My Brother and my Daughter have expressed the desire to engage in dialog on various and miscellaneous literary subjects. Following is an email from Barry, in this reguard, to start the thread unraveling. In the comments section I will post the dialog thus far.

Anyone else that wants to join us, jump into the fray via comments.

Phil,
I watched the movie Jane Eyre(2006 BBC) aproximately 5 hours, and liked it. Stuck right to the book. Any comment on my Jane Eyre thoughts? I'm just talking about things I noticed or thought about while reading. I won't try to have an academic/literary discussion (I find most over done, predictable, and over discussed)-- probably because I've spent the last 25 years analyzing such literature. I won't put Jane Eyre on the top of my book heap, but I love the "political/social standing" side-stepping that went on with women authors. If you haven't read Frankenstein by Mary Shelly and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, you must. Both women authors test and challenge the authority and standing in a man's world and the morally devastiating effects of pursing a life centered around ignorance and social hubris. The first (if you haven't read her) is a gothic romance in that same era as Jane and the other is an indepth look at prejudices of all kinds during the depression in Maycomb, Alabama, as seen through the eyes of a 6-10 year old girl. If I had to pick two classic pieces of literature that were my favorites, these two would be 1 and 2. I know you are consumed with reading old favorites like Griffin etc., as I am, and your literature with Great Books, but take a break and try these two. Frankenstein is British Classical Literature definitively, and To Kill a Mockingbird is truly American Literature ( a Purlitzer Prize winner, by the way). I can truly say that To Kill... influenced my "human philosophy" more than any other piece of literature. I must tell you that I am not enthralled with Griffin's Men in Blue (Badge of Honor) series. Maybe the next one will be better. I'm having a difficult time finding it though. It has almost the identical title as one of his Brotherhood series: Special Ops and Special Operations. Every library and used book store I go to always throws up the Brotherhood book. Oh, well. No matter. It's not crucial. I started Winds of War anyway (nothing fascinates me more than World War II). Write back soon. I've given you a lot in which to respond.

See ya,

Barry

NEW TOY

I just got a new toy: a Yahama Grizzly ATV, 360 cc, 2 WD, Automatic Trans, Elect Start, Electric Blue in color.

I plan on doing the Klamath River Gorge, Stukel Mountain, and Laird’s Landing to and around Dome Mountain, just to name a few. Maybe a trip to Steens Mountain out east of Lake view too. There are plenty of places to go within a twenty mile radius, so many I’ll probably never get to them all.

Come on warm weather, I’m ready to go!

We have a new Anthology for our Reading Group:

The 7 Deadly Sins, from: The Great Books Foundation.

The anthology consists of fourteen thematic short stories, two for each deadly sin: Pride, Envy, Anger, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, and Lust.

The first two, on Pride, will be: A Rose for Emily, by William Faulkner; and Good Country People, by Flannery O’Connor. Our discussions will be on April 2nd and 9th respectively.

If anyone has access to these short stories and wants to offer one’s own opinion, please comment.

For me, a beautiful image:
In Mongolia, from a travel book by Alistair Carr: The Singing Bowl.
I stumbled across this whilst “surfing” the Web; starting the string from, The Glorious Adventure by, Richard Halliburton.
The Glorious Adventure was gifted to me by Doris Geddry, for which I will be forever grateful.

See more images

OIT
NAIA D-II BASKETBALL
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

It’s finally all over, and we are the champs!

It was pandemonium, at the final buzzer, at “Winger’s” Restaurant where we watched the game tonight.

OIT defeated Bellevue University tonight 63-56 for the Championship.

It was an exciting game, right down to the closing seconds, with some of our Owls making spectacular plays to pull it out and assure a win.

Ryan Fiegi is without a doubt the key performer and team leader for the Owls. However: not trying to be politically correct, all the team members did a valuable share of the winning throughout the tournament. In last nights game every member of the team scored points; our bench is probably also the best bench in NAIA Men’s D-II Basketball!

One of the most exciting, and maybe game winning, plays of the game, to me, was Jguwon Hogges’ steal and lay-up drive in the waning seconds of the game, when we had only a one point lead. Had he not made this play we could well have been down one, or two, points with only seconds left in the game. Well done Jguwon!

After the game Ryan Fiegi was named 2008 NAIA Player – Of – The – Year.

Thanks Owls for a great season of basketball enjoyment.

We will be following you again next year.

Images: 2008 Hustling Owls Team

Ryan Fiegi

A GREAT MAN HAS LEFT US

ARTHUR C Clarke died today at age 90 in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Dec. 16, 1917-March 19, 2008).

He was a visionary Science Fiction Writer dating back to the late forties, probably most famous for his film adaptation of, “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Some of his most famous books: “Childhood’s End”, “The City in the Stars”, “Rendezvous with Rama”, and “The Fountains of Paradise”. These four also happen to be my favorites.

He was the visionary that first wrote about Communication Satellites orbiting the Earth. The geosynchronous orbits of today are called: “Clarke Orbits” in his honor. His legacy may live on, in the future, as another of his imaginative concepts is: The Space Elevator, which is under feasibility study at NASA today.

Following are some quotes from Arthur C Clarke:
"Sometimes I am asked how I would like to be remembered," Clarke said recently. "I have had a diverse career as a writer, underwater explorer and space promoter. Of all these I would like to be remembered as a writer."
"One day, some super civilization may encounter this relic from the vanished species and I may exist in another time," he said. "Move over, Stephen King."

I have read every book he has written; his talent and Spirit will not only be missed by some of us, but by all mankind; whether some of those knew of him or not.

I hope your wish comes to pass and you are discovered again…

'2001' Writer Arthur C. Clarke Dies at 90

Arthur C. Clarke

THE OWLS ARE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

The OIT Hustling Owls defeated the Mid America Pioneers tonight 74-71 and get to go up against the Bellevue Bruins of Nebraska, for the Championship, tomorrow at 8:30 CDT (5:30 PDT).

Tonight the Owls went behind 6-o in the early minutes of the game and fought back for a 3 point lead going into the locker room.

In the second half the Owls maintained their lead throughout and leading by as much as 9 points several times.

In the final minute the Owls’ lead was cut to 3 and with seven seconds left to play the Owl lead was down to 1 after the Pioneers made only one-shot of a two shot foul.

Under a full court press the Owls lobbed a court length inbound pass and scored a lay-up for the 3 point win.

The two hundred or so fans at the OIT Student Union went wild! Ray was so excited he couldn’t get his coat on; he said he probably wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. I don’t think I will either.

We both think this was one of the most exciting game of our lives!

We have to find a venue for tomorrow’s championship game, the Internet service that has broadcast the tournament so far is not broadcasting the Championship game; go figure. We know of one place, a restaurant, that is showing the game on a Satellite broadcast, but it is much too small to handle all the fans that will want to watch it. We are hoping that one of the two or three Sports Bars we have here in town will show it.

GO OWLS; HOOT, HOOT, HOOT, HOORAH

FINAL FOUR FOR OIT!

The OIT Hustling Owls downed the Grace University Lancers tonight to move on to the Final Four round of the NAIA Tournament in Point lookout Missouri.

We will play the Tournament’s number two seeded team: Mid America Nazarene, Monday at 8:00 PM CDT.

Ray Correlli and I will be there, to root them on, via the closed circuit broadcast at the OIT Student Center Auditorium.

Hoot, hoot, hooray, Owls!

WE WON AGAIN!

Ray and I hoot, hoot, hoot and hooted again tonight. Our favorite Owls did it again and are in the Elite Eight of the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The 11th seeded Hustling Owls defeated the 6th seeded Evangel University Crusaders 72-63 tonight in the College of the Ozarks Gymnasium.

We face the Grace University Lancers tomorrow night in the same venue.

Go Owls, from the HOOTER ROOTERS!

THE OWLS OF OIT WIN!

The hustling Owls win again, for the tenth straight year in the first round of the NAIA Division II Men’s National Basketball Tournament.

This 77-74 point win comes at the expense of the MT. Vernon University Cougars of MT. Vernon Ohio

The Owls go on to play the Evangel University Crusaders of Springfield Missouri, at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout Missouri, tomorrow at 7:15 PM PDST.

Ray Correlli and I watched the game tonight via closed circuit television in the Student Center Auditorium on the OIT Campus. We’ll be there tomorrow night for the next round too.

HOOT, HOOT, HOOT: GO OWLS!!!!!

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

THE MOVIE: 1997

Cast:
Ethan Hawke: Finnegan Bell (Pip)
Gwyneth Paltro: Estella
Hank Azaria: the wealthy boyfriend, Walter (Estella’s)
Chris Cooper: Joe
Anne Bancroft: Ms. Dinsmoor (Miss Havisham)
Robert De Niro: Lustig the convict (Convict/Magwitch/Provis)
Josh Mostel: Jerry Ragno Lawyer (Jaggers) (Rango: Spider)

Director: Alfonoso Cuaron, Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki,

Producer: Art Linson, Screenwriter: Mitch Glazer, Editor: Steven Weisberg,

Music: Patrick Doyle.

This is a film that I, personally, think was quite well done! It was interesting and a lot of fun to compare the mental images; I have, from the book, to the images used by the Screenwriter, Director, and Cinematographer of this film.
I also liked the initial narrative statement of the film, by young Finn: “I will not tell this story as it happened, but as I remember it”. I think this disclaimer allows creditability to the few differences in the adaptation, to the original text of the book. However: of all the reviews I could find on the “Net”, the best was mildly favorable.

I especially thought the four main characters were portrayed very convincingly for the adaptation of the story into contemporary America: Finn, Estella, Ms Dinsmore, and Lustig (Pip, Estella, Miss Havisham, and Convict/Magwitch/Provis) Gwyneth Paltro is stunningly seductive, beautiful, and sexy as Estella. Anne Bancroft was a convincing Ms Dinsmore/Havisham.

The film locations were also creditable, relative to the, time/place, of the adaptation, having the Florida Gulf Coast for the marshes of the English countryside and New York City as London locale. The scenes shot in N.Y. Central Park were poignant to me.

The interjection of the Francesco Clemente art into the adaptation is a profound aspect to the film; it impartes and defines the essence of Estella’s character.

Finally: the sound track is great, it brings the adaptation into the feel of the reality of the contemporary worlds of the low class Florida Gulf Coast and that of the upper, bourgeoisie, New York, art scene class.

I think this film will work for any viewer, whether they have read the novel, or not.

Art Work: Francesco Clemente

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: AGAIN

I just finished reading Charles Dickenson’s, “Great Expectations”, another great English novel, in the class of Bronte and Austen, and I assume many others. Great Expectations has, not surprisingly, just reinforced my new found fondness for English Literature.

We are watching a BBC Adaptation of Great Expectations in our, Great Books, reading group, it seems quite good and true to the novel. But, I see from surfing the “Net” that there are 1946 and 1998 Theatrical Film releases available too. I think I will try to rent them both for comparison to one another and to the original manuscript. I viewed trailers for both of these theatrical releases and they both look intriguing, for different reasons: The 1946 release is an English production, in black and white, and has the look and feel of 19 TH Century England, very grim and dark; the 1998 version is, of course, in color and set in what appears to be contemporary America, I hope this proves to be an interesting adaptation.

For some reason I do not remember the 1998 film being on the theatre circuit, at the time of its original release! I guess this goes to show how one’s awareness of the world, is relative to one’s current interests and past experiences?

I just purchased a double DVD set from Wal-Mart for $7.50 of Remains of the Day and Sense and Sensibility; Ill be watching these two, within the next couple of weeks.

Any suggestions for my next reading experience within the realm of English Lit?

The Garden of Forking Paths

How lucky I am to just keep stumbling along, in life, and discovering so many good and interesting experiences. As though I were in, Jorge Luis Borges’, The Garden of Forking Paths, I seem to always take one that is rewarding and is somehow linked with another.

Tonight I went to the movies. There was no film I particularly wanted to see, so I picked what I thought might be the lesser of the potential disappointments: “Definitely Maybe.” As usual I was dead wrong, far from a disappointment it was! I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to catch one of these gems. This is a “Feel Good” movie of the first degree!

The film is a romantic comedy: A thirty something, Manhattan, dad, going through a divorce, and has to explain to his ten year old daughter how he met and fell in love with her mother. The story involves his sequential, on again, off again, love relationships with three different women. Their deal is that he changes their names and the daughter is supposed to guess which of the three women her mother is. I’ll not spoil it for anyone, except to say the daughter gets it right in the end.

To put my introduction into perspective: In a previous post I have reveled in the discovery of English Literature, especially Jane Austin’s, Jane Eyre. In this story, Definitely Maybe, one of the pivotal romantic devises, in one of the romances, is this woman’s collection of several different publications of, “Jane Eyre”, and her reason for collecting them.

Another thing that made the movie so easy to identify with is that I knew nothing of any of the actors. They were all completely new to me. Therefore; they were just fine as the characters they represented! No previous impressions to overcome. Just for the sake of edification, here is a list of the actors for the central characters: Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher, Derek Luke, Abigail Breslin, Elisabeth Banks, and Rachel Weisz.

Go see this movie; it’ll make you feel good!

OIT BASKETBALL

We got hammered by the Evergreen State College Geoducks from Olympia Washington last night! Evergreen played like you can't believe, they were powerful, fast, and shot 9 for 10 from beyond the three point line for the game! We played as good as we can play but last night no one was going to beat the Geoducks.

As I mentioned before our conference is very competitive: In our season ending Cascade Conference Tournament's second round, last night, the number 1 and 4 seeded and number 2 and 3 seeded teams played one another, both the number 1 and number 2 (OIT) teams were defeated!

Evergreen will play Warner Pacific Tuesday the 4th for the Cascade Conference Tournament Championship, the winner will get a slot in the NAIA National Championship along with OIT, and Eastern Oregon University.