "The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd." I anticipate the play is very much like the short story 'Odour of Chrysanthamums'....we discussed that story in this thread awhile back. It was a good one, so the play should be very interesting. Then I will read, read, read, before I go to bed! Promise.....

Unforutnately we are on oppisites sides of the state, and obscatles have remained presisistently in our way, but we do the best that we can for now.

Hehe acutally I am not as bad as I use to be about the computer. I spent the good deal of my day reading, I am reading an insane amount of different things right now. Though in the evenings I tend to just stay on the computer untill I go to bed. During the day I genreally just pop on for a few minitues now and than just to check mail and such than go back to reading.

But my classes for spring quarter will be starting up soon.

[Janine]

Unforutnately we are on oppisites sides of the state, and obscatles have remained presisistently in our way, but we do the best that we can for now.

Yes, I well know about those obstacles. My guy was only across a river, but you would think it was a universe. Well, traffic was a big factor and so was the hassle and the bridge toll, constantly going up, never down. Hope you have better luck than me.

Hehe acutally I am not as bad as I use to be about the computer. I spent the good deal of my day reading, I am reading an insane amount of different things right now. Though in the evenings I tend to just stay on the computer untill I go to bed. During the day I genreally just pop on for a few minitues now and than just to check mail and such than go back to reading.

But my classes for spring quarter will be starting up soon.

Well, spring is coming and depending on where you live, it will be here not too long from now. You should cart your books out to a nice park and read. The fresh air will do you a world of good. I need to do the same. I definitely have cabin-fever by now. I try to go out but the weather is still so iffy and damp somedays I long for home not long after I am out. But I am old and getting stoggy that way. You are young and should take in the world, even though you are a bookworm. Everyone needs socialization now and then. Classes sound great. Where do you go to school - college or university? What classes are they? sorry being 'curious Janine' again? It is just that I really like people and they always interest me.


Well, thanks islandclimber, for posting those two preceeding stories to this one. I just looked them up and yikes, Quark, one is 7 pages and one is 9 pages and that is after I reduced the type size/font.....so another 16 pages of ink and paper....eek....or I could go smaller on the font size and use a magnifying glass to read it.
I figure if I do print them, I can read one a night. That should catch me up, until we start on the first (1st) of April, right? Thanks for holding up the ship for me - I will be there to board ontime...promise. Bon Voyage!

islandclimber, Yes, about Dostesevky(sp?), you are right - his short stories are novellas. I will start with "Notes from the Underground"; isn't that what you advised earlier and we can discuss it when I finish. It won't be soon but may be I can fit it in in the next month sometime.

Quark, my answer to spell-check is (sp?) after a word I don't know how to spell or question. Let's lobby for a spell-check on Lit Net, Virgil!

[Dark Muse]

Yes, I well know about those obstacles. My guy was only across a river, but you would think it was a universe. Well, traffic was a big factor and so was the hassle and the bridge toll, constantly going up, never down. Hope you have better luck than me.

Well, spring is coming and depending on where you live, it will be here not too long from now. You should cart your books out to a nice park and read. The fresh air will do you a world of good. I need to do the same. I definitely have cabin-fever by now. I try to go out but the weather is still so iffy and damp somedays I long for home not long after I am out. But I am old and getting stoggy that way. You are young and should take in the world, even though you are a bookworm. Everyone needs socialization now and then. Classes sound great. Where do you go to school - college or university? What classes are they? sorry being 'curious Janine' again? It is just that I really like people and they always interest me.

Hehe well one of our biggist problems right now, is neither one of us drive. He cannot becaue his vision is imparied, and I do not have my lisence and cannot currently afford driving lessons to get it.

When we first met we was planning to move out my way, and for a while was trying to find a job here, but nothing turned up.

I have been trying to find a job for myself to try and get things more in order, but so far nothing has turned up.

Hehe I am not that bad, though I do not socilize I do go out on my own now and then, though usually I prefer to go out when it is cold.

I am like the oppisite of a bear, I wish I could hibernate through summer.

[islandclimber]

this laughter is not directed at anyone, I am just watching Monty Python at the moment and it is too funny for words... plus I haven't slept in a couple days and it is beginning to wear the frayed threads of my sanity... but that is neither here nor there...

it is funny though how we almost post more in between stories...

well on to your posts... Quark I think I may just begin with you... a summary of the first two stories is a good idea, but if everyone wants to read them now, I guess it is unneccessary... does everyone want to read all three (they are not too long)??

It doesn't surprise me that hardy would come up in a Chekhov thread.. both were quite into the tragic, is known for novels, and Chekhov for plays and stories... but they are both quite pastoral, and write more of the poor peasants, the downtrodden... they fit together, though I do believe it is Dickens that Chekhov is usually compared to of the English writers.. I just find he is more of a fit with Hardy...

"Sanine" by Artzybashev, is not a very well known novel so I wouldn't expect many to know it... But is an interesting one, in the fact that it was banned by many countries immediately upon publishing and when the Bolshevists came to power it was banned in Russia from what I recollect as well, and Artzybashev was seen as an irreconciliable enemy of the Bolshevist regime... which I find fascinating.. but it is a very selfish, cynical, pessimistic, hedonistic type of novel, though the philosophy behind it and within it is interesting and fascinating... no spoilers here though.. Janine I hope this looking into this book isn't just because of the title's close association to your name.. *suspicious look in whatever direction Janine might be* ... I found it on here a while ago.... they have this one of his on here, and a short story of his, which is also good... although he considered his best work to be "Death of Lande" ... but it is impossible to find.. but back to how I got it.. you can order it on amazon, form one of the used dealers that I guess they deal with... it just took a while to get here... but it was worth the $20 and the wait... watch which copy though.. some of them are being sold for $60 to $150... it is crazy what people think they can get for used books.. not a good way to promote reading...


Janine you sound entirely too busy... but I am happy what I said made you feel good... I was being honest... you are a wonderful person to discuss stories with... and you did convince me to jump into the Lawrence thread and you and Virgil, Quark, Dark Muse, all made me feel welcome even while jumping in right at the end of a story to throw my two cents in... so Thank you all...

you know Janine Tess of the D'Urbevilles and Jude the Obscure are two of the most tragic and depressingly sad novels ever written I would say.. if you like this kind of writing there is an indo-canadian writer named Rohinton Mistry who wrote a book called "A Fine Balance" and it is one of my favourite books of the 20th century.. especially the latter half... it is so beautiful, yet so utterly and completely tragic... it had me in tears... much like Hardy's aforementioned works... the scene with Little father time was almost too much to bear, after everything else that goes on in the novel, you almost want to drop it right then, and try to forget this was based on a real occurence... Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I read the ending of Tess had some basis in reality too... I absolutely got very teary at the end of Tess, and in reading her letter to Angel after he had spurned her... How can the words not move you to tears...

The daylight has nothing to show me, since you are not here, and I don't like to see the rooks and starlings in the field, because I grieve and grieve to miss you who used to see them with me. I long for only one thing in heaven or earth or under the earth, to meet you, my own dear! Come to me—come to me, and save me from what threatens me!—

Your faithful heartbroken
Tess

I'm kind of out of the going out and causing a ruckus scene now... I just turned 24 a few weeks ago.. I had my time when I was a little too wild, and got myself into more trouble and gave myself more problem than I want to think about... but I find so many of the people who I end up around to be quite lacking in terms of originality or uniqueness, or even in being okay with who they are inside... I mean, I know some people like cars, and like to party.. but can anyone seriously say those are the passions of their lives... without sounding absurd.. well at least they do to me... Party as what they are passionate about.. well that is a good recipe for alcoholism and drug addiction I guess. and not to be a hypocrite for I did to a degree enjoy it myself for a couple years, and even now on a rare occasion I will let loose with some old friends when I drink a little too much, but I have nothing in common with most of these people because they hide what's truly inside them I believe... they put on a mask that says blatantly this is how society wants me to appear, so I appear this way... so I am inert.. I do a fair bit of climbing, go snowboarding on occasion, I love to just sit down with some sort of classical music, or celtic, or gregorian, and just read or write, have a glass of wine... play guitar badly, etc... I just have no desire to go out and party and get drunk... I also love movies, especially old movies.. classics... and silent films are a particular passion of mine... I love them....

So I am glad I've found this site as a way to have interesting discussions, and to talk with interesting and unique, and wonderful people like in this thread...

and sorry for this ridiculous and long rant and rave about nothing in particular...

Have fun at the baby shower Janine

What are you taking in school DM???

[Dark Muse]

Right now I am taking two different english classess, haha probably will not come much as a shock

The British Novel from 1914 to 1945

and

American Fiction to 1914

[islandclimber]

Yes, I well know about those obstacles. My guy was only across a river, but you would think it was a universe. Well, traffic was a big factor and so was the hassle and the bridge toll, constantly going up, never down. Hope you have better luck than me.




Well, spring is coming and depending on where you live, it will be here not too long from now. You should cart your books out to a nice park and read. The fresh air will do you a world of good. I need to do the same. I definitely have cabin-fever by now. I try to go out but the weather is still so iffy and damp somedays I long for home not long after I am out. But I am old and getting stoggy that way. You are young and should take in the world, even though you are a bookworm. Everyone needs socialization now and then. Classes sound great. Where do you go to school - college or university? What classes are they? sorry being 'curious Janine' again? It is just that I really like people and they always interest me.


Well, thanks islandclimber, for posting those two preceeding stories to this one. I just looked them up and yikes, Quark, one is 7 pages and one is 9 pages and that is after I reduced the type size/font.....so another 16 pages of ink and paper....eek....or I could go smaller on the font size and use a magnifying glass to read it.
I figure if I do print them, I can read one a night. That should catch me up, until we start on the first (1st) of April, right? Thanks for holding up the ship for me - I will be there to board ontime...promise. Bon Voyage!

islandclimber, Yes, about Dostesevky(sp?), you are right - his short stories are novellas. I will start with "Notes from the Underground"; isn't that what you advised earlier and we can discuss it when I finish. It won't be soon but may be I can fit it in in the next month sometime.

Quark, my answer to spell-check is (sp?) after a word I don't know how to spell or question. Let's lobby for a spell-check on Lit Net, Virgil!

okay so that post took me so long two posts appeared while I was writing it...

DM and Janine, I know about the long distance thing too... mine was 3000 miles though... we had been together for only a few mths when I had to move from Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada to just north of toronto in Ontario here for work... and then we didn't see each other all that often for the next 8mths when she moved in with me.. but I think being so consistently far apart, we didn't knwo what to do living together, so we broke up about 4 mths ago now... so i wish you much better luck DM.. and I am interested in the school/university thing too... Sorry to be nosy..

yep.. Janine.. if you don't make it on time, I'll perform acts of sabotage in the engine room to hold up our departure, or if this is a sail boat, I will slash all the sails, and throw the rigging over board, until I see you running along the pier, arms filled with pages and pages of notes, and printed off stories, along the pier to leap on board... and off we go!!!!!!

We may want to discuss Notes From the Underground as we read it,.. not wait till the very end... it is a very dense 100 pages... in fact filled with information and things that make it hard to recall where you read something, in what order, etc, etc... you get the picture... some books are best meant to be discussed as you go, so you have a discussion to look back upon, to jog the memory.... and make final comments, and conclusions...

well, more Monty Python for me... I hope you are all having wonderful friday nights...

[Janine]

Ok islandclimber - I better start with this one first:

this laughter is not directed at anyone, I am just watching Monty Python at the moment and it is too funny for words... plus I haven't slept in a couple days and it is beginning to wear the frayed threads of my sanity... but that is neither here nor there...

Which one are you watching?!!! OMG - I love Monty Python and my library has the TV series set, too. I recently, again watched "The Holy Grail" and "The Life of Brian". Just listening to Brian's mom's high voice, cracks me up. I am rolling with laughter I can be 2 rooms away and hear her and I am laughing - same with the series, which I must resume soon, the male's playing females is what makes me laugh the most, but then again - there are so many stellar moments!

it is funny though how we almost post more in between stories...

yes, just social i z i n g and getting to know everyone better....that is cool, don't you think?

well on to your posts... Quark I think I may just begin with you... a summary of the first two stories is a good idea, but if everyone wants to read them now, I guess it is unneccessary... does everyone want to read all three (they are not too long)??

Not long??? you kidding. Add them all together and you have a novella or short novel. I was feeling kind of like overwhelmed already. I also have to be reading these Lawrence stories now to be picking one for Tues. It is rather taxing on my end. I read super slowly, and it is against my religion to skim.

It doesn't surprise me that hardy would come up in a Chekhov thread.. both were quite into the tragic, is known for novels, and Chekhov for plays and stories... but they are both quite pastoral, and write more of the poor peasants, the downtrodden... they fit together, though I do believe it is Dickens that Chekhov is usually compared to of the English writers.. I just find he is more of a fit with Hardy...

That is an interesting comparison or (s).

"Sanine" by Artzybashev, is not a very well known novel so I wouldn't expect many to know it... But is an interesting one, in the fact that it was banned by many countries immediately upon publishing and when the Bolshevists came to power it was banned in Russia from what I recollect as well, and Artzybashev was seen as an irreconciliable enemy of the Bolshevist regime... which I find fascinating.. but it is a very selfish, cynical, pessimistic, hedonistic type of novel, though the philosophy behind it and within it is interesting and fascinating... no spoilers here though.. Janine I hope this looking into this book isn't just because of the title's close association to your name.. *suspicious look in whatever direction Janine might be*

Is "Sanine" a woman? Is she racy or a prostitude, courtesan? Haha - I love banned books. I read Lawrence, don't I? Lawrence sounds mild compared to this "Sanine" book. Is the book long?

... I found it on here a while ago.... they have this one of his on here, and a short story of his, which is also good... although he considered his best work to be "Death of Lande" ... but it is impossible to find.. but back to how I got it.. you can order it on amazon, form one of the used dealers that I guess they deal with... it just took a while to get here... but it was worth the $20 and the wait... watch which copy though.. some of them are being sold for $60 to $150... it is crazy what people think they can get for used books.. not a good way to promote reading...

On here - do you mean the text is on Lit Net? or someone mentioned it in a post? Is it a French novel? Yes, those prizes are a bit steep; silly people think they can sell books that are falling appart for that much. I saw a L book listed and they want $2000. for it! Ridiculous. I really wanted that book, too. The posthumus(post death -I need spell-check ) papers of Lawrence. I think I have to wait a bit to look into buying that book. I have all these Dostevesky books to read, you know, and at least 10 more Lawrence books to read that I bought from Amazon.

Janine you sound entirely too busy... but I am happy what I said made you feel good... I was being honest... you are a wonderful person to discuss stories with... and you did convince me to jump into the Lawrence thread and you and Virgil, Quark, Dark Muse, all made me feel welcome even while jumping in right at the end of a story to throw my two cents in... so Thank you all...

Totally too busy; but I do it to myself! The things I mentioned are only the tip of the iceberg. There is tons more I have to do and starting next week. I procrastinated way too long already.
What you said made my night. It was so sweet and I think the nicest compliment or one of them I have gotten from a forum member. I really did feel I had accomplished something from my hardwork. See hard work does pay off, maybe not monetarily but in more important ways. That is how I feel about it. I value a good opinion and appreciation far more than anything money can buy. I am so glad you are going to try the Lawrence thread. I think you will definitely enjoy it and get a lot out of the discussions. I just hope I pick a good story everyone likes this time.

you know Janine Tess of the D'Urbevilles and Jude the Obscure are two of the most tragic and depressingly sad novels ever written I would say.. if you like this kind of writing there is an indo-canadian writer named Rohinton Mistry who wrote a book called "A Fine Balance" and it is one of my favourite books of the 20th century.. especially the latter half... it is so beautiful, yet so utterly and completely tragic... it had me in tears... much like Hardy's aforementioned works... the scene with Little father time was almost too much to bear, after everything else that goes on in the novel, you almost want to drop it right then, and try to forget this was based on a real occurence... Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I read the ending of Tess had some basis in reality too... I absolutely got very teary at the end of Tess, and in reading her letter to Angel after he had spurned her... How can the words not move you to tears...

Don't I know that but you are talking to someone who thrives on watching "Hamlet" at least once a month. I like tragedy better than comedy - go figure and I am not a depressed person at all, ever. I don't want to waste time being depressed. I don't know - are any babies, kids, puppies killed in that new book you suggested? I have to refrain currently from those type tragedies. If adults want to kill each other that's fine with me just not not kids or baby animals,*expectant grannie speaking again*.

I'm kind of out of the going out and causing a ruckus scene now... I just turned 24 a few weeks ago.. I had my time when I was a little too wild, and got myself into more trouble and gave myself more problem than I want to think about... but I find so many of the people who I end up around to be quite lacking in terms of originality or uniqueness, or even in being okay with who they are inside... I mean, I know some people like cars, and like to party.. but can anyone seriously say those are the passions of their lives... without sounding absurd.. well at least they do to me... Party as what they are passionate about.. well that is a good recipe for alcoholism and drug addiction I guess. and not to be a hypocrite for I did to a degree enjoy it myself for a couple years, and even now on a rare occasion I will let loose with some old friends when I drink a little too much, but I have nothing in common with most of these people because they hide what's truly inside them I believe... they put on a mask that says blatantly this is how society wants me to appear, so I appear this way... so I am inert.. I do a fair bit of climbing, go snowboarding on occasion, I love to just sit down with some sort of classical music, or celtic, or gregorian, and just read or write, have a glass of wine... play guitar badly, etc... I just have no desire to go out and party and get drunk... I also love movies, especially old movies.. classics... and silent films are a particular passion of mine... I love them....

Glad to hear it islandclimber! You obviously have your feet on the ground and you have come to that stage of maturity. I know my son went through the 'going out too late and drinking too much' stage and I was crazy at the time, over worry. I think he wised up a little later than you, but still glad he hit the mature stage finally. Now he is going to be a daddy, so he must slow up even more and his wife truly loves him and keeps his feet on the ground. He is not a literature type guy but he loves working with his hands and he is very clever and smart. He renovated his whole house and he is always building something.
No, I am very proud of you and that you didn't follow along with the crowd. As Frost said "I took the road less traveled, and it has made all the difference" - I think I quoted that right. You are truly a nice young man and know the genuine value of things that are important in life. You came to the right place here to meet up with similar thinking people. Hey, I went through the same stage, when I was younger - I know, it wears out fast - that bar scene/partying. The good things in life are everlasting.
I too, love old movies and new movies and Monty Python! I love art and I love music and I love reading and I love nature - what more can a person ask for? We are all so blessed but many just don't realise it.

So I am glad I've found this site as a way to have interesting discussions, and to talk with interesting and unique, and wonderful people like in this thread...

and sorry for this ridiculous and long rant and rave about nothing in particular...

Have fun at the baby shower Janine

You kidding ? - a person after my own heart. I am constantly rambling on; I have bored many a poster on Lit Net, I am sure.... Just kidding, you are not boring me at all. I find your posts totally entertaining. We actually have a lot incommon. Wish I was younger; I would give you a run for your money, oops - will I be reprimanded for that remark? I wasn't stalking you, IC You know I am joshing with you! I am about to be a grannie.

[Janine]

Ok, this is the second one I am answering - so don't miss the one before this:

okay so that post took me so long two posts appeared while I was writing it...

Happens to me all the time!.... us long-winded folk.

DM and Janine, I know about the long distance thing too... mine was 3000 miles though... we had been together for only a few mths when I had to move from Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada to just north of toronto in Ontario here for work... and then we didn't see each other all that often for the next 8mths when she moved in with me.. but I think being so consistently far apart, we didn't knwo what to do living together, so we broke up about 4 mths ago now... so i wish you much better luck DM.. and I am interested in the school/university thing too... Sorry to be nosy..

Yeah, it makes it hard. I also once had a relationship 3000 miles away. Wow, that one died out fast, although maybe I made it more of a relationship than it was because we had known each other when we were kids and we wrote all the time, after we meet back in later life. Well, at least I got a nice trip to Washington state - actually two and a great time there, I must add. I love the place and the mountains are wonderful. Ever been there islandclimber?

yep.. Janine.. if you don't make it on time, I'll perform acts of sabotage in the engine room to hold up our departure, or if this is a sail boat, I will slash all the sails, and throw the rigging over board, until I see you running along the pier, arms filled with pages and pages of notes, and printed off stories, along the pier to leap on board... and off we go!!!!!!

This part made me laugh so hard..... very clever writing. If I don't make the boat just toss me a life saver! I will drift behind until I catch up.

We may want to discuss Notes From the Underground as we read it,.. not wait till the very end... it is a very dense 100 pages... in fact filled with information and things that make it hard to recall where you read something, in what order, etc, etc... you get the picture... some books are best meant to be discussed as you go, so you have a discussion to look back upon, to jog the memory.... and make final comments, and conclusions...

eeeeekkkkkkk.....not for awhile.....I promised Manolia I would read "The Rainbow" next and discuss it with her - I promised that a year ago. I have to come through soon; maybe in May. When we do discuss it we can do so as I read it. I will let you know when I can find the time. Seriously, it may be awhile.

well, more Monty Python for me... I hope you are all having wonderful friday nights...

Wish I had some MP to watch tonight. Getting late - I better go and watch the rest of that Lawrence play. Enjoy your laughing fits with MP!


Oops! almost forgot:

Quote by DarkMuse:

Right now I am taking two different english classess, haha probably will not come much as a shock

The British Novel from 1914 to 1945

and

American Fiction to 1914

DM,I should have guessed. that is great! Keep up the good work. You came to the right place here.

[islandclimber]

Ok islandclimber - I better start with this one first:

sounds good

Which one are you watching?!!! OMG - I love Monty Python and my library has the TV series set, too. I recently, again watched "The Holy Grail" and "The Life of Brian". Just listening to Brian's mom's high voice, cracks me up. I am rolling with laughter I can be 2 rooms away and hear her and I am laughing - same with the series, which I must resume soon, the male's playing females is what makes me laugh the most, but then again - there are so many stellar moments!

I'm actually just watching episodes of the show... the movies are amazing, but the show is just so so so good... if your interested in voting in a little poll I put up a Monty Python's Flying Circus thread in General Chat, but no one seems interested... we must have unique taste ... but I love so many of the sketches... The Argument Room, The Ministry of Silly Walks.. my my, how does it get better than john Cleese complaining about how the government spent more on defense than on developing silly walks!!!!!!! Dead Parrot sketch or Four Yorkshire Men, or for those with literary tastes The Oscar Wilde sketch... all the famous sketches you can watch on youtube.. but I found the entire tv series online a couple years ago... so I'm set for life...

yes, just social i z i n g and getting to know everyone better....that is cool, don't you think?

I think it is one of the best parts... it would be no fun discussing with complete strangers... and getting to know everyone is tons of fun...

Not long??? you kidding. Add them all together and you have a novella or short novel. I was feeling kind of like overwhelmed already. I also have to be reading these Lawrence stories now to be picking one for Tues. It is rather taxing on my end. I read super slowly, and it is against my religion to skim.

yes I don't like to skim either, if one is going to skim, why not just go read an outline... but I am lucky in that I can read quite quickly... but you do have alot to read... so for now we could always put summaries of the first two stories up

That is an interesting comparison or (s).

that's me.. always trying to see things where there is nothing...

Is "Sanine" a woman? Is she racy or a prostitude, courtesan? Haha - I love banned books. I read Lawrence, don't I? Lawrence sounds mild compared to this "Sanine" book. Is the book long?

On here - do you mean the text is on Lit Net? or someone mentioned it in a post? Is it a French novel? Yes, those prizes are a bit steep; silly people think they can sell books that are falling appart for that much. I saw a L book listed and they want $2000. for it! Ridiculous. I really wanted that book, too. The posthumus(post death -I need spell-check ) papers of Lawrence. I think I have to wait a bit to look into buying that book. I have all these Dostevesky books to read, you know, and at least 10 more Lawrence books to read that I bought from Amazon.

It's a 300 and something pages... so not short, but not long compared to other epic Russian novels... yes, another Russian, I have the russian addiction strong within me.. but actually I just think I am addicted to literature in general, regardless of language... if one looked at countries though, I do not read alot of american lit, though some that I have read I have loved... I just love the irish and the british in the english language for some reason... Yep the text of "Sanine" is on Litnet... Sanine is a man, with no values... no morals for that matter.. he doesn't believe in morals, he believes they prevent one from enjoying life one could say... I don't know if he goes further than Lawrence, in the way he puts it... Russia always had quite strict censorship of what was allowable... but the subject matter behind it and pervading it are definitely very provocative, and dark... oh and there are a couple very kind of perverse and appalling scenes I guess one could say, at least for that period people would have seen them so... and no babies or children hurt in the whole book!!! or animals!!!!!!! besides some hunting, but it doesn't go in depth into that... and hey I'm a vegan and I can handle hearing about the hunting, so... One day I will send you Sanine, I don't always keep books I read, I like to recirculate them, so they get read by others, and continually passed around, I love used books, they have a history and you can get many for so inexpensive a price

Totally too busy; but I do it to myself! The things I mentioned are only the tip of the iceberg. There is tons more I have to do and starting next week. I procrastinated way too long already.

yep I know the busy feeling... I run a custom handcrafted log and timberframe house building shop here, (my father is the owner of the company but lives on the other side of the country)... so I often work anywhere from 50-80 hrs a week.. and then have my climbing, snowboarding, reading, writing, hiking, all that to do above.. so it is a good thing for me i have mild insomnia, or I would never have time... and my employee just quit, cuz we are too perfectionist about our work he put it... we shouldn't worry so much about doing a perfect job for people buying their dream homes I guess.. but I just can't help it, this is like art for me, I love to make it beautiful...


What you said made my night. It was so sweet and I think the nicest compliment or one of them I have gotten from a forum member. I really did feel I had accomplished something from my hardwork. See hard work does pay off, maybe not monetarily but in more important ways. That is how I feel about it. I value a good opinion and appreciation far more than anything money can buy. I am so glad you are going to try the Lawrence thread. I think you will definitely enjoy it and get a lot out of the discussions. I just hope I pick a good story everyone likes this time.

I am sure you will

Don't I know that but you are talking to someone who thrives on watching "Hamlet" at least once a month. I like tragedy better than comedy - go figure and I am not a depressed person at all, ever. I don't want to waste time being depressed. I don't know - are any babies, kids, puppies killed in that new book you suggested? I have to refrain currently from those type tragedies. If adults want to kill each other that's fine with me just not not kids or baby animals,*expectant grannie speaking again*.

no babies, kids, baby animals hurt... just adults and I won't say anymore for fear of giving too much away...

Glad to hear it islandclimber! You obviously have your feet on the ground and you have come to that stage of maturity. I know my son went through the 'going out too late and drinking too much' stage and I was crazy at the time, over worry. I think he wised up a little later than you, but still glad he hit the mature stage finally. Now he is going to be a daddy, so he must slow up even more and his wife truly loves him and keeps his feet on the ground. He is not a literature type guy but he loves working with his hands and he is very clever and smart. He renovated his whole house and he is always building something.

working with one's hands is great... that is what I do.. it is fun, it is like a form of art I believe, the creation... that is great he is in such a good relationship, they seem so rare these days

No, I am very proud of you and that you didn't follow along with the crowd. As Frost said "I took the road less traveled, and it has made all the difference" - I think I quoted that right. You are truly a nice young man and know the genuine value of things that are important in life. You came to the right place here to meet up with similar thinking people. Hey, I went through the same stage, when I was younger - I know, it wears out fast - that bar scene/partying. The good things in life are everlasting.
I too, love old movies and new movies and Monty Python! I love art and I love music and I love reading and I love nature - what more can a person ask for? We are all so blessed but many just don't realise it.

AGREED

Have fun at the baby shower Janine

You kidding ? - a person after my own heart. I am constantly rambling on; I have bored many a poster on Lit Net, I am sure.... Just kidding, you are not boring me at all. I find your posts totally entertaining. We actually have a lot incommon. Wish I was younger; I would give you a run for your money, oops - will I be reprimanded for that remark? I wasn't stalking you, IC You know I am joshing with you! I am about to be a grannie.

no reprimands from this quarter and hey, you keep your hands off that imaginary money of mine!!!

oh i need 5 characters outside the quote.. hey and now i have them.. i am so good at this

Ok, this is the second one I am answering - so don't miss the one before this:

check

Well, at least I got a nice trip to Washington state - actually two and a great time there, I must add. I love the place and the mountains are wonderful. Ever been there islandclimber?

I lived only a hundred miles up the coast from Washington... on Vancouver Island... well on a little island called Mistaken Island, off Vancouver Island actually... I've been to Washington State a few times.. if you were by the coast of washington State you would have been in the coastal and cascade mountain ranges which go right through oregon and washington up into british columbia.. the whole pacific coast is so so so beautiful.. the old growth rainforests also add to this...

This part made me laugh so hard..... very clever writing. If I don't make the boat just toss me a life saver! I will drift behind until I catch up.

so we better arrange this for a tropical place... so you aren't liable to catch hypothermia

eeeeekkkkkkk.....not for awhile.....I promised Manolia I would read "The Rainbow" next and discuss it with her - I promised that a year ago. I have to come through soon; maybe in May. When we do discuss it we can do so as I read it. I will let you know when I can find the time. Seriously, it may be awhile.

take as long as needed, i am in no hurry... I wasn't trying to suggest we do it soon.. just someday.. even if it's 5 years from now!!!

Wish I had some MP to watch tonight. Getting late - I better go and watch the rest of that Lawrence play. Enjoy your laughing fits with MP!

How was the play?
.

DarkMuse what do you have to read for those courses???

[Janine]

islandclimber, You last two posts were a riot! I will comment more on them tomorrow. I was thoroughly entertained, while reading those! There is a lot to answer there. Your form seems a little Monty Pythonish! hahaaha
I just finished watching the Lawrence play. It was very intense and great acting; yes, I liked it very much and L wrote it early on I believe. It was very much like the short story 'Odour of Chrysanthamums'. I felt it had one element not included in the short story - another man. This made it quite interesting. I will have to read up on this play and see just what Lawrence had in mind when he wrote it and also the origins of the idea. I felt the other man was very Lawrence-like, but I could be wrong.
Well, I don't have insomnia and I did not reading tonight - naughty me. I was too tired out to read. I can catch up tomorrow. So, anyway - off to bed it is for me. I need sleep!
See you all tomorrow!