Mother's Day...

I suppose I shan't be able to get away with not writing a happy and well-wished Mother's Day to all of the magnificent matriarchs out there. After all, what is a Peter Pan story without a Mother being involved? Certainly Barrie had a great fondness for their ceaseless devotion. So Brava! May the kindness and selflessness they bestow on us be retunred to them three fold!

"It is the nightly custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to rummage in their minds and put things straight for next morning, repacking into their proper places the many articles that have wandered during the day. If you could keep awake (but of course you can’t) you would see your own mother doing this, and you would find it very interesting to watch her. It is quite like tidying up drawers. You would see her on her knees, I expect, lingering humorously over some of your contents, wondering where on earth you had picked this thing up, making discoveries sweet and not so sweet, pressing this to her cheek as if it were as nice as a kitten, and hurriedly stowing that out of sight. When you wake in the morning, the naughtiness and evil passions with which you went to bed have been folded up small and placed at the bottom of your mind and on the top, beautifully aired, are spread out your prettier thoughts, ready for you to put on." - Peter and Wendy, Chapter 1: Peter Breaks Through

148 Years Ago Today...

Today is the birth date of Sir James Matthew Barrie. The man is a modern mythmaker, having unleashed into the collective consciousness one of the most beloved characters in all of literature. A sincere, heart-felt Thank You, Sir, for your work and contribution to the arts. Bravo.

*Pictured above is an envelope (front and back side) given to me by one of the professors on the Honors Committee for my scholarly exploration of Barrie and its creative counterpart, Peter Pan's NeverWorld.

A little fun with characters...

This is a little bit of wishful thinking I had using PhotoShop. Another one of Disney's triumphs happened to be Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. (I did like the sequels, but certainly not nearly as much and had some 'issues' with them, but nothing major.) I do so love the character of Captain Jack Sparrow and couldn't help myself from pitting him against Peter Pan. Like I said, it's just a bit of fun. I'm not suggesting that this pairing should or could happen. But's only natural to think about it. Pirates, Pan...you know... ;)

My Inspiration...?

Just thought I'd show you something my Grandad (on my father's side) let me have. As you can see, it's an oversized pencil. I believe he had it for quite some time before I found it on a visit as a child, which makes it an antique on some level. Perhaps it instilled in me the gumption to put things to paper, eh? I'm sure I must have actually written with it, though I do not remember any particular instance. Right now it's a fixture on the bookcase next to my computer desk. The bookcase harbors data CDs and DVDs more so than books. The books and magazines that are there have to do with writing. But I digress. The big pencil rests next to a chunk of brick from Old Main, the iconic building of Knox College and the center of the English Department. Some remodeling took place during my senior year and pieces of otherwise unwanted brick became strewn about near the reconstruction. So I just had to procure a bit of Knox upon graduation. I suppose it does serve as inspiration to keep going. Obviously it inspired my drawing on the left.

Disney Hits...Then Disney Misses...

Just when I gave them praise for their magnificent movie Enchanted, Disney goes and makes another screw up. Just look at what they've done with their version of Peter Pan as part of their "Disney Heroes" line of toys/action figures. I mean, seriously. Pan is NOT Robin Hood, people. Or perhaps they think he's DC's Green Arrow? What's with the lankiness? The extended boots and gloves? The way too long feather? (*sigh* on the feather in general) The mask?! Haven't they done enough already with their version of Pan? Don't get me wrong, their animated film is okay...it's Disney. (Don't get me started on their 'sequel' though) I do have some issues with their Peter Pan (which I will explain at a later date) but otherwise it is what it is...another "Disneyized" version of something. But making him into some kind of "Hero" like this is just pathethic. You don't even want to see the monstrosity that is supposed to be Hook's hook. (And on the wrong arm, I might add, but, I'll address this later, as I said.) Sheesh.

Pop Those Kernels

I got another kernel of an idea today. For a novel, I mean. It's not much, but it's a cool premise. It's about as much information as I had for the kernel that exploded into the book I am now writing. And I'm quite happy about this current book. It's become quite an adventure. More research than is usually involved, though. But I sat on its premise for at least a year before it heated up. I'm looking forward to seeing what this one turns into...but then, that's probably a given.

96 Years Ago Today...

What happened today 96 years ago?

A statue of Peter Pan appeared "mysteriously" in Kensington Gardens. Barrie commissioned and paid Sir George Frampton to make it. The public did not know that the statue would be coming. It had been installed during the night so that it would surprise people. Barrie wanted it to seem as if it had been put there by the fairies who live in the Gardens.
Barrie also wanted Frampton to use the photographs he took of Michael Davies dressed as Pan as a model/basis. Sadly, though, Frampton ignored his suggestions. As a result, Barrie hated the statue. He said that it did not “show the devil in Peter.” I’ll have to agree with Barrie. It’s a cool statue, but as for it “being” Peter Pan, I will have to say “No.” Just one of Barrie’s disappointments in life regarding his famed creation.