As Good As It Gets --------------------------> One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

 A. As Good as It Gets (1997)

Summary: This movie was directed and produced by James L Brook.. Sony Pictures distributed the film to theaters nationwide. Melvin Udall, Carol Connelly, and Simon Bishop were the main characters. The story mainly followed Melvin who was a novelist, suffered from OCD, and was a bit of a misanthrope. Two events happened that started Melvin on the road to change. First, Simon, his artistic and gay neighbor was attacked and had to be hospitalized. Because of this, Frank, Simon's agent, asked Melvin to care for Simon's dog and Melvin ended getting emotionally attached to the dog.. Second, Carol Connelly, Melvin's favorite server (the only one who could stand him) at his favorite restaurant quit because of her son's health. Udall couldn't cope with that loss and offered to pay for her son's care, just as long as she continued working at the restaurant. Now, when Simon fell into a depression because of his medical bills due to the assault (and the loss of his dog's affection), Melvin reluctantly (probably out of habit) agreed to help. Simon and Melvin and Carol (who Melvin invited) went on a road trip to New York so Simon could see his parents. From here on things were changed between the three people forever.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_Good_as_It_Gets

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119822/

Connection: I know that this connection will be a bit of a stretch, but bear with me. 

We know that Simon Bishop was an artist and that he was making a decent living through his art. We also know that Simon was gay. But what don't we know about him. We don't know much about his family. At first I was thinking that maybe, just maybe, that his great grandpa might be the Saint, Simon Templar. But after doing a bit of research, I changed my mind.

 I believe that Simon Bishop descended from a crime fighter named "The Bishop" parodied by  Monty Python's Flying Circus. That's probably why the family even went with a name change and Simon's side of the family wanted the notoriety that came with being a related to a famous crime fighter (Probably more disappointed with his desire to be an artist) or maybe even planned to continue the tradition. Or "Simon Bishop" could just be a pseudonym so we wouldn't know who the real person was.

 

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/laughingindisbelief/2018/01/3-times-when-monty-python-were-blasphemous/2/

1. Monty Python's Flying Circus Season 2 Episode 17

Summary: This show was created by Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Terry Gilliam. It was directed by Ian MacNaughton and John Howard Davies. These episodes aired on the BBC from 1969 to 1974. For some reason this specific episode also comes up as episode four of season. Maybe it has to do with airing of the episodes- I can't be quite sure. Anyways, in "The Bishop" sketch, Reverend EP Nesbitt was a secret agent like Bishop of the Anglican Church. On numerous occasions he attempted to save members of the Church from  being murdered, but sadly arrived too late to keep it from happening.

https://www.montypython.com/tvshow_Monty%20Python's%20Flying%20Circus,%20Series%202/15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEH17q_X2Ak

Connections: The Bishop was the connection for this episode because he lived and worked in an alternate universe. As such, the Bishop was the doppelganger of another secret agent. This secret agent became known as 'The Saint.'

The Saint aka Simon Templar was a secret agent who used the names of religious saints to disguise his identity rather than actually having a religious identity. A bit of a bizzaro flip, I know. Anyways, one of Simon Templar many pseudonyms was 'Stephen Tarleton.' Under that assumed identity, The Saint appeared in Tales of The Shadow Men Volume 11: Force Majeure in a short story called The Legacy of Arsene Lupin. 

2. Tales of The Shadowmen Volume 11: Force Majeure  - The Legacy of Arsene Lupin

Summary: Tales of The Shadowmen was an anthology written by Jean Marc Lofficier and Randy Lofficier. The cover illustrations were drawn by Mariusz Gandzel. Arsene Lupin spoke to his biographer Maurice Leblanc. He related the story about what happened to D'artagnan's sword. Lupin claimed that the Comte de Guy was in possession of the sword and it was stored in a safe made be the Dale Company. Also according to Lupin, quite a few people wanted to steal that sword. During these events, Lupin met Stephen Tarleton, met Emmeline de Guy, saw members of the Paris Vampires, and member of the Union Corse.

http://www.crossoveruniverse.com/2015/02/crossover-of-week_8.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_the_Shadowmen#Tales_of_the_Shadowmen,_Volume_11:_Force_Majeure

Connections: For this connection, I used Arsene Lupin. Arsene Lupin was a man of many face and a master thief. But he was also a force for good, sort of a Robin Hood type character. The people that he stole from were people of a worse moral fiber than he.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars%C3%A8ne_Lupin#Origins

A descendant of Arsene Lupin can be found in the game called Guard Me Sherlock.  Lupin, in this game, was known as Jeremy Cassel. He was a French businessman, a lover, and possibly a thief- but then again from the in-game bio which  stated "leave the bedroom window open" he could be more like Casanova.

3. Guard Me Sherlock (2016)

Summary: This game was published and developed by NTT Solmare. It was considered a dating simulation, but more specifically if fell underneath the category of an otome. An otome has been defined as a story based game in which the female player has two goal- the main story and a developing a relationship with one of many choices. In this story, the main character approached Sherlock Holmes to "request something unique" (with the name of the game- probably a bodyguard position). Along the way, the main character worked with Sherlock to solve the case while meeting many potential love interests.

https://shallwedate.jp/en/free/free_008.html

Connections: One of the potential love interests was a scientist by the name of Henry Jekyll. He was described as being calm, clear-headed, and intelligent.

Henry Jekyll doesn't seem to have a dark side unlike many in the Jekyll family line. One of his dark-hearted relatives was named Harvey Jekyll. The Harvey Jekyll in Death Warmed Over, was a scientist who used to his knowledge of chemistry to create a potion that dissolved "unnaturals" (zombies and other preternatural creatures). He also concocted a potion that could make "a normal human strong enough to fight even army of unnaturals." (page 268).   

Anderson, Kevin J.. Death Warmed Over. United States, Kensington, 2012.

Sounds quite a natural course of events for someone of the Jekyll line. Keep in mind though, the Harvey Jekyll in Death Warmed Over, lived in an alternate universe to the original Jekyll's world. What we don't know is if Henry Jekyll from Guard Me Sherlock has the same life in the original Jekyll's world or if he has the same life in the Harvey Jekyll's universe. But what I think it may indicate is that similar people to these characters exist in every multiverse.

4. Death Warmed Over by Kevin Anderson 

Summary: This Paranormal/Fantasy book was published by Kensington Publishing in 2012. PI Dan Chambeaux aka Dan Shamble was dead. More specifically, Dan Shamble was a zombie, somehow brought back to life because of the Big Uneasy along with many other undead beings. Ever since Dan returned, he had been looking for the person who killed him. On top of that, Dan had a caseload of work needing his attention: two witches wanted restitution from their publisher for not using spell check on their magical tomes and a mummy sue the museum that used him as an exhibit. Along the way, Dan received help from his partner, a human lawyer, Robin Deyer, and his ghost girlfriend Sheyenne.

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Death_Warmed_Over/Mxhrt6v8_F8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&kptab=overview&bsq=partner

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Warmed-Over-Shamble-Zombie-ebook/dp/B009CFWEWG

Connections: Dan Shamble existed in a universe where the supernatural existed and the dead have come back to life. But that doesn't mean that this universe was the only universe that Dan Shamble had contact. One day a dimensional doorway was opened up allowing PI Dan Shamble to meet Reporter Carl Kolchak. This meeting was notated in  Dan Shamble, Zombie PI/Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

5. Dan Shamble, Zombie PI/Kolchak: The Night Stalker

Summary: This comic book was written by Kevin Anderson and Richard Dean Starr while Sergio Banez illustrated the story. Dimensional doorways were opened up when a trio of genies went looking for a place to dump some toxic waste.By doing this, Kolchak came into contact with another world that was full of monsters. Kolchak met Dan Shamble and they worked together to solve a mystery (probably trying to catch the genies but I couldn't find out more online.)

https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/DEC151458

Connections: Carl Kolchak was a newspaper reporter for the INS. He seemed to have a penchant for finding crime stories with unlikely causes and solving them with nothing more than luck.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolchak:_The_Night_Stalker

Kolchak, in this story, was not from the same universe as Dan Shamble. Was there a Kolchak in Shamble's universe? If there was what happened to him? I think the answer to this question could be found in a movie called Dead End.  In this movie, a newspaper was seen with an article written by Carl Kolshak.

6. Dead End (1985) 

Summary: This movie was produced by Emmerson Bixby and Debra Coline. The story followed an unstable moviemaker by the name of Tom Rennigan took his film crew into a town where a UFO may have crashed nearby. It turned out that it was really a crashed weapons satellite that had carried a deadly biochemical agents. Lo and behold, that biochemical agent turned the town into flesh eating zombies. Even knowing this, Tom wanted to keep his film crew and document the crisis. 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0131260/

https://obscurityandbeyond.blogspot.com/2012/07/lost-movie-detective-dead-end-1985.html

Connections: For this possibly fake movie (in case you didn't read the blog above), I used the supposed Indian zombie who was wearing pajamas and throwing a sink out through a window. Because this zombie was from a supposedly fake movie there was no picture to be shown. Still this zombie could be the alternate version of Chief Bromden from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Chief Bromden was in a mental hospital in Oregon for at least 10 years, all the time pretending to be a deaf mute because he was unable to face the world. After meeting Randle Patrick McMurphy, he rediscovered his strength and sanity. He learned how to face the world, started speaking, and escaped from the asylum..

B. One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Summary: This film was directed by Milos Forman and released in 1975. The story was shown from the eyes of Chief Bromden, a tall Native American man who was pretending to be a deaf mute. He began relating the story with the introduction of Randle Patrick McMurphy. McMurphy. McMurphy shook up the asylum with his rebellious and belligerent nature. He arranged a fishing trip for the inmates, threw a Christmas party that included call girls, and challenged the status quo at every opportunity. These events brought Bromden back to his senses and he had revealed his secret to McMurphy. Bromden and McMurphy had even made plans to escape before things went south.

https://sites.google.com/site/rpmcuckoosnest/background

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Flew_Over_the_Cuckoo%27s_Nest_(film)

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen -----> Radioshack The Phone Call Commercial

 

A. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Issue 2: Ghosts and Miracles

Summary: This comic book was published by DC/Vertigo comics and written by Alan Moore with Kevin O'Neill providing the illustrations. At the end of issue 1, Allan Quartermain, Mina Harkin, and Auguste Dupin were attacked by a large monster and we found out that this monster was none other than Mr.Hyde. The trio knocked him unconscious and Hyde reverted back to the timid Dr. Jekyll. Mina and Allan took Dr. Jekyll with them aboard the Nautilus. Later, Mina and Allan met up with Nemo. Bond directed this trio to go to an all-girls school to investigate some weird going-ons. They uncovered the mystery and brought the culprit back to their new headquarters.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_League_of_Extraordinary_Gentlemen,_Volume_One

https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/League_of_Extraordinary_Gentlemen_Vol_1_2

Connection: Dr. Jekyll was a timid man who created a potion to help with his overwhelming shyness. This elixir had a negative effect because by drinking it- it didn't just help him overcome his anxiety, it gave his inner demon a form. You could even say it gave his inner party animal a form. Because it did as it Jekyll would literally transform into another physical persona that was called Mr. Hyde.

Before Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde got caught up in League affairs, they witnessed time travelers dueling to the death in their lab. This took place in a movie called Waxwork II Lost in Time.

1.Waxwork II (1992)

Summary: This movie was directed by Anthony Hickox and distributed by Electric Pictures. It was about Mark Loftmore and Sarah Brightman dealing with the aftermath of a very bad museum trip. Sarah was charged with murder. Mark and Sarah went to Sir Wilfred's house to find evidence that would clear of the murder charge. What they found was portal and key into time

https://moviesandmania.com/2013/02/19/waxwork-reviews-movie-film-comedy-horror-1988-overview-cast-plot/

https://badmoviemarathon.wordpress.com/2014/02/18/from-the-archive-lost-in-time-waxwork-ii-1992/

Connection: The time periods that  Sarah and Mark traveled were described as being the chessboard of God and the Devil. To access this chessboard and not just get stuck in it (which was what would happen at the museum), Mark and Sarah had to use a special key that resembled a pocket watch.. They found watch at Sir Wilfred's house. While walking around the house, Mark and Sarah also passed a crate marked with a Nazi symbol- more than likely this is the crate containing the Ark of the Covenant.

 

More than likely this crate was last seen in a government warehouse at the end of the Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, but as there was a big time difference between the end of Raiders and the beginning of Waxwork II- the crate and ark could have move around many times.

2. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Summary: This movie was written by George Lucas while the screenplay was formatted by Lawrence Kasdan, directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by Lucasfilm Ltd, and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It followed the adventures of an anthropologist by the name of Henry Walton Jones, Jr aka Indiana Jones. He was approached by government agents who informed him that Nazis were out to claim the Ark and directed Indiana Jones to stop them. Realizing that an old colleague, Abner Ravenwood, had an object that could help find the Ark, he headed to Nepal. Upon arriving there, he discovered that his old friend was dead but the man's daughter was alive and had the artifact Jones needed. Shortly after Jones made contact with the daughter (an old flame), Marion Ravenwood, the Nazis arrived and began causing problems. In the confusion, Jones and Marion escaped with the artifact. Then, the duo headed to Egypt in order to find the Ark. Around the time that Jones and Marion found the Ark, the Nazis caught up to them. Jones and Marion were trapped but were able to escape and catch up to the bad guys. Indiana took possession of the Ark but the next day it was intercepted. One more time, Jones and Marion were forced to chase down the Nazis and the Ark but because Jones didn't have enough leverage- he was forced to surrender. Then, the Nazi tied Marion and Jones up so they could witness the opening of the Ark. Sadly, it didn't turn out the way that the bad guys hoped. The Ark was brought stateside and stored in a government warehouse.

Connection: As I said earlier, the main character of the movie was Indiana Jones. 

As an anthropologist specializing in archaeology, Jones traveled the world, visited many different countries, and came face to face with death many times over. In some realities, he may have died at home while in others he met his maker during travels. One version of Indiana Jones was found in Duke Nukem 3D. His corpse could be found hanging in a secret room behind a waterfall that was on the second floor of Hotel Hell.

https://dukenukem.fandom.com/wiki/Hotel_Hell

3. Duke Nukem 3d (1996)

Summary: This game was designed by George Broussard, Allen H Blum III, and Todd Replogle. It was published by 3D Realms. Duke Nukem returned to Earth, hoping to take a vacation. Surprisingly, his ship was shot down and crashed. After landing, he learned that Aliens have invaded Earth and were attacking LA. The Aliens even mutated the LAPD. The police, ironically, transformed into pigs. Upon learning of this, Duke realized that had to stop the Aliens and take back Earth.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Nukem_3D#Story

Connection: In episode 3 which is called Shrapnel City, the eleventh level of the dungeon was called Freeway. Duke Nukem found a compactor. When he looked inside the compactor, Duke Nukem saw a flattened terminator body. 

Terminators were cyborg assassin sent from the future to the past to kill those who had the ability to change the future. One of the Terminators that was sent out took part in the Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny.

4. Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny

Summary: This song was written by Neil Cicierega and sung by the band named Lemon Demon. The story began in Tokyo. Characters from many different stories met here and began a life and death battle. At the end, only one remained.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ultimate_Showdown_of_Ultimate_Destiny

Connection: One of the combatants in the Ultimate Showdon of Ultimate Destiny was a character that many of us know and love- Fred Rogers.

Fred Rogers was an ordained minister who studied childhood development. He started working in broadcast media because he wanted to "nurture those who would watch and listen." Because of this desire he created a space on television by the way of children's program called Mister Roger's Neighborhood.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Rogers%27_Neighborhood

5. Mister Roger's Neighborhood Episode 1126

Summary: This educational children's television show first aired on national television in 1968. In this show, Fred Rogers played himself. One website suggested that to children the way he behaved may have suggested he was a man taking time of his schedule to spend it with them. During the half hour that Mister Rogers spent on camera, he would talk to the people of the side of the camera. He would do this because he wanted his viewers to feel included. Another way that Mister Rogers would include his viewers was by providing demonstrations of ideas, playing music, putting together crafts, and more. What distinguished him from others it that addressed the audience as if they were in the room with him. In this specific episode, Mister Rogers brought a stuffy  and showed a short film to indicate his special guest. Later he took that special guest to visit the Neighborhood of Make Believe.

http://www.neighborhoodarchive.com/mrn/episodes/1126/index.html

Connection: Even though Mister Roger's was real person, not a fictional character, he interacted with the fictional world- look at the Neighborhood of Make Believe. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighborhood_of_Make-Believe

As he able to interact with one make-believe world who's to say he wouldn't able to interact with another. This was demonstrated on episode 1126 when Captain Kangaroo stopped to talk with Mister Rogers and Mister Rogers' guests. Captain Kangaroo was called this because of the large pockets on his jacket from which he pulled out random items. He was like Mister Rogers in the sense that they both provided an educational and nurturing space for children. The biggest differences between the two was that the Captain didn't act as if his audience was with him through the entire show while Mister Rogers did.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Kangaroo

6. Captain Kangaroo

Summary: This was a children's television show airing from 1955 to 1984. It originally aired on CBS, but later moved to PBS. Heading the show as host was the creator Bob Keeshan. Bob Keeshan instroduced himself as the Captain, later becoming known as Captain Kangaroo. Captain Kangaroo had a loose format as it just followed the Captain around as he lived out his day. He would interact with his friends, read, meet guests, tell stories, perform silly stunts and much more. 

Connection: I've been trying to pick out specific episodes that have the characters I'm talking about in it- but this character, well, the episodes are unknown. I'm talking about a character known as Slim Goodbody. He started appearing on Captain Kangaroo in 1976 and became somewhat of a regular until 1981. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slim_Goodbody

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047718/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast

Slim Goodbody was known as the "superhero of health" and wore an organ painted suit. He wrote songs and skits to teach children about the human body (anatomy), nutrition, hygiene, and exercise. After his stint on Captain Kangaroo,  Slim Goodbody appeared on many other shows, including a show of his own. Most recently, Mr Goodbody was seen in a Radioshack commercial which I suspect was an indication of a crisis in time.

B. Radioshack The '80s Called

Summary: This commercial was produced by GSD&M for Radioshack. It premiered during Superbowl XLVIII. At the start of the commercial, the Radioshack employees get a phone call saying that the '80s wanted their store back. Shortly after the call, characters reminiscent of the '80s start coming through the front door and retrieve sections of the store. Some of the characters that are seen include: Alf, Bubo, the California Raisins, Chucky, Cliff Clavin, Mary Lou Retton, Devo, Hulk Hogan, Kid n Play, Ponch, Sgt Slaughter, Devo, the Solid Gold Dancers, Dee Snider, Teen Wolf, and Jason Voorhees. Slimer appeared later, but doesn't seem to be part of the visitors from the past. But it doesn't make you wonder, what kind of crisis would have precipitated that eclectic mix of personages to come to the future.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_%2780s_Called

Buy me a coffee

The Rambler, No 191

The Rambler, No. 191. Jan. 14.

Cereus in Vitium fllecti, Monitoribus asper.

                                                      Hor.

To the Rambler.

Dear Mr. Rambler,

     I have been four days confined to my chamber by a cold, which has already kept me from three plays, nine sales, five shows, and four card-tables; and put me seventeen visits behind hand, and the doctor tells my mamma, that if I fret and cry, it will settle in my head, and I shall not be fit to be seen these five weeks. But, dear Mr. Rambler, how can I help it? At this very time Melissa is dancing with the prettiest gentleman in the world, she will breakfast with him to morrow, and then run to two auctions, and hear compliments, and have presents, then she will be drest, and visit, and get a ticket to the play, then go to cards, and win, and come home with two flambeaus before her chair. Dear Mr. Rambler, who can bear it?

     My aunt has just brought me a bundle of your papers for my amusement. She says, you are a philosopher, and will teach me to moderate my desires, and look upon the world with indifference. But what talk is this? I do not wish, nor intend to moderate my desires, nor can I think it proper to look upon the world with indifference, till the world looks with indifference on me. I have been forced, however, to fit this morning a whole quarter of an hour with your paper before my face; but just as my aunt came in, Phyllida had brought me a letter from Mr. trip, which I put within the leaves, and read about absence and inconsolableness, and ardour, and irresistible passion, and eternal constancy, while my aunt imagined I was puzzling myself with your philosophy, and often cried out, when she saw me look confused, "If there is any word that you do not understand, child, I will explain it."

     Poor soul! How old people that think themselves wife may be imposed upon! But it is fit that they should take their turn, for I am sure, while they can keep poor girls close in the nursery, they tyrannize over our understandings in a very shameful manner, and fill our imaginations with tales of terror, only to make us live in quiet subjection, and fancy that we can never be safe but by their protection.

     I have a mamma and two aunts, who have all been formerly celebrated for their beauty, and are still generally admired by those who value themselves upon their understanding, and love to talk of vice and virtue, and beauty and propriety; but if there was not some hope of meeting me, scarcely any  creature would come near them that wears a fashionable coat. These ladies, Mr. Rambler, have had me under their government fifteen years and a half, and have all that time been endeavouring to deceive me by such representations of life as I cannot yet find to be true; but of which I cannot tell whether I ought to impute them to ignorance or malice, as it is possible the world may be much changed since they mingled in general conversation.

     They were very desirous that I should love books, and therefore told me, that nothing but knowledge could make me an agreeable companion to men of sense, or qualify me to distinguish the superficial glitter of vanity from the solid merit of understanding, and that a habit of reading would enable me to fill up the vacuities of life without the help of trivial or dangerous amusements, and preserve me from the snares of idleness and the inroads of temptation.

     But their principal intention seems to have been to make me afraid of men, in which they succeeded so well for a time, that I durst not look in their faces, or be left alone with them in a parlour; for they made me fancy, that no man ever spoke but to deceive, or looked but to allure: that the girl who suffered him who had once squeezed her hand, to approach her a second time, was on the brink of ruin; and that she who answered a billet, without consulting her relations, gave love such power over her, that she would certainly become either poor or infamous.

     From that time my leading-strings were taken off, I scarce ever heard any mention of my beauty but fromo the milliner, the mantua-maker, and my own maid; for my momma never said more when she heard me commended, but "The girl is very well," and then always endeavoured to divert my attention by some enquiry after my needle or my book.

     It is now three months since I have been suffered to enter the world, to pay and receive visits, to dance at public assemblies, to have a place kept for me in the boxes, and to play at lady Racket's rout; and you may easily imagine what I think of those who have so long cheated me with false expectations, disturbed me with fictitious terrors, and concealed from me all that I have yet found to make the happiness of woman.

     I am so far from finding such usefulness or necessity of books as I expected, that if I had not dropped all pretensions to learning I should have lost Mr. Trip, whom I once frighted into another box, by retailing some of Mr. Dryden's remarks upon a tragedy; for Mr. Trip declares that he hates nothing like hard words, and I am sure, there is not a better partner to be found, his very walk is a dance I have talked once or twice among ladies about principles and ideas, but they put their fans before their faces, told me, I was too wife for them, that for their part, they never pretended to read any thing but the play bill, and then asked me the prince of my best head.

     Those vacancies of time which are to be filled with books, I have never yet obtained; for, consider, Mr. Rambler, I go to bed late, and therefore cannot rise early; as soon as I am up, I dress for the gardens; then walk in the park; then always go to some sale or show, or some entertainment at the little theatre; then must be dressed for dinner; then must pay my visits; then walk in the park; then hurry to the play; and from thence to the card-table. This is the general course of my day when there happens nothing extraordinary; but sometimes I ramble into the country, and come back again to a ball; sometimes I am engaged for a whole day, and part of the night. If, at any time, I can get an hour by not being at home, I have so many things to do, so many orders to give to the milliner, so many alterations to make in my cloaths, so many visitants names to read over, so many invitations to accept or refuse, so many cards to write, and so many fashions to consider that I am lost in confusion, forced at last to let in company, or step in my chair, and leave half my affairs to the direction of my maid.

     This is the round of my day, and when shall I either stop my course, or so change it as to want a book? I suppose it cannot be imagined that any of these diversions will be soon at an end. There will always be gardens, and a park, and auctions, and playhouses, and cards; visits will always be paid, and cloaths always be worn; and how can I have any time unemployed upon my hands?

     But I am most at a loss to guess for what purpose they related such tragick stories of the cruelty, perfidy, and artifices of men, who, if they ever were so malicious and destructive, have certainly now reformed their manners. I have not, since my entrance into the world, found one who does not profess himself devoted to my service, and ready to live or die as I shall command him. They are so far from intending to hurt me, that their only contention is, who shall be allowed most closely to attend, and most frequently to treat me; and when different places of entertainment, or schemes of pleasure are mentioned, I can see the eyes sparkle, and the cheeks glow of him whose proposals obtain my approbation; he then leads me off in triumph, adores my descension, and congratulates himself that he has lived to the hour of felicity. Are these, Mr. Rambler, creatures to be feared? Is it likely that any injury will be done me by those who can enjoy life only while I favour them with my presence?

     As little reason can I yet find to suspect them of stratagems and fraud. When I play at cards, they never take advantage of my mistakes, nor exact from me a rigorous observation of the laws of the game. Even Mr. Shuffle, a grave gentleman, who has daughters elder than myself, plays with me so negligently, that I am sometimes inclined to believe he loses his money by design; and yet he is so fond of play, that he says, he will one day take me to his house in the country, that we may try by ourselves who can conquer. I have not yet promised him, but when the town grows a little empty, I shall think upon it, for I want some trinkets to my watch. I do not doubt my luck, but must study some means of amusing my relations.

     For all these, distinctions I find myself indebted to that beauty which I was never suffered to hear praised, and of which, therefore, I did not before know the full value. This concealment was certainly an intentional fraud, for my aunts seem to have eyes like the rest of the world, and I am every day told, that nothing but blindness can escape the influence of my charms. Their whole account of that world which they pretend to know so well, has been only one fiction entangled with another; and tho' the modes of life demand some appearances of respect, I cannot think that they, who have been so clearly detected in ignorance or imposture, have any right to the esteem, veneration, or obedience of,                        Sir, Yours,

                                                                                                                               Bellaria.

The London Magazine, and Monthly Chronologer. Ireland, Edward Ekshaw, 1741.

                                                                                                

     

     Buy me a coffee

Hardships of Prisoners- A letter

Mr. Urban,

     I am unhappy person now lying in one of the goals of this kingdom, to which I was committed about ten months past, on an accusation of felony, though entirely innocent, as afterward appeared on my trial, my poverty and want of friends preventing any person, till then, from speaking truth in my favour, and disappointing artifices of a malicious prosecutor.- But the grievance I complain of is not my commitment, for a crime of which I was not guilty, but the tyranny and oppression of the goaler; for, after I had been declared innocent by the jury, and the prosecution discovered to be founded on malice and ill-nature, instead of being immediately discharged, and sent home to pursue that labour by which I had before supported a wife and four small children, I was hurried back to prison, there to lie till I could raise 30 s. to pay the goaler what he calls his fees.- If any situation on earth merits, or any evil merits the attention of the legislature, surely 'tis the case of unhappy prisoners in my circumstances. I have lain here six months, my family starving, my credit and character ruined, and my spirits broken, without out any means of procuring redress against the unjust prosecutor, or any satisfaction for the numerous calamities which he has brought upon me.

     I have heard much talk of the equity of our laws, but surely if they had not been either defective or abused, I should not now suffer, being innocent, without hope of relief.- If goalers must have large salaries for the execution of their office, let the public pay them, and let not the sufferings of the wretched be increased by their rapine and inflexibility. My companions here are debtors, who, that they have either satisfied, or been forgiven by their creditors, cannot obtain their liberty till Mr. Goaler is paid his fees: here therefore they languish many many of them with cold and hunger, and some with infirmity and disease, till death sets them free without fee or reward.

                                                                                                                                    A.P.

***The order lately made that prisoners acquitted at the Old Bailey should be instantly discharged, is a proof that such an order was deemed equitable and just, and leaves those who have it in their power to render it universal, without excuse, for having neglected to add  so valuable a blessing to his majesty's mild and happy reign.

The London Magazine, and Monthly Chronologer. Ireland, Edward Ekshaw, 1741.

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Much Ado: A Dialogue

MUCH ADO: A Dialogue

The Persons.

An old Gentleman. His Friend. Mr.

Johnson. His two Nieces. Veny, a

Lap-dog, &c.

  Old Gent:  Lost, say you?

  Friend:  Ay, Sir, cast away.

  Old Gent:  And no account how?

  Fr.  Not the least. 'Tis agreed on all han, that every soul perished.

  Old Gent:  Well, 'tis a sad affair; but we are all mortal, and-

Enter Nieces

  1st Niece:  Indeed, Madam, said she, if your ladyship will but consider, the flounces are not at all too deep- Lord! Mrs. La Soye, said I, they are too deep by a mile.- Your ladyship, said she, must remember the robeings.- The robeings, Mrs. La Soye, said I-

  Old Gent:  Nieces! Nieces! have you heard the news?

  1st Niece:  What, Sir? What?

  2nd Niece:  Dear uncle, what? I long to hear.

  Old Gent:  The Victory is lost.

  1st Niece:  And who won it, pray?

  Old Gent:  I mean, child, the ship so called is cast away; and in her a gallant admiral, and a thousand brave seamen. - A sad accident! Are you not sorry to hear it?

  1st Niece:  Lord, Sir, you know I am no politician.- I don't understand these matters.

  2nd Niece:  Well, I was always mightily afraid of water. You remember, cousin Jenny, I was once like to be drowned. Lord, what a sweet pair of shoes did I spoil by the wet!

  1st Niece:  You mean when you fell into the great puddle in the Mall.

  2nd Niece:  I do.

  1st Niece:  That was the very morning Mrs. Lay Soye brought home your pink damask.  Captain O Blaze met us, you remember, in blue and silver. No, no; 'twasn't blue neither - 'twas brown, turned up with brocade.

  2nd Niece:  Upon my word he never wore brocade till above a week after.

  1st Niece:  Then it must be the blue and silver.

  2nd Niece:  Stay, let me reflect a little. - (Suddenly Starting)- O lord! Jenny, look! look this moment! Help! help!

  1st Niece:  O! heavens! uncle! uncle! where's my uncle? For God's sake, help! - Poor dear little soul, 'twill be drown'd this very moment; twill be lost this instant.

  2nd Niece:  That odious turkey-cock! Who let him into the garden?

  Old Gent:  Heyday! heyday! what's the matter now?

  1st Niece: Lord, Sir, see - Veny, Sir, - Poor dear Veny - in the canal- frightened in by the turkey-cock.

  2nd Niece: Sweet creature! it can't swim; it never learnt.

  Old Gent:  Tom! Here! - Lend me thy rake.

  Friend:  Look, Sir; look - Miss Jenny faints.

  Old Gent:  Be so kind to dip up a little water, and fling in her face.

  2nd Niece:  Speak, my dear, speak!- Lord! Lord! what have I done with my bottle of salts? I can't find it for my life - Speak, Jenny; speak, my dear! - And poor Veny too! - Mr. Johnson, you are vastly good; for you have thrown a prodigious deal of water upon my cousin.

  Friend:  She is coming, madam, to herself - I believe we have fetch'd her.

  Old Gent:  Well, niece, I have raked himout - Don't be terrify'd - Veny's not drown'd this bout.

  1st Niece:  (recovering herself , and hugging Veny) - Little dear thing! how monstrously 'tis frighten'd? How it pants, and it quakes, and it drops, and it shivers? If it should take cold now, or have fits! - Well, please god, I'll send you to Dr. Slaughter this moment, and have his advice.

  Old Gent:  Come, come, niece, as the danger's over, better take a turn or two in the garden.  A little washing will do the dog no harm - But to return, Mr. Johnson, to the bad news - Don't it make you melancholy, to think on the loss of this brave ship?

  1st Niece:  Don't you shudder, my dear, to think on what might have happened to poor Veny?

  Old Gent:  How was it possible the pilot could be so mistaken?

  1st Niece:  How could Tom be such a wretch, as to let the turkey-cock into the garden? An abominable fellow, to mind nothing in the world but his cucumbers, and his melons, and his trumpery, and not to consider that -

  Old Gent:  Hark! hark! the dinnerbell! - Dinner, nieces! dinner!

  1st Niece:  - Nor to consider that such a great filthy, two-legg'd bird-

  Old Gent:  Dinner, I say! dinner!

  Both Nieces:  Lord, Sir, we are coming.- Would you have us fly?

  Old Gent:  Come along;  come along

[Exeunt omnes]

The London Magazine, and Monthly Chronologer. Ireland, Edward Ekshaw, 1741.

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The Glutton A Tale

The Glutton

A Tale

Unknown Author

A wicked corm'rant who, each meal,

Cou'd eat six pounds of beef or veal,

One ev'ning in a tavern larder,

O which he was a nice regarder,

Fix'd on a bouncing cod his eyes,

Might half a score at least suffice:

Here, cook, let this be ready made

What all, Sir! All, except the head.

It quickly comes in butter swimming

And, troth, he gave it hearty trimming.

But e'er the dish was wholly clean'd,

He puft'd, and swell'd, and backward lean'd.

The waiters though him surely dying,

And send for a physician flying,

He comes, and orders clysters plenty,

Hoping by these his cask to empty;

The cafe, howe'er, seem'd desp'rate still,

So all advis'd - to make his will.

And shall I call a priest? No, lad,

I hope my cafe is not so bad,

And yet I'm somewhat out of breath,

Well- if I needs must yield to death,

To die quite satify'd I'd with,

So - bring the remnant of my fish

The London Magazine, and Monthly Chronologer. Ireland, Edward Ekshaw, 1741.

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Six Degrees: Library

I am a Christian. You may wonder why I am bringing it up on this type of blog and that is a fair question. It was reading about Jesus, reading the parables that he told and how they moved people- that gave me a love of stories. I wanted to be able to tell a story that was as meaningful as those He told. And maybe one I will because you are never to old to reach for your dreams. But that isn't what this is about. I love stories and I realized while doing research for this blog and other projects that there are many stories that are going to be lost to time. Stories that were written by authors that weren't as well known as Poe or Dafoe or Dickinson or Melville... You get what I am saying. I want to do something about that. My plan is to set up a second page on this blog as a type of library for short stories, poetry, plays, or other stories that I find on Google Books that are out of copyright and might not be found anywhere else. If anyone wants to help with that- send me a message. Thanks.

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Dirty Dancing ---->The Following

A. Dirty Dancing
Summary: This movie was directed by Emile Ardolino, written Eleanor Bergstein, and by produced by Linda Gottlieb. During the summer of 1963, a well to-do Jewish family by the name of Houseman's heading to a resort up in the Catskills called Kellerman's. There were four members of this family Dr Jake Houseman, his wife Marjorie, the older daughter named Lisa, and the 17-year old daughter named Frances or Baby. While there Baby noticed the different treatment the staff got based on their background with the Ivy League students being advised to mingle with the guests while the entertainment was demeaned. An entertainer named Johnny caught Baby's eye. She was briefly introduced to him when she helped his cousin carry a watermelon to a staff party. Later, Baby learned that Johnny's dance partner was in a tough position and stepped up to help her. This led to Baby helping Johnny and Johnny helping her.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092890/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Dancing

Connections: Connections were not very prevalent for this movie. For the connection, I worked to find a fictional relative of one of the characters.



I went with the character named Sidney Schumacher as the last name Schumacher had been used once for every 10000 people. This means that more than likely people with that name were related. Using this information, I'm making the assumption that Dr. Schumacher from Kitty Goes to War was related to the belated Sidney Schumacher. Not much was known about Dr. Schumacher except that she may have worked for the military.



1. Kitty Goes to War
Summary: This book was written by Carrie Vaughn and published by TOR Books. It related the story of Kitty Norville, a werewolf and radio host, who worked with the NIH's Center for Paranatural Biology in order to help 3 military werewolf who were suffering from PTSD and cannot transform. As if that wasn't enough, Kitty was being sued for libel by the CEO of Speedy Mart - Harold Franklin.
http://www.librarything.com/work/9508819
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7662235-kitty-goes-to-war





Connections: One of my running theories for superheroes of the modern age were that they get their powers from ancestors in the past- unknowingly. For example, a mutant who had ice powers would be descended from a spirit of nature that had to do with ice. Because of this theory I think the ghost witch Amelia Parker may be related to our friendly neighborhood SpiderMan aka Peter Parker. https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Peter_Parker_(Earth-616)

Now, I don't think that Peter was ever a witch or wizard, just that he had a genetic predisposition for being different (mutant gene) and it was triggered by a spider bite. One of the stories that we find Peter Parker in a game called Spider-Man/X Men Arcade's Revenge


2. Spider-Man/X Men in Arcade's Revenge
Summary: This game was developed by Software Creations and published by Acclaim Entertainment. It was designed as an action game and a platformer. After disarming several bombs around the city, Spider-Man learned that Storm, Wolverine, Gambit, and Cyclops were kidnapped by a villain called Arcade. Spider-Man began tracking down his friends while the X-Men actively freed themselves. They meet up in a large room where they work together to bring down the villain (how its supposed to be). In reality, Spider-Man was used to defeat the villain while the X-Men stand to the side helping on occasion.


Connections: As mentioned above, one of the characters in the game was Wolverine or James "Logan" Howlett. https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Wolverine

He was a mutant with the ability to heal himself quickly. This meant that he had been around for a while, but that past was shrouded in darkness. The farthest back he could remember was escaping from Weapon X (which was where he was embedded with adamantium). After leaving Weapon X, he had many adventures including taking part in a Death Battle against Raiden.


3. Death Battle Wolverine vs Raiden
Summary: Death Battle originated on the website ScrewAttack which was created by Craig Skistimas and Thomas Hanley. Later, Death Battle and the ScrewAttack website became property of Rooster Teeth and Let's Play. The hosts of Death Battle were Ben B. Singer and Chad James. For each Death Battle- the hosts chose two fictional characters and had them fight to the death. In this episode they chose X-Men's Wolverine and Metal Gear Solid's Raiden. It seemed to me that the two were chosen to fight against each other because of similar backgrounds. Both men lost one father and gained another. And both men were abducted by secret organizations and experimented on from which Wolverine received an adamantium exoskeleton and Raiden was turned into a cyborg.
https://deathbattle.fandom.com/wiki/DEATH_BATTLE!_Wiki
https://deathbattle.fandom.com/wiki/Wolverine_VS_Raiden

Connections: Because Raiden was the only other character portrayed in this episode of Death Battle, he now becomes the next connection in my chain. What do we know about Raiden... Well his real name maybe Jack and he was adopted by Solidus Snake. He was trained to fight under Snake, joined a unit called the Small Boy Unit, and became a killing machine. Later, Jack came to be with the Patriots who turned him into a cyborg. Being a contender on Death Battle was only a side story for him. He could also be found in Metal Gear Solid 4.




4. Metal Gear Solid 4 Guns of the Patriots
Summary: This game was written by Hideo Kojima, developed by Kojima Productions, and published by Konami. It's chaos in this world. Private militaries were used to enforce the peace and handle any terrorist. Five of the largest private militaries were owned by Liquid Ocelot. These private militaries were embedded with nanomachines that not only enhanced their abilities but connected them to the Sons of Patriots network. Liquid Ocelot was aiming to take that system over and Solid Snake was sent to kill him.
https://metalgear.fandom.com/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_4:_Guns_of_the_Patriots
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_4:_Guns_of_the_Patriots








Connections: At the beginning of the game, there were 4 different television channels that can be accessed: 15,16, 23, and 42. These channels play specific programs like a cooking show and an interview with David Hayder.

w.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/02/28/the-story-behind-metal-gear-solid-4-39-s-bizarre-intro.aspx
https://metalgear.fandom.com/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_4_secrets
There was something more to those four numbers than just numbers of a TV channel. Those 4 numbers were a fraction of the numbers from Lost. (Excuse me for changing tenses here)

https://lostpedia.fandom.com/wiki/The_Numbers
The numbers existing in MGS and in Lost indicate that they were alternate realities of each other. If so and the numbers were broadcasting then whom was the candidate for the island. Probably Solidus. It wouldn't matter if Snake only had a year to live as the island can change the reality within its boundaries. While the numbers aren't seen in the episode Lost LAX 1 & 2. but it was hinted at when Sawyer speaks to Hurley about his lotto ticket.

 5. Lost: LAX 1 & 2 
Summary: This series was created by Jeffrey Lieber, JJ Abrams, and Damon Lindelof. It was produced by Bad Robot, Touchstone and ABC Studios. During this episode, a lot of things happened. First, the Man in Black was confronted by some of the islanders inside the statue, but disappeared. Then, the Monster appeared and killed a few of the islanders. After the battle, the Man in Black reappeared confirming that he was really the Monster. When questioned about what he was- he basically told them islanders that they wouldn't understand and that he just wanted to go home. He left the statue with the islander and spoke to Richard as he wanted, saying he was glad that Richard wasn't in chains any more. Meanwhile Kate and some of the others (Jack, Sawyer, Miles) returned from 1977 to 2007. Quite a few of them were injured, especially Sayid. Hurley stated that they could save him if they take him to Jacob at the Temple. They took him to the Temple and submerged him into the water, but he died, at first, and then woke up. Somehow they flash sideways, showing how Oceanic 815 would've gone if it didn't crash.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_(TV_series)
https://lostpedia.fandom.com/wiki/LA_X,_Parts_1_%26_2

Connections: One fictional product existed in Lost universe that also existed in other universes. This product was Morley cigarettes. In this episode of Lost, an advertise for Morley cigarettes when Rose flipped over the magazine she had been reading- it displayed an ad for Morley's with the phrase 'the truth is out there.' In the Criminal Minds episode North Mammon, DNA was found on a Morley cigarette butt.
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morley_(cigarette)






6. Criminal Minds: North Mammon.
Summary: This series was produced by Mark Gordon and Jeff Davis. It was distributed by CBS Television, Buena Vista Television, Disney ABC, and Disney Media. The story followed the FBI's premier group of criminal profilers who work at the Behavior Analysis Unit (BAU). In this episode, three teenage girl were kidnapped on the night of a pep rally and the BAU traveled to Pennsylvania in order to find them. Once there, the team realized that they have to profile the entire town. Meanwhile, the girls were put in a difficult position by their kidnapper- two of the girls could go free if the third was killed by them.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0872735/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_Minds



Connections: One of the members of the BAU team was a man named Dr. Spencer Reid, a genius who held PhD's in mathematics, chemistry, and engineering. He also had multiple BA's in Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy. And he was also the youngest profiler to work with the BAU.


https://criminalminds.fandom.com/wiki/Spencer_Reid
https://thegameofnerds.com/2017/12/31/why-dr-spencer-reid-is/
In a TV series call The Following episode "The Poet's Fire" we find that the second youngest profiler was a man named Mike Weston. Unlike Spencer, he didn't seem to be a genius though he was described as being tech savvy and it was stated he studied political science.
https://thefollowing.fandom.com/wiki/Mike_Weston
https://www.adagio.com/signature_blend/blend.html?blend=47191






B. The Following: Poet's Fire
Summary: This episode was created by Kevin Williamson, produced by Kevin Williamson and Marcos Siega, and distributed by Outerbanks Entertainment and Warner Bros Television. Ryan Hardy and his team were hunting notorious serial killer Joe Carroll. It was soon discovered that Carroll gathered around a group of acolytes.And some of them have even kidnapped his son, Joey. By the time of this story, five of the acolytes have been captured and a sixth one just made himself known. This new acolyte wore a Edgar Allan Poe mask and set a man on fire. They found out later that the man who died was a critic of  Carroll's. Meanwhile, the Joey's kidnapper were beginning to argue among themselves.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2386714/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Following

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