<BR>The reason I suggested Sally Fields is that I'm trying to preserve a semblance of what the real person looks like in the actor/actress representing them. The BNY doesn't look that much like Roseanne, but I enjoy being catty once in awhile. <P>Bystander

I wasn't so much thinking of a screen play as I was thinking about a good helpful read. <P>To tell the story and introduce situations to make people aware of bipolar disorder symptoms and behavior, alcoholism and suicide issues would bring some of these issues to light. Also, the financial aspect of betrayal that produces OC and causes the destruction of a family, both emotionally and finanically, court issues, especially unjust support laws, conniving behavior from predatory souless OP's, the stages of the affair, the fog and the recovery...and finally, the rise from the ashes thing.<P>But, Bystander, if you're still hell bent on a screen play, the BNY (Big New Yorker) could be convincingly played by Camryn Mannheim for appearance and Roseanne for personality...hahahaha!! <P>You're definitely a Michael J Fox type and that is pretty good casting, I must admit. Instead of Sally Fields, can we get Sharon Stone to dye her hair black and put on 25 or 30 pounds? Please?<P>It's a good thing I am moving in with the moose and squirels so I can concentrate on my writing and the Personal Injury lawsuit against the OW. Lot's of time to focus on "the cause".<P>Bystander and I became friends in October 1999. I have to tell all of you, he didn't really believe my story. It took months of in depth conversations before he realized everything I was telling him was the truth. When he was convinced that the events that have occurred in my life were true, he asked if he could initially use my story as a case study. I agreed and since then he has been interested in making it into a book and then a screen play. I feel a book is important for the reason I stated earlier because there are people out there who are completely unaware of bipolar disorder and others who ignore warning signs like I did. If my situation can help just one person, I would be gratified.<P>Bystander's biggest issues are the unjust support laws and the corrupt court system. He finds this book-play an ideal source to draw attention to this injustice and perhaps make some changes someday. <P>What say you, Bystander? Are your pencils sharpened? We've been talking about this now for a year!<P>Catnip =^^=

babstr: I've been keeping a journal since the first week of my husband's indescretion and the first discovery. Everything is documented. in fact my endless e-mail conversations with Bystander have produced reams of further daily 'journaling'.<P>I got through this horror by writing everything down to keep my thoughts straight and to save my sanity. There were times when I felt as if I were dying. And I know you and others here have felt the same way. I was able to put it into words as I went along. It's pretty painful to go back and read that stuff but it's funny, I can read it now as if it happened to someone else sometimes...other times it brings it all up fresh into the forefront and causes my to curl up on the sofa and cry it out.<P>Carriemom: Mel Gibson can fit in anywhere he pleases. Yum.<P>Catnip =^^=

Catnip,<P>Meow, you go girl. It will be very interesting to see what book, or screenplay will come out of this. Just so it doesn't turn into a Lifetime movie of the week, it needs to be at least on a major network, or even better up on the big screen. Keep us up to date, I am very interested. Hey since we know you all personally, so to speak, do we get a signed copy??? <P>babstr.

Ask Bystander. He's the author. Here we are making all this noise over something that may not even happen.<P>We'll give it a shot anyway. <P>Catnip =^^=

Maybe by the time you write the book I'll have enough concentration to read it.<P>It sounds incredible.<P>Hope it happens.<BR> Debi<P>------------------<BR>Imagine....

<BR>My original intent was to use Catnip's journal as a case study. It still has merit in this regard, although as I've learned more details of her amazing story I've come to believe the real value lies elsewhere. Rather than publish her case study in some ivory tower journal, it seems that a lot more people could gain by going for a mass market audience. While I happen to like biographies, I'm often the ONLY person in that part of Barnes and Noble, so instead of a book I think a screenplay would be the best way to impact the public. While Catnip's correctly captured my sense of injustice in child support, that would only be part of the story. It would have to include her early days as well, and show the sacrifice she made in giving up her son to adoption, the untimely hysterectomy, the party days where she neglected her second son, and so on.<P>My hesitation in starting the project is because I want to assure that the OW will have no claim on any gains from the work. I decided to wait until Catnip's divorce is final to preclude any possibility that the OW can gain from us telling this story.<P>Bystander

Bystander:<P>Ouch<P>Catnip =^^=

<BR>Catnip,<P>Yeah, I know about the "ouch" factor. Some of it isn't going to be pretty - but the redemption at the end is the payoff. Yours is ultimately a story of hope.<P>A strange thought. If we made this into a screenplay, and it defied the odds to become a success, people will surf this website to read your (and mine) original postings, including the very words you are reading right now. Kind of a surreal way of looking at things, eh? <P>Bystander