Ahh, the sweet smell of procrastination . . .

I should be avidly writing a essay on the book "Flatland".

But if I was doing that, I wouldn't be talking to you, now would I?

I spent yesterday with Elyse, and she introduced me to two wonderful films: "The Court Jester", and "Princess Caraboo".

"The Court Jester" was simply magical! Danny Kaye is the most clever and talented man ever to attempt such a wonderful role as Hubert Hawkins - and he did more than attempt! He reigned supreme!!

For example:

Hawkins: I am prepared to make a statement: When I was a lad I was gloomy and sad as I was from the day I was born. When other babes giggled and gurgled and wiggled, I proudly was loudly forlorn. My friends and my family looked at me clammily, thought there was something amiss: when others found various antics hilarious all I could manage was this
[looks at his hands]
Hawkins: or this
[gives a small smile]
Hawkins: or this
[gives a short giggle]
Hawkins: or this
[gives a weird giggle/whimper]
Hawkins: . My father he shouted, "he needs to be clouted, his teeth on a wreath I'll hand him!" My mother she cried as she rushed to my side, "You're a brute and you don't understand him!" So they sent for a witch with a terrible twitch to ask how my future impressed her. She took one look at me... and cried, "He, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, he, *HE*! What else could he be but a jester?" A jester? A jester? A funny idea, a jester. No butcher, no baker, no candlestick maker, and me with the look of a fine undertaker impressed her as a jester? But where was I to learn any comical turn? It was not in a book on a shelf. No teacher to take me, to mold me and make me a merryman, fool or an elf. But I'm proud to recall that in no time at all, with no other recourses but my own resources, with firm application and determination... I made a fool of myself!"

Mere words cannot do justice to his delivery of his lines. He was Giacomo! King of Jesters, and Jester of Kings!

Ah, and then there was "Princess Caraboo".

Tá túsa ansin
Tá me anseo

(There you are; Here am I)

Only Elyse will understand how beautiful that quote is. *sigh*

It's been a lovely weekend, and the fact that I can sleep in tomorrow makes it that much sweeter.

Cheerio, toodle-pip, and all that!