P.O. Boxes, Mailboxes and the No. 17

[serious crayons]

Jack must already know that Ennis knows where Jack lives!

   Guess Ennis keeps his friends' addresses in his head, too. Even if he's never been told what they are.

[TOoP/Bruce]

  Guess Ennis keeps his friends' addresses in his head, too. Even if he's never been told what they are.

That's funny!

[Artiste]

Thanks for the post cards!!

Isn't there ANOTHER one?

Hugs!!

[Mandy21]

there was no need for the case if the fish were immediately prepaired for a meal and how can you tell if a line was ever in the water?

This is my first-ever post, so forgive me if I do it wrong.  I was reading this long thread today, and wanted to answer jpwagoneer1964's question above from back in January of 2007, that I don't think anyone ever answered.  I think the "case" they were referring to was the tackle box, which, of course, would always be needed when fishing.  And you can tell if a line has been in water in two general ways:  first, the line, after having been cast and reeled back in a few times (which would have been the case on a "fishing trip" lasting for a week), begins to fray and show wear, similar to the way if you keep trying to thread a needle and missing the eye repeatedly, the thread will eventually split in two; and second, the line itself will discolor and begin to turn grayish or brownish, depending on the types of waters you're fishing in.  I'm sure j.p. has long ago forgotten asking this question; I was just trying to be helpful.

Mandy21 (latest member of the day)

[Front-Ranger]

You did everything right, Mandy, and welcome to BetterMost!! I'll bet jp will be glad to have this information! I just love this place...nothing ever dies!!

[TOoP/Bruce]

This is my first-ever post, so forgive me if I do it wrong.  I was reading this long thread today, and wanted to answer jpwagoneer1964's question above from back in January of 2007, that I don't think anyone ever answered.  I think the "case" they were referring to was the tackle box, which, of course, would always be needed when fishing.  And you can tell if a line has been in water in two general ways:  first, the line, after having been cast and reeled back in a few times (which would have been the case on a "fishing trip" lasting for a week), begins to fray and show wear, similar to the way if you keep trying to thread a needle and missing the eye repeatedly, the thread will eventually split in two; and second, the line itself will discolor and begin to turn grayish or brownish, depending on the types of waters you're fishing in.  I'm sure j.p. has long ago forgotten asking this question; I was just trying to be helpful.

Mandy21 (latest member of the day)

Nice to see you found your way here, Mandy!

Welcome to Bettermost!

Bruce/ aka "G/xr40"

[Brown Eyes]

This is my first-ever post, so forgive me if I do it wrong.  I was reading this long thread today, and wanted to answer jpwagoneer1964's question above from back in January of 2007, that I don't think anyone ever answered.  I think the "case" they were referring to was the tackle box, which, of course, would always be needed when fishing.  And you can tell if a line has been in water in two general ways:  first, the line, after having been cast and reeled back in a few times (which would have been the case on a "fishing trip" lasting for a week), begins to fray and show wear, similar to the way if you keep trying to thread a needle and missing the eye repeatedly, the thread will eventually split in two; and second, the line itself will discolor and begin to turn grayish or brownish, depending on the types of waters you're fishing in.  I'm sure j.p. has long ago forgotten asking this question; I was just trying to be helpful.

Mandy21 (latest member of the day)

Hey Mandy!

Great post!  And thanks for this info.  It's this kind of knowledge and attention to detail about things mentioned in BBM (like fishing, etc.) that make these topics so endlessly fascinating.  I personally, don't know anything about fishing, so it's great to know tidbits of info like this to help flesh out some of the context of what's being discussed in the film/ story.

Welcome to BetterMost!

[brokeplex]

I'm going to beat you all at being far-fetched: I like to read the 17 as 1+7=8. Because the "8" sideways becomes the sign of infinity. So the 17 really is a riddle, even a riddle within a riddle. 17 equals infinity, and what else equals infinity? The solution is "Jack and Ennis forever".

No, I don't at all think this is what was intended in the film. It's the explanation I favour even so.   

good point, and remember Jacks goal as a rodeo cowboy is to ride for 8 seconds. the number 8 has very strong mythology in country and western songs because it is a metaphor for success.

[Brown Eyes]

good point, and remember Jacks goal as a rodeo cowboy is to ride for 8 seconds. the number 8 has very strong mythology in country and western songs because it is a metaphor for success.

Good point Bud.  Now, following my BBM experience, I've become a big bull riding fan and watch it all the time.  And, I've always been curious about the origins of the 8 second rule.  I mean... why not an even 10 seconds or a "lucky" 7 seconds?   8 just seems so random somehow.  Do you happen to know more about what the number 8 means in this regard?

[loneleeb3]

This is my first-ever post, so forgive me if I do it wrong.  I was reading this long thread today, and wanted to answer jpwagoneer1964's question above from back in January of 2007, that I don't think anyone ever answered.  I think the "case" they were referring to was the tackle box, which, of course, would always be needed when fishing.  And you can tell if a line has been in water in two general ways:  first, the line, after having been cast and reeled back in a few times (which would have been the case on a "fishing trip" lasting for a week), begins to fray and show wear, similar to the way if you keep trying to thread a needle and missing the eye repeatedly, the thread will eventually split in two; and second, the line itself will discolor and begin to turn grayish or brownish, depending on the types of waters you're fishing in.  I'm sure j.p. has long ago forgotten asking this question; I was just trying to be helpful.

Mandy21 (latest member of the day)

Hey Mandy!
You are so right! My line usually comes back lookin pretty bad! I have to spend some time cleanin and re-spooling when I get back from a trip!
Welcome to Bettermost and thanks for sharing your insight!
It's never too late to answer a question or post on an old topic. Thats what keeps things alive and flourishing around here!
Richard AKA Loneleeb3