Anyone going?? I'm speaking this year and so excited about the program. It's all about Austen's legacy. For more info go to http://jasna.org and click on Annual General Meetings, then the Chicago meeting.

I cannot go to Chicago. Gas prices and the like have put me on a self-inflicted budget. I had such big plans too (even have a new gown for the ball!) as Oprah is there-- and my friend in Chicago always gets her out-of-town guests tix, I was planning on getting in all my favorites. Now I have such jealous fears (nightmares really!) that Oprah will do a special show that week just on the JA phenomenom and have an audience full of JASNA people and give out cars and IPODS to everyone-- and first editions of P&P to a special audience member with the winning ticket under her seat -- and have Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen and RupertPenrysJones as surprise guests-- and then end the show by sending everyone to England for a JA tour! Alas, I will bitterly watch it all on TV, green with Carolyn Bingleyesque envy!

Even if none of that happens, the AGM is sure to be a great time that I am sour about missing and will have to content myself on living the experience vicariously through your postings and blog, Laurie. Hmph! (Have you ot a dress yet for the ball?) I have to look to Philadelphia in 2009 or Oregen for 2010.

Hi, Christina--So very sorry to hear you won't be in Chicago. Sounds like you should be booking the shows for Oprah--what a fantasy. You gave me an idea for a blog post. May I quote you if I write it? I promise if Oprah puts me in that JASNA audience I will give you the iPod. :)

I had my very first gown made for the Jane Austen ball here in Pasadena, and I'm going to wear that one.

BTW, if by any chance your fortunes change and you can go after all, I have a friend who is looking to share a room...

Yes, yes... quote me. And my fee? Only, if this prompts Oprah to do a show, please, get Oprah's people to show up at my door with a surprise ticket/airfare/hotel to the show and AGM, ha! Believe me, I can act surprised for the camera. Just kiding-- see, I am totally ga-ga about the idea. I've just taken up the idea and run wild with it. Of course I would welcome your Oprah/iPod, (:

Cant wait to see pictures. And yes, if I find I can go, I will contact you about your friend and rooming. I just got an email a few days ago about an international JAS member needing a roommate-- if I can retrieve that deleted email, I will pass it on to you.

Ha! Will do what I can. Thanks!
:)

Laurie, Last night I had a very bizarre dream about the AGM -- that I still cannot attend, I might add. I dont know why I am even posting this but I thought maybe it was worth a chuckle. Well, the gist of it was that at one of the night events (like last year's Emma play) they played the P&P1995 w/CF -- but the audience was dressed in Regency attire much like the ball -- and every time a "famous" line is said, the audience would say it along with the actor-- like Kitty and Lydia say, "MMMMMMMM..." about surprising Capt Denney or such, and when Colin Firth was in the bath, everyone got out there squirt guns from their handy dandy reticules... and again during the lake scene. It was very much Rocky Horror Picturesque. And when the music changed to herald Bingley's arrival or such, everyone yelled, "Huzzah!" What the hell! Too much P&P for this addict if I am now dreaming P&P morphing into Rocky Horror. So I have been thinking through out the day of all the things the audience could further do... like wave hankies every time Mrs Bennett appears. If I think of more, I may turn this into a totally different thread here. You know how I simply run wild with an idea!

Christina, this is so funny! You're not going to believe this, but this is actually something I was discussing recently with a JASNA-SW board member who is thinking of organizing a screening of the 95 P&P, and we were saying, maybe it could be like those Sound of Music screenings (which are like the Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings, where the audience participates). But we didn't get into the details like you did! These are hilarious ideas! Especially the "MMMMM" and Mrs. Bennet hankie waving. Actually, they're all funny. Hey, if you organize a Rocky Horror/P&P-type screening in Seattle, maybe you can earn enough money to get yourself to Chicago AND make it a fundraiser for your local JASNA Region. Might as well put that excellent imagination of yours to work. And maybe you should be writing a book? You're already living, breathing, reading, sleeping, and dreaming Austen, which is a good start.

This would be a hoot to make this into something. I'm meeting up with some fanfiction writers this weekend in Seattle area, so maybe I'll bring it up. see if I can find some compadres... On my own, I can come up with many ideas why I couldnt pull off such a scheme... starting with 1)that I live in the wilds of the north and wouldnt know where to begin to put something like this together in the bigg city of Seattle. And 2) I somehow would feel a bit out of place presenting this to my JASNA locale-- like they might think I was being disrespectful. I'm sure I could come up with lots more ideas as to why I wouldnt/couldnt head up an idea like this. I honestly would not know where to start. But again, "You flatter me" Laurie!

I understand all the reservations, and maybe your Region would think it's disrespectful; I don't know. I've found that JASNA members have a tremendous sense of humor and a willingness to do fun and crazy things. But what do I know? Maybe I'm just a Philistine. In the worst case, you might consider doing this on your own, and you could always donate part of the proceeds to your Region. Not that I know anything about putting together screenings and what it takes to do something like this. But I think that someone who raises two (do I remember this right?) beautiful kids (hardest job in the world) and makes pottery (am I remembering this correctly, too?) and is as smart as you are (of that I have no doubt) could do just about anything she set her mind to. But maybe this is my fantasy, and not yours! It may be just a fun idea that came from your dream and not something you're at all interested in transferring to "real" life. Which is also just fine!

Hi!

I am now a member. Yea! I am so excited. I shall plan on attending next year's AGM. In the meantime, I will enjoy the company of my regional Jane Austen enthusiast in Dallas, TX.

Hey, Kimmy. Welcome to the forum! And congrats on joining JASNA. Perhaps I'll be lucky enough to run into you next year in Philadelphia.

Kimmy, was just re-reading the thread on the sequel title and see you're the same Kimmy who posted in June--hi again. And that the AGM will be in Dallas in 2012. Isn't it fascinating how these AGMS are planned so many years in advance? I was just reading an article in JASNA News by Keiko Parker, co-coordinator of the Vancouver AGM in 2007, and she started working on it in 2002--five years of work!

Hello!

I went to my quarterly regional this Sunday and they mentioned hosting AGM in 2011. I last reported to the forum it would be 2012 but I was wrong -- for that I am sorry. It will be in Fort Worth +ct 2011. Such exciting news. Regional meeting was good in that we discussed Regency Dress.resident expert on Regency Dress is Baronda. (Unsure of her last name at this moment.) Most of you will see Baronda at AGM this year. I hear she is always a hit when at annual meetings. And, aurthor Carol Adams' new book was released last week about Jane Austen. She spoke to us at the regional meeting. (Title escapes me at this moment.)

Must run.

Kim in Dallas

Hi, Kimmy--what exciting news! The Regional Meeting sounds wonderful, too. I saw Baronda at an AGM, and she is a vision in gorgeous Regency costumes.

Laurie, I will be thinking of you all this week. Take every opportunity to enjoy yourself. I look forward to any pictures and postings --be sure to make us "wild with envy!" Christina, from the wilds of the great northwest

Thanks, Christina--I appreciate the good wishes. Wish you could be there with me, but I will take lots of pictures and tell lots of stories.

Laurie and others,
I have saved and worked hard to attend the Chicago AGM. I was 11th on the registration list! This year I have made a dress to wear to the ball! Watch for me Laurie....we met at your table last year in Vancouver and had our picture taken together, so we are practically old friends!
BJB

I remember you, bjb! Your picture is up on this site, as a matter of fact. I look forward to seeing you again--in your new gown. I'll be at the ball as well, in costume. What fun!

So... how was it?

Amazing--I'm back and jamming to finish my book. Soon as I can take a little break will give a full report. Took lots of photos and will upload those to my gallery. Thomas (my Mr. Darcy/Mr. Knightley) took video, too. Even had some pix taken by the professional photographer that the AGM booked. I would enjoy a JASNA AGM anywhere, but Chicago is a most beautiful city, which made the AGM that much more magical.

So....are pictures up yet? Did you do any shopping on the Magnificent Mile? :-)

Sorry, DK--am in the process of uploading, and doing that when I take breaks from writing my second book. Hope to have them up within the next few days!

I went walking on Michigan Avenue and gazed longingly at the most gorgeous coat in Max Mara's window. But I didn't do any shopping. What a beautifiul city, and we were in the heart of it.

Hello!

Laurie, I believe I saw a picture of you in Regency dress on Michigan Ave. JASNA Vermont Regional had a diary on Austenblog, along with pictures of this particular event. Very nice!

I wish I could have been there. :-(

Warmly,
Kim

Hi Laurie. Oh, I totally understand. I'd rather that you keep writing so we can have a sequal soon. Sigh.
I bet you looked smashing in your Regency dress.

Yes, that was me. Jane Austen in Vermont wrote a few posts about the AGM, and it's really a fabulous post. Sorry I haven't been able to write up my experiences yet. The writing is keeping me occupied! But I will do a post after I finish, and I am still uploading my pictures. Here's the post (all of them are really worth reading; I love this blog):
http://janeausteninvermont.wordpress.com/2008/10/13/adventures-befalling-a-janeite-in-chicago-day-3/

I, for one, can't wait to read your take about the meeting. I was in Little Rock at the same time (cute city) and couldn't figure out how to be in two places at once, but I do intend to go to the meeting in Philadelphia.

Good luck on making your deadline for your second book. I can't wait for it to come out! Vic

I'm thrilled that I'll finally get to meet you in person, Vic! And thanks for the good thoughts. I am in great shape for my deadline. In the home stretch...

Hi!

Laurie, I've viewed many blogs these past fews days and noticed several pictures of you from this year's AGM in Portland. Please tell us about your adventure as it is always good to hear differing views.

Hope to see you, many of you on this blog, at AGM 2011 Dalllas/Fort Worth.

Warmly,
K