The London WE Saw...

Bart and are not exactly typical tourists. (Really?) Oh sure, we wound up looking for the Clock Tower (which harbors the bell Big Ben) at Parliament and gaped at the sheer magnificence of Westminster Abby and had a drink or two in Soho… but then again, we didn’t fall just for the tourist “traps,” either. Such as the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Nope. Didn’t see those.

We each had our own agenda driving our needs and wants during the visit. Bart, you see, relished in seeing the various locales of Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone from the TV series Absolutely Fabulous. And me? Some of my fascination spots arose from songs of the Pet Shop Boys. Hey, it made us happy, all right? :)

However, we both shared a desire to visit “Literary London.” Besides being amazed by “Poet’s Corner” in Westminster Abby (where many of the greats are either buried or honored) we also sought out such places as Baker Street, an actual street that is the fictional home of Sherlock Holmes. In fact, it’s no longer fiction, sort of… For anyone going to London, I cannot recommend The Sherlock Holmes Museum highly enough. It’s delightful. It’s literally like walking into Holmes’s residence. You’ll find items from his various cases, his equipment and desk, portraits… all manner of decoration to pass as a believable and entertaining home and display. Dr. Watson even greets you and will chat with you, in character.


Like many who travel to London, I'm sure, we wound up at Paddington Station from Heathrow Airport. I bet you know who had been (and can be) found there!



I delighted in haunting Pan’s favorite places… Kensington Gardens, of course. Seeing the many places from the book. I’m quite happy I found the “gravestones.” But we also walked around Bloomsbury, where the Darlings lived. (And Barrie's house, as I described last post.)

We tromped up and down stairs in Charles Dickens’s boyhood home with many vintage genuine articles (quite actually, in fact, such as his papers, the periodicals [that became the novels]) and furniture, portraits and the like. A tremendous thrill.

We stared out at the Thames, thinking of Lewis Carroll entertaining Alice and her sisters in a boat. (Even though this would have happened outside of London proper.)

And what's England without the Bard? We attended As You Like It at Shakespeare's Globe.

We marveled at how easily Jack the Ripper (not fictional, mind you, but certainly legendary in many stories) could have stalked the streets. Such angles and small streets and corners… no one would know him coming.

We even found a Barber Shop on Fleet Street, where Sweeney Todd could have been. But we dared not hunt for Mrs. Lovett’s shop, lest we be tempted if we felt hungry. (Yes, I know it’s not really anywhere.)

So… there you have it. A good mix of places to see… at least for crazies like us.

What Happened in London...

Besides all the glory that is London on its own, I shall tell you of our
“awfully big adventure.”

No, I do not mean the Peter Pan - Kensington Gardens production.
I’ll talk about that in another post. (If you’re chomping at the bit to know what I thought: For the most part it delighted me.)

I suppose I should have been aware of the location of Sir James Matthew Barrie’s home in London, but the truth is it’s not highly publicized on the internet and guide books. And my memory, I’m afraid, is akin to Pan’s sometimes, especially since it has been at least fifteen years since I held the facts of the place in my head. I did, of course, know that he lived near Kensington Gardens. Naturally, I chose a hotel with but a few minutes’ walk to the famous grounds.

Imagine my surprise to learn that Bart and I stayed at a hotel just down the road from the house where Barrie lived! Quite a thrill just on that notion alone. I would touch the doorknob each time we left for another day in London and again when returning to the hotel at the end of the day’s excursion. The very idea of placing my hand on something which Barrie had as well!

On the final full day of our trip, I decided to be a little bold. (Pan would have!)
It took all week to summon the courage. After all, someone quite obviously lived there. I’d be bothering them just to satisfy my own curiosity. But the desire to see his home on the inside proved too great so… I rang the doorbell!

Bart and I waited: nervously, anticipatorily, excitedly, wonderingly. When it seemed like no one would respond, we gave each other a glance, wordlessly deciding we should move on with that day’s plan… off to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Then, the door moved.
A woman with disheveled hair, in a bathrobe. “May I help you?”
“Sorry to bother you, ma’am. My name is Peter Von Brown. I’m a scholar of Sir JM Barrie and I wanted to know if I could…”
She stopped me. She explained that she did not live at the residence. Instead, she had been visiting. In fact, she had just been packing to leave. She asked if we had any idea who lived in the building. No, we explained, just curious admirers of Barrie. The reply came: Lord and Lady ____. (I am omitting the surname so as to allow privacy.) Imagine that! A real Lord and Lady!

I had supposed the visit to be over. But she then said she would see if her Ladyship would receive us. She returned quite promptly with the amazing response that we may step into the garden (a lovely area just in front of the house, obscured by a tall wall.) The Lady would meet with us!

Very shortly afterward, as Bart and I stood (once again) nervously, anticipatorily, excitedly, wonderingly, the Lady arrived at the door. A senior woman, though quite spry with her cane and looking as elegant as can be despite her informal wear. (For it could not have yet been ten in the morning.) “Yes?”

I thanked her for taking the time to receive us and proceeded to (briefly) explain who I am, my college Honors Project Peter Pan’s NeverWorld and my desire to behold the home of Barrie. She said she had heard something about the sequel. I quickly explained that mine is completely separate from that one, which upsets me greatly as it contradicts Barrie’s original stories. “My work is not only faithful to Barrie, but it’s based on his idea for more adventure.” I like to think she looked impressed. “I would like to present you with a copy of my novel,” I said, and I signed it then and there. She took it and had a gander. I then fumbled a bit for words (though not at all tripping) to humbly request just to be able to walk inside. “I certainly understand it would not be as Barrie kept it, but just to be able…”

“Come inside,” said her Ladyship.

I swelled with joy, reverently (both for Barrie and her Ladyship) walking up the steps and into the historical home.

Her Ladyship not only graciously allowed us into her home (a true honour, let me tell you) but took the time to point out what differences have been made to the house since Barrie’s occupation. “A wall would have been here… that area is an extension…” and such. She answered our questions as they arose, all with a pleasant and serene flair. And not just about Barrie. About her own home and possessions. What a splendid home! In-wall bookshelves filled with tomes of all sorts, marvelous paintings, vases, a vintage piano… all absolutely grand! She spent a good twenty minutes to a half hour with us.

We are still reeling over having met her (My word! A real Lady! [One of import, too!]), her immense kindness and, of course, of having trod in the same place as one of the men I most admire. To be in the very residence where he wrote the stories of Peter Pan!

Thank you, your Ladyship, we are most grateful.

As we left, she said (without provocation) that she would indeed read my novel. (Believe me, it’s a thrill when anyone says they’d like to read your book… but a true Lady of England? Wow.) Bart had asked if many fans of Barrie (or even just Peter Pan) come to her door. She replied that a few do, but she does not encourage it. What had hitherto seemed an insurmountable honour doubled at that moment. As did my gratitude and appreciation of her allowing us to visit.

Bart asked if he may take pictures of her garden. She said the garden, yes, the home, no. Perfectly understandable, and again, we were most grateful. We each gave her a gentle bow and she returned inside. Bart snapped his photos and we exited, still basking in the experience of lifetime.

----------------------
A word to the wise: Should you have your own holiday in London and wish to see Barrie’s home, please do so as I did for the rest of my visit. By which I mean, admire it from the outside. I sincerely doubt that if I had not been the Barrie scholar that I am and had written and presented her with my book, I would not have been allowed the generous offer. I don’t mean that in the conceited way of Peter Pan but as a statement of fact, as well as a desire to leave a kindly, elderly member of the aristocracy in peace. As she stated herself, it is not encouraged.

And your Ladyship, should you be reading this entry, again, my most sincere thank you and appreciation of your magnanimous gesture. And please note that the picture of the blue plaque denoting Barrie’s residence had been taken prior to our meeting. We can both honestly say it had been the highlight of our first trip to London.

Returned to Chicago!

I'm back.
Had a grand time!
Quite an exciting adventure took place...
and I'm not talking about
Peter Pan at Kensington Gardens.
Although...
It is Pan related.

Give me some time to recuperate,
collect my thoughts
and I'll tell you all about it.
(Okay, not ALL... just the important bits! :] )

Into the Land of Pan...

As a kid, when the phone rang and my mother didn't particularly wish to speak with anyone, she'd tell me: Tell them I went to Europe.

Well, Mom, and everyone else, I, um, went to Europe.

Bart and I will be in London to experience Kensington Gardens first hand and to see the historical Peter Pan event of our lifetime. Oh, and all the rest of London, too. :)

I'll return in a week or so!

My Book Idea That Will Never Be...

Back in this post, I spoke about an abandoned project of mine. I discarded it for a few reasons. As I said in the other post: Not only did it seem insurmountable to obtain the right to do it, but I also knew how much work it would be. And if it couldn’t go beyond my desk and the few people who I’d torture with it, why bother?

But I also half-promised to show you what I did produce to ponder while I am in London.
I want to make it clear that I am in no way suggesting that this piece is worth any salt. It's merely the first draft of whimsical idea. I wanted to answer all the inherent questions which arise about the Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat. It would incorporate all manifestations of the Cat (books/sketches and cartoons) as written/"sanctioned" by Seuss to support its claims. As the piece states, it's meant simply in fun.

Thus, I present the never-more-to-be-written

The Definitive Cat in the Hat

Foreword

It is a well known fact that children of all ages and from many countries of the world love to visit the wonderfully wacky and whimsical world of Theodore Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss. It is also just as common knowledge that Dr. Seuss's works incorporate more than silly characters who find themselves in equally silly if not abusrd situations and antics. By this I mean it is evident Seuss's world comes with its own set of life lessons, meaning and morals applicable to our own. Even more astonishing is his ability to present not just one but usually three, if not more, such messages in any one given tale. And let us not forget the good doctor does so entirely in rhyme. In my opinion, his uncanny talents are best exemplified in the story of the Sneetches on the beaches. I won't go so far as to delineate the details of the narrative or even cite specific examples within the text. I leave these tasks to the reader. After all, the following "hidden messages" are not so arcane that even the supposed audience of children cannot uncover them. Instead I will point out these obvious observations. The Star-Bellied Sneetches story speaks out against racism, the pitfalls of fashions and trends and also displays the principles if not the foibles of Capitalism. Thus, it is well established that Dr. Seuss is a multi-talented artist whose words and illustrations can be explored on many levels, able to entertain a child as well as enlighten an adult. Who knows to what end deep mysteries can be extracted? A Who? Who indeed?

But who is more wrought with secret logic than Seuss's best loved creation The Cat in the Hat? The familiar feline brings nothing but semi-informational teasers of his being. Who is this large cat with a candy stripe stove pipe hat? What is the secret to his magical mayhem? Why does he barge in uninvited? How can he be so wise and yet so seemingly immature? When did he become skilled in his fields of expertise? Where did he receive his training? I feel that the answers to all of these questions and as they say, a whole lot more can be ascertained by careful inspection of the clues the good doctor provides. In order to obtain the most accurate impressions, all manifestations of his favored feline must be incorporated. By this I mean we must examine in depth every book and animated feature sanctioned by Seuss in which the infamous cat appears. It stands to reason that a well developed history and doctrine of The Cat in the Hat can be both inferred and implied by the cryptic clue-ridden rhymes of the master. Finally we will have the answers to the secrects of the fabled moss-covered, three-handled family gredunza!

I wish to clearly state that I am in no way suggesting that Theodore Geisel or even Dr. Seuss intended these interpretations. I do not claim the insights contained here within to be correct, inclusive of or even in accordance with his perceptions. Instead I offer a hypothetical and creative alternative to some of the most haunting and nagging queries of the Cat's true nature, philosophy and past. Yet, at the same time, a sincere effort has been made to remain true to and preserve what Seuss presented.

I. Cat as an Archetypal Figure
II. Cat's Family & Upbringing
III. Cat's Schooling/Education
IV. Cat's Philosophy of Life
V. Cat's Extent/Range of Magical Powers
VI. Cat's "Wardrobe" and Place of Dwelling
VII. Cat in Relation to Other Seussians
VIII. Cat in Relation to Psychedelics
IX. Cat's Inherent Mysteries (i.e. The White Belly?)
X. The Enigma of "Little Cats" and "Young Cat"
XI. Cat's Vehicles
XII. Cat's Possessions
XIII. Cat's Teachings
----------------------------------------------------

For those of you wondering, yes, Dr. Seuss does in fact show us such things as where the Cat lives. In fact, we see most of his house (and he opens his closet) in the animated The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat.

The Cat's ideas/doctrines are also not just invented by me. For instance, although quirky and seemingly obvious, the practice of "Calculatus Eliminatus" actually does work... I've tested it on many occasions. Its simplicity is deceiving...

Even if the concept might have been a blunder,
I hope I've instilled in you a new sense of wonder...

When Characters DO Come to Life...

Welcome (again) to the 21st Century, folks.

If you are not aware of Microsoft's "Project Natal," make sure that you are.

Science fiction just dropped the "fiction."
You can read more about the video here, the link that led me to this phenomenal new interactive world.

Regarding the posted video:
Aside from my child-like wonder at the amazing "technology," my first thought had been interacting with my characters. WOW. Yes, I thought of my own first. But quickly behind came the idea of being able to have that raft ride with Huck Finn...

It's going to be a very different world very, very soon...

Riddle Me These...

Two of my favorite riddles:

#1
The man who made it has no use for it.
The man who bought it doesn't want it.
The man who received it doesn't know it.
What is it?

#2
There are 3 men in a boat. They have 4 cigarettes.
But they have no way to make fire.
Yet they are all smoking. How?


The second one had been one of the (better) riddles from the Riddler on the old Batman TV series. Considering that some actual riddles were "What's yellow and writes? Of course, Batman! A Ball Point Banana!" and "What kind of people are always in hurry? The Russians." this one is pretty darn good.

My best friend Laughter's brother loved Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) and met him before Gorshin passed. Laughter's brother asked him this riddle to see if he still remembered it, and yes, yes he did!

Try and guess them before you just go ahead and highlight the answers.

#1
A coffin.
#2
They throw one cigarette overboard and make the boat a cigarette lighter!