1. What do you consider your most lasting benefit from BBM? Now that some time has elapsed, and you can reflect more unemotionally?Lasting benefit? New friends and of course finding this wonderful place. A re-found interest in reading and critiquing the written word, and discussing and interpreting it, and the ability to look below the surface of a story/film, a skill I'd sadly lost over the years since I finished school. On a certain level yes, it is less emotional than it used to be, and since finding Bettermost I don't feel that sense of being lost and going crazy. I still can't watch the flashback scene though when Ennis is on the phone with Lureen, and the more and more I think about the characters I realise that it was all so much of a tragedy, but perhaps the greatest tragedy is that no matter how you cut it, there was never going to be a happy ending to the story because BBM is real life, and based on the stories of real people, and the world and society is cruel and hard thing. BBM just reflects that. In that sense I guess it's more emotional, but I am better able to separate that now from my feelings towards the film.
2. How many Brokies have you met in person over the last year and a half.?7 I think, and nearly recruited another one.
3. Do you now go on trips to meet up with friends from BBM? Or do you wish to do so?You bet! My summer 'holidays' this summer were Brokie events, and I haven't had such good times in a long time.
4. Do you still identify with the same character in the movie that you did at first? Or have your thoughts changed?At first I think I probably identified more with Ennis, in that when it comes to relationships in the past I've found it difficult to do what I really feel and commit to relationships. Over time though I've come to identify probably more closely with Jack - I can out-talk Jack any day, and at heart I'm a romantic dreamer. Given a choice between doing the sensible thing and what I really want to do, I go for the impulsive what I really want to do option. I guess when it comes down to it I can understand Jack's actions better, whereas with Ennis though I can see how his upbringing and experiences made him what he was to a point, there's a point where I can't help but feel frustration over his constantly sending Jack away. I love 'em both though.
I guess what being here at Bettermost has shown me also is that there's much more to BBM than just Jack and Ennis's relationship, and that's helped me to see things from the point of view of the other characters.
5. Have you watched the movie again in the last two months.?Three times all the way through, and numerous times for specific scenes.
6. Do you have any plans to see it soon? Within the next two months.?You bet!
7. Have you made any purchases that have to do with the movie, i.e...memorabilia, or special things? Clothing, jewelry, other books, movie stuff?Far too many! The thud of my credit card bill landing on the doormat each month is an unfortunate reminder of that.
My "Brokie collection" (not including boots, hats, and shirts and stuff) includes film memorabilia, photos, autographs, postcards, BBM and related books, western stuff generally, cowboy and western jewellery, and a wide selection of Wyoming related items and knick-nacks and objects. I hate to think how much I've actually spent if I added everything up together! Most of my Brokie collection currently lives in a suede covered box, but I recently bought some display boxes for putting all my stuff in. It's nice looking through my box of stuff, but a lot of it really needs displaying, and when I get round to tidying my office in the spare room up I've got the ideal location for it where I can see it all the time when I'm on my laptop on the sofa.
8. What is the one most important truth you think you have gleaned from your Brokie experience?There's never enough time, never enough, and life's a one shot deal and you should live for the day and not put off doing whatever it is that makes you happy and that you really feel strongly about. You only get one chance, and you have to take that chance and live life, otherwise you're liable to find yourself winding up metaphorically in a trailer with only postcards and memories.
9. Do you feel that in any way your time here has been a waste..? Or a productive road that you have gotten a lot of enjoyment and learned a great deal from..?No way! I've learnt so much about the story and the film, and relearned old skills I'd forgotten, as well as making new friends and it's also taught me some things about myself as well, and prompted me to reassess things and my priorities. I said when I first found Bettermost "it feels like I've found home", and I still stand by that. Brokies just seem to be on the same wavelength on a lot of things, and I'd say this place is the most open and friendly forum online I've ever found.
10. Do you think you will still be a brokie in a year from now.? If not why not?Hell yeah! You bet! Always a Brokie!
Interestingly, the other night my mum was on the phone to a friend and was explaining to her, her version of what a Brokie is and why I have a tendency to go out dressed in western gear and said, "Oh, I'm sure it's just one of those things, and she'll have found another fad by next year."
It's always gonna be hard explaining to non-Brokies what it's all about... *sigh*
11. BONUS QUESTION (added by me): When conversing with other Brokies, do you still love to sprinkle Brokieisms throughout your writing and speech?
You bet! Even when not conversing with other Brokies I find myself using Brokieisms!
