Saturday, October 4, 2008

Lady Catherine de Bourg

So, Lady Catherine de Bourg thinks quite highly of herself---there's no doubt about that. In one scene she says, "If I Had Ever Learned I Should Have Been A Great Proficient." I don't know if there's another phrase that bugs me more than that. You mean, if you had ever had lessons and put in the time and effort and money it takes to become a great musician, you would have been one? Well, duh.

And do you know, if I had taken swimming lessons my whole life, and paid for great coaches and trainers and such, I would have been an amazing swimmer! I mean, I probly could have beaten Michael Phelps.

Ooh, and also, if I had gone to art school and learned all the different techniques and styles, and had access to the best materials, I'd be a phenomenal artist.

I mean really---of course you would have been good if "you had ever learned." My 11th grade Humanities teacher was talking about ballet one day in class when she makes some sort of comment about how she would have been an awesome ballerina if she hadn't quit at a young age. To which I responded, "Well sure. And if I hadn't stopped lessons at Mrs. Pinato's studio when I was 7, I'd probly be a prima ballerina in the American Ballet Company right now."

Yeah...apparently she didn't appreciate my style of sarcasm. I suppose that's understandable since I was blatantly mocking her and that sort of thing is frowned upon by teachers. Especially ones that could have been ballerinas. Needless to say, she was pleased as punch when I walked into her class my 12th grade year for English. But I mean, if I would have just taken the GED I probly wouldn't have had to take her English class...

14 comments:

rychelle said...

upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for so young a person. pray, what is your age?
;)

Becky said...

And she didn't like that comment, huh? Weird.

You know, every time I watch (and now I have to admit I've never actually read "Pride and Prejudice") that movie, I feel like giving Lady Catherine a good kick in the teeth.

Whoops. I guess if I'd ever learned how to like snooty rich women with too many opinions, I would know how to refrain from comments like that.

melissabastow said...

I really wish I would have stuck with the accordian lessons....I could have been good...

Ok, I didn't really ever take accordian lessons. But I do have an accordian. And I'm not good at it. Just thought you ought to know.

Also, it would have felt good to throw that woman out of my house if I were Elizabeth - she didn't just do that in the movie did she? It's in the book, right? It's been awhile since I read it...

Peter and Katie said...

So there I am with Peter and Riley going to get breakfast at our hotel when I walk into the room there is only one other person seated there. And guess who it is?! Your mom! I just saw your mom on the other side of the country! What are the chances of that ever happening? She said they were out there visiting John and took some time to go to Palmyra. Crazy to see her there.

Adam and Lisa said...

Well, if I had ever taken the time to exercise regularly, I know I'd have a smokin' body. ;)

Buffy Dayton said...

Whatever, can't you totally identify with Lady Cathrine? If I had to guess I would think that you and Lady Cathrine were somehow related. You just have so much in common. ha ha!

Nicoletta said...

So jealous that rychelle already used the line I was totally thinking of!!! And I agree, sorta. I'm not sure I could have ever been a "proficient" painter even if I had had the best training and taken the time blah blah cuz I just don't really get how to do visual art. My brain has a hard time wrapping around the concepts of how to make something look like I want it to when the thing is 3D and I'm drawing it 2D. I also don't think I could have ever been a great mathematician no matter the time and training for the same reason - my brain just doesn't wrap around math like a real genius's should. I feel the same about composing music. I could be a great pianist if I had kept it up, but I don't think I could ever compose because I'm not blessed with that creative genius that is required. Though, when I learn about how crazy Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, and others were I think I'm o.k. that I wasn't blessed with that kind of genius.

Just some thoughts.

Alyson | New England Living said...

Good one! And I'm very impressed that you said that to a teacher. I would have said it, but it would have only been in my mind!

Barbaloot said...

I gotta admit---I never read the book either. So I'm not sure if she throws her out in that or not. In the movie she pretty much just invites her to leave. Right?

And Alyson---it's probly better not to "so decidedly" give my opinion to teachers... But it was fun:)

ktmay said...

Lady Catherine is a skanky snot wad! I would have snorted when she made that comment, rolled my eyes, sighed really loud...something! or sneezed and said "HAG" under my breath in the middle of it.

annie valentine said...

I'm a naturally prima ballerina. Never needed to practice.

J. Baxter said...

I could write a whole post on my sister Annie (above), the "prima ballerina,"...but I won't.

And I just want to say that if this theory is one hundred percent true, then I CAN learn to do crafts - if I would just apply myself. If I ever get over hating them, I may give it a try, now that I know success is emminent:)

Barbaloot said...

Jen-I hear ya on the crafts. They're worthy of you hatred.

And I love the whole sister-mocking going on, too. Thanks for that:)

Anonymous said...

just stopped by to stalk your blog... It makes me wonder if I would have made it into Julliard if I had only stuck to the Violin.... Drat!