"Don't Dream it, Be It"

Here I am on October 31, 2010 reading about a slightly loopy knight, failed adventures and windmills waiting for 10:30 to roll around so I can go into a world of travestites, sexual exploration and B-movie makeup jobs. Then this thought pops into my head--Don Quixote and Dr. Frank-N-Furter both have a thing about bad costumes, epically failed plans and living life the way they want to--regardless of the consequences. Don Quixote and Dr. Frank-N-Furter don't sit there brooding about their lives, they actually live them. And here is the kicker, they don't care what other people think!

I have to admit that I find Don Quixote to be completely off his rocker. But there is something to be said for someone who has the courage to go live their dream. I know more then one person, myself included, who would love to totally absorb themselves in a world of fantasy. Am I saying that people should dress up and start battling cars during rush hour traffic--No. But what I am saying is that it is okay to hold on to some pieces of the fantastical and it is okay to believe in the unbelievable.

But most importantly, it is okay to step out for yourself and achieve the goals you want. Whether it is becoming a knight, losing 20lbs or just learning to style or hair a different way. No matter what there will be people telling you that you can't do it or you are crazy for trying. But I say screw it! I may be a little crazy but at least I am in good company.

Don't Dream It--Be IT!

The insanity of Don Quixote

I find it very interesting that this book is set around an insane main character.  I keep wondering what direction this book is going to go - if Don Quixote will continue being a knight or if he will ever come to his senses? 

Don Quixote is using art to create a life for himself.  Can someone invent themselves by only reading fictional books?  Perhaps if he was not insane he could be a decent knight because then he would not be delusional.  But may be he has to be insane because it seems no sane person would attempt to be a knight at this time.  I wonder if Don Quixote will ever be successful as a knight.  His first adventure of rescuing the boy was in reality not successful even though Don Quixote believed it was.  His actions led to the boy being beaten worse than he would have before Don Quixote arrived.  I felt this set the tone for his future adventures but I also suspect he will have to be successful at some point.

One Random Thought

Does anyone else hear John Lithgow's voice when they imagine Don Quixote speaking in their head? I know he played the title character in a movie, but I keep hearing Lord Farquad coming through and wanted to know if y'all hear it too?

Ye Olde Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha

I have to say that I haven't made it very far in Don Quixote, only to the prologue! Unfortunately the entire prologue reminded me of trying to read some of Shakespeare's plays, lots of thee's and thou's. I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised since this was published from 1605-1615, and that was the standard English of the time, but I just found myself having trouble wrapping my mind around it!!

Which now that I think about it I sadly thought that this book was newer, around the 1700s or 1800s.

I did some wikipediaing because I was interested in seeing what information there was on the book as well as the author and I learned that both Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare are said to have passed away on the same day, April 23, 1616. But its in dispute apparently!

I've seen a lot of different spoofs and movies about this book, including the Wishbone version on PBS back in the day, but I never considered actually reading it. I'm looking forward to it and I hope that it is as good as all the stuff I've seen and heard about it!!

Post 1 -- just cuz I'm gonna!

So, during my stint with Jane Eyre, Katie graciously offered to read it with me to give me a buddy through the semi-agony. I knew since I was over halfway through that I'd finish before she caught up to me. When I completed that one, I told her I was considering Don Quixote next. This selection was made because a coworker of mine said he thought I, in particular, would enjoy reading it.

After I mentioned it to Katie, she said she hadn't read it so I asked if she wanted to read it with me! Thus began our small book group. The suggestion came up to invite our sisters to join us, and a quick text was thrown out and I got responses super fast! We wanted to find a way to communicate with each other about the book (as 2 of us are in different time zones phone calls can be difficult at times). Thus the blog!

We're gonna have lots of fun with this book and talking to each other about! I can just feel it!!