A. Laura Michelle

Is from: Arizona
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Hey
Well, my name is Laura Michelle, I was born on October 25, 1988, which makes me 14 right now, I've loved Jane Austen since 5th grade, when my bes friend, Monika, introduced me to her through "Emma". I have only read Emma and Pride and Prejudice(which is no small feat for a 10 year old) ad have decided to wait until I'm in the PERFECT mood to read the others. I've written a few stories based on Austen's work( my latest being Peppermint and Coffeebean Romances) but I've always loved to write. Right now, I'm just working on writing things about how I'm feeling.
I was born in Missouri, and had heart surgery when I was 11 months old. y parents divorced when I was 8, and I live with both of them, here in Phoenix, Arizona.
I'm 5' 10 and I have dark brown hair and hazel brown eyes.
I LOVE reading and writng, and I play baketball, softball, and volleyball. I love to talk on the phone, chat with friends on the internet, and just hang out.
Okay, so thats basically me. If you want to, please email me, because I'd love to meet new friends, especially Dwiggies like myself.
Au revoir!
Elly Michelley(name given to me by the famous Dwiggie, Eby)

A. Leah Marie

Is from: Terre Haute, IN.
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I am the ultimate pop culture junkie. In fact, I am the Queen of Useless information and, trust me, it's good to be Queen. (POP CULTURE REFERENCE). I discovered JA on one of my many attempts at a college education. The fact that I haven't finished college (25 years old and STILL a Froshie!) doesn't make me a slacker just open to my options. I am currently organizing random thought patterns into something that may one day become my first novel. Until then I content myself with my hopeless addictions to "Pride & Prejudice" (2), "Buffy," "Angel," "Dawson's Creek," (how else would a girl like me stay hip with the youngsters!?) and verious other mind-numbing tv shows, movies, and paint drying on the wall sort of activites.

I also dearly love to collect books that I never read but will someday. My collection ranges into the millions, I think. I do read, but I never seem to want to read what I already have. There tends to be a problem in my house with storage space. I can't imagine why.

Also, my birthday is 30 January. I expect presents and I expect them often. (POP CULTURE REFERENCE)

Luck & Love & Darcy RULZZZZZZ! ALM

A. Shannon

Is from: California

I am the second eldest of 6 homeschooled children, I am in High school,& I am obsessed with Jane Austen!
I first discovered JA in (I think) 1996 or maybe 97 by watching the BBC/A&E Pride and Prejudice...needless to say, I loved it & two years later I read the book. Since then I have read P&P 7 times at the very least, Emma twice, Persuasion twice, Mansfield Park twice, Sense & Sensibility twice (I would have read it three times but I lost my copy), Northanger Abbey three times, Lady Susan once, & The Watsons (an unfinished JA novel) once. I have also begun Sanditon.

Aside from JA I enjoy playing the flute, spending time with family & friends, organizing things that don't need to be organized , among other things.

My Dad is working on getting a doctorate in education. My Mom teaches all of us children and also drives us all every where we need to go. My older sister is in her senior year of High school, enjoys playing the piano and next year will be going to India to work in an orphanage. My eldest younger brother plays trumpet, is in 7th grade, enjoys digging, and playing with his brothers and sisters. My middle younger brother plays violin (he has been playing for 10 months and is on the last song in the Suzuki first book), he's really good at math, and enjoys playing with his siblings. My younger sister also plays the violin, and enjoys reading and playing . My youngest younger brother is in Kindergarten and enjoys learing 'his letters' (phonics) as well as doing math, exercising (riding his bike up and down our loooong driveway over and over and over again ), and hanging out with his older brothers and playing with his sisters and brothers.

Well, that's all I can think of to say about myself and my family right now

Oh, except for that my older sister and I are William Wallace fans and highly recommend 'The Scottish Chiefs' by Jane Porter!

AbbeyW

Is from: Indiana & Illinois

Originally from Indiana, I'm here now in Southern Illinois, working toward my PhD in Rhetoric and Composition. My Master's thesis deals with Sense and Sensibility and how kairos informs our understanding of that novel. My dissertation will likely deal with Sts. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, relating their writings and experiences to creativity studies. I cannot elaborate presently, as I am wiped out after having completed one round of research, and I think I would likely bore a lot of people anyway.

I teach English Composition--all levels--and I love it. I'm fond of animals, and not-so-fond of children (one dog, no children of my own). Some are all right, but I tend to find that the ones I like and love are either related to me and/or have been raised well. I never think of tame children with any abhorrence.

I'm teaching myself sewing and embroidery, I love riding horses, hiking, reading, cooking, watching movies, hitting thrift stores, and having a few good drinks with close friends. My parents are a hoot--I enjoy spending holidays with them, in spite of the long drive. Pretty simple life, though I'd love to travel more, having only been to a handful of the places I'd like to experience.

I hate driving, card games, a great many television programs, the telephone, summer, lite anything, large crowds, and this bizarre concoction of strawberry jello powder and cottage cheese. *shivers*

I want to teach, even after finishing my PhD, and I want to write screenplays and continue my research as well.

Adam Cuerden

Is from: It's not that simple...
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I suppose I should first explain why I haven't answered where I am from. I was raised in Pennsylvania, fled to Britain at the age of 19, and have lived in Southampton (Not recommended), Glasgow (highly recommended), Blackburn (flee at all costs), Cumbria (The Lake District. Lovely place until I heard on the news that what could only be my ex-neighbour was the first victim of foot and mouth in the Duddon Valley. It's pretty obvious as there's only five farms in the very small village I loved in (the next village began two miles down the road either way) and his was by far the largest. I had left there before it hit, by the way), Leeds (It's alright, but if I had had a choice, I would have gone to the outlying villages, which are absolutely wonderful), and three towns in Southwest Wales. I think I shall remain in Haverfordwest (Hwlffordd, to give the Welsh name) for the next two years from the time I write this (2001), however.

Alright, now I can get on to the details of myself. My name is Adam Cuerden. You may call me Adam, Cuerden, Adam Cuerden, or the nickname of your choice. Never call me Mr. Cuerden except when I'm imitating Collins, in which case you may call me Mr. Collins Cuerden. (By the way, to get the line through the text, use <s>. It works just like <i> or <b>. As you can see, I am prone to rambling; however, luckily for you, I don't allow myself to write stories, I instead create a mental narrator who is much wittier and clever than me who I then use to write it.

For ease of describing my character, I shall simply assure you that I am exactly like Henry Tilney except without the love of muslin, and am perfectly charming in every way. Except when people mention phrases involving pairings such as "Wentworth" and "inconstant" or "Mr. Bennet" and "bad". If you avoid those topics, however, I assure you I can guarantee not to send 467 hairy goons to hunt you down. However, I reserve the right to send 466 hairy goons to hunt you down for offenses not here listed.

Due to being poor, and not having great ability to find good landlords, I often move, as you have seen. I have had some rental horror stories which, however, I do not think serve any purpose unless you need advice on finding somewhere to rent. However, my current landlords seem to be quite charming people, so I may now be alright (provided I don't forget to mail out that check tomorrow).

Hmm. What else need you to know? I have four cats, Slepnir, Russie (short for Rusalka), Gwynneth, and Whiskers. Whiskers was, in a fit of stupidity, oriinally named Whisky, but luckily I was able to modify her name into something more appropriate.

My favourite novel, without limiting myself to Jane Austen is Persuasion, by Jane Austen. If Jane Austen is excluded, I'd probably come down to either The (Private Memoirs and) Confessions of a Justified Sinner by James Hogg; Pratchett's Interesting Times; one of Compton MacKenzie's Hieland novels: or Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I also greatly injoy the poetry of Keats, W.B. Yates, Garioch, Burns, and Donne.

You may note a slight Scottish bias in the above lists.

Well, quite!

What else need you know. Obsessions! Vikings, books, Scots, learning Welsh, my cats, The Republic of Pemberley and the Derbyshire Writer's Guild, and Mathematics.

Work outside of The DWG
...is not publicly available (unless I get published, but believe me, I shall be unsufferable in letting you know that.) However, my current work includes a rewriting of Euripedes' The Bacchae in the style of Aristophanes (which isn't so posh as it sounds, it just means I'm rewriting a drama with some very unemphasised comic elements as a purer comedy, but keeping to Greek traditions); a book involving really bad Vikings, bad as in that they aren't very good at it; and a parody of the horror novel with a Scottish hero, and a supporting cast of New England Cthulhu Cultists, grizzled fishermen, piratical sea captains, cheeky cockneys, and a great deal of other things. That should give you sufficient idea, I think.

Hmm... I think I'm missing something.. Profession:
I am currently a student and temporarily disabled. I was worked to the point of collapse (then prodded until I worked some more) whilst I had flu when I worked for a farmer a while back, and haven't recovered energy since. I intend to become an Archaeologist, and/or a professional writer. However, I cannot yet rule out being the greatest genius of my generation, a position I am eminently qualified for.

My physical appearance is quite eccentric, due to my unusual fashion sense which requires me to emulate only fashions from before 1940 (and, to tell the truth, usually quite a bit before). Though I should point out this does not extend to ruffs, slashed trousers (slashed trousers means those short trousers with slashes revealing brightly coloured material beneath, to clarify.) or that ilk. However, I have gone quite happily about being mistaken for indiana Jones, or a 1930's farmer. When I have the energy to start Viking reenactments, I can only imagine the effect. Oh, and I have a beard. Black.

I do not believe I shall hit you with the full force of my eccentricity any further. It may be somewhat hazardous in large quantities, and you could always mail me.

I believe I have said quite enough, and if you must know more, you can mail me

Agnieszka

Is from: Szczecin, Poland
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First contact with JA: latest P&P TV A&E vesion,

Than: Complete novels by JA (Penguin Edition)

And finnaly: everyday visit in DWG & RoP.

I'm affraid what will be next...

The above is true not because I started to read after university (I’m 27 now), but till the 90’s JA’s novels were a really difficult to get (I suppose most of you met with them at school?)in my country.
My English is not so excellent to post my stories here (maybe fortunately for you). But I have so much fun with reading that I wonder if my vocabulary is not going to be close to Regency times...
What more about me...
I’m married with hope to have children one day.
Now I work as financial analyst for a shipyard.
The best JA's novel: P&P than Persuasion,
The best films (apart from JA's adaptaions): The Age of Innocence, Where you were sleeping, The Washington Square,
The Piano and many more...

Ahlam

Is from: North Olmsted, Ohio
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hello, my name is ahlam i am eighteen and i am a freshman in college majoring in special education...which i love! I love Jane Austen...i have every single one of her novels..i have read them so much and i still love to read them...i think my favorite book is a tie between pride and predjudice and emma...those are the good ones!!!>..i love nsync they are the best i also love britney spears its really sad but i am the biggest teeny bopper i cant help it. UMm i dont know what else to say i am also a huge fan of soap operas i watch them all..umm and i guess if you dont think i am a dork and you want to know anything more about me feel free to email me or im me anytime i love to talk to fellow jane fans!!!!!

"Think only of the past as its remeberance gives you pleasure"-Elizabeth Bennet Darcy

Aimee

Is from: London, England
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Well, I've been around here for a while now and thought it was about time I did one of these even though I have absolutely no idea what to say (hence why I've put it off so long!) I guess I'll just waffle for a while!
I'm 17 and live in Hertfordshire (heh heh) just outside London and will hopefully be going off to university... somewhere(!) to study English Literature next year. I have two brothers, a rabbit, play the flute and love theatre (to sum up my life in a sentence!)
I dont really have that much else to say... feel free to email me, I love getting emails! I love this place and really admire everyone who writes stories- I have several "attempts" so you may well see something from me... sometime... maybe... :) Anyway, I wont bore you any longer! Take care and remember- don't frown, because you never know who's falling in love with your smile :)

Alethea

Is from: Bowie, MD, USA

Hello Everyone!
I'm Alethea. A 15 year old turning 16 on October 25. i am sophomore at Stone Ridge Country Day School Of the Sacred Heart aka Stone Ridge. It has a really long name (people kinda get confused when i say it) , but it is where I was first introduced to Jane Austen. Ever since we read Pride and Prejudice and watched P&P2 at school, I have turned into the Austen Addict here today. I love this site!!! My favorite Austen book is Pride and Prejudice. Books I like include To Kill A Mockingbird and Kaye Gibbons' Ellen Foster.
Let see... At first glance people tend to think I am too mature and shy, but I am generally happy with myself. I am really short for my age, but being filpino..its a rather normal height, its just that i live here. I was born here though. I speak a little tagalog (filipino) and spanish. I love to sing. I like all kinds of music,especially that old jazz- ella fitzgerald, more modern groups- alternative and pop, and I really love musicals. I play different instruments- the flute, the saxophone (please do not equate with the president), the piano, and the recorder. I love reading everyone's stories and hope to post a story in the summer when i have more time. This is probably more than you wanted to know about myself, but I forgot to mention that I tend to ramble on....

If you would like to see how I look...
visit my schools web site www.stoneridge.org
and go to the index, see the upper school affairs heading, then go to the candid camera link, then go to "Mrs. Lubkans' group" I am the shortest one standing wearing the red sweater with black stripes-its kinda blurry. (gee,I feel like I just gave road directions..well i hope i did not get you lost.)

AliP

Is from: UK

I originally come from South Wales, but now I live in England, in the Midlands not far from Birmingham. I became involved in fanfic through contributing to sites relating to Mrs Gaskell's North and South following the TV adaptation. Through those sites, I learnt that there was a bigger world of fanfic and have been visting DWG ever since.

My first introduction to the works of JA was P&P1 with David Rintoul as Darcy (he also made an excellent Dr Finlay in later years). Never thought much to P&P2,although I did enjoy reading Bridget Jones' Diary in its original newspaper format. Probably my favourite adaptation is Persuasion.

I am in my mid-40s, married with 2 children and a hamster. I am lucky enough to be able to work as a technical writer part time from home which fits in with school and domestic duties. I am also studying for a second degree, this one in Humanities, currently a multi-disciplinary course roughly covering the period 1780 to 1830. So I am reading, looking at and listening to a lot of writing, art and music from the Austen era at the moment which is very interesting. (No hymns in Church of England services until 1819 at the earliest, for example!)

Alicia

Is from: San Antonio, TX USA
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I am 14, and I love everything Austen. I have one dog named Lucy, who is sweet, except when she's playing chase, her favorite game. I like to play Tennis, softball, and I also enjoy swimming.

My Favorite Austen Novels: Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey

My Favorite Novel of all time: It has to be Pride and Prejudice

My Other Favorite Book: Murder on the Orient Express

A Book I Do Not Recomend: Red Badge of Courage. (I didn't get past page 60.)

Well, that about sums it up. I love reading the stories on this sight, I don't know what I would do without it!!!!

Ally M.

Is from: Plano, TX, USA
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Note: I posted my first story under the name A. McCartney, but I thought it was a bit to impersonal, so I turned over to posting with this name.

My real name is Allison McCartney and I am the one and only child in my family at the lovely age of 13 (4/27/90). Even though I now live in Texas, I was born in California, and one of the strangest facts about me is that I am a true Val-gal.

Let's see.... Probably the thing that shapes my life and person the most is soccer. I belong to one of the largest clubs in north Texas and we are lucky enough to have snagged two ties and a win against 3 of the top 8 teams in the nation (And those are the only three we have played). Not trying to brag, but that is one accomplishment I'm truly proud of . Next year I will be trying out for the ODP (Olympic Development Program) team and will have my fingers crossed until tryout results come back.

I absolutely adore reading and music, and, like any 13-year-old, a few video games here and there. I play the piano decently and the french horn not well at all. One thing that sets me apart from my friends is that I never watch TV unless it was something really important (like today Saddam Hussein was captured and I watched that).

Back to the reading thing. Besides Jane Austen I would have to say that my favorite authors are Oscar Wilde, Tom Clancy, J.K. Rowling, Edgar Allen Poe (Yes, yes, I love him, well, perhaps not in his story 'The Black Cat'), Agatha Christie, and J.R.R. Tolkien (Loved all of his books except for 'The Hobbit).

At school my friends have gotten so fed up with all my talk of Jane Austen that the second the words are out of my mouth, my friends ask, "Can we ever have a decent conversation with you where we don't talk about Mr. Darcy or Pride and Prejudice?" Hehe *grins evilly*.

Alyson L

Is from: Utah, USA

Name: Alyson
Nickname: Al (never Aly)
Residence: An itty bitty rural town in Utah
Birthdate: 23 Sept 1968
Offspring: Oh, my, yes. Seven. (Yes, all mine, no adoptions, no his kids/my kids. One husband, seven children.)
Work: Constantly, but not for pay. I stay home with my seven children and I homeschool them.
Hobbies: Definitely reading—even after 2 years as a dwiggie I am a certifiable fan fic addict. And writing, whenever I get the chance.

Amanda T.

Is from: Vancouver, BC
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Personal: I am 22. I live in Coquitlam, which is a suburb of Vancouver. I am single (ugh!)

Education: I graduated from UPenn with a degree in Math and English. I was a cheerleader in both high school and college. my favorite place to go in all the world is the Loire Valley in France.

Hobbies: I run 3 miles every day before work and swim at my health club after. I write stories for the DWG (huge coincidence that everyone else here does too) except I never post any of them.

Religion: Anglican ( C of E)

Favorite JA novel: P&P tied with Emma. I like Emma better than lizzy, but Darcy better than Knightley, and Col. Fitzwilliam is my fav. (although i like Judy-Lynne's Richard as the Col. best, then teresa AF's).

Favorite writers besides JA: I read children'sbooks over and over (hopeless, I know) and I love the lord of the Rings. I like books written around the turn of the Century.

Favorite JA adaptations: P&P2, The Gwyneth paltrow Emma (JN made it all worthwhile)and MP that was mainstream and released in 1999 w/ Johnny Lee Miller as Edmund.

Favorite non-JA films: "Singin' in the Rain," "The Wizard of Oz" "The Princess Bride" "The Lord of the Rings" "Harry potter" "An Ideal Husband" "The philadelphia Story" "Bringing Up Baby" and anything else with eitehr Cary Grant or Katherine Hepburn and anything directed by Frank Capra.

Favorite film quote: "Must the shades of pemberley be thus polluted?" - Lady Cat P&P2

Favorite JA heroes: Mr. Darcy, Captain Wentworth, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Mr. Knightley.

Favorite JA heroine: Emma Wodehouse

Ideal man: Judy lynne's Richard Fitzwilliam ( except as a Christian, can be from Fitz-Fitz or One Smart Cookie)

Amy

Is from: Phoenix, AZ USA (sort of)
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I love to read - JA, Tolkien, Lewis, Chesterton, and Bronte are just some of my favorites.
I graduated in May of 1999 from Arizona State University with a BA in French and History, and a Certificate of Concentration in Medieval and Renaissance Studies.
In September of 99 I am going to France for a year to teach conversational English at a French military boarding school.
I am a Christian - Reformed, in theology - and attend East Valley Bible Church.
I love reading, cooking, fencing, art history, just about any kind of history, musuems, traveling ...
My family and I currently live in Phoenix, but I was born in Seattle, WA, and raised in Columbus, OH.

AmyC

Is from: Nebraska, USA

I have been posting here for a couple years. I love Jane Austen FanFic, in addition to more scholarly works. My favorite novel is Pride and Prejudice.

I am married with two dogs and two gerbils. I am making up for my lack of pets when growing up.

Ana 2

Is from: Spain
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Hello everybody,I think it's high time introduced myself. I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I am 23 years old, I live in Bilbao (Northern Spain) in a month I will graduate in Medicine (I keep my fingers crossed).

I discovered JA when I was 13 years old, and hardly anybody in Spain had the slightest clue who JA was, I was on summer holidays and bored to death, so one of my elder sisters, (I have three sisters and a brother,almost like the Bennets) gave me a copy of Pride and Prejudice saying "you will like it", I did not like it, the very moment I finished it I started rereading it. Afterwards I sought all the others Austen’s novels,I only found them in English, and it was an achievement, but that did not discourage me... I was, I am truly obssesed, I am so happy to have found a place where people is as obssed with Ja as me,I have spent many pleasant hours here.You will find me mostly in the message board.

I love all the novels of JA, but there can not be 2 opinions on this subject ,Pride & Prejudice is my favorite,I think it is JA's masterpiece, I love its joyous sense of humour, its wit, its lovable and believable characters and of course Mr Darcy.....

My second favorite is Emma, Persuasion, Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey come very close.

I am very happy to have arrived to a safe port.

Andrea Thomas-Munson

Is from: Upper Marlboro, MD
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I am a wife, mother, teacher of US History to 8th graders, and a fan of Jane Austen!

I live in a suburban town not far from Washington, DC. Even though we have fabulous sites to see here, I love traveling to England, especially London. On our honeymoon there, my husband was even patient enough to spend time in Bath!

I am a bit of a refugee from RoP--I had visited DWG a few times before RoP's policy/posting changes but have become quite the lurker since. I have determined to be a lurker no more!

Angela

Is from: .......difficult to say...
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Well, where I am from? I really hate to answer this question, because I cannot give a simple answer!

So, the following is my answer:

I was born in Hong Kong to Chinese parents. I was raised there until I was 15. It was the year of 1994 when my family picked up their bags and boxes (plus selling our home and throwing away many things), and moved to Canada. We settled down in London Ontario, which is 200km away south of Toronto, the biggest city in Canada. I eventually finish my education in London, having graduated from a high school in town and the University of Western Ontario, London Ontario. After graduation, I decided to take a year off from school and move to England to work. I am now living and working in London UK.

Where I am from? I love to say that I am Canadian. But then, I do not have a "pure" Canadian accect. I am told that my accect is in between Ottawa-English and London-UK posh..... and a few Chinese once a while. Perhaps I should say that I am from the world! The end of the story!

I shocked my family and relatives to pick up English Literature as my major. I believe I was expected to do an Economics or Business Administration degree since most Chinese immigrants in Canada study for those degees at universities. I am very good at numbers, and I got As in Math. when I was in high school, but I know from the very beginning that Business is not my cup of tea. If I had not done an English degree I would have done a History degree!

My Jane Austen obsession was implanted by Emma Thompson. I was obsessed with crime drama when I was very young, and loved to read newspapers about murders, etc. I was so impressed by Emma Thompson's protrayal of a lawyer in the film, "In the Name of the Father", that I decided I would start watching every film in which she involved.

Also, I love to read novels since I was very young, and I was such a vain girl by showing off that I could actually read an English novel. As a girl who went to normal primary school in Hong Kong, reading English in a fluent level at the age of 10 was not expected. And yet, I was able to do that! Otherwise, I think I would not study English at university.

So, "Sense and Sensibility" came out, and having "Daddy Long Legs" and "Anne of Green Gables" and "Jane Eyre" under my belt, I thought I would read the book before I went to see the film.

The experience was horrible! I could not use to Jane's language at all! I have decided that Jane Austen was a horrible writer as soon as I finished reading "Sense and Sensibility"!

Fate did not let me off so easily. BBC's Pride and Prejudice was going to be shown on US TV the coming weekend. It was a few weeks after my horrible experience with Sense and Sensibility. That weekend, Toronto Star (a newspaper) ran an article on Jane Austen and P&P2, indicating the successfuly story of BBC with the series. I read the article, and, for some unknown reason, I told myself to give Jane Austen another try. So, I set up my VCR and taped the whole series, and wait until weekend. At the same time, I went to a bookstore and bought the cheapest copy of Pride and Prejudice that I could find ($3.99 CAD!).

And the rest is history! Since then, I have further bought 5 more copies of Pride and Prejudice in diffent editions, plus at least 2 or 3 sets of complete Jane Austen novels. I have seen all the films based on Jane Austen's novels. I have done 4 essays during my university career in JA's novels, 2 of which I got As (and 1 of which, in which I compared P&P2 with the actual novel, I argued that Colin Firth's Darcy provided Jennifer Ehle's Elizabeth a pattern on the wall paper, and if you have read "The Yellow Wall Paper" you will know what I am talking about.... and I got A on that essay!). I have visited Jane Austen's grave in Winchester and her accommodation in Bath.... very happy!

My plan for the future? I am planning to return to school to become another Bridget Jones.... excuse me! I mean to eventually become a journalist, and a serious one! I have not decided whether I should return to Canada or stay in England for that purpose. I will make my final decision in the next few months. During which I enjoy my time working for my boss, and travel between towns in England and the rest of Europe.

01/03/2002

Ann

Is from: Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Here's a pic:
And a link: My Personal Home Page

I am a structural engineer currently working for a engineering testing company (mostly doing grunt work and paying my dues.)

I am a displaced Cheesehead (Wisconsinite/Green Bay Packer fan) from Milwaukee, and I like to watch golf on TV ;-)

My hobbies are: Reading all the news that's fit to print, with special emphasis on international news and national politics. Surfing the net--and, of course, running this web site and chatting with everybody here.

My favorite Austen novel is Persuasion.
Favorite Austen movie is Persuasion (Root/Hinds).
Favorite book overall: Dune Messiah.
Current favorite movie: Probably Shawshank Redemption (I will never forgive the Academy for giving the Oscar to Forrest Gump that year!).
Best TV show ever made: Babylon 5.

Anna J.K2

Is from: A small Surrey town, England.
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Hi everyone! Now were do I begin? Okay I'm nineteen going on twenty nine(feels like it)my birthday is on the 3rd September when I will stop having the excuse of being a teenager! Frightening thought, though as mentioned I do think at least five years older than I am. I am shy on first meetings, appearing cold and unfeeling but within the
typically 'English exterior'flows the passionate blood of some Italians and gypies(I expect, knowing my family). I a love of all sorts of music a desire to dance about to any good rythm, walking, nature and an interest in modern history and all historical costumes. I pride myself on having common sense, not used often enough and frightening knowledge of millions of useless but fascinating facts. I love reading but know I need to extent my
I am presently a student at University, just finishing my first year of a three year Politics degree. Before everyone runs away at the mention of politics, I blame it on my genes and I came to through History. Politics is really in everything and believe me, not all young people are apathetic. I get to do about five other subjects in one and no I do not want to be a politian. I am a terrible liar to begin with...*grin*. I want to be a civil servants (in Britain it is clear they have the real power) or something to do with tv or radio, probably a humble researcher (not in Bridget Jones way!)
Now the JA facts.
Favourite novel: Persausion
Favourite Heroine: Elizabeth Bennet
Favourite Hero: Henry Tilney
Favourite Baddy: George Wickham
Favourite love/hate character: Mr. Collins or John Thrope
Beware, I do have some radical views on adaptations and have upset a few people but I always apologise very quickly!

Anna Psitos

Is from: Burke, VA USA
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I was born on April 18, 1981. My full name is Annastasia (sounds like "Ah nice ta see ya") Elizabeth Eleftheria Psitos (you can see why I go by Anna), but I think it is really cool, which is why I tell people. (For all those curious, my father is Greek, which is the reason behind my strange names. My family still owns a cottage on the island my grandfather grew up on, which I also think is very cool. :) )
I am currently a sophomore at University of Maryland, College Park, and I'm majoring in cello performance. I transferred from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA just this year, so I feel like I'm starting all over again.
More importantly than my heritage and schooling. . .
I was introduced to Jane Austen by my mother when she showed me P&P 1 when I was eight, I think. I was reintroduced, and really fell in love, when I went to see Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion in theaters. My favorite Jane Austen novels are P&P and Persuasion.
I don't really have a favorite movie, since I like too many. (Although P&P 2, Persuasion 2 and Ever After are up there, along with Shawshank Redeption and the Mikado.) My favorite songs are "I've Just Seen a Face" (the Beatles), any Cole Porter song, almost any Gershwin song, and "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" (the Police). I really like to write and read, which is why I love this site!!

Annie

Is from: Illinois, USA
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Okay, so here are the basics about me: My real name is Azure Newman. I go by Annie because it's not quite so...unique. I was born on October 21, 1975, to my parents, who are still together after all these years. I have a younger sister, Danielle, who is three years younger than I am.

I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and psychology from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1997, and as of this revision, I have a full-time job working with people who have severe chronic mental illnesses. (Those of you who already know me know that I spent nine years in the mind-numbing Hades known as Pizza Hut, but hopefully, never again!!) My hobbies include reading, writing, listening to music, watching movies, and doing counted cross stitch. I have no significant other and no children.

As for a few of my favorite things, I have too many books on my list to cover, but Pride and Prejudice would almost always be in my all-time Top Five. A few of the authors I read are: J.D. Robb, Joan Hess, Marian Keyes, and Janet Evanovich.

A few of my favorite movies are Pulp Fiction, The Shop Around the Corner, The Truman Show, and of course, about every adaptation of JA's novels (except Northanger Abbey, which was too far-fetched for me). I love to listen to many different kinds of music, but I don't think I could point to one genre or artist and say that it was my all-time favorite. I do have favorite songs, which include Pink Floyd's "Learning to Fly," Enya's "Watermark" and Queen's "The Show Must Go On." As far as television goes, the only TV show I watch with regularity is "Law and Order," although if they'd put "Are You Being Served?" reruns back on my PBS station, I'd have two TV shows to watch!

My favorite sport is baseball and has been since...well, honestly, since birth. Being a St. Louis Cardinals fan is written in my family's DNA, and I'm proud to admit that I'm a fourth generation Cardinals fan. I also like volleyball because it's the only sport I play in which I can do well, and of course, I love figure skating.

What else is there to know about me? I love to write, and if I could ever get the card sharks I work with off my back, I'd get more written. (I write better when I'm at work because there are too many distractions at home, like the Internet.) Someday I would like to have something I've written published--I've tried, but so far, no luck. *keeps fingers crossed*

I guess that's all the news that's fit to print about me--if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me!

Annie

Arcadia Chloe Rannaldini

Is from: Newcastle
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Me names Arcadia and i am a born and bred Geordie. i am studying for a PHd in Computing and think these stories really bring alive the work of Austen!!! Great job all!

Aria

Is from: southern part of the US

I just realized that I should have done this a long time ago - just incase someone else using the name Aria would happen to come by (as it is, over at RoP no one could figure out if the Aria on the list was me or not, and I couldn't find any of my old posts in the archives, so I finally decided it wasn't worth trying to find out in order to stick around there this time)

Anyway - so despite the fact that I'm not likely to ever write a piece of fanfiction - and I don't comment all that much, I'm just here to stake my claim...

As to a bit about me, I'm soon to be a librarian (working on my MLS) but my undergraduate degree is in voice performance... my hobbies are reading, crocheting, cross stitch, scrapbooking, and generally a lot of the time just being addicted to the internet

Ashling Hampson

Is from: Dublin,Ireland
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Hi!I'm fifteen years old and I'm Grania O'Malley's (older :-D)twin sister.My best friend is Janey Mac,a fellow dwiggie.She's like a sis to me and Grania-She's ALWAYS at our house!My name means "Magic Dream".
I love ,*deep breath*:Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The X-Files,Alley Mc Beal,Science,Animals,Badminton,Judo(right Janey?),Basketball,Jane Austen,and obsessing about George Knightley!
My fave JA novel is Emma,followed closly by P&P.
I guess there's not much left for me to write as Grania has probably said it all!
Well that's all,I'll probably speak to most of you in chat.
This is Ashling Hampson signing off!(Yes Janey I am slagging Grania at Baldungan :-D )

Asia Elizabeth

Is from: Connect-i-cut
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I'm 17 years old (6/13/83) and a Senior in high school(which I hate).

I like lots of stuff. Emma and Pride and Prejudice are my favourite Jane Austen novels.

I work at a local political campaign and I love it alot. Some of my favorite things are rainbows, kittens, feathers, drawing, writing stories and poetry, talking to my friends, and lawn signs... i love lawn signs... unless they have to be replaced.

here's a pikter of me:

Audrey

Is from: Vancouver BC

Hello everyone!! I am a grade eleven student. I started reading JA's novel about three ago, and her novels became my favourite ever since then. I played the piano for several years and I am in ARCT. I had been hanging around this site for awhile now. I won't post any story in a short while since my writing wasn't very good.

Aury

Is from: County Durham
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Hey All!

My actual name is Aurora-Judith, but generally go by either Aury or Judy and both are equally annoying. Sometimes, if people really want to suffer pain, they will 'affectionately' refer to me as AJ, but it isn't recommended!!

I'm 25 years old and live in a house owned by a Rottweiler named Fluffy and a Sphynx cat aptly named Nofur. Fluffy has a grudge against potatoes, cowers when there's a knock at the door and tries to use the kitty litter tray.

The cat just mooches about and stakes his claim on my hot water bottle whenever he feels it necessary.

Admittedly, I only began reading Austen earlier this year and immediately fell in love with P&P and have yet to explore her other delights. I adore watching Buffy and Angel, love meeting the cast members at the conventions and generally having fun at their expense!

BarbaraK

Is from: Detroit, Mi USA
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Well I've been a member of ROP since it was started in 97, unfortunaltely I'm not an origional blue marble, however I really enjoy that site.

I've been lurking here for years until I finally posted a story this past year (Elizabeth's SEarch) that had a small following.

I dearly love all things Austen and I like the creative outlets that DWG, ROP, and Dregston have created on the web for all of us obsessives.

I'm sure many people here recognize my name, at least from the reading pages...I'm not in the Tea Room often, although I'm making a concerted effort to appear there more regualarly.
This was posted on Dec, 5 2002.

Becca

Is from: Victoria, Australia
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I have the honour of sharing my middle name with my favourite author's first - Jane...
I am 17 years old, and I first discovered Pride and Prejudice at 11 years old, when the ABC screened the mini-series. I love all the novels, but especially Pride and Prejudice, which I have read dozens of times, and can practically recite. Its beyond the comprehension of my friends that have read it that many times, but its beyond mine that they haven't! Who doesn't love Jane Austen??!!
Last year I finished high school, and next year I will be starting Uni, doing a bachelor of Media Studies at La Trobe University in Melbourne. This year I am living in New York, doing not much else than visiting museums and shopping at Macys. If I thought I could write well enough, no doubt my spare time would be partially devoted to indulging in wondering what Elizabeth and Darcy's kids would have turned out like, but I am satisfied with reading other peoples opinions on the matter!
Back in the grand ole land of Oz, on weekends I worked as a tour guide in a musical musuem during school. I have been playing for 11 years, and I play VERY ill indeed!!!
I recently visited England, and went to the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, and the village of Lacock (Meryton in the BBC production). I was in Austen heaven! Although, unfortunately, there were no sightings of Mr Darcy, but then this is not wholly unexpected!
Other authors I particularly admire are Thomas Hardy, Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters and Henry James. I love Shakespeare, and Greek tragedys. I love English humour, like Monty Python and Ab Fab. I adore the Beatles. Errr I guess I pretty much love the whole of England - I owe that country a great deal!
So yeah, thats me... generally, I am pretty much insane, loud and ridiculous, though people tell me I am just 'effervescent' and 'vivacious'... the euphemisms are a nice thought, but I know what I am! The character I am closest to would have to be Elizabeth Bennett... yeah, I wish!
Please keep writing the fab fan-fiction, its fantastic musing over the futures of my favourite heros and heriones! I admit it - I am addicted! There needs to be an Austen Anonymous... or I could just continue to feed my addiction. There is no such thing as an Austen overdose, at least not in my world!

Becky T

Is from: Beverly, Massachusetts, USA
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I am 18 years old, and still in highschool (shudder).

I live with my family: My mom, dad, brother Mike (15), sister Elizabeth (10), and sister Kaitlyn(7), who has autism. Also, my hampster-like miniature dachshund, Pepper.

My rule for men is simple: I like them cravatless and moistened. My friends don't quite understand this. My boyfriend understands it even less. Or why I would like him to speak with a British accent. I think he began to be suspicious when he saw my Matt MacFayden framed picture, though...

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Jane Austen book, though I also liked Sense and Sensibility. I read Emma and have not been able to pick up another JA since. I need some time to recover.

I hope to meet you all. I think I have found my place in the world. A group for JA fans?! I think I died and went to Pemberly...

Bernadette E.

Is from: Maryland, USA!
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Age: 20

Ancestry: a typical North American mix of Welsh, Scottish, French and German.

Current Residence: It varies. When I’m not at University (I go to a small Christian college), I’m in Maryland.

Major: English/French. All in all, I love being a college student. Between my studies, my madcap bunch of friends, and my ongoing search for my own Mr. Darcy (I’m still looking for him), I’m sufficiently occupied.

Current goal upon graduation from University: Not entirely sure, though probably end up teaching.

Interests: Well there’s reading, of course, and writing, writing, writing. I go running (for fun, amazingly enough), play the violin (poorly, but I do enjoy it), do a little drawing on the side (fair, but not terrible) and have been working on learning calligraphy. And I love to sing (though I admittedly can’t really carry a tune). Oh, and I speak fluent French (though I’m not sure if that qualifies as a ‘hobby’ or anything…)

Favorite books (there’s an odd mix of stuff here): The Iliad by Homer (an unusual choice, I know, but if you read a good translation of it, I think it’s really wonderful and poetic), House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Story of a Soul by St. Theresa of Lisieux, Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (always a favorite) and Emma. As for some modern authors: Juliet Marillier’s a current favorite (she’s written the Seven Waters trilogy: Daughter of the Forest, Son of the Shadows, Child of the Prophecy…anyway, they’re all excellent), Garth Nix is a favorite of mine, Diana Wynne Jones is great (I never think she gets the press she deserves), J.R.R. Tolkien’s works are wonderful, and anything by C.S. Lewis is fantastic, John Donne's poetry is lovely, as is Rainer Maria Rilke's work (though I’ve only read translations since the original is German), Keats and Shakespeare are absolutely fantastic…there are so many great authors…too many to name.

Favorite movies: (Ah, this list will reveal what a hopeless romantic I am at heart) the Princess Bride, Ever After, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, (well, basically any of Audrey Hepburn’s older movies), and Return to Me are some of my favorites. And than there’s the hodgepodge of stuff: The Godfather, The Mission, Pirates of the Caribbean, Moulin Rouge (mainly to swoon over Ewan McGregor and Ewan McGregor singing), The Matrix and the Lord of the Rings.

Music: well, there’s quite a variety here, too. Currently my favorites include: U2, Norah Jones, Travis and the soundtracks to the following: The Lord of the Rings/Two Towers, the Scarlet Pimpernel, Anastasia, Beauty and the Beast (the Disney movie, not the Broadway show), and the Lion King. Then there’s Peter Paul and Mary (still wonderful as far as I’m concerned), and Paul Okenfold (courtesy of my dear older brother). Oh, and I do like my share of classical music (just a little bit culture, now and again): Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, Verdi, Wagner and Puccini are all perennial favorites.

Appearance: I’m petite (5’2” with a small frame), have reddish brown hair (more red than brown) and blue/green eyes.

So, that’s all there is to say about me, really. Feel free to email me when bored if you feel talking about any of the above interests, or just babbling about what a wonderful book Pride and Prejudice is.

Bethany

Is from: St Louis, MO
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I'm nearly 20 and in my second year of college, studying to be a high school English teacher, preferably in a Lutheran school. I'm supposed to be minoring in something, too, but I haven't picked it yet(which reminds me...) I'm thinking history or political sciences or drama, but who knows? I go to college in Chicago, or a West Suburb to be exact. (close enough!)

I enjoy many things in life--church (yes, I actually do!) , family, friends, a good laugh, baseball (or more specifically, CARDINALS baseball as may be evident in my latest creation of a story), hiking/walking, reading, writing, and of course--Jane Austen.

I am a movie lover but find myself to be overly picky. I do have several [hundred] favorites, however: Singin' in the Rain, The Princess Bride, P&P2, Robin Hood (the cartoon where they are all foxes or chickens or bears...), Sense and Sensibility, The Natural, The Sandlot, Happy Gilmore, Field of Dreams, Anne of Green Gables, It's a Wonderful Life, and Flight of the Navigator.

My favorite books are rather numerous as well: anything Jane Austen, the only Bronte book I enjoy is Anne's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, A Tale of Two Cities, Island of the Blue Dolphins (Scott O'Dell is great!!), the children's books Corduroy and Where the Wild Things Are, Les Miserables, and To Kill a Mockingbird. I'm sure there are more but I can't think and it would take a lot of effort to walk upstairs and check my bookshelves.

There is not much else to tell except perhaps for a few hidden talents that I possess which include the following: losing my keys, being late for everything, effectively asking people to stop smoking, memorizing athlete's numbers, and speaking in fake accents (I'm not sure if that should be considered a talent as I'm not actually very good at it).

With a final word, I'd like to thank everyone for reading my stories! (though if you want to skip those first couple...it would be absolutely fine by me!!!)

Bexx

Is from: Pasquotank, NC, USA
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(actually, i am originally from Herford CT, but regrettably my parents relocated me to the south when i was 9 so... thats where i am from now.)

My name is Rebecca Anna Slate. Unfortunately, my parents call me Becky which, no offence to anyone else with this name, I think is the most terrible name in the entire world. It reminds me of fat farmers, but i wont get into that. My friends call me Becks. (or bexx)
I am 17 years old (04-29-85) and as aforementioned, live in North Carolina. (however i have never been able to adapt the southern culture.) I'm still in high school and i am planning on becoming an art major at East Carolina Univercity. I am an impressionist painter, and enjoy costume making.

I first fell in love with Mr. Darcy when I was 12 and have been a devoted fan ever since. My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice with Emma running a close second. However, besides dear Jane, I am afraid I am not much of a romance novel fan... I love science fiction. Dune by Frank Herbert is also a favorite of mine, and when I was a child, my bedroom was decorated in Star Wars motif... I love the classics though, and my favorite authors include *Shakespeare*, Orwell, Dickens, Tolkien, Ayn Rand, CS Lewis, Oscar Wilde..... I could on for ages so I'de better stop.. suffice to say I have read just about every good book my school library affords. (i have to throw in that i love lord byron!)

In my free time (that is, when I am not working. I hate my job, by the way, I am a waitress *gag*) I paint and read and write. I play soccer when the season is right, tennis sometimes, and I enjoy fencing when I can find an opponent. (As I live in a small town, usually that requires traveling to VA) I make costumes every halloween for my friends, and I think I would be very happy if I could do that as an occupation, but unfortunaly there is not a dying need for costume makers, so I will probably end up as something boring like a scientist or a teacher... I also like to act, and recently was in a rendition of The Importance of Being Earnest , in which I was thrilled to win the role as Cecily, as it is one of my favorite plays.

I'm the youngest of 5, and, like all Americans, am a mutt. I hope to live in a big city, I would love to live in England.... I want to marry a guy with an accent.
As far as music goes, I have very diverse taste. I like just about everything except country music and anything on mtv. (its all crap) i love classical music and am an avid opera go-er, but i also like old punk rock, emo, jazz, and anything by the beatles or the stone.... pretty much all the good rock and roll bands from the 60's and 70's... and 80's... ok, just anything but the pop music. i hate pop music, it was never good in any era. but that is just my opinion. i need to shush.

I love British humor, (big Monty Python fan) and I love handsome boys with brown curly hair.

that is all.

Bill

Is from: Oak Park, IL
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NAME: Willem Friesema
NICKNAME: Bill
BORN: Dec 27, '48 in Schiedam, Netherlands (and aging quite disgracefully!), 2nd oldest of 7
MARRIED TO: Gail, since 1970
CHILDREN: David (23), Katie (19)
VOCATION: software developer (wrote a scheduling program used by most U.S. passenger rail systems)
AVOCATION: investing
BEST ADVICE RECEIVED: (from my grandfather) be thrifty but not stingy
FRIENDS DESCRIBE ME AS: an incorrigible punster (so why do they incorrige me?)
HOBBIES: chess, running, violin, canoeing, surfing the web
KEEN INTERESTS: astronomy, physics, voyageurs
FAV KITCHEN ACTIVITIES: baking sourdough bread, Chinese cooking, eating!
FAV WINE: St. Emellion, Zinfandel
FAV CHEESE: Old Amsterdam - very sharp nutty flavor
FAV MOVIES: P&P2, North by Northwest, My Fair Lady, A Night at the Opera
FAV PLAYRIGHT: Shakespeare
FAV BOOKS: "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman", P&P of course!
FAV GAMES: chess, Trivial Pursuit (I specialize in trivialities!)
WORST HABIT: playing that ?$*#! minesweeper game (I add another mine every time I solve it, now at 150)
FAV MUSIC: classical, jazz, big band, folk, oldies
FAV MUSICAL WORK: tossup between Mahler's 2nd Symphony and Bach's St. Matthew Passion
FAV BIRDS: Loon, Duck, Penguin
FAV VACATION: canoeing with the guys in the Canadian wilderness (Quetico Park) -- made about 15 trips
HERO: Richard Feynman, late Nobel physicist, a trickster extraordinaire!

Bobbie Jean Pemberton

Is from: Westmont Illinois USA
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I am a writer and garden designer. I was born in Sikeston, Mo. Scott County. to a Wanda L Washburn and a William Dale Hall, on Sept. 19th, 1957. I married a John Kevin Pemberton, son of William Clair Pemberton and a Liela Jean Smith. I have two sons Noah and Adam. I also have 1 grandson Phoenix Tyler, born 1-20-2000. I live in a lovely large house with my family and three dogs. I have many large gardens and I love to sing, read, write, run business, chat with friends,and travel a bit. I have been to France, Brussels, Luxembourg, Iceland, Canada, and Mexico. Also I love Hawaii. I have met many friends all over the world and I live in a Chicago suburb.

Bodecia

Is from: WV
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Okay so my real name isn't Bodecia, it's Barbara Jones. I was born April 12, 1955 which makes me old enough to be most of your mothers. I love anything Jane Austen or British for that matter. My favorite writers are Jane Austen(of course), Anne Bronte (like her better than her sisters), M.M. Kaye, and F.Scott Fitzgerald (okay so he's American). I have three grown up daughters, one husband, one dog(Blackie), and six cats(G,Sade,Frisky,Leo,Gizmo and Jewel)We have two households right now due to my job being three hours one way from home, but we are holding up well. We recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. I guess that is all for now, but I just want to say I enjoy reading the stories here and hope to post more in the future.

Brea Perry

Is from: Oregon
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I am 20 years old, I attend a community college, and I am becoming intensely interested in Jane Austen, especially her book Persuasion. Reading is my number one pastime and as well as Jane Austen I like L.M. Montgomery, Andrew Greeley, Susan Howatch, Georgette Heyer, and Madeleine L'engle (and a lot of others). I also like rubber stamping (but I'm not very good at it). Please feel free to email me.

Brenda

Is from: Singapore
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I've been a fan of Ms. Austen's for a long, long time, and have been avidly devouring P&P fanfics since I discovered the various online P&P fanfic communities in the late 90s. Strangely, in the P&P fanficdom, I've only been a reader, and not a writer. I have written a few fanfics, but they are for a wholly different fandom.

I'm a stay-at-home-mum to a 5-year-old boy. Despite living in one of the most modern cities in the world (Singapore), I feel more comfortable in the Regency Era, than with the hustle and bustle of the world today. My favourite Regency writers include the inestimable Georgette Heyer; the more modern Regency writers I enjoy reading include Julia Quinn and Amanda Quick.

To me, an excellent and enduring love story is one where the characters undergo a change for the better because they meet their other half; and my all-time favourite love story is that of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.

Brenna

Is from: Texas

I am a 20 year old senior at UT-Austin who fell in love with JA later than most. I am now attempting to make up for lost time. I would never have thought fanfic to be as addictive as it has turned out to be!

I have high aspirations to writing my own fic one day. Perhaps the studies will subside long enough to allow a story to be unearthed. I am an English major after all. I'd like to write something before I dive into law school.

There's not much else to say, I imagine, other than that I am a violinist, a singer, a Christian, and love meeting new people. I look forward to making your acquaintance.

Brigitte

Is from: Pennsylvania
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Hi, I'm Brigitte and I'm not really sure what to write about myself, but here goes. I love JA novels, especially P&P. I am a huge fan of Colin Firth and loved him in the A&E version of P&P. Other favorite movies are Emma and Monty Python (Holy Grail and Life of Brian). Hobbies of mine include reading, of course, and writing poetry and short stories. A few of my favorite authors are Austen, Tolkien, and the Bronte sisters. I also play classical guitar and have seriously been taking lessons these last three years. I am very interested in early music for the lute and guitar. I also enjoy singing and do so often with my twin sister. Once in a while we perform for a little (a very little) money. We sing, I play the guitar or lute, and she plays the harp. I also love ceramics and pottery, preferably free-form. My father is German, so I often travel to Europe to see him. I have been to Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland and Ireland. I speak fluent German, but unfortunately no other languages, besides English. I am currently attending Penn State University, but I am thoroughly undecided about my major. Perhaps art,... or perhaps a great many other things. I'm very excited to get better acquainted with austen.com. Well, that's all. Thanks for taking time out to read this!

Bronwen Elizabeth

Is from: Ossining/Briarcliff, NY
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I'm 15, going into my junior year of high school, I love to read, run, talk, and write. I think I want to be a writer. I also want to be a pilot, and so am seriously considering the Air Force. I love foreign languages and take French and Italian, I have one sister, Magdalen (She goes by Maggie) who just turned 13, and a brother, Simon, who is 9. I am named after the daughter of the Welsh Seagod, Llyr. Bronwen has a tragic history, not quite as bad as Deirdre, but close, and I'm not going to go into it. I am a hopeless romantic, and have to make a concious effort in my stories not to be soppy. If they are anyway, my apologies. My favorite authors are Jane Austen (duh) Dorothy Sayers, Shakespeare, LM Montgomery, Lloyd Alexander, PG Wodehouse and Maud Hart Lovelace (She wrote the Betsy-Tacy-Tib books) My favorite book other than P&P is Gone With The Wind, and I can quote (pathetically) pages. Umm, what else. Oh, if no one has ever read the St Trinian's books, you don't know what you're missing. If you can't find them (They're out of print) go to the library or the movie store and get the movie "The Bells Of St Trinian's" it'll give you a good idea and is hysterical.

CIC (or Carrie)

Is from: Crofton, MD (sadly)
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And a link: The Labyrinth

About me....hmm....scary topic.

My take on life can pretty much be described by my favorite saying: "In life, we are given a mind, a body, and a soul. For ultimate success, we must jettison one of them."

My full name is actually Caroline Inskeep (don't ask about the middle name, it's a long story). I was born on October 27, 1983, the week that the Baltimore Orioles won the World Series. I think I may be bad luck, because they haven't made it to a single series since then. But I love them anyway, no matter how many times they insist on breaking my heart.

I reside in the basement of a townhouse, and venture out into the real world as infrequently as humanly possible (at least during the summer -- school is a different story). I have a mother and a father who are very loving, nurturing, and occasionally irritating as all hell. I also have a little sister who, more often than not, is the bane of my existence.

I ran into the joy that is Jane Austen when Pride and Prejudice was assigned as summer reading for my AP English class. I'd read Emma the previous summer and enjoyed it to some extent, so I read P&P first of all my books -- and nearly failed my exams because I wouldn't put the book down long enough to study. When I reached the end, I read it again...and again...and again. When I'd finally all but memorized the book, I turned to the Internet and began questing for fanfiction (which I am addicted to in many forms). I ran into the DWG, and the rest, they say, is history.

Beyond Jane Austen, my obsessive personality encompasses Days of our Lives (I can't help it, it's genetic); many musicals but primarily The Phantom of the Opera (the overture makes my eyes glaze over) and Jekyll and Hyde (Robert Cuccioli has the sexiest voice in the world, and it's also a really good story); Edgar Allen Poe (*sigh*); Moxy Früvous (a hell of a good Canadian band); Dave Barry (I have set many a toaster on fire by experiments he recommended); Daria (my heroine); Harry Potter (*sob* I can't help it!); Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Manos: The Hands of Fate especially); The X-Files (David Duchovny *sigh*); Star Wars (I always felt sorry for Darth Vader); and The Blair Witch Project (as one of maybe 10 people on earth who thought it was scary).

I advocate cloning under the condition that I would get my own Colin Firth.

I intend to go to college, but it depends on a) whether I get accepted anywhere, and b) whether I can afford to go anywhere. College is essentially a stalling tactic on my part, though -- I have no idea what I want to do with my life. When I see myself in 20 years, I envision myself broke and cynical. Same as now.

I'm a Diet Dr. Pepper addict. I'll probably develop brain cancer.

I play the piano, but not as well as I would like. I enjoy music, and have some degree of talent, but nothing spectacular.

At school, I am the editor of the Literary Magazine, the secretary of Forensics, and a Thespian Society member. I -- literally -- almost never leave my school before 7 PM during the year. Why I spend so much time there when I hate it so much, I'll never know. I enjoy my extra-curriculars, but personally, I find that public education is detrimental to the learning process.

That's pretty much it. I've got enough sarcasm and cynicism coursing through my veins to kill a 40 year old. Occasionally I'll meet someone in the Real World who loves Jane Austen as much as I do, but more often than not, I just get blank looks and vacant stares. But such is a Janeite's curse, I suppose. *big sigh*

-Carrie ;-)

"Chaos, panic, disorder -- my work here is done."

CK

Is from: Washington, DC
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And a link: Cindy's Home Page

I first fell in love with Jane Austen after seeing Miramax's Emma. I have since read all of her completed novels at least twice each and have seen all of the recent movies and most of the movies on video.

Caitrin

Is from: North Carolina
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I'm 18, a senior in high school, preparing to attend the University of North Carolina at Asheville next year (where I will be an English major). My other loves besides Jane Austen are music (I sing and play a little guitar), and theater (a techie who is occasionally convinced to act.) Basic personality: friendly, affectionate, over-emotional, romantic, bad temper, loyal, and stubborn.

Calla

Is from: Florida, USA
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I was born December 7, 1981 in Florida and I've lived here all my life. I've just moved to a different town, though, to go to college. I'm a first year history or women's studies major. I haven't decided yet.
I like the S&S and P&P and Emma movies, and that's what got me interested. My best friend, Delwyn, loves this place and got me hooked. Plus she writes stories on here some and I'm her #1 supporter and fan. Check out her stories Never Been Kissed and Open our Eyes. They're really good. And I'm not just saying that.
Calla

Candace M.

Is from: Illinois by way of Connecticut by way of Virginia, USA
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Hello
I'm Candace, currently age 23 soon to be 24 in August. That said, I am a Leo but rather introverted, I whisper rather than roar. I work at a non-profit in Connecticut doing economic development work, grant writing, program design and management. I love my job, although it can be stressful at times. DWG has been a welcome refuge in my moments of downtime. I will be going to law school in Chicago starting this September, and am fearful that I won't have time for my newfound Austen fixation or the wonderful stories churning in my head.

My favorite Jane Austen works are Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. I am currently reading Northanger Abbey, the Juvenalia and Persuasion for the first time. My favorite Austen movie adaptations are P&P2 (to which my mother is a new convert thanks to her mother's day gift), Sense and Sensibility (the 70's BBC version, although I prefer Alan Rickman as Col. Brandon and Cate Winslet as Marianne) and Persuasion. My favorite heroines are Elinor and Jane Bennet. I identify most with Jane Bennet (every little "which JA character are you?" test has pegged me squarely as a Jane no matter how much I aspire to be an Elizabeth). My favorite villains are Wickham and Willoughby and my favoite heroes are Darcy and Col. Brandon. As a side note, I find myself also in love with all things Colin Firth and am currently trying to watch all of his movies, even the ones in which he is not swoon worthy.
For hobbies, I enjoy learning the guitar, singing, making cards, baking, cooking, painting furniture, photography, listening to music and going to live concerts where I can dance with abandon. I also love most things British and all things Regency and regret that we have no balls or country dances to attend, mainly because it would give me an excuse to sport a Regency style gowns. (My secret hope is to one day find a husband willing to sport a neckcloth, waistcoat and breeches for our wedding.)

I love a good debate or political rant session and I love to read. I have the bad habit of never reading one book cover to cover, but juggling several volumes at once. I have books in the bathroom, my purse, on my nightstand, my desk at work and in piles elsewhere. In addition to the JA novels mentioned above, I am currently reading the Hobbit, Jane Eyre (again), Paradise Lost (again), God's Politics and I have just finished The Red Tent. I also enjoy writing and have several stories in the works, one of which I am posting on the DWG, Love and Prejudice.

As far as apperances, I am brown with dark brown chin length locks (some call them dreadlocks, but there is nothing dreadful about them). I am rather plump (pleasantly so in my opinion) and sort of tallish. I like the color pink and wearing cute summer skirts that move a lot when I walk.

Carin

Is from: Holland
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Dear readers and writers,

It is my pleasure to make myself known at one of my favourite places on the internet.
My full name is Catharina Elisabeth, but I’m called Carin. Like my heroine of all ages, Elizabeth Bennet, I am the second in a row of sisters, though not five in my case, but only four: Arianne, Ilse and Jetty (a Dutch abbreviation for Henriette).
I’m from Holland and live on the very edge of the continent, in a small village west from Rotterdam.
I’m married to Duncan and have the honour to be the mother of two sons, Jesse Ruben, called Jesse (born 24-6-97) and Tony Juda, called Tony (born 9-9-99!!). I’m 28 years old and work part-time as a jurist.

In school, English has always been my favourite subject, and I cannot understand why I only bumped into Jane Austen a year or two ago. I would have loved her way back, but somehow I never read her. Anyway, I was so lucky as to get hold of Pride & Prejudice, and I envy the person I was when I started reading, completely unaware of what would happen, having no tools to visualize the story but my own imagination, and being captured in no time by it. Would Lizzy choose Wickham, who seemed so amiable? Pity this rich Darcy was such an utter jerk! And then, the letter he wrote, turning him into a saint… Well, as you see, I got hooked, and was lost ever since. Rushed to the library to read more more more, and then saw the Jennifer-Ehle-&-Colin-Firth-series. That was almost exactly like I had pictured Austen’s characters myself (perhaps with a different Jane though). Then I happened to see Persuasion on TV and added that to my favourites-of-all-times-list.
To tell you something more about myself I’ll add that I love to play the piano, since I was 7 (Schubert, Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, but also just play whatever), the guitar, I like various kinds of music (Steven Curtis Chapman, Sandy Patti, Ilse DeLange, Soundtracks of movies, Country & Western, easy listening), like to do some gardening every once in a while, got myself a pair of outdoor-skates just today, like to take pictures, always like a good romantic film or series (You’ve got m@il, Ally McBeal, The Horse whisperer, the American President, First Knight), and I love to write. Before I had ever heard of the DWG or the RoP, I had been writing sort of a P&P-variation that I intend to post one day, but it is all handwritten… So I’m typing a lot these days to get my story accessible for you guys.
Well, this will do for an introduction! If anyone would like to e-mail me, feel free!
See you around,
Carin

Carmen M.

Is from: Germany, Frankfurt
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I am 29 year old and work as head of the periodicals department at the library of the Deutsche Bundesbank (like the Fed). As much as I enjoy my work, I sometimes wish I would had more time to read.
From 6 till 20 I basically did nothing else but read or watch old movies but since than I had very little time for these hobbies.
I live with my boyfriend and we love to mountainbike or to explore the countryside. He is also one of the causes I have no time left to read.
I am most grateful to my mom, who watched the first BBC P&P version, loved it and bought the book, I was twelve then and I have to admit that I didn't like the book at first, one cause being the really awful translation. With 14 I fell in love with the book and with Jane Austen. P&P being my all time favourite followed by Emma. As movie versions I cannot decide between P&P 2, Clueless or Persuasion.
Other favourite authors: Anne Perry, Edgar Wallace, Kate Ross, Anne Bronte (sorry, don't know how to make the dots), Joan Aiken, E.M. Forster, Georgette Heyer, Catherine Coulter...
Favourite Movies/stars: Claudette Colbert, Fred Astaire but only with Ginger Rogers, Meg Ryan, As good as it gets, Shadowlands, The remains of the day, Dangerous Liaison. BTW, I am sorry to say, but I did not like Valmont and I hate Fever Pitch ;) but I do admit C.F. was the perfect Darcy.
Favourite Radio Series: BBC's The Archers
That's all Folks.

Caroline (aka Evangeline)

Is from: South Carolina
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Let's see.... I was born on April 20th, 1982. I love to write, but I don't always finish the project (as evidenced by the stacks of uncompleted novels in my closet.) I've been adoring Jane Austen since I was fourteen and I am the all authority on her life and works (at least at my school!) I am an unabashed romantic and idealistic realist. Here is my list of favorites:

FAVORITE NOVEL: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
FAVORITE AUTHORS: Anne Perry, Jane Austen, and The Bronte Sisters
FAVORITE MOVIES: Pride and Prejudice (Ehle/Firth), The Princess Bride, The Scarlet Pimpernel movies (A&E), Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail,The Matrix, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Ideal Husband
FAVORITE SONGS: "You Wanted More" by Tonic, "Comfortable Numb" by Pink Floyd, anything by Led Zepplin (except "Stairway to Heaven"), The Matrix Soundtrack, most everything from the 80's (especially the love songs)
FAVORITE QUOTES: "The gentleman or lady who does not take pleasure in a good novel must be intolerable stupid." ~Jane Austen
"I have nothing to offer except my genius." ~Oscar Wilde
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." ~Benjamin Franklin (no, I'm neither an alcoholic or anti-religious)

Carrie

Is from: England, UK
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I love Pride and Prejudice first and for most, then Pursuasion second.

I also like books by Sebastion Faulks and Joanne Harris, I would highly recommend, 'Birdsong' and 'Five quarters of the orange'.

Other beloved books like P+P include 'Anne of green Gables' and 'Little Women'.

I am a traditional romantic, and most people who meet me think I was born in the wrong era and ought to have been born earlier.

My favourite subjects are English Literature and History, although I don't mind languages.

My passion, other than Austen is dance, I do Ballet, Jazz, Tap and contempory dance, and love all of them, perhaps ballet the most because you really have to work at the studies (dances) to get them precise yet fluid. Unfortunatly I don't think my dance teacher likes me very much, as I have a tendency to talk a lot in lessons.

I love the piece of music called 'Cavatina' by Myers and if anyone can suggest something similar I'd be most pleased.

Carrie XXX

Cassi

Is from: Maryland, USA

Hi! I have to tell you that my name is not really Cassi, but Sarah. I like the name Cassi much better, but you can call me either of those.
I enjoy reading, but have only started one of the JA books. I also enjoy writing fiction. I am a figure skater. I skate about three times a week. I also play piano and am in a chorus. I love music. I have been studying piano for eight years, and have been in chorus for two. I want to take private voice this summer. I also enjoy soccer, but currently, I am not on a team.
I have a brother Sam, who is eleven, and two sisters, Carla and Jennifer, aged nine and two. I also have a cat named Boots, and am going to get a hamster next week.
Thanks for taking some time to read my bio!

Catharina

Is from: Austria
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Here's a pic:

Well, what can I tell about myself?
I'm twenty years old, live in Vienna and I'm madly in love with two things: English literature (Jane Austen, the Brontè-sisters etc.) and opera! My favourite operas are: "Yevgeny Onyegin" (or Eugen Onegin) by Tchaikowsky, "Carmen" by Bizet, "Norma" by Bellini, "Medea" by Cherubini, "Lucia di Lammermoor" by Donizetti, "La Traviata", "Il Trovatore" and "Don Carlos" by Verdi etc.
My favourite singers are Maria Callas and Josè Carreras-
I have a brother (Ferdinand) and a sister (Clara) and a huuuuuuuuuuuge loveable family.

Catherine

Is from: Ont. CANADA
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Well, after reading other peoples bio's, and realising how pathetic mine was, here's my new and improved biography!!!

Who: Catherine Payne
Where: My nations capital (Ottawa)
Why: School!
When is my birthday: March 24
Fav book: Pride and Prejudice! (A close second is Persuasion)
Fav movie: A&E version of Pride and Prejudice
Other interestes: reading, writing, english horseback riding, being with friends, brit lit. class, birthdays, READING THIS BOARD and Skittles (I'm addicted)
Fav stories on this board: Secrets from the Past series, All Because of You and when Fitzy met Lizzy.

I know I've bored you, but I had to do something about the pitiable state of my former bio.
Bye, and I'll write you later!

Cecilia Anne

Is from: WA, USA (I'm a Great Britain Wannabe!)
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And a link: To subscribe to my email list, VictorianFiction@onelist.com

I love everything JA, everything Betsy-Tacy, everything Anne Shirley, everything that has to do with writing, (not counting, of course, getting rejections!) I LOVE reading the classics, such as Dickens, the Brontes, Tennyson, Wordsworth, Burns, Longfellow, Dickenson, Isabella MacDonald Alden, George MacDonald....
I love being outdoors and animals of all kinds. I love poetry, both the reading and writing of it as well as short stories. I have a dog and a parakeet and have had chickens, fish, rabbits and cats in the past. I have three email lists through ONElist- VictorianFiction@onelist.com, Betsy-Tacy@onelist.com and ShortStoryWriters@onelist.com.
I am a teen-ager, homeschooled and a Christian. I have AIM and ICQ, so email me if you do and want to chat!
I have watched three Emma movies, two S&S, two P&P (the really old one and A&E's!) and one P. I have read all of them and am reading Lady Susan.
I LOVE DWG and am a Dwiggie to be sure!

Cecilia

Is from: Korea, Republic of (South Korea)
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Hi. I must be one of the youngest of Dwiggies.

I was born on Nov 18, 1985 - so I am fifteen now, and would turn sixteen in about 10 days. I go to a private boarding school by the weird name of Korean Minjok Leadership Academy.

Well, about my name...My real name -I mean, my name in official documents- is Byol Kim. But I noticed that most of foreigners have hard time even imagining what it sounds like. One of my math teachers in middle school gave up and called me Belle instead. My writing teacher here also gave it up and tried Janet instead. However, I strictly refuse to be called by either names. I mean, I like them well enough as other people's names - but they are not my name.

But Cecilia is my name. I am a Catholic, and I was christianed Cecilia. Well, when a Korean is a Catholic, he usually uses his christian name only among church circles, but uses different name as is in official documents for other occasions. My guess is that it is because Christianity was banned for some two hundred years in Korea. Well, it's just my guess!

I have already mentioned that I live in a boarding school. Believe me, many things can be said about my school - many things. But I do think the most attractive asset of my school is good LAN connection. It was here that I met the wonderful land of DWG. *evil grin* I would have never discovered it had I stayed home under the watchful eyes of my parents and with a poor modem connection. He, He, He...

I do believe I should get on with the bio.

Like most Dwiggies here, I love reading & writing. There was a time I listed all my favorite authors. I gave that up long time ago - couldn't really see the point of it when there were so many. But to give you some idea...Well, of course, I like Austen's work. I also like some works of Wilde, but I agree with W.H.Auden that The Picture of Dorian Grey is rather boring. I like L.M.Montgotry, though somewhat doubtful of her short stories - it is a habit I cannot grow out of. I also like E M Forster, Oliver Goldsmith, Thomas Hardy, Henry James, etc.

I cannot really tell you my favorite JA novel, though. Did I tell you I am very fickle? P&P was the first JA novel I came across. After I read Emma, I liked Emma better, becuase Mr.Knightley proposed so beautifully(I remember waking up at three in the morning on account of that). I read Persuation, then I liked it best(I thought it was the most romantic of JA novels). I read S&S, and I still liked Persuation best. After I read Mansfield Park, I liked it best for no apparent reason. Finally, I finished Northanger Abbey, and I then liked it best for its witty dialogues. But I can safely tell you that I like P&P best for now, simply because of the fact that most fan fics are based on that story.

I have also changed my favorite characters many times in the past, but my current favorite is Mr.Darcy. I fell in love with him after first reading P&P. However, I could not like him for a short period after seeing A&E's P&P2. I had imagined Mr.Darcy many times in my mind, but I had imagined him with dark, straight hairs. This is what comes of watching the Wishbone episode first... Anyhow, I was very disappointed for a time being. But I don't think any girl can help falling in love with him after reading all the fan fics here and watching him do all sorts of *sigh* wonderful things.

I also enjoy listening to music. I used to listen to classical music and classical only, but I am now listening to other genres to extend my area of knowledge(?) - am I making sense to you? As for classical music, I listen to almost everything - except anything that reminds me of Schonberg.

A bit long, isn't it. Especially considering that I've got to finish my Economics homework, Chemistry homework, and Physics homework, and it is 11:48 PM.

One last thing: I do have a MSN messanger, so anybody who wants to chat, please feel free...

Cherie D

Is from: Ammon, Idaho
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Well, I love three things, Sarah Brightman, the beatles, and P&P. My Dad was in the Air Force for twenty-five years so from the ages of 0-10 I lived in Texas, Ohio, Suffolk, Washington D.C, Illionies(I'll never get it right) and then he retiered and started working here. Just a side note it sound weird that my dad was in the Air Force so long and I was born so late, but I have five brothers and seven sisters, ranging form 29 to 4 so it is strange but it is okay. I have a dog named Spud who is very large and sort of looks like a potato. My little sister is raising lambs for the summer so temporaroly we have two lambs. I raised a lamb for three summers then I gave it up this year.
My older sister introduced me to P&P so that is how I found out about it. I have known about this sight for while and I just decided to post this. I love all the posts and this place is great.

Chez

Is from: London, England

Hey, I'm Chez, real name Cheryl but known as Chez, Cher, Chess, Cheza and of course Cheryl!
I am 17, well 18 in 12 days and live 20mins from London in a little town called loughton, which can be described as a pleasant little town close to forests.
I have 2 brothers Adam (15) and little baby Timmy (5 months)
I suppose people would describe me as easy going, loves to try anything, try's to make friends with everyone and friendly smiley kinda gal!!
i have recently just finished an AS in english lit. and studied p&P but had read and watched it before many times.
My fave books are Jane Eyre, The witch of blackbird pond and The princess diary books.
Fave films are TITANIC!! Anne of Green Gables, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Dumb and Dumber and 10 things I hate aboout you.
Fave music, Micheal Jackson and basically anything motown!
(I know not my era but it's good all the same!)
I absolutely love the 95 version of P&P and Colin firth is the best Mr. Darcy! I love Mr. Darcy!!
Well that's probably about it really.