Posted by Rich/Mohican Press on August 19, 2001 at 08:50:01:
Ok, not a whole lot going on here this past week ... I actually put in a bit of time on the "other" site, Against All Odds ... so, here's a glimpse into our mailbag ... a few messages, semi-randomly chosen, that demonstrate the spectrum, as much as it could be demonstrated with just a few examples. Enjoy. In some cases, I removed references that would give away who the writer is. In others, it will be plain, but that's ok.
Here's one of my all-time favorites, though I'm not sure what it really mean! :)
"Your bald eagle mouth will soon get your humingbird ass in trouble.
I dont play these games. Dont make Idle threats to me, son.
You know why I said what I said about the business. STop pretending like I
didnt answer that. I told you that I said it as an example. I didnt claim to
know how you operate your nickel and dime business. I said that, and I also
apologized. Maybe you and your wife should try and communicate.
Maybe instead of wasting breath with me, you should try and get a life. You
say I am making false accusations? Why waste your time defending them and
bringing up the past errors?
You do have something to hide. Every knows and and quite frankly your saintly
appearence on the web is diminishing.
When you feel a little froggy next time, step into my kitchen.
You and I both know how fragile your operations are so dont try and sneak one
over on me. Funny though, just as with any business...as soon as competition
shows up, rumors flair and the older business tries and discredits the new
one.
Lawsuit, sue me. I dont care you cant and you know it. You try and talk all
legally tough in front of people saying we erased evidence so we would seem
like we are guilty and you know it isnt true. You cant touch me, legally you
are screwed. You cant do anything to shut me up.
Expose a fraud I will. I think you are manipulative and a scam. You would be
nothing without Erics presence. People wouldnt even talk to you or take your
words for granite had it not been for Erics presence. Your so chummy with him?
Have him call me and tell me to stop. Wait better yet, why dont you have him
make a real statement about how screwed up his fanclub is and how he thinks
you and Elaine are the messiah."
Hmmm ...
~~~~~~~
This one from Mark Baker, in reply to a rumor, posted here on the Mohican Board, that Killdeer gunsmith, Wayne Watson, was deceased ...
"Ah, Haw! Rumors and misunderstandings are wonderful means by which to get
things messed up in this world. Now, it all makes sense. A friend of mine,
named "Chance Watson," was murdered several years ago--by an intruder who
entered his house. Chance (who was blind in his left eye) left his bedroom and
walked to the living room--after his wife insisted that she heard a noise and
someone was in the house. Chance didn't believe her, was reluctant to get out
of bed, but did so at her insistance. However, because he didn't believe her,
he left his pistol on the nightstand and walked down the hallway in the dark.
Yes, an intruder was in the living room, braced against the wall and ready to
spring upon Chance from Chance's leftside (which was his blind side). The
buglar had entered the living room by cutting a hole in the window screen. The
window was up, and it was a hot evening, and Chance's wife had left her purse
on the kitchen table where the buglar could see it dimly in the evening
shadows. Chance took several stabs to the chest and gut and was laying in his
own blood when his wife and daughter ran down the hallway, screaming and
reacting to the struggle. In his death struggle, Chance reached for the
intruder and pulled him back down, forcing the knife weilding buglar to
repeatedly stab Chance until he was dead. Thus, Chance gave his wife and
daughter the "chance" to escape from their house. The buglar was later
arrested on another charge, and confessed to the murder. I never heard how his
trial went.
Chance is a hero in my eyes."
~~~~~~~
"I have been "lurking" at your amazing web site for about five months
now, and I have finally gathered the courage to write and tell you how much I
have enjoyed spending time there. I just finished reading Rich's account of
how he came to fall in love with the film---and, consequently, everything
associated with the film---and it so closely approximates my own experience,
that I finally felt prompted to write.
I have been a "closet" LOTM addict ever since I first saw the film on
video, shortly after it had been released (and cursing myself for not having
seen it at the theatre!) I just wasn't prepared for the effect it would have
on me. I still am not sure why that is, but to have discovered that I am not
alone has been so encouraging---and has even led me to freely confess that I
do love the movie. Last night, I finally took the plunge and bought the
video, something I have longed for but somehow felt silly doing. (I wonder
why that was?)
I have always been in love with the beautiful mountain region of North
Carolina, so I wasn't surprised to learn, while reading the credits the first
time I watched the fim, that the movie was filmed there. My family are
planning a return trip there later in the summer, and since my children have
never been, I am most anxious to share the experience with them. I am going
to send for your book as soon as I can.
Thanks for your time, and, again, for the devotion you have put into
this site so that others like me can continue to "relive" the unique
experience that is 'The Last of the Mohicans.'"
~~~~~~~~
From Russell Means, in response to our question, "Would you like to do an interview for our Web Site?"
"Dear Rich & Elaine,
Yes!
May the Great Mystery continue to guide and protect the paths of you and
your loved ones.
Russell Means"
~~~~~~~~
"Thank you. I am enjoying your Mohican pages tremendously. The report of the
Daniel Day-Lewis safari was delightful. More importantly, the area you have
photographed is where I have wanted to visit for some time. Here is surely the
impetus. What a delightful evening I have spent with your web page. Never
would have dreamed of such a thing when I first read Fenimore Cooper's novel
in childhood. And such a beautiful film, wasn't it?"
~~~~~~~~
This one really IS one of my favorites ... I've very much wanted to share it, but have held off a bit ...
"I've thought about your State of the Union address for a few days now. I
would like to express to you what the Gathering meant to me. And if
this has been said by me before, forgive me, but perhaps it needs to be said
again.
What started out as a love for this movie (and, okay, lust for one longhunter
woodsman *smile*) turned out to give me a time in my life I shall never
forget. I shall always see the glory of God's hand in those mountains and
waterfalls. I shall always hear the sounds of hammered dulcimer and violin.
I shall always have the lingering taste of pure mountain water drank from a
friend's cup. I shall always feel the helping hand as I laborously climbed
up Triple Falls (yes, Rich, that was your hand). I shall always smell the
woodsmoke from a Scottish campfire. So, you see, this Gathering has embraced
my whole body and being. Good times and I hope good times again.
This Gathering gave us new friends. This Gathering gave me, at least, a
hunger for learning more. This Gathering gave us the chance to meet a
real-life-movie star, although, he came across as an ordinary man. This
Gathering gave...period.
Thank you, Rich and Elaine. And you are right. There are easier ways to
throw a party.
Thank you, Rich and Elaine."
No, no ... Thank YOU!
~~~~~~~~
Here's one that I know at least ONE of you has been dying to read!
"the dd-l kill Duncan shot was photographed at Chimney rock, a little
upstream from the actual spill point, which is where the death of magua took
place.
i've got a couple of shots of uncas, although none are particularly
fascinating. i think i have one of us together at the cave or something.
by the way, the shot where Uncas puts his arm on his daddy's shoulder as
they stand behind the rock -when he goes off to save alice-well, right before
cameras rolled on one of the takes, Uncas leaned over and vomited. I was
working as a PA (yeah, i #1 was everywhere) that day, and had helped a 2nd
unit camera crew lug some stuff up the hill.Why do u think we called him
Drunkas anyway. But that's another story. speaking of drunkas, my drink's
gettin' low.
PS nice thought on the director's cut, but I'm afraid it is unfortunately a
vain attempt.
I think it's safe to say, based on his reputation, that Mann gets a big say
in the editing room. He's one of few true auteurs working today, so that
explains that. Thinking back on the script, there were very few scenes that
were cut anyway. But who knows? maybe he'll put in the soldier #1 /cora/alice
scene afterall. must be scene to be believed. yes, that's a play on words."
~~~~~~~
"I don't have nearly the time I would like to spend in your wonderful
Mohican site, and only today saw the posting regarding a Director's Cut
of LOTM. Will definitely send you a letter today -- and thank you very
much for your continued efforts on behalf of this film.
I believe it will stand the test of time and will forever value its
contribution to my life."
~~~~~~~~
And finally, one that was a contributing factor to our taking down the Board a month, or so, ago ... I planned to debate it in this forum (where it originally appeared), but failed to. Anyway:
"As a Mohican tribal member, words cannot express how troubling this site is.
While I understand that this site is a celebration of a piece of literature
and its setting which happens to be during the time of the French and
Indian War, you have to admit the line between celebration and mockery of a
people has been crossed. I can't believe how often our name is being 'used'
for commercial sake without our government's permission. I would like to
offer a suggestion from a tribal member who has worked directly under the
President. All native people have ever asked for was an open and frank
discussion with them in order to halt decisions being made for them. My
concern today lies in the fact that our tribe is prospering, and as we do
so, we will no longer have the availability to use our own peoples' name
for various ventures due to the fact that organizations such as yours has
already taken it. This is, of course, assuming you have these names
copywritten and trademarked. Mohican Press, I urge you to first, reconsider
your name and the names of your subsidiaries, and second, if a
reconsideration is not possible, to at least have the decency to contact
President Chicks to ask permission to use our name.
One other comment, please change your title for 'Ishi - The Real-Life Last
of the Mohicans.' I enjoyed the article, however the title incinuates that
Ishi is a Mohican."
And that about runs the gamut ... perhaps we'll dig in for another handful soon ...
Meanwhile, Happy Trails!