* The Blender Board
From: the guppy
Date: 1 February 2000

such a not good thing...kurt vonnegut (my fav author) is hospitalized for smoke inhalation...evidently he left a cigarette burning in a back room of his house, and the place caught fire...touch of irony


From: maggieformargaret
Date: 1 February 2000

Can someone please (Kirk, maybe) help me remember which archived month contains most of X's poems? A bunch were put in one place in one month. They were at the bottom of the Heart on a sleeve....HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


From: kevin urenda
Date: 1 February 2000

Maggieformargaret-

You have to look a little harder, hon
At the top of the Heart-on-Sleeve Corner for January 1999, you'll find what you are looking for.

-k


From: np parker_n@yahoo.com
Date: 1 February 2000

Ok Misti-

I've been slowly getting hooked on this site but have purposely tried to stay away from your screenplay as to not get overly committed.....Well, I finally gave in now I am wondering....

Where do I find the first scenes??


From: Dork-a-Saurus Rex (misti)
Date: 1 February 2000

Shadygirl,
Yes, Julie Kate is my baby girl. Have you seen the picture of me reading to her at myfamily.com? What is Todd up to these days? I met Madeleine L'Engle when I was at Schreiner College a couple of years ago and she autographed *A Wrinkle in Time* for me! I was so lame, I had tears in my eyes!
Kevin,
Are you going to Las Vegas? My brother and grandfather are flying there on Thursday to celebrate Dustin's 21st birthday. I've drawn Dustin a diagram and put stars by the coolest casinos. Glad you're enjoying my screenplay, sorry if I unwittingly dredged up a whole host of demons. Ha! "I sent my inner child to reform school" just popped into my head one day. Several different people have told me that I remind them of Daria, that cartoon chic on MTV. When I'm sober, I'm like Karis. When I'm drunk, I'm like Becca.
Guppy,
Where does Kurt Vonnegut live? What hospital is he in? Maybe I could meet you there and we could catch him in his vulnerable state and not only get his autograph but have a conversation with the guy! Ha!
NP,
I'm not sure...I think you'll find the first scenes of my screenplay in the Heart on Sleeve Corner of the January digest. If not January, then definitely December.
****I heard the CHEESIEST commercial on the radio this afternoon about a show that's going to be on TV tonight. It's going to be a fictional meeting of John Lennon and Paul McCartney at the Dakota in New York. Laaame. Bye.


From: Misti
Date: 1 February 2000

I just found the first scenes of "Candy Before Bedtime" in the Something Else section of the January digest.


From: Debra654@aol.com
Date: 1 February 2000

Kevin, there is no end to your talent. I love the haiku.


From: Deb
Date: 1 February 2000

Megs,
Breathe .... I read that and sighed. thanks. :-)


From: Megs
Date: 1 February 2000

Debra...


*all smiles* First positive comment on my work (I not as eloquent and well versed as some other competitors) Anyways...THANK YOU.

Megs


From: Megs
Date: 1 February 2000

I didn't mean competitors...that sounds so...competitive...I meant contributors. Whoops *silly*

Misti...read next few scenes...those should keep the romantics happy...maybe all that romance made it cheesy *hehe* It usually goes that way.


From: jacob (shadimar@hotmail.com)
Date: 1 February 2000

The poem "troubled" was written by jim morrison not whoever claims to have written it, some guy named jon.


From: the guppy
Date: 1 February 2000

misti...the end of the last scene you submitted kinda reminded me of this...great work btw

"Well, now time passed and now it seems
Everybody's having them dreams.
Everybody sees themselves walkin' around with no one else.
Half of the people can be part right all of the time,
Some of the people can be all right part of the time.
But all of the people can't be alright all of the time.
I think Abraham Lincoln said that.
'I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours,'
I said that."---bob dylan

gup


From: kevin urenda
Date: 1 February 2000

Debra-
Thank you for the kind words (all gifts have their limits though, I think). I had actually intended to make a comment yesterday on your poem "Conditioned," but ran out of time... Brought memories of that freshman Psych lab rushing back... We do seem to be one species that does the bar pressing, even if there is no "love" pellet forthcoming, simply because it is familiar to us.

MVR-
only going to 'Lo$t Wage$' if we win BIG enough to go to a SHOW and hire a limo to get there... Chillin' in Laughlin until such time...
And as far as digging in that mine of memories... for me there is always a sweet aftertaste even with the bittersweet...

Megs-
you ARE TOO eloquent!! (would have said more, but saw you revised your comment <<winks>>)

Lastly (saving the best for)...
Galadriel-
A mere thank you cannot do justice to the depth of gratitude you have filled me with... You DO know why...

-k


From: deevaa
Date: 1 February 2000

<wiggles in grinning>

OK OK OK... Gala - I've sent him home, I'm resting until I can convince him to visit again.... I'm all yours til then ok?

Jen - long time no see.. how are you girl?? WOW - 'taste truth' and 'grab bag' both come packed with a KABOOM!!!

mEg - 'phone call' OHHHH my god.. great!

gup - You = NERD - When you told me you where full of useless info, I didn't realise it was a warning rather than a statement!!! <giggles and dashes behind Kev>

Kev - LOVING your new Haiku series!!

Take care of your hearts... mine is kinda warm right now.

dee


From: tenderspoet
Date: 2 February 2000



My thanks for the feedback...you've all been too kind...


Tenders


From: galadrial
Date: 2 February 2000

Now Kev---


Loved the coffee thing...and for any who may have mistaken my meaning---I did not mean to disparage the skill and discipline required to write haiku. Haiku is a challenge since it's form and structure demand perfect word choice and brevity. It was simply the shortest poetic form I could think of. Good thing come in compact packages as well...

Oh and Kev---lovely job on the haiku.Not bad at all---One of my old Profs David Lloyd would have been quite impressed. He was one of the best American writers of haiku that I ever encountered. Take that.


From: galadrial
Date: 2 February 2000



Oh Hey---


Happy Groundhog Day, Statesiders!


Gala


From: Misti
Date: 2 February 2000

Guppy,
Thank you. "I'll let you be in my dreams if I can be in yours" is one of the quotes in my purple *Love is Now* book. It's accompanied by a black and white photo of a couple cuddling in bed. It's one of my favorites.
:)Misti
***Today on this date in 1979, Dustin Sky Rainwater was born! Sid Vicious also died of a heroin overdose. And so it goes. (I got that from *Slaughterhouse Five*)
...Dustin cracks me up. He can perfectly imitate Jon Voight in "Anaconda." "Maybe a million dollars, Gary." Tonight Autumn and I are going to help him celebrate his 21st birthday!


From: raining-on-a-parade
Date: 2 February 2000

Maybe the last scenes of 'candy before bedtime' wouldn't have been so damn cheesy if they'd not copied the format of every single cheesy love story out on video.

Misti jumped into the 'cheesy trap' and wasted all the effort she'd put in to make it 'different'.

rainin'


From: Megs (Megangel25@yahoo.com)
Date: 2 February 2000

I wouldn't call the last scenes of "Candy Before Bedtime" any kind of cheesy romance video copy...I mean ok it has the ring of something you might have heard before...but that is because its got love and romance and universally once you hit that romance "high" you start to sound cheesy...hence its infinitely easier to write angsty love sucks poems that sound original.

Then again maybe that's just my pov. *smiles*

And cheesy or not I would MELT if someone used the "I'll be in your dreams if you'll be in mine" quote with reference to my humble self <sigh>


From: Megs
Date: 2 February 2000

Well I paraphrased the quote a lil there...

And I submitted my first comment before properly expressing my awe at Kev's string of haikus. A few powerful little syllables there.

Alright now I think I am done.


From: rainin'
Date: 2 February 2000

oh come ON megs -
Count in your head how many videos you've ever seen where the love scene fades out and then comes up with the couple running about town shopping, sight seeing and pretending the rest of the world has stopped? think about it. Cheesy.


From: DawnMichele at westroseprod@altavista.con
Date: 3 February 2000

Would really appreciate some insight on the only two peoms submitted by me-wondering if I should add more to the list.
You guys- by the way- are pretty chill. thanx alot
Dawn Michele


From: Misti
Date: 3 February 2000

But how many videos feature a couple hangin' out on the Tower of the Americas and shootin' each other with water guns in front of the Alamo? It may be cheese, but's it's original cheese, damn it! Monterrey Jack with jalapenos, not WIC cheese. Not Cheez Whiz. Not string cheese. Yummy, yummy cheese, ya bastard!


From: rainin'
Date: 3 February 2000

Misti - its called constructive criticism. If you can't stand the heat, don't play the game.
I've enjoyed your screen play up until this point.

rainin'


From: Misti
Date: 3 February 2000

rainin'...
I know how to take constructive criticism and thanks for the compliment, but I will leave the scene as it is for now. My intuition is what guides me and I trust it, at least when it comes to my art...such as it is.
To be honest, I thrive on criticism and insults. Bring it on! I like rain. I'd move to Oregon or Washington tomorrow if I had the money.


From: Misti rose_red_luva/swt_hottie_78666
Date: 3 February 2000

Oh, I like the heat, too. I'd move to Rio de Janeiro tomorrow if I only had a game plan. Then again, I fear the stark contrast of the caste system there. And I hear the mosquitoes are really big. And I don't speak Portuguese or fluent Spanish. Bye.


From: Misti mnemosyne26@hotmail.com
Date: 3 February 2000

Megs,
Just read *The Way to a Man's Heart.* Muy bueno, chica. Thanks for defending my cheesy scene, btw! :)


From: Megs
Date: 3 February 2000

Compliments from Queen Pepper Jack? So happy I wept a bit...you have one loyal fan who will defend your right to produce cheese in any variety...avoiding Velveeta.


From: rainin'
Date: 3 February 2000

If you thrive on it why get defensive and ignore it?

Just a thought.


From: Misti
Date: 3 February 2000

Megs,
Thanks, chica! I hope to have the screenplay completed by the end of the month. E-mail me, if you want.
Rainin,
Uh...just because I thrive on insults and criticism doesn't mean I'm going to sacrifice my vision to suit some anonymous person's whims or whatever. Admittedly, I can be cheesy. Admittedly, I lack common sense. Admittedly, I am a hyperactive 12 year old trapped in a grown woman's body. But this is all irrelevant. What it all boils down to is this: I have no idea. My train of thought just got derailed.


From: Megs (Megangel25@yahoo.com)
Date: 3 February 2000

Now silly people...
Isn't more fun to be cheesy and still have castles in the air and sometimes lack common sense for the sheer delight of it? If people (even the cheesy video people) didn't make romantic scenes with people running all over town holding hands and being pure cheddar than what would us romantics cling to??? Bits of cheese scattered about, the remanants of optimism on the cruddy pot of life. (How poetic an image there :P)

To Rainin'---Have you submitted anything? I ask out of curiousity. Would love to see your view of romance...


From: Rainin'
Date: 3 February 2000

you don't have to be a poet to be a critic - there is no rule that states that.

However - I am an established author. I don't submit to the LoveBlender, I buy art from it.

rainin'


From: julie
Date: 3 February 2000

Misti~
One of your submissions said that you're from Texas. Where in Texas? I'm in Dallas... Anyone else from the Lone Star State or Big D?


From: Misti mnemosyne26@hotmail.com
Date: 3 February 2000

Julie,
I live in Bridgeport, which is north of Decatur and Denton. I live about an hour east from Fort Worth! My sister lives in Lewisville- I was there last night, as a matter of fact! We took my brother to TGIFriday's to celebrate his 21st birthday! I was in West End on NYE.
:)Misti


From: Megs
Date: 3 February 2000

Rainin'---

No biggie. I am interested in everyone's writing and I know you don't have to be a poet to be a critic. I am barely an anything myself...just an avid reader and aspiring writer. <Waving white flags>
Can't we all just get along?

*All smiles*
Megs


From: rainin'
Date: 3 February 2000

I'm amused by your poem inspired by me Misti - why is it you've assumed I am male?


From: the guppy
Date: 3 February 2000

i'm not at all sure that calling something cheesy is constructive criticism...if so, how?...seems just like labeling something negatively...which might be a reason for the comment being ignored...it came across as an insult to her work...misti is writing and submitting things here out of passion for her work...and i'm guessing that she's not doing it to appease the literary appetite of anyone else...and she's not getting paid for it...as with everyone who submits here...

if you're going to critique something, give alternatives to the things you feel are sub-par...instead of just saying you don't like it...or calling it cheesy...it's best to not insult people if you want them to listen

your diplomat,
gup


From: rainin'
Date: 3 February 2000

Its rather interesting that no one is allowed to say that something that Misti did wasn't her best work. Would the reaction be so strong if I'd have criticised someone else's work?

Misti seems to thrive on firing negative comments to other people, [I quote from Misti from earlier on the Board] "don't you be worryin' your pretty lil head. 'Kay? Go read a Danielle Steele book or something." Tell me which part of that says to you, "Tread on glass around Misti, she is tender hearted."?

No - I feel that Misti can stand up on her own two feet, I didn't ask her to change her scene, merely suggested it wasn't in keeping with the rest of her original writing. If she can't take one negative comment then how is she going to cope when 150 rejection letter arrive from the Screen Writers Guild before the one that starts with "congratulations Miss Rainwater".

Why everyone else is jumping up and down in her defence baffles me, Megs and Misti BOTH commented that they thought it was a tad cheesy before I ever did.

Give me a break.

rainin'


From: Amber Elizabeth <cordelia@nac.net>
Date: 3 February 2000

THIS quote describes love perfectly:

"Love is merely a madness, and I'll tell you, deserves as much a dark house and whip as mad men do. And the reason why they are not so punished and cured, is that the lunacy is so ordinary, that the whippers are in love too!"
~William Shakespeare, As You Like It


From: the guppy
Date: 4 February 2000

if the screenwriters guild was so damn picky about cheese, they wouldn't have so many videos already made that could allegedly copied from...or is that the problem?...would a rejection letter really be all that bad then?...has it all been said and done before?...what?...what is the point?...

just one question is all i ask to be answered: how is calling something cheesy being constructive?

anxiously awaiting rationalizations,
gup


From: gala
Date: 4 February 2000

Dear Guppy Guy,

Far from me to defend critics---though perhaps I am one myself---but in my ancient past, I edited a "little literary" mag, B.C.----before computers, the web, and everything else. We waded each week through a TON of submissions, gleaning for a precious few to put in a twice annual anthology.

Some of the stuff we got was ghastly tripe----sing song, past adolescent angst, cliche, hackneyed---are-you-kidding-me sort of stuff written by people who were usually deeply in love--and wouldn't have known a poetic form if it bit them hard on the butt.

My staff was generally very good---they tried to find something positive to say in every instance---but sometimes we got punchy---particularly as a deadline loomed.
At that stage of the game, I would have been grateful for "cheesy" as a comment.

I know that when someone is in the throes of creative energy, all you want to do is submit that sucker---but I caution you to set things truly close to the heart aside for a few days---or maybe even months...then look at them again with a less jaundiced eye.

And I speak from painful experience. The night my father died, I penned a poem I was certain was the ultimate heir to Dylan Thomas' DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT. I kept it for a while, weeping each time I read it---God, it spoke to me!

So I submitted this poem to the mag I would later edit----and the staff sat there and ripped it to shreds before my horrified eyes and ears...and the horrible part was---they were right. It was trite and cliche, and spoke only to me---a personal poem---but not for public consumption. When your emotions are involved, it's difficult to be objective, no?

But I have always considered the blender a poetry place---have a good one Gup---and all the other stellar sorts who ramble here....


Hey Dee---a small smile for Kev, and a curtsey to Shady, Calypso, Madison, et al.


From: gala
Date: 4 February 2000

Oh and by the way Madison?

All things being...was sumptuous in it's tactile regard, and rich as a stained glass window in a french cathedral...thank you for it.


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 4 February 2000

I have to say in some ways I agree with Gala on this one. Not as to the relative merits of Misti's screenplay (to be honest, I've been reading it as pieces-parts, not as a unified whole), but with some of the ideas of personal vs. public works.

It's an issue that cuts to the core of the Blender, actually, and my role as caretaker and self-appointed "editor" of the Digest. If you've read up on the history of the site, you'll know it's kind of grown into its role as open forum, and also that I was slow in passing *any* kind of judgement on the poems submitted to the blender. (If you go back to the transitional "Heart on Sleeve Journal" days, you'll see at first I just added neutral descriptive comments to every work as I coverted it by hand from e-mail, then I started assigning "Kirk Pick's" to some of them, and a few years ago the Digest arrived, pretty much in its current form.)

I've always said that many of the poems on the site "make up for in feeling what they might lack in art" and I stand by that. My goal with the front page picks is to recognize the poems that transcend the latter part of that. My commitment to providing a home for every poem that's submitted reflects the former. The entire ideal is complicated by my own limitations as both a poet and possibly even as an editor. I have to say "I'll do the best I can to edit and judge in a fair way, but at the end of the day, I'm paying for the website and it's my decision". Of course that doesn't reflect the close relationship I have with the community here, one that I cherish and will work to preserve.

The Blender Board is a lot like a poetry class I took in college. I've heard that there are poetry classes out there that are absolutely brutal, that the writers tear at each other's works. In contrast, that class was more like a cheerleading section, with criticism (even for some really overwrought stuff) having to be squeezed out. I think the Blender Board is a bit relentless in its positivity, but I'm not even one of the more active participants in it, so I leave it free to find its own course.

I'll make one final comment, and this thought may show up in Feb's Artist Review (the new issue will be here soon, honest!) In my more cynical moments, I'm tempted to write a script that will find out how poems aren't written in the first person. Part of that reflects my personal preference for prose, but it seems like much of the poetry I really admire doesn't have that "me talking to you" factor, or at least "me talking about how happy or sad I am". (People who are curious about 'how can I get on the frontpage' could do worse than to start writing stuff in the third person... it's at least more likely to catch my attention.)


From: Megs (Megangel25@yahoo.com)
Date: 4 February 2000

Maybe I am way out of line here...I feel like a toddler trying to run with the Olympians (or at least high school track stars) when I even try to submitt here.

And the "relentless positivity" (Kirk's quote) is exactly what drew me to even submit to the Blender at all. I put in one piece about a year ago and by glory it made it to the front page and that buoyed my self esteem to new heights (I was just a baby writer)

I am 18. I haven't had any torrential love experiences. I just write what I feel. I thought this was a site where I could share some of what I felt (good or bad) with people who had been there and liked to write and maybe find a poetic "Kindred spirit". I was taken in by the warmth of the comments to each other. I am not in it for critical acclaim or even for a front page pick.

My point is when I called Misti's last couple of scenes "cheesy" I did it with a wink and a smile. After all I have produced enough cheese for my own Kraft factory I am sure. We all need criticism to grow...but maybe just criticism with a wink and a smile. I myself (at this point in my life) would be SCARRED by any Literary Guild's attack no matter how routine.

Respectfully,
Megan


From: bryan davis Bryman_29063
Date: 4 February 2000

hi i would like to say that i enjoy your site but would

like more detail to what you think is true love and sensuality


From: Misti
Date: 4 February 2000

Rainin',
First of all, I hate to rain on YOUR parade, but you didn't inspire *Mister Maybe.* While I was typing in my comment, the inspiration just hit from left field and you really had nothing at all to do with it. Well, that's not entirely true. I guess you kind of inspired the last line. But I wrote the poem with someone else in mind, someone I know is definitely a male. I may be wacky, but I'll never write a love poem about someone I don't even know who posts negative comments about me on the Board. Character quirk, I guess.
Guppy,
Thank you for coming to my defense again! I really think it's odd that I've been inspiring so much negativity on the Board these past couple of months. I don't get it. I agree that rainin's criticism of my screenplay wasn't constructive. I have a friend who makes his living as a playwright and he's been reading my script and giving me advice that I can use. Not that I use most of it, even though I have a tremendous amount of respect for the guy...it's just that I'm stubborn and convinced that my way is the best way. Ha! Really, though, I don't mind advice or criticism. But it's hard to take "cheesy" too seriously.
*** I know I can come across as this hard as nails, arrogant brat on the Board at times, but a lot of the stuff I post here is meant to be funny. I'm just showing off for "Mister Maybe" and everybody else. A therapist would have a field day with the likes of me.
Now I must be off. I've got some more Monterrey Jack with jalapenos to submit. Bye.


From: Deb
Date: 4 February 2000

Megs,
"The Negative....." This really touched me. I know too well that the imagined is worse than the reality.


From: gala
Date: 4 February 2000

Megs,


No one is olympian around here to my notice----but all writers have to start---and the blender is as cuddly place to start as any....don't worry about competing.
It's not a contest, as much as it's a community!


From: Megs
Date: 4 February 2000

Gala---

Not that I AM trying to compete...just trying to come up with a good analogy for how daunted I feel at some of my juvenile works...compared to YOU (specificially...whose work I greatly admire) and others (the Gup...Dee...Misti...etc) Insecurity complex I guess?

Sorry if I come across wrong.


From: deevaa
Date: 4 February 2000

I personally think that although rainin' wasn't as constructive as he/she thought they where being, HOWEVER - I stand up and applaude him/her, no one (in as long as I have been here at the blender) - INCLUDING me, has had the balls to stand up and say, "this isn't up to your usual standard"... maybe by saying so, the person in question might re-work a piece and come up with something that IS up to their usual standard.

Misti is one of the most outspoken people here... seriously Misti you give out disrespect,you must be able take it.

Gala... Aren't you meant to be playing juror or something?

take care of your hearts.

dee


From: gala
Date: 4 February 2000

admire? my stuff?

Oh Meg, thank you....this old creaky lady has just had her day---maybe her week made!

And you dear have the spark...the heart fills in the rest.


From: d
Date: 4 February 2000

hey blender peoples..

i am back, after quite a long break. i am nowhere near caught up on the work that has been submitted since my last visit, but i see that a lot of familiar names are still around.. and lots of new ones as well.

i'm looking forward to posting the work that i've written in the past few months.. and reading everyone else's submissions, too. :D

- d (geekgirl@canada.com)


From: galadrial60
Date: 4 February 2000

And I did play juror---they didn't pick me. I'm feeling dejected....

Sad Gala....


From: kevin urenda
Date: 4 February 2000

Megs-

Insecurity seems integral to loving AND writing... At least that has been my experience. I am (more than) twice older than you and I still struggle against insecurities within. Trust in your poetic voice and it will serve you well.

Someone once told me that only morons feel really secure because they don't know any better. No one has control over the future, just control over themselves... Life is short. Give it your all...

-k


From: Misti
Date: 4 February 2000

Dee,
Yes, I am outspoken, but I don't use this Board to attack people for posting stuff I don't think is up to standard. If I dish out any "abuse" or "disrespect" it's because I'm defending myself. I have dealt with the negativity I've been receiving from anonymous people on this Board with humor and I don't think I've been wringing my hands over any of it.
When I first started hanging out at this site I created a big stir when I started criticizing Tony's poems because people were going on and on about how wonderful his poetry was and I wasn't impressed. Since then, if I don't like a submission, I reserve criticism and just don't read the person's works.
I'd rather spend my energy on praise for truly great stuff, but if someone asks my opinion, they're gonna get it, and if someone attacks me out of the blue and for no reason whatsoever, you better believe I'm going to defend myself.


From: gala (again????)
Date: 4 February 2000

Hey Megs---


Just went through your last few pieces...girl, I wish I could have written that well even ten years ago.
Gala is ancient, remember. You are no baby writer---there's an old soul in the young skin....and enough talent to make em notice....and that's my opinion as a former editor. Anyone who suggests I'm just being nice is invited to kiss my old keister...and the line forms to the left!


From: deevaa
Date: 4 February 2000

Misti -

My point was meant to be the part about work "being up to usual standard" of course if I don't like someones usual style I'd not ever try and change their style.

I personally think you are attacked because you are so outspoken, those on the board that comment when they feel fit are very rarely attacked.

I wasn't attacking you in my comment.. just calling it as I see it.

dee


From: deevaa
Date: 4 February 2000

deevaa = ditz.

that was meant to read "those on the board that comment ONLY OCCASIONALLY when they feel fit are very rarely attacked."

its early morning here and I've not had coffee!! Can ya tell?

dee

PS... Megs I really enjoyed "the way to a mans heart" (hmmm I am not sure thats what it is called) I meant to comment yesterday however I got sidetracked at work... and ditto what kev and gala have said, the charm about being an artist of any form is never being totally happy with a work!



From: Tigerlover_64 luneytunes64@hotmail.com
Date: 4 February 2000

I've been following "Candy Before Bedtime", and I've also been following the commments made about it for the past few days. I've submitted some to the Blender, but I haven't been around for long, so my comments may not hold as much merit as the ones made by others, but I still feel I should give an "outsiders" opinion, in a sense :)

I've found that this place is for "positive reinforcement" as well as criticism. There are usually great reviews on some of the submissions. There are also critics too.

I think romance doesn't have to be "cheesy", you don't have to have cheesiness to have romance. Romance can be as original as you want it to be. Romance to me is far from cheesy, but this is my opinion, and others may see it differently. That is why this is such a great site! You don't have everyone applauding everyone else for their works all the time. If you did, would there really be any point in posting your work? I do it to show my feelings, thinking that someone out there might possibly feel the same as I do, but I also do it in order to find out how I can make myself better as a writer. I don't want wonderful comments all the time. Then I would feel like everyone wasn't being realistic. I know I write stuff that is far from "great" sometimes. And I appreciate people who have enough guts to be different among a group. I'm not saying everyone else who's had great comments about "Candy Before Bedtime" have been lying or anything, I just think Rainin' expressed his/her comment, even though it was possible he/she would get slammed for it. I just think comments should be accepted and, if they're not liked, discarded. You can't expect positive comments or even "constructive" criticism all the time. In a society like ours, not everyone is that nice.

But I will personally say that I've just read the last three scenes of "Candy Before Bedtime" that were submitted, and I think Misti has done an excellent job with them. Keep it up! Write what love is for you, not for anyone else's standards. You don't have to like the criticism you get for it. Just don't expect anyone to not express their opinion. That's what this forum's for, if I'm not mistaken.


From: deevaa - yes again
Date: 4 February 2000

btw saying that one can stand up for ones self and fight your own battle is praise... I admire those that can, without losing the point and getting personal.

enough from me.. gotta go put the plants back in the garden that my son just dug up while I was online!!! hehe.. gotta love him.


From: Misti
Date: 4 February 2000

Dee,
I understand where you're coming from. Sometimes I wonder if I should "tone it down" but then I think,"Nah!" I was without a voice for far too long. Now that I've found my voice, I just want to sing all the time. I don't want to shout. But sometimes I have to.
Tigerlover,
Thank you. I understand where you're coming from, too. But really, I don't equate courage with posting critical comments on the Internet. You wanna know what REALLY takes a big pair of cojones? Poetry slams. You can't hide behind anonymity at one of those babies.


From: LG
Date: 4 February 2000

Misti - sometimes when the same song is sung over and over, people get tired of it.
But if the same song was sung over various stations then no-one would tire of it and be left hmmm-ing the tune.
LG


From: Misti
Date: 4 February 2000

LG,
Little God? Leering Geek? Lewd Greek? Loose Goose?
Loony Goony? Lucid Guru?
I feel like my song changes everyday. But this is the only station you'll ever hear it on 'cause fame isn't my goal.
EBULLIENCE, People, it's All About EBULLIENCE!!!!!!!!!
I don't think I'm getting my point across, but I'll keep trying...


From: Tigerlover64
Date: 4 February 2000

I agree. There is a right way and a wrong way to "critique" someone's work. I don't encourage people who go about it the wrong way. I think Rainin' was right in expressing his/her opinion, but I do think it could've been done in a much more tasteful way. It's good to express your opinion about someone's work, but you can do it in a better way. Unfortunately, some people don't realize that. All I can say is, just ignore it: this is your work and you do with it what you want. I'll continue reading. And you're right about the poetry slams!

Sometimes the best, harshest, and most honest critic is yourself :)


From: Misti
Date: 4 February 2000

Tigerlover,
Thanks for the encouragement! Here are some stars for you. * * * * * * * * * * * and some EBULLIENCE, my favorite word and the only way to live! I've got EBULLIENCE painted on the receiver of my rotary phone in red nail polish.
I'm going to write some more scenes this weekend and then submit them on Monday. I'm looking forward to writing the party scene(s). Nothin' like livin' vicariously through your characters. Ha!


From: the guppy
Date: 4 February 2000

huh...people can say what they want...and they are...look at the board...ha...

people can say what they want...and it usually happens that when something is criticized, people respond to it...by saying what they want...

and so it goes...cause and effect...

everyone is free to say what they want, but it doesn't mean that anyone has to agree with them...or be quiet about it...

so...this is all freedom of speech...nobody should feel like they don't have a right to say what they want...to voice an opinion...others will probably do the same


From: deevaa
Date: 4 February 2000

d - wow.. way to go with "unfinished symphony"
Love it. (and who could forget you!!! I still have one of your poems pasted in my notepad!)

dee


From: gala
Date: 4 February 2000



Have never done a poetry slam---however they used to have a great poet's bar in Phillie---may still be there, for all I know.

On open mike night, if the regulars (who tended to be hard drinking men with irish names) liked your work they applauded. If they did not---whether you were young or old,
male or female---they threw beer bottles at your head. And some of them were deadly aims.

I will modestly state that I never had to dodge a bottle. Not sure how a "slam" stacks up to that sort of "critique."



Galadrial


From: deevaa
Date: 4 February 2000

Gala - you never had to dodge a bottle cause they thought you where hot though, not cause of the quality of your work. (not saying that your poetry doesn't rock though.)

<dashes off dodging bottles>


From: galadrial
Date: 4 February 2000



Dee---

You are so dead! Take that! And That!

Oh you rhymes with witch!

How dare you suggest that I was so damned sexy, they missed the quality of----wait a minute...rethinking this...

Whatever you like Dee!

One way or the other---no concussions!


Gala the Giddy


From: Megs
Date: 4 February 2000

D-
Unfinished Symphony- LOVE IT- You said what I didn't even know I was thinking for awhile now.
<sigh>


From: Madison [aka_madison@hotmail.com]
Date: 5 February 2000

thank you so much kevin and gala. I've been listening to the ummm... debate (?), and as I was reading, I looked up and remembered this piece I keep near my keyboard. A great friend sent it to me long ago. If you have Internet Explorer, try this http://home.talkcity.com/KarmaWay/madison/Vitality.html - can't get it to load in Netscape this morning but I'll tinker with it:

"There is a vitality... a life force, a quickening, that is translated through you into action. And because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exit though any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable it is, not how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself, or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is ever pleased. There is no satisfaction, whatever, at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching, and makes us more alive than the others."

- Martha Graham to Agnes De Mille


From: aimee
Date: 5 February 2000

I love the Blender but find the recently submitted Heaven for Women to be in poor taste not to mention the name used by the author....


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 5 February 2000

Actually aimee it was removed about as quickly as it was posted. There were two, actually. Essentially nil emotional content.


From: jasmine schweikle,jazzye69@hotmail.com
Date: 5 February 2000

i love the poems but u need some love ones that really mean something like i have this one called never!!
there are really sweet poems but u got to get some up to date ideas for some like (u were older than me) and (heartbreakers)or (age doesnt count love does)
stuff like that - jasmine


From: deevaa
Date: 5 February 2000

jasmine - are you going to share these poems "that really mean something"?


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 5 February 2000

Hey, look what's here.

I'm getting more and more ideas for the redesign.
Some parts are strictly behind the scene, using templates and storing only the crucial data. Other ideas are much more complex, like having every submitter (and maybe even commenter?) having to create an account, like author-profiles.

BTW, I'm serious when I saw everyone should buy the book I review this month, it's really quite good.


From: Madi
Date: 5 February 2000

thank you Kirk, for posting my star diddy, and I never answered but have been thinking about the question on redesign ideas. Everything you've mentioned so far sounds great. Here's my thought: Someone this month was asking where a certain poem had gone to, and I thought how kewl if there could be a search engine within the Blender - for those times you can remember one line or phrase and nothing else. I've never created one, so haven't a clue as to how tough a project like that might be.


From: Beth (Angel1624@hotmail.com
Date: 5 February 2000

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to drop in. I'm having a little writer's block. UGH! It's soo frustrating anyways, just wanted to say

Tigerstar....i hear ya on that last poem!

Dee....Thanks so much for your kindness as always!

Everyone else..I love you work! Keep it up!

Beth


From: deevaa
Date: 5 February 2000

OK.. well this isn't romantic but I just wanna say... Prada just beat America One in the America's Cup Challenger series... whoooohoooooo first time in a long time you guys haven't been in the final... NZ vs Italy for the America's Cup... NZ all the way!!!!!!


From: sinned@digitelone.com
Date: 5 February 2000

nice, very nice valentine issue. i enjoyed the rhymes and i would like to thank all of you frontpagers for writing, and for letting us read all your wonderful works...for free...hehehe. my favorites are UNTITLED1 by kevin, SONNET FOR CHRISTINE by Graham Storrs, and GUESS WHO by Erin.

take care people...and keep those good pieces coming...i'm still starving, u know... :)

sinneD


From: Calypso
Date: 6 February 2000

Thank you Kirk for including my Evergreen Magnets poem....that summer still clear in my memory...also enjoyed reading the other poems chosen for February...and finally I love to visit the blender regularly to catch up on new submissions... a treat for this emotional soul


From: Toklas
Date: 6 February 2000

Congrats to the Front page pics!
Thank you Kirk for including my "Tribute to a Fisherman." That one is special to me and I am so pleased that you liked it.

Calypso: I really enjoyed your work last month. I especially loved "Seven Seconds." It had an immediacy that really struck me. I also loved "Morning Sounds" and "Moongarden." Hard to pick my favourite from yours last month, I thought they were all so good.

Madison: I really liked "lickerish," The language was so evocative. The lines "wings of trees / foliage draped like dark feathers above our heads," were especially good.

Rennie: What can I say, your poetry always is an inspiration to me. thank you for "Favorite Lines."

Kevin: I really liked the Haiku "bloom" because it surprised me with its image. I think really good Haiku always has that aspect.

Graham: I loved "Sonnet for Christine." I visited your webpage and found more that I enjoyed. I did not find a guestbook though, or I certainly would have signed.

Jen and Debra, I really liked the images in your front page poems.

Thank you all for this poetic journey. I love being here and being a part of the blender community!

Toklas


From: Tigerstar_64
Date: 6 February 2000

Hey everyone! I love the Valentine's Issue. WONDERFUL front page picks!

Megs- I really enjoy "Hall of Flings" It made me smile and think of the little "quirks" I picked up from past loves...and that they helped shape who I am now.

Beth- thanx. And you say you've been suffering from writer's block? "Perfect" is great! It perfectly describes how I feel when the man I'm in love with isn't around :) Keep it up!

Forest- I absolutely loved your three last submissions. They are original, and please keep submitting!

To everyone else, keep writing! I am now hooked on this site and the new submissions!


From: deevaa
Date: 6 February 2000

Beth - way to go!!!! ... <grin> (and the one who knows who he is... hey you! long time no see!!)

Gala and Gupp - last night was too much fun. You are both just lucky I had a date with my telephone! <giggles>

Shady - you about reading? Mail me.

I am searching for my muse... it must be about here somewhere.

Take care of your hearts.

(from the chick trying hard to be casual with hers.)

dee

PS Gala - still no email from your 40-ish musician.. did I scare him?


From: Calypso
Date: 6 February 2000

Thanks for your kind comments...your Tribute to a Fisherman had me dreamin for sure....


From: the guppy
Date: 6 February 2000

hey guys and dolls...huge congrats to all the front pagers this month...great work people...

kirk...good job with the picks (as usual)...i'd hate to have that task...so many good ones to pick from this month...you pulled it off nicely though

keep the love flowin',
gup


From: Forest Adams
Date: 6 February 2000

Hey everyone!! I can really feel the love you guys (and gals). A little sarcasm never hurt anyone also. Thanks Tiger for the comments!!

Also, I would like to thank any and all that give comments to others' submissions. I don't exactly know why, but criticism and perhaps, even a little encouragement is what keep us blenderites goin'!!

Acknowledgement always helps, doesn't it? I think so!!I think that I feel a writing mood coming on, so check ya'll later!!

P.S.-- I was wondering if anyone but noticed that a submission I thought in my haste was "sweetheart", was "sweatheart"? Sweat? What's the deal here? Btw, this was by an unknown author. Someone help! Hehehe...:-)

Forest*


From: galadrial
Date: 6 February 2000



Deevaa!

Leave it to you to "chat" and tell....poor guppy is probably purple with embarassment! Look here, you loud mouth kiwi broad...it was all as innocent as church school---and you know it! So there!

By the way, Gup---you are a dear. Messed up your email address...forgive me....

Congrats to the front pagers! Calypso, you do it with style!


From: deevaa
Date: 6 February 2000

<confused> which part was the telling part?

gupp... help... please tell me what she means... deevaa = lost right about now.


From: Beth (Angel1624@hotmail.com)
Date: 7 February 2000

Hey everyone! Yet another day where i can't stop smiling! :)

Tigerstar....I"m flattered that you can relate to "perfect" it makes me happy to know that there are other people out there who are just as happy as i am :)

Dee......BIG HUGS!!! You are awesome! I had him go read your post tonight too :) Anyways, keep emailin...i love to share stories

Everyone take care...and be happy!
Beth


From: deevaa
Date: 7 February 2000

Beth... <grin> you are cute... if you don't calm down your head will explode though! hehe.. Although, you have won a good prize.

I found a good waste-of-time-site its http://match.thespark.com, its a fun quiz that you take and it matches you up with other quiz takers, you can search for someone to argue with or a lover.... not to be taken seriously but its pretty fun.

dee


From: Beth
Date: 7 February 2000

Dee,
Nah, i don't think my head will explode anytime soon....although my face might get stuck from smiling so much!!

Beth


From: galadrial
Date: 7 February 2000



I wanna know what love is....


Hey Blenderites---

In honor of Valentines Day, I want to toss something out for discussion---I know what love is to me---but I'm sort of curious about other minds...

So here's the challenge...3 questions---answer one, two, or all three...but try at least one.


1. How do you know if it's love---or lust? Both can be powerful---weak knees, dry mouth, butterflies---so how do yout tell if it's rockin pnuemonia---or boogie woogie flu?


2. Based on your own experience (no wishing or guessing) what is the difference between how men and woman view love?

3. Both sides of the battle of the sexes cry foul about something---Tell me what pet peeve you have about the opposite sex---but you must also admit which flaw you personally are guilty of in the battle of the sexes!


So are you game, people?
Ready, set, go!


Gala, firing the strating pistol!


From: gala---red faced....
Date: 7 February 2000

Make that starting pistol...


From: gala (again)
Date: 7 February 2000

Oh, and people?

I was thinking outlawing cliches---but the screaming would damage my delicate ears...so you can use them---if you can back them.

And please---"Love is never having to say you're sorry." will result in me spewing fairy dust at you from ten paces....


From: julie
Date: 7 February 2000

It sure seems like everyone is "arguing" about what other pepople write. We need to remember that people write about their feelings and no one can say that those feelings are meaningless or shouldn't be written about or that they way they are portrayed is "below standard," useless, garbage, etc. I understand the constructive criticism, but let's try to keep it constructive. Maybe I'm misunderstanding some of the tones behind the comments, but I'm getting negative vibes here. Kinda makes me wonder if I'm even "good-enough" to be posting submissions here. If we're not here to encourage one another, then I don't want to be a part. I was under the impression that this site was set up for amateurs, not for people to bow down and worship anyone particular author.

For the sake of interest, let me post this question: "what appeals to all of you?" I have asked for comments on my stuff before and have received little. That's ok, just tells me that my submissions don't really appeal to many. That's ok, too. I'm not here for praise and attention, I'm here to bare my soul in a "protected environment." Protected meaning, you don't really know who I am and therefore, I feel secure in sharing my writing.

However, I am very interested in knowing what types of submissions you all like to read. That might even challenge me to branch out and write something different, with a different style or tone.

I think we should just remember the reason we're contributing to this site. I'm tired of reading the bickering!! Criticism is welcome by most here, it seems, but, like I said, let's keep it constructive, helpful, not degrading or discouraging. That's my two cents..


From: Megs...Megangel25@yahoo.com
Date: 7 February 2000

Gala--- excellent suggestion with your 3 questions--- some I struggle to answer almost daily (I am only a baby after all) I will put my two cents in since that is what I do even when NOT asked.
1. Love vs Lust? I wonder about this one all the time. I think (from current experience) love has so many more facets than lust...my current lover (in a VERY lusty sense) is also my best friend (ya that sounds clicheish) but I just feel like lust is merely a component of this crazy thing called love...Lust is what makes up a one-night stand and Love allows you to be confident when he sees you the next morning <cringe>
3. My pet peeve and sometimes the only criticism I have of the love of my life is his hideous sense of the romantic...all very copy and paste (but sweet when I consider the source). That could of course just be a difference in our personalities as I THRIVE on storybook romance. To be fair...my biggest fault is my feminine tendencies toward insecurity and sometimes even jealousy <gasp ME>
Those are all the thoughts off the top of my head. Maybe what you are looking for? I hope others share their answers or I will feel TERRIBLY self concious.


From: Misti
Date: 7 February 2000

Megs,
Here I come to save the day. Couldn't resist the temptation.
1. I know it's lust when I'm too scared to approach him. I know it's love when I make myself approach him. I'm referring, of course, to the way I met my ex at a dance club in Austin last April. I saw him on the dance floor and I just knew that if I wanted to improve the quality of my life I had to approach him. So many drinks later, I did just that, and even though we only had four months they were a decent four months and I have no regrets. So, yeah, I guess I do believe in love at first sight. I also believe that green and orange M&Ms taste better than the other colors.
2. From my own personal experience, men only appreciate love if it's a challenge. The less I call them, the less nice things I do for them, the more they love me. When my ex dumped me in October, he almost took me back when I told him that I had cheated on him once. Again, from my own personal experience, I think love is waking up with a smile on my face because I just had a dream about him. Love is also him waking you up with a phone call to tell you that he's driving to work, he just wanted to say Good Morning.
3. My pet peeve with the opposite sex is guys who don't wash their hands after using the bathroom. I also don't like guys who pick their nose and talk about their ex and past lovers all the time. I also don't like it when they have weird taste in music. Rick Astley, for example. Jealousy/insecurity is my biggest flaw. That's something I need to work on. And I'm very closed off. I have a huge ego. I'm neurotic. I like to show off. I like to get drunk.
....Gala, have you seen "200 Cigarettes"? I love it when Martha Plimpton is watching "Love Story" on TV and she tosses her drink at the set when Ali McGraw tearfully says,"Love means never having to say you're sorry."


From: erin
Date: 7 February 2000

just soem quotes i thought of after reading the q's that were posted....

"Love does not consist of gazing at each other but in looking outward in the same direction."

--Antoine de Saint Exupery
* * *
"The word love has by no means the same meaning for both sexes, and this is one cause of the serious misunderstandings that divide them."

--Simone De Beauvoir
* * *
"I knew what love was supposed to be: obsession with undertones of nausea."

--Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood
* * *


From: Tigerstar64
Date: 7 February 2000

Gala,

1. I've had to wonder about this one recently. There was this guy that I've known for over a year, and every time I see him, I get the "angels singing", goofy-grin, etc. But I couldn't decide if it was because I was extremely attracted to him or if I really did care about him. You wanna know how I figured it out? Because I couldn't talk to him. I mean REALLY talk. We would just kind of talk about like the one thing we had in common, but after that, we had to be doing something else or talking to someone else. The guy I'm seeing now, I know it's love because I can talk to him about anything, and I get responses instead of just blank looks :)


2. Based on my experience, love to men is more of a comfortable thing. It becomes a satisfying part of their day, it makes them feel complete in a sense. Women feel that too, but women also love the element of suprise. Men think being in love is being able to do things in front of the women their in love with that they didn't do to begin with, to be polite (think of some examples, I know you can :) I love it when my boyfriend suprises me with a phone call or is waiting outside of my next class, unexpectedly, just so he can have five minutes with me.

3. My pet peeve is that if you hang around them when they're with their guy friends, you will hear things about them that you didn't want to know, and they don't realize they're doing it! I've heard my bf say things I never want to hear him talk about again! But in my case, it's that sometimes I talk wayyyy too much, and about the silliest things!

Gotta go to work. See you guys later!

Tiger


Date: 7 February 2000

Pet peeve - OK I've gotta start slow.. I might answer more later when the 'correct' answers hits me.

My Pet Peeve about the opposite sex, (the before relationship kind!) Is this... if you get one that will ADMIT that damit yes he is attracted to you he is also OBSESSIVE about you.

My worse habit, <grin> if I am really attracted to someone I won't admit it. hehe

Julie in response to you - I think you really have nothing to fear... firstly you have great talent and often produce great work, and secondly I think that you missed a major point and that is that work should only be constructively criticised if it is not up to THAT authors USUAL standard... its not about picking out bad writers its about helping those of us that are stuck in a rut (like me right now) and helping them to move up to a greater level of understanding and writing. (hopefully.)

dee

PS and don't think I've not noticed Ms Gala has herself not answered... and gup... come on... you too.
btw gup... you sure that ones not about me? <grin>


From: galadrial
Date: 7 February 2000

Okay Gang---

I issued the challenge---so I must take it as well...and what's with the men folk? Silence? C'mon guys...


(deep breath)

Okay---love or lust....

Lust is fascination---you can't take your eyes (or hands for that matter) off the item of interest. You hang off their every word, and read deep into their every motion and nuance...and you live and die for their smile. But lust burns itself out. Love doesn't really start wih things in common---but love can incline you to develop things in common. Love needs lust as part of the equation (and to anyone who doubts this---same man, 20 years---okay?)
but lust can't be the whole.

Love is durable and enduring...it's the desire to protect and shelter---and the spirit to give...even when you'd rather take.Add all that to mutual respect, a touch of lust, and humor and viola!

2. Men think of love as a restraint---or so it seems to me. Women tend to view love as a creative force. I've seen enough men do the "I gave up my freedom for you" routine---but women do the same...and don't ever seem to be regarded for that "sacrifice." It smacks of we enjoy emotional bondage---which I think applies to neither men, nor women.
I know there are women who use sex as an emotional bargaining chip, so chill guys...but that has nothing to do with love. Women want to be loved--and cherished. Men want to be loved---and valued beyond their ability to earn a paycheck Round and round it goes...

Pet peeve? Men who fall in love with a woman because she is xyz---then fall out of love with her because of the very same traits....

My flaw? I try and convince myself that I can give selflessly---and not expect the same in return---but I screw up. At some point, I do expect a loved one to give back...maybe not as much, maybe not the same things---but something. And guys and gals---casual ain't. Keep it light are the cruelest words you can hear from someone who already has half your heart....

So says Gala....


From: Misti
Date: 7 February 2000

erin,
Love the Dorothy Parker poem you submitted. I'm a huge fan. I forget the title, but I've got this one hanging on my bathroom door (it's part of a collage):
Some men break your heart into
Some men fawn and flatter
Some men never look at you
And that cleans up the matter.


From: Megs
Date: 7 February 2000

Misti...
Glad I am not the only neurotic insecure nut (and I STILL won't eat red M&M's because my Mom told me once they had poisonous dye in them)

Gala...
Wise one. :) I have the tendency to empty myself giving and giving and then (weeks, months, later) realize that I am empty because I have received nothing back...

Guppy...
I am QUITE interested to hear your point of view.


From: Madison
Date: 7 February 2000

I found some quotes, too. . .
HOW DO PEOPLE IN LOVE BEHAVE?
* "Mushy ... like puppy dogs ... except puppy dogs don't wag their tails nearly as much." - Arnold, age 10
* "When a person gets kissed for the first time, they fall down and they don't get up for at least an hour." - Wendy, age 8 * "Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I've been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." - Dave, age 8
* "Never kiss in front of other people. It's a big embarrassing thing if anybody sees you....If nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy, but just for a few hours." - Kally, age 9
WHAT FALLNG IN LOVE IS LIKE
* "I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." - Manuel, age 8
* "If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." - Glenn, age 7
* "It isn't always just how you look. Look at me. I'm handsome like anything and I haven't got anybody to marry me yet." - Brian, age 7
* "It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." - Will, age 7
SOME SUREFIRE WAYS TO MAKE A PERSON FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU
* "Shake your hips and hope for the best." - Camille, age 9
* "One way is to take the girl out to eat. Make sure it's something she likes to eat. French fries usually works for me." - Bart, age 9
* "Yell out that you love them at the top of your lungs ... and don't worry if their parents are right there." - Manuel, age 8
* "Don't do things like have smelly green sneakers. You might get attention, but attention ain't the same thing as love." - Alonzo, age 9


From: rainin'
Date: 7 February 2000

Julie - I agree with deevaa - an artists work should only be constructively criticised (and ok, so I wasn't so constructive with Misti as I could have been)if it is not up to his or her usual standard.


From: galadrial
Date: 7 February 2000



Wow! Great reaction people---thanks!

Madison---that's cheating....come on---take the quiz!


And Guppy---c'mon guy! We need MALE imput and since Kev's away for a few more days, it's up to you to defend your gender---or maybe...HEY KIRK! you're always interested in rambles related to romance! How about it Big Kahuna?


Gala, laughing with delight


From: the guppy
Date: 8 February 2000

ok ok ok...i'll throw out my takes on your q's gala...just not right now...no time i say...i'll try to post it tomorrow

take care y'all,
gup


From: pbirks@aol.com
Date: 8 February 2000

I wish I was a caterpilla, my life would be a farce, I'd climb up all the pretty flowers and fall down on my arse. amen.


From: galadrial60
Date: 8 February 2000

All right Gang--


At serious risk of being burned in poetic effigy, shunned, and in general hated for ever---

When do you know for sure you's moved from lust to love?

For me, it was the first time my guy did something "earthy"---and it wasn't cute or adorable. It didn't gross me out---but it focused the eyes of my heart
so that I was seeing not just man, or "my man", but the whole magilla---a man I loved very much, and was willing to weave into my life---as I was willing to be woven into his own.

It's what I meant by "casual ain't". Where the heart is involved, half measures simply don't cut it. Intimacy begets closeness, than that my dears begets love---or you're doing it all wrong.

So says Gala


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 8 February 2000

1. Lust v Love:
[see 2.]

2. Gender Diff in Viewing Love:
A difference between men and women is that men are less likely to care about the difference between love and lust. If the attraction is there, most other things can be arranged. As a culture tend to understate the importance of the physical, trying to pretend it just doesn't matter, but for the long haul it does: not that only supermodels will find happiness, but you have to be reconciled to how you and your partner chime (or fail to chime) physically.

Then again, I might be "wishing or guessing".

3. Pet Peeves: inflicted and inflicting:
Hmm. I was going to say something bitter about my great unrequited romance, but here's something more practical.. I'm not sure how representative of guys in general this is, but I think most guys wish women wouldn't be so hung up on being told that they're loved. "We're sticking around, doing sweet things in general, aren't we?" we grumble to ourselves. Of course, the Pet Peeve I'm guilty of is the converse of this, not saying it enough.

Oddly, I said it a lot to my great unrequited love. Which might be why I'm more reluctant to say it Mo, who I am in love with: because of that history I might be viewing describing "How much I love you" feels like an attempt to sway and change the behavior of the other person, and I don't feel the need to do that with Mo.


From: Courtney
Date: 8 February 2000

FYI - They poem that you have listed titled "Troubled" was actually written by Jim Morrison.


From: Tanaka ttt1@students.uwf.edu
Date: 8 February 2000

Does anyone like my poem or do I like it simply because I wrote it?


From: Tanaka
Date: 8 February 2000

A Lovers Riddle New Submissions Page


From: Megs
Date: 8 February 2000

Since we are playing the questions game (a role I see as MUCH more productive than the criticism/arguing game) I want to propose one of my own- the one I have been wrestling with and that is REALLY keeping me up at nights.

What would you consider a defining point when you know a love you have is safe to be relied on as completely mutual and longlasting? IS there such a point at all?

Maybe this sounds dumb (maybe it is...I am just a young'n) but in my infinite insecurity I have always hoped for some indication that I don't have to worry about losing a person I am so in love with.


From: tigerstar_64
Date: 8 February 2000

Gala-

The turning point of love to lust, for me, was just kinda one of those catastrophic moments. It wasn't like, we were gazing into each others eyes or anything...my boyfriend was sitting on his bed, reading for one of his classes, and I was just sitting there, watching him. Then it just suddenly dawned on me that I was absolutely, totally in love with him. I realized he possessed everything I'd ever wanted, and that I could stay up all night joking around with him and talking, and that would make me just as happy as any kind of lust-driven fantasy. That was two months ago. And I still feel the same way today:) With others, it wasn't that way, I didn't really have time to wonder if I really did love the guy, but with him it was different, and that's what makes me realize I really do love him. You realize the difference when you'd rather sometimes just talk to him and spend "quality time" with him instead of anything else :)

Megs-

Girl, I wish I could tell you that I've learned there is a point, but I can't. I've wondered the same thing sometimes. You have something that is so precious and wonderful and so unlike anything else you've ever experienced, and you're scared to lose it. I've tried to explain it to my bf, but he's like "I'm not going anywhere, I just want to be with you" and I do believe him. But that outside worry just kinda gnaws at you sometimes. The best thing I've been able to do is just to not worry about it. I really love him, and yes, I would be very hurt if something happened, hurt more than I have been in the past. But I just try to enjoy the time I have with him. Hopefully I'll be with him for a long, long time. I just don't plan on taking that for granted, even if we get married :)

Misti- waiting on the next scene :) You've got me hooked.

tiger


From: galadrial
Date: 8 February 2000

Bravo! !

Oh, I'm so proud of the lot of you! It takes great courage to look within, to examine the why of anything---particularly emotion! I always knew the Blender crowd was a cut above---but dear ladies and kind sirs, you truly shine.

And speaking of Shine---with Kirk's kind permission between now and V.D. I would like to post a "valen-shine"---a note of appreciation to those who I think merit it.

And The Valen-Shine of today is our very own, cooler than cool, sweeter than sweet, she can do art, or verse with a beat---wigglin' wowing em---DEEVAA!!!

Dee, you're simply the best. I've watched you reach out time and again to welcome the tentative, comfort the forlorn, or in general be an awesome human being. This combined with your amazing talent makes you truly wonderful.

(Look, she's blushing!)

Dee, you truly do shine...hugs from your damned crazy American sister....


From: misti
Date: 8 February 2000

tiger,
glad to hear it. right now i'm just submitting my favorite songs. i don't want to submit any more scenes until i've figured out the big picture. but thanks!


From: the guppy
Date: 8 February 2000

gala...stop asking such hard questions...ha...i thought my homework has been tough, and then i come here and find multifaceted philosophical questions that i'm not sure i could answer in less than a billion words...the only good thing is that i can't really be wrong on these, and i'm not being graded...i hope...ha

sooo...love vs. lust...hmmmmmm...lust is based mostly on animal instinct...i believe anyway...we are all animals, and are all driven by the instinct to further the species...to reproduce...and we are genetically programmed to favor members of the opposite sex(in heterosexuals anyway) with certain physical attributes as mates...while others simply "don't do it" for us...lust can also be on a purely hedonistic level...seeking pleasure for the sake of it...this is usually the most evident "reason" people see...but it's all tied into the evolutionary scheme of things in my belief...animals have a drive to further the species...in order to further the species, animals must have sex...people are animals...a built in mechanism to encourage people to have sex is that it feels good...if sex didn't feel good, there would be far fewer people doing it...ha...so...lust is natural (and i'm not going to get into religious or cultural or ethical sides of it...i'm not writing a thesis here...ha)

love...well, it may or may not start with lust...usually it does to some degree, but not always...i've dated girls that i initially wasn't very physically attracted to, but was attracted to them for other reasons...such as personality, sense of humor, reliability, friendship, intelligence, appreciation of life, on and on...and i pretty much fell way in love with a girl for reasons other than physical...and the physical attraction kinda just crept up out of nowhere...suddenly i was very attracted to her physically...anyway...i think love is more about companionship...wanting to share life with someone else...the good and the bad...wanting the other to be happy, and doing what you can to ensure that...and just enjoying the other person's company...for whatever reason...i do think there is a difference between making love and having sex...sex is just based on lust...making love is both lust and love combined...there is far more emotional involvement...blah blah blah

how do you know if you are in love with someone, or just lusting for them?...hmmm...if you're not satisfied with just sex, and crave the attention of the other person in other areas of your life, you are probably in love...if you want to do your best to make the other person happy for the sake of it, you are probably in love...if you think about the future of the relationship outside of the bedroom, you are probably in love...if you see the other person as perfect, you are dangerously in love...ha...

real love is something beyond, but including being "in love"...real love takes more time to develop, for one...and it involves the realization that nobody is perfect...seeing your partner as a whole person...the good points and bad points...acceptance of a person for who he or she is...unconditionality...real love is saying you're sorry when you mess up...meaning it...real love is about forgiveness, encouragement, empathy, listening, sharing, persevering, honesty, dedication, sacrifice, respect...on and on...

"a pretty face may last a year or two, but pretty soon they'll see what you can do"---john lennon

whew...and i only got to the first q...damn...sorry this is so long

later,
gup


From: gala
Date: 8 February 2000



Dear Megs---

Oh you ask the hard ones! I'm the sort who jumps in first, and then wonders how damned deep the pool is---or if there are piranhas in the pond. This approach led to heart ache, heart break, and ansgt more than once.

My husband and I were together six years before we decided to marry. I was never going to get married---not me!
Shocked everybody---and i didn't get the jitters once during the whole planning process...until I woke up the morning of my wedding and looked at my gown...I spent the next three hours in silence (a remarkable feat for me!)
and my hand shook so hard, I couldn't put on my make up. I got it together somehow, and when I made it to the aisle feeling completely unreal, I saw Chuck's eyes.

I could see in that instant I was the only woman in the world to him. When he spoke his vows, his voice was strong, clear, and firm---he meant it. And when my normally shy guy swooped me in his arms for that first married kiss, I really hope the crowd brought lunch, because we were at it for a while....

I don't suggest this to anyone else---you really should KNOW before you say yes, send invitiations, or that sort of thing---and being uncertain is part of being human.
If you're looking for certain, love ain't where it's found.
Guarentees only come with appliances...

But I'll tell you this---it's worth the cost of admission. It just never costs what you think it will.
Savor love a bite at a time Megs---what comes will come...


Love,

Gala



From: the guppy
Date: 8 February 2000

k...short answers...i swear :)

2)i really think men and women view love about the same...impossible...ha...kidding...i don't really have any generalizations to make though, everyone is different...based on influences and past experiences and all that...

3)pet peeve: women are the most confusing creatures on the planet...ha...in fact, i think sometimes i fall for a girl just because i'm overwhelmed by sheer confusion

my own weak point: i am the second most confusing creature on the planet...and i also sometimes think that i know what i'm talking about when it comes to women, but i never ever really do...i have no clue...ever...


From: <blushing deevaa>
Date: 8 February 2000

Me? but what did I do?
Umm... thanks girl, but I'm just me.... gosh... I'm just gonna go and sit down now.. um... yeah.


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 8 February 2000

"Oh my goodness Oh my goodness" *blinking like a hollow eyed Annie* - It's been a while!

Misti - Todd? He's still away at school. Seems like all the 'suppressed electricity' i had been feeling from him (or so I thought) has been replaced with this need for a maternal friend, which is the role I always end up playing with men. I guess its hard to see the growling nymph hiding behind my cheeky face and toothy grin. :-) Oh well, our friendship is fully restored, which is more than I expected. I'm thankful for that. I am going to Philly in a few weeks to see him, with a few friends. ROAD TRIP!

gup - love the Bob Dylan quote.

Hey gala! :-)

Dee - I know I've been absent here. :-( I sorry.

Wow...the board sure has become one emotionally charged posting place here...all sorts of word slinging, not to mention some really great viewpoints. I just read the last weeks worth and it took forever, but you are amaze me. There are some of you I would love to just meet and talk. Meanwhile my (frazzled and fizzling) brain can not even contribute an ounce of intelligent commentary here...I have "Massage and Sexuality" on the brain, thanks to a very odd, fanny-pack-wearing, squeaky, cracking voiced, Joe Pesci-ish Ethics teacher. Not really sure how to incorporate that into anything that has been going on in the past few days, so I'm just going to make like Robert Plant and slip out the back door. :-)

(special wink to my buddha man...;-)


From: Lori
Date: 8 February 2000

Tom,
You are my true love, and I can not believe we have already been married for a year and a half! Where has the time gone? Our times will always be cherished, as we love to venture new grounds together. I do love you dear, and hope that this message finds you not only on Valentine's day, but every day!
I love you!! LOVE!!


From: Nina Lovoll
Date: 8 February 2000

Hei pappa!

Fant dette fabelaktig fine bildet fra filmen Casabanca som jeg tenkte jeg skulle sende.

Hilsen Nina


From: galadrial
Date: 8 February 2000

Whew!

Thanks to Kirk and Gup---you guys are heroes! And Shady---let me know when you'll be about---I know a dynamite coffee bar in Trenton...unless you'll be booked, in which case auntie Gala understands perfectly. Trenton is a quick train jump from Phillie....


From: Frank - frankw@home.com
Date: 8 February 2000

Evelyn holds the key...

Every morning I wake up and feel like a caged animal... with only you on my mind,
Then, if I am lucky enough I share a sweet embrace with you, as we did this afternoon, and the cage door swings open and I am again released.

My heart being freed by your embrace soars high into the sky, only to slowly float down to earth again as the sun sets on the day.

And this joyus and painful cycle repeats again and again, day after day.
But this is love, and I would not have it any other way.

-Always,

Your Frank


From: Riggs
Date: 9 February 2000

Dee.

Maybe the reason he is not scared to look into the mirror of your heart is because he realises that that is where the true beauty is......

I must stop just popping back in like this huh?


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 9 February 2000

Gala - Hey! I had no idea you are in the Philly area! I will have to see about our 'agendas', considering Todd is usually working more than half the time we visit anyways, so if our weekend consists of sightseeing, I would love to meet up with ya for a little lunch or something!


From: poetwench
Date: 9 February 2000

Hey Erin---Great minds must think alike---didn't catch your piece till this morning---the prism things was not a rip off of your concept...

like yours better---more concise.....

The Wench


From: galadrial
Date: 9 February 2000

Hey Shady---

Bein sur---live inbetween Phillie and New Yawk...
but do remember I am ancient, stodgy, and liable to embarass you in public places...my nature!


Love old Aunty Gala


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 9 February 2000

Wow - I actually just read your discussion questions Gala, and I want to join in :-)

I will keep it short since I have a definite tendency to ramble on.

Love or Lust: That for me is easy. The two seem to separate after a couple of weeks, when I realize that I love all the little quirks that would probably normally annoy me. When he does something that is potentially embarrassing and I don't care. When he says something like "I forgot to put deodorant on this mroning, do I smell?" and I am willing to take a wiff and not think he's less attractive when I pull away. Hahahaha...I guess when the reality of him sets in, and the dream of it all doesn't seem quite an important anymore, than it's love.

Men Love vs. Women Love: Geez, my own experiences are very limited. Love ain't lived hea fo' a looong time. OK, personal experience, all the men in my life who loved me loved me out of need. Which I guess does not really count as true love, since it was an idea of me they loved. As for me, when a man can make looking in the mirror fun, I'm in love. When I notice the sky everyday, or like every new song that comes out. When I appreciate every little thing he does for me. When I start rethinking the future of my heart.

Pet Peeve: I honestly don't think I know of any pet peeve that will cover all, or even most men. My ex's don't even have many in common. The all had indiviual ones. For now, it drives me crazy when Todd will tell me weeks later "Oh, I was jealous of that guy that night" instead of telling me how he feels and when. I know revealing feelings is a vulnerability, believe me, I am a pretty closed person, but I guess one of MY faults is that once I open up to someone, I expect the same in return. "I showed you mine, now you show me yours" type of thing. Which is pretty impatient and unrealistic of me. I also know that I change constantly. What I want and need right now is different 20 minutes from now. I hate that, and I'm sure the men in my life hate it more. Heeheehee...not that men don't have mood swings!!!

Wow...i think I rambled...eeek!

Alrighty...time for a little TaeBo and then its off to school for me. Toodles everyone!


From: jgleve
Date: 9 February 2000

Responding to the 3 questions:

Love vs Lust:....easy....Lust, below the waist
Love, all inclusive...(mind)

Men vs Women: views on love or how they differ
None.....just remember that "Actions speak
louder than words"

Pet Peeves: Men and Women who miss the opportunity at love by not taking risks when telling person how they really feel....and then at
some point, having regrets about what might
have been...
Men and women who abuse each other....no
explanation needed for that......


From: galadrial
Date: 9 February 2000

Hello again Gang---

Before it erupts into a donnybrook, I did in fact ask for people's ideas. There are no right or wrong answers to the 3 Q's. But it's neat to hear people straining the grey matter about love. Please no bickering about variations on the theme---it's sort of like arguing with someone over what a strawberry tastes like.

As for me, I love reading the thoughts, the ideas, and the touchstone of truth each new batch brings. Not all is mocha fudge ripple---or vanilla for that matter.
Oh---almost forgot---my Valen-shine of today is our Blender Keeper Kirk---he who makes all of us possible.

(And I am not kissing butt---so there!)

Thanks Kirk---I've called you the ring master of this little circus, but I owe you a deep debt of gratitude. You have fashioned a haven, a literary salon where us poetic types can gather. It's a wonderful escape, and catharsis and more.

I don't envy you your task...but I am happy and grateful that you take it on....


Gala


From: Pensacola Tan ttt1@students.uwf.edu
Date: 9 February 2000

O.K everyone I'm new to the Blender and I'm curious to know whether you guys are clickish or what.

First Love vs. Lust
How did I know the difference. To be truthfully honest I didn't until I decided to stop having sex (for a while). It seems as though I began to really get to know the people who wanted to have a relationship with me.I also learned alot about relationships and myself. Nevermind I have always had a "type" of person that I was attracted to. I had to abandon my old methods of attracting and maintaining a relationship. I learned who liked me for who I am.Not for how I look or how great I am in bed.Since I have made this decision I have grown spiritually and I have learned more about love from that perspective. I have had two proposals. I think that I want to marry my current boyfriend. It's been really tough learning to depend on God to establish my relationships but I'm sure I'll be blessed in the end. I can't hardly wait until we are married. You understand.

The difference between the way that men and women view love? That depends on the man and the woman's upbringing not thier sex. Remember we are talking about love not sex don't get the two confused. If I were to say that a man makes his decision about relationships based on sex, I would really be underestimating the intelligence of men? What do you think?


My Pet Peeve about relationships is that when youre having fun, you want to get serious. But once you get serious, sometimes you loose the fun.



So everyone, am I (the newcomer) allowed to ask a question of my own?


Is the sexual relationship between a man and a woman the main factor which determines the future of the relationship?
Can men establish a relationship without having sex?

Can't wait to hear from you!!!!!!!!!


From: Misti
Date: 9 February 2000

Okay, now that I've read *winning the loss* by my favorite poet I can skip away from cyberspace satisfied and ready to deliver the rest of the papers with a smile on my face.
****Shadygirl, you make me laugh out loud! I need to put a letter in the mail. I've got some pictures of the snow for ya!
****I can't answer any more questions regarding love and lust. Bye.


From: poetwench
Date: 9 February 2000

Okay Pensacola,

In answer to your several questions---no the blenderites are not clique-ish---there are certainly relationships---which do not feature sex---but anyone who has looked over the Blender even briefly would notice that they enjoy a good verbal battle.

Men and women can forge relationships without sex. Happens everyday, usually as a matter of mutual choice.
What you touch on is a greater issue---chastity vs fidelity I think. Chastity is fine---provided it is mutual. I have known more than a few males who considered it their duty to greatly reduce the number of nubile female virgins walking the earth---then insisted upon a virgin when they married.
I think that's called being a hypocrite. So if you have two chaste individuals who wish to maintain their virtue, that is lovely. It's not "different" for guys.

Fidelity is another issue---and I hope sincerely that you don't believe that chastity before wedding insures fidelity afterward, because sadly the statistics do not bear that one out.

I believe the key word here is "choice". You must choose what works for you, and your beliefs. I wish you well, and wish you happiness.


poetwench


From: deevaa awigglin'
Date: 9 February 2000

Gala - go sightseeing with the Shadygirl... you'll LOVE it. You won't get to see everything you had planned but you'll have a BLAST!! (So says she who spent 2yrs in traffic looking for a parking space to go up the Empire State Building, and didn't get to see the Statue of Liberty in a week in NY.. but wouldn't change a SECOND of it.. hmm... ok, so I'd change the last say... 12hrs <still blushing>.

Shady is AWESOME... in that way only SHE can say.. Girl - I loves ya.

Pensacola - Cliquish... no way!!!
Come on in! Welcome - be as loud as you need to make yourself heard above the noise - and sometimes thats REAL loud.

Riggs - ohhh you are a charmer! and yes you really must stop popping in, come in, sit, talk for abit. <grin> I wish you'd email this girl.
'Sunny Country' speaks volumes.

Poetwench - thanks for the kind note in my guestbook... it made me smile.. Picasso? I don't think so!!!
(anyone thats interested http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/~deevaa/ - I've got works from, Shady, Kevin, Misti, X and the Guppy online already - Plans for a page for Gala are in the pipelines... anyone else who is interested, contact me.)

Gup - Baby, 'Winning the Loss' back ontop of your form!! <grin> welcome back.

Take care of your hearts.

dee

PS... when is Kev back?


From: Luke13@looksmart.com
Date: 9 February 2000

I was curious about copyright protenction for our works that we post. Would you please contact me with information about my question. I would really appreciate it.


From: galadrial
Date: 9 February 2000

(upon reading miss Dee's latest post, has fainted dead away from shock....delight---and shock!


Date: 9 February 2000

ZARA LOVE SOME AND SOME ANE LOVE ZARA
MESSAGE FOR MY BEST FRIEND
I MESS YOU A LOT OF TIME
TAQI IT'S JUST FOR FUN
FOR SPECIAL POINT 037-048


From: joanie bianco joan97@email.com
Date: 9 February 2000

just be more detailed


From: poetwench
Date: 9 February 2000


Hey Luke---

On offense man, but about the best thing that could happen to anyone would be someone ripping off their poetry---it might be the only way I know of to actually make money writing the stuff---

Poetry is great---but you better be doing it for love---cause the bucks aren't in it.


Poetwench

(who is not a lawyer, or legal expert of any kind.)


From: marigona@hotmail.com
Date: 9 February 2000

river of tears
batween love and hate
river of tears
runing ,
same storie
thausand lie
milion tears
to eternity i could speak
or sing a thausand song but it's only one truth
i miss you.


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 9 February 2000

gala - puh-lease...embarrass me? Ain't no such thing.

Misti - YAY! SNAIL MAIL! :-) Happy to know I amuse...:-)

Dee - Oh shush up, you! Hahaha...I was a magnificant tour guide...did I not show you Broadway? Did you not see The Met? Did you not get hugs and kisses from hot young "before they were stars" actors singing in a cheesy little cramped bar? (BTW, Brian is now is 3 commercials, do you get the same commercials as we do, in NZ?) Did you not get served by some of the most adorable Irish accented bartenders? Did you not get completely sloppy drunk in my apartment with all my silly friends to the point you forgot your own name for a few hours? And DID WE NOT SHOP???!!???! Dare I say more? I think not! (Awesome! :-) Hehehe...

Kev - sweet thang, where is you?


From: kevin urenda, kluless70@hotmail.com
Date: 9 February 2000

O M G...

Leave for almost five days and just _LOOK_ what happens!

*waves in Blender's general direction*

I type this from WORK, of all places, just having rolled into town not even three hours ago (it is 8 p.m. now). Not only am I ALREADY tired from all that extraneous galavanting in the desert (In Las Vegas, 90 miles from where I was, they have not seen a drop of rain in 140 days now), but I have almost 180 messages in all my inboxes... Add to that ALL this Blender Board stuff and the submissions, I have reading material for DAYS (thanks everyone!!). Just in passing (I only skimmed a few comments so far) I note that someone asked what kind of material gets read by the fair readers out here in the ether. I am one who reads every single submission (save duplicates). I personally find many colorfully turned phrases and images quite imaginative and often wonderful, even if surrounded by words of lesser quality (e.g., I know some of mine fairly SUCK sometimes). I do periodically comment on works that touch me where I live and where I write... So any of you out there who think that your material is passed over for those of the 'inner clique,' I say nay! Nay I say! I'll read them all (just not today).

whew... I am truly overwhelmed...

-tired k


From: jg
Date: 9 February 2000

Pensacola....a response to your question...my thoughts are that one person is using numerous names in here and just loves self praise....a convenient way to get attention, huh?....haha....have not commented on which nicknames of course..so I guess those that holler the loudest in an attack....are guilty...:)


From: caroline zarlengo sposto
Date: 9 February 2000

Can you please remove my two poems:

"Grasping at Shadows" and
"Through a Window"?

I don't want them up anymore.

Thanks!

Caroline Zarlengo Sposto
caroline@sposto.com


From: deevaa deevaa@paradise.net.nz
Date: 9 February 2000

ohhhhh good call!!!

LOL...

dee


From: Pensacola Tan tt1@students.uwf.edu
Date: 10 February 2000

Thanks for responding Poetwench!!

Maybe I left out a couple of important factors regarding chastity. First I am not a virgin. I have a six year old son. I certainly know the pleasures of having sex. I don't know how old you are but let me tell you it is definitely hard to have a relationship with men my age without having sex. Even within the church. Also I've read before, although I cant tell you where. That the less sexual partners that a person has the better odds of them having a successful marriage and it doesn't matter when the couple has sex, there is no correlation between waiting and having a successful marriage.
I agree with you that chastity doesn't gaurantee fidelity.
But a strong spiritual relationship with the father gaurantees that I will be blessed. Whether this relationship is successful or not.

Would you be so sweet as to read my poem A Lovers Riddle on the New Submissions page and tell me what you think?

Thanks!!!!!!!


From: aisa@yahoo.com
Date: 10 February 2000

well I'd like to say I love this web-site and I think what would make this web-site even better is if you all had more love art other than the kissing pictures.If you do please in form me
Thank You


From: poetwench
Date: 10 February 2000

okay Tanaka----

I teach creative writing---specifically poetry---which doesn't qualify me as "Little Miss Poet Laureate"---however you asked....

I found some good things in your piece----but I think you need to rethink, or re-work it. Gala talked about personal poetry---vs public consumption. Somethings we write for ourselves---for our hearts---to get something said, or simply to understand it better...my guess is that no one in the blender doesn't have a trunk full of stuff that they never display----

Objectively---don't let the meter be a chain---it should guide your words---not bind them...I prefer prose---but that's me. If you like the effect of a sound pattern, fine---but the meter can't obliterate the message, or what you're getting at will seem "sing song".

And last---word choice. Generalities kill wonderful verse. Your last stanza offered much more to my mind's eye than all the rest...but I'm one person...and not the Blender keeper...

Write On Tanaka---write on....


From: deevaa
Date: 10 February 2000

Shady... I was NOT complaining one little bit.. I had a BALL in NY with you girl... <grin> and I think it was YOU that shopped.... LOL!!
I did get hugs and kisses from before they where stars guys.. and I even think I was rude to one of them ... (how cool does that make me??? -yeah yeah whatever dee!)
I had the best time... appart from the part where my memory stops at Korin (or is it Corin?) daring the kiwi chick to skull the paper cup full of straight vodka... everything is hazy from there... just as well I say by the way I felt on the way to JFK... god I didn't want to get on that plane!

dee


From: galadrial
Date: 10 February 2000

Hey Shady----

Okay---If Miss Dee says you're happening, you are... So when's the road trip?

Gala


From: Megs
Date: 10 February 2000

Kev-
Liked both Ambidextrous and Drawer...you're writing is always excellent and chock full of tasty lil image morsels...

"I love you means with both sides of my brain and both halves of my heart" I REALLY loved that...:)

Just wanted to send that smile your way
Megs


From: Megs
Date: 10 February 2000

Oh and Gala...no Valen-shine today? How sad <sniffle>
I was looking for the next lucky recepient (if I could SPELL that word)


From: deevaa
Date: 10 February 2000

I wanted to thankyou for your kind comment on my guestbook, but your email bounced back at me.. So I'll do it here.... <grin> THANKYOU!!

Take care of your heart.

dee

PS... mine is deevaa@paradise.net.nz


From: deevaa
Date: 10 February 2000

deevaa = ditz sometimes... Megs.. I was talking to you!


From: Galadrial
Date: 11 February 2000

Thank you Megs---


And for today's Valen-Shine---


Kevin Urenda----the eloquent one who offers encouragement and support to all who venture near...Thanks for all you do and all you give!


From: J
Date: 11 February 2000

This is my first time here. I have been reading the poetry of Kevin Urenda. Not always a hit (and I've seen him admit it), but when he hits, he hits big! Ambidextrous, submitted by Kevin on 2/10/00 is going promptly into my husband's Valentine's day card.
Thank you for this creative website.


From: galadrial
Date: 11 February 2000



I've been so busy with the 3 q's, that I let a few slip---mea culpa gang...


Calypso----

Splash---How is it that you always catch an "ah" with so few words? Can I be you? When I grow up, that is?
Thanks for the valentine goodie you posted....

DEE---(wiggling or not)will never know why you doubt your gift---not after (WHY...) spare of word, yet rich of image...like a rich dessert---a little goes far.

The Guppy---Winning the loss---remarkable. I think of you as the Beat poet of the blender---but this one made me smile...

Others----but Gala is sleepy...feel like I have been given a really large box of really rich chocolate...which one to bite into next? Hmmmmmmm....


From: Calypso
Date: 11 February 2000

Hi Gala,

Your comment made me smile, do you really want to live in my overactive imagination? gets tiring at times....but thanks for your comments...Splash is a daydream, put into words, about someone special. It's so cold here now, really wish I was in that bay by the ocean with that special somebody...right now.


From: Debra
Date: 11 February 2000

kevin..... words cannot describe the way you touch my heart.


From: kevin urenda, kluless70@hotmail.com
Date: 11 February 2000

WHEW...

I am finally caught up (amazing, yes...)

There is much to cogitate upon, including several questions... Will say my peace on all later...

Happy Friday to all...

-k


From: deevaa
Date: 11 February 2000

Calypso - "splash" I missed it the first go round.. then when Gala commented I went back to read it... LOVED it. wow...you left ME breathless. Way to go.


From: jgleve
Date: 11 February 2000

Misti....I really loved your poem "Needed"...my exact feelings!..gee, cannot believe I am complimenting you, but I do prefer your soul connective poems..
All of the poems that I have read tonight are especially good. Sometimes the painful or deep affection that is hidden from others is so much easier to convey in writing.
Just wanted to share my thoughts ...J


From: vivi arm1eyadtel.net
Date: 12 February 2000

still
I never really left you.I just moved on. Your still in my heart.Your words still slip thruogh my lips. My mind still drifts to thuoghts of you.Your effect on me still munipulates my actions. Yet...your return is unwanted.To remember I once had your love is enough.The memory of you captivates me.


From: mei
Date: 12 February 2000

im not a regular contributor, but i am a regular reader... im always captivated by kevin,megs,gup and esp. misti. misti, i am a big fan of yours and it feels great we have the same taste in music (&/or lyrics)... i am a huge fan of the pumpkins, mike stipe, ani di franco and the beatles because of their lyrical sense..... thanks to all for choosing the blender as an outlet of your talent / emotions/ mishaps/ troubles re: romance

meifon


From: santil@internet-zahav.net
Date: 12 February 2000

i love you
your personal
îòøéõ


From: galadrial
Date: 12 February 2000

Hey Gang,

Valen-shine Time! This will make you nuts, but here goes...love and love poetry require inspiration for all of us...so I ask you all to acknowledge those wonderful souls who have caught us, and written large on our hearts---I know who they are for me---but folks---today let's all give a nod to those who make the poetry happen...

My Valen-shine list---Charles, the Big Kahuna of my heart---dear Friends like the Master Sargent, nuisances like Bad Boy---and of course, the ardent knight who bears my standard....

You inspire me---j'adore!


Gala

(Now who inspires you?)


From: galadrial (dancing)
Date: 12 February 2000

Oh and Kev---

Transusbstantiation is sublime. The title is a little supercalifragilisticespyalidoshus, but I bow to the Master....

Humble Gala


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 12 February 2000

Dee - I know you were kidding girl...me too! :-) Ugh, let's not think about the drive to JFK, all the traffic and...well...you know. It was Coyne, hehe...Coyne got you to drink a margherita after you downed half that bottle of that funky liquorice stuff, what was that again? Girl, you're cray-zeee!!

gala - our road trip is on halt right now...my baby in philly may have dead lines around that time, since its right before spring break, so he may not even have time for us to come visit...:-( I miss him so much!

Hi Kev - welcome back busy boy!


From: gala
Date: 12 February 2000

Sure Shady---

You're probably just afraid I will embarass you---get you arrested---something neat like that! Hey---you can meet some REALLY colorful types in lock up! Chicken!


GALA---THE DECREPIT


From: jk
Date: 12 February 2000

ihujh


From: deevaa - deevaa@paradise.net.nz
Date: 12 February 2000

Shady - I remember Galliano, I remember the stuff in the little bottles - (hot sex???), I remember something crushed with ice in the blender that turned my tounge a funny colour, and I thought I remembered a plastic cup full of vodka.. was there more? oh god.

(hehe.. and the house wine at BMW ... another night, but just as funny.)

Gala... you might be a year off 658 but you ain't dead yet. I'd like to make a suggestion for a valenShine to go to Angel McNease - she's not been about the blender for awhile, but she set up the MyFamily page and has contributed alot to this site and the lives of us on it.... can you add her to your list, please?

By the way.. Kirk and Kev.. good calls.

I got some wonderful news yesterday - and a great Valentines Gift from my sorta man. <grin>

email me.

dee







From: Toklas
Date: 12 February 2000

Way to go Trees62!
You finally put your work out there for others to see!
welcome to the blender! I love the last line best!


From: Beth (Angel1624@hotmail.com)
Date: 12 February 2000

Hey Everyone! Hope you're all having a good valentine's weekend! I love the recent submissions by everyone. I haven't thought of anything creative enough to send in recently. Oh well.

Oh and dee.....email me with all your news!

Beth


From: Toklas
Date: 12 February 2000

Misti,
I really like "Mutual Maybe." an excellent read, thank you for that one.
Toke


From: autumn; autumn_ashli@yahoo.com
Date: 12 February 2000

I am the proud sis' of the controversial Misti Velvet...her brilliance amazes me. To Mis'- I apologize for neglecting this site for so long, you inspire me and enlighten me and I thought I knew you better than anyone...!!! "Needed" is going to be read at my wedding!! =) ashli


From: Galadrial
Date: 12 February 2000

Hey Gang---

It's not quite midnight, and I"m going to post the next Valen-shine---but first I want to tell you all a story...

Just a few hours ago, we got word that a noble soul, and gallant lady had passed on. Her name was Zena De Preter---and she was my husband's godmother...Zena was half of one

of those love stories you hear about, and never quite believe---but since I witnessed about 20 years of it, I can testify to the truth of it.

Zena has been married to John De Preter for over forty years---I'm not sure how close they were to fifty years together---but close. Fifty years. With one person.
They were not always billing and cooing---it wasn't their style. But devotion was, and companionship---and certainly love.

Zena was a breast cancer survivor. That wasn't what took her out---and not a one of us was amazed when she beat that wretched bastard, and took another 20 years to enjoy her life. John adored her---and will take her passing hard---but we will all miss her. She was funny, feisty, and very much her own person. She was fearless, and bouyant, and unafraid to speak her mind.

John and Zena spent the last few years together traveling when they felt like it, visiting their sons, and doing what they wished.Not the worst way to finish a life, if you ask me...

Love is many things---it changes shape, has it's own taste, and it's own style. But I think all of us hope for a life partner who can make it through the ups and downs, the bad the good, or maybe just the very weird stuff. John and Zena had that---so it is possible. You can love someone that long, and not lose yourself in the process. Zena proved it.

So folks, forgive me---but my Valen-shines are John and Zena De Preter---god bless them both...I hope I have the guts to be who they were, when I grow up.


Gala


Date: 12 February 2000

Gala - that was very heartfelt, sweet and sincere... and if you need to talk more. I am here. ((great, big, tight hugs))

Thankyou for sharing that wonderful story or love and strength, and for sharing your spirit.

dee


From: deevaa - deevaa@paradise.net.nz
Date: 13 February 2000

Loo - I sense that you posted 'Cloudy Day' here for a certain someone to see... but I'm going to have my say anyways.

If you aren't 100% sure you want to do it, don't.

If you marry and live with regrets you'll just be unhappy and unsettled in your relationship with your husband and if the relationship doesn't go well you'll start to hold those regrets against him.
Only marry if you are CERTAIN he is the one you want to be with... not because you don't want to be alone.

Don't confuse loving to be loved with love.

My opinion only.

dee


From: poetwench
Date: 13 February 2000

Miss Dee---

Saw your post to Loo---read the poem---and I think you missed someting---in my life, with me is with me---all the way. But once goodbye is uttered, it's over...no yoyo nonsense---here today, gone tommorow.

I've watched my friends do that---to themselves, and their lovers---and nobody wins. Forget embers, forget looking back...that only tears opens scabs---and that makes scars. Get on with your life Loo---


From: Anna
Date: 13 February 2000

I just wanted to know if you had a poem called : "If tomorrow never comes". I've been looking for it and I can't find it. I found it here once, but I don't remember the month it was sent in. Please help - I really love that poem!


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 13 February 2000

Anna:
http://loveblender.com/1999december/heart/noname52.html has that title.

http://loveblender.com/1998march/heart/wasting.html also contains the line. I actually like this one a little better.


From: Rennie Lorca
Date: 13 February 2000

Dear Toklas and folks,

Thanks for your sweet words. I have once again gotten out of the hospital (a slight reprieve) ... so I am slow getting information out ... and even slower posting anything anymore. You might want to keep up with me and My Captain now through
http://community-1.webtv.net/cessie/WELCOME/index.html
I am running behind on that site, but am trying to keep it updated on a regular basis ... love to you for Valentines ... I hope you are as fortunate to find your love as I have been to find mine ... Rennie


From: Kevin W. Whitt
Date: 13 February 2000

Love
Like the shadow at the bottom of a well,
Unreachable to all but those who dive in head first,
Only to realize they have gone too deep,
To ever come up for air.
Love


From: Galadrial
Date: 13 February 2000



Well, it's the big day---Valentine's Day---and my eight year old daughter has reminded me how much I used to hate this particular holiday. She's hoping for a valentine from a special boy---but since boys don't particularly like or notice girls at that age...

I know there are people out there who will call in sick, spend the day with the shades down, and lie in bed with a six pack of Dr. Pepper and industrial sized fritos. They loathe Valentines Day because at the moment they're alone---or someone just dumped them, or something sad and tacky like that. They won't listen to the radio---too many love songs.They won't watch t.v.---to many sappy reminders, or love stories...

Well for the temporary otherless ones, I say hang in dear.
I believe that there really is someone out there for everyone---corny though that seems. I found mine six hours (no I'm not kidding) after I gave up pursuit of the "Great Love" I had been mooning for for years.

Love ain't easy...but lonely truly sucks.

So you out there with the Fritos and the Dr. Pepper---you're my Valen-shines today. NEVER give up. Happy Valentines Day---with a hug and kiss, and my very best wishes. Love---and you---will find a way.


Love,

Gala


From: Misti
Date: 14 February 2000

I didn't pay my sister to post that comment, honest!
**Toke,
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
**I know I'm supposed to be soooo cynical and hateful and anti-Valentine's Day, but I think Gala is onto something with her Valenshines so I'm going to shamelessly borrow her idea.
**for Paul...a bottle of Asti Spumanti and a bouquet of cerulean and lilac balloons. Thanks again for sending some light my way and for taking the time to help me with my screenplay and manic pendulum swings! xoxoxoxox
**for guppy...a bottle of Jim Beam and "Because" by the Beatles
**for Andy of Cessna fame...aviator glasses and a six-pack of Coors
**for J.B...a plane ticket to Las Vegas
**for Jim...a margarita and a kick in the ass
**for Kirk...whatever you like, and lots of it! :)
**for Deevaa...a box of GoDEEVAA chocolates! :)
**for Gala...no beer bottles thrown at ya, 'cause your poems are good
** for Shadygirl...a bouquet of wildflowers and a road trip to Texas
** for Kevin...a bottle of Dom Perignon (or however the hell ya spell it)and a galaxy of stars
**For everybody else...treat yourself to some eBuLLience today and tomorrow and the rest of your life, 'cause this isn't a dress rehearsal, ya know.


From: misti
Date: 14 February 2000

Mei,
I just found the compliments from you. For being a fan and for having excellent taste in music you get one of those little plastic snow globes from yesteryear with the blue background because they're the best and I can't find one anywhere these days. Maybe I should try Six Flags. Anyway, thank you thank you thank you and I hope you get your fair share of xoxoxo today.
:)misti


From: Debra654@aol.com
Date: 14 February 2000

StevR,
Haiku-2/14.... a sweet and touching sentiment.


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 14 February 2000

Found this odd little site off of today's "Cruel Site"
http://www.capnwacky.com/valentines/index.html

Check out the Gallery of Unfortunate Valentine's Day Cards.
Not as funny as the Onion's annual valentines, but pretty good.



From: Calypso createld@hotmail.com
Date: 14 February 2000

Trees!!!!! You go!!....loved to read your poems.

Caly


From: Galadrial
Date: 14 February 2000

Hey Madison---still got the touch....

Calypso---that nymph chick has nothing on you....

And thanks Misti---but I like Dee's version---

Gala=Ravishing goddess of lust!

Who could throw at a bottle at that?


From: Megs
Date: 14 February 2000

Happy Valentine's All...

Read piles of email, new subs, and comments...

Dee- my email address bad? Hmmm...whelp try getting a hold of me at Megangelwvu@aol.com...if you ever feel the need. No fail there.

Misti- I really liked what Derek wrote to Becca...but e me and tell me why Misti is so glum in HER poem's <concern here>

I am one of those people who still wears something red on the V-Day and YES even though its the only time of the year I get any real romance out of my man...I guess I have to be glad I have this one day. I am off to enjoy it.

Hehe...silly Megs


From: Beth (Angel1624@hotmail.com)
Date: 14 February 2000

Hey everyone! Happy valentine's day! Just a funny thought that came up today that i thought i'd share. Sometimes i feel like valentine's day is kind of an evil holiday. Yeah it's great if you're with someone you really care about, and it can be a really fun evening, but for everyone else who doesn't have anyone in their life it just seems to rub it in more. But then today i looked at the chocolate and candy covered faces of the 4 and 5 year olds i teach at daycare and i thought, well for everyone who is alone....there's always sugar!

Have a great time!
Beth


From: deevaa deevaa@paradise.net.nz
Date: 14 February 2000

hmmm... well it is the day after Valentines Day and I am sitting amongst the flowers and cards and stuffed toys other V-Day debris sent to other folk on my floor... <sigh>

I hope something special happens for each of you today/tonight, and I've got fingers crossed for someone from this site... let us know how it goes (and SOON!!)

Megs ... I was emailing you cause you commented in my guestbook saying I was a 'niftified person' I wanted a definition for that... hehe... a WHAT?

dee

(PS take care of your hearts.)


From: Megs
Date: 14 February 2000

Dee---

Hehe--- Niftified= Megs Word meaning incomparably cool and worthy of admiration :) Root word "nifty" What can I say? The english language wouldn't be fun if you couldn't play with it.

:)


From: Forest Adams (jhardylbg@hotmail.com)
Date: 14 February 2000

Hey fellow Blenderites!! :-)

I was thinking that Valentine's is one of the best holidays around(other than Christmas)!! If you are with a bunch of people that love each other it is also possible that you could feel loved too. Love, as a smile, is infectious. Tell someone you love them today or any particular day at all. It will truly lift your spirits and make you glad that you shared not just love, but compasion, for that person. I think that love is at the root of all good things. I also can whole-heartedly say that I love all of you out there, having not met you firsthand. Love all on earth is a good thing to do. I believe this because love changes lives and ultimately, hearts.

There is a song that I love that says,"Did you realize that inside you there is a flame? Did you ever try to let it burn?" Let your eternal light shine for others around you. I know I will.

Also, I must aplaud the poems that were sent out today. You people rock!! Why ? Because you have real love inside that shines with your poetic verse. Keep on doin' what your doin'.

And also smile and tell someone that you care for them. And show them you care for them in your actions and ways.

If nothing else, just be yourself. i am sure that people would delight in you just being you.

I would also like to add that a couple of poems I have read have no place on this site. One in particular named "Sue".
This is a ROMANCE HOMEPAGE!? Wake up already!!

Thanks you for your time . Good night and God speed. :-)


From: Riggs
Date: 15 February 2000

Sorry everyone I know it was a bit soppy but hey I wrote it at 3 am watching a certain someone fall asleep.


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 15 February 2000

Hey gang--
Mo and I got engaged last night! No date set - she doesn't even have the "real" ring, just a nice $10 placeholder ring that's a bit too large for her anyway - but still. It's really happy. I put the ring, wrapped with a little red ribbon, in a box of chocolates. A little cheesy, but hey.

Expect to see a lot of prewedding talk in the Blender Rambles over the next N months... (actually, could easily be more than a year, I suppose.)


From: Pleasantly Anonymous
Date: 15 February 2000

Congrats to Kirk and Mo on their engagement! And the ring in the chocolate trick is devine, not cheesy at all!! Way to go!

P.A.


From: kevin urenda
Date: 15 February 2000

Kirk and Mo...

Congratulations!
Wedded bliss is not only possible, but the most wonderful 'place' two can share together...

-k


From: the guppy
Date: 15 February 2000

kirk and mo...wow...too cool...congrats to you two...

everyone...especially that one shady lady who seems to think i'm good at math...ha...well, i've been studying mucho about that wonderful world of numbers...took the first exam today...and i'm not sure how it went...a kinda bad gut feeling...anyway, only three people in the class finished the test...grrrrrrrr...so, i'm stressed about that...

if anyone is a genius when it comes to discrete mathematics, let me know...

as for romance and poetry...*sigh*...

well, that's just a small update on the world of me for those of you who might be wondering if i'm dead or something

take care y'all, and congrats again kirk and mo

gup


From: deevaa agrinnin'
Date: 15 February 2000

*jumps up and down clapping her hands in glee*

Way to go Kirk and Mo!!!!!

*dashs to give both a big gigglin' hug*


From: Misti
Date: 15 February 2000

Kirk,
I still remember that comment you posted awhile back..."Kirk the Blender Keeper is in LOVE." I am so happy for you and Mo!
Happiness,
Misti
**Megs,
I'm okay. But I'm in a hurry. We go to press tonight! I'll e-mail ya later, chica.
:)Misti


From: Galadrial
Date: 15 February 2000

Hot Damn!

Congratulations love birds---okay guys---here's the deal---let send the two of them BLENDERS for wedding presents---I figure they'll get what---50 or 60?


Way to go Mo! Way to go Kirk!

Love, Gala



From: Megs
Date: 15 February 2000

Lots of warm happy thoughts. Now THERE is a story fit for the Blender. Congrats a hundred times to Kirk.

:) ;) :) ;)


From: Galadrial (contrite)
Date: 15 February 2000

Kirk?

I'm sorry. It occurs to me that the loopy people of this site just might take my lightly made suggestion seriously, and you and Mo might end up up to your bippies in Osterizers...

So officially---I was kidding.....

Let's send them toasters instead!


Gala

(running for cover, bound to be banned from the Blender for life!)


From: Megs
Date: 15 February 2000

Ok--- Here is a good one here--- "Who Wants to MARRY A Millionaire?" A serious 'Pageant' of 50 women submitted for the approval of one anonymous rich man to HONESTLY MARRY after the program? Is something WRONG with this world? (well yes---but) This seems ridiculous to me. Did anyone else watch this? What are the group's thoughts. I am just a little amazed and alot sad.

So much for romance.
Megs


From: Galadrial
Date: 15 February 2000

Dear Megs---

I married for love---and have a few friends who married for money---all of the money ladies are miserable---mostly because their spouses treat them like they are "bought and paid for"---which after a fashion, they are.
It's amazing the amount of misery human beings cause themselves. I'll take love every time...and you know, I think most people would...call me a dreamer!


Love,

Gala


Chin up, hon!


From: Megs
Date: 15 February 2000

Well the show is over and I can barely believe it but the people are married now...that is a lil insane. I mean here they spent two hours in each other's presence and now MARRIED...and not to THINK of how weird it would be to have sex with that person that evening...I mean is it casual sex? You are married after all...Many strange things about our times were shown in that one lil' event.

Just thought I would update my post.
Thanks Gala for giving me faith that not everyone has lost their minds.

Megs


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 15 February 2000

On "Who wants to marry a millionaire"

Mo watched this, and I sort of did. It was kind of crass, and I talked back to the tv a lot. But you know, I could almost see it working; I think the entire spectacle *might* form a bonding kind of experience for the two of them. I wouldn't be surprised if the 50 canidates got to see that little "bachelor bio", and they did pay a lot of lip service to the "deeper things". Historically, "arranged" marriages might have as good or better a track record than how we form life partnerships today, though that's a VAST oversimplification of a lot of cultural factors.

Mo asked two intersting questions about it: "do these women have boyfriends?" and later "ok, for the 49 others-- how do you explain this, years from now, to the man you *are* gonna marry?"

Just got a $6 "Best of Blondie" cd- "Call Me", "One Way Or Another", "Heart of Glass", "Rapture", "The Tide is High", "Atomic", 5 others-- I didn't even know these were all Blondie. Great cd. With some romantic content, if you reach a little ;-)


From: deevaa agigglin'
Date: 15 February 2000

all I have to say .... Long live blondie!!!!

<grins and dashes off stage right>


From: Megs
Date: 15 February 2000

What I wanted to now is what about a prenup? Not a romantic question but...practical.

In the end he made the best choice...I wish them the best I really do. Hell...they stand as good a chance as anyone.

Think this will be a recurring event on television?


From: the guppy
Date: 16 February 2000

crap...blender's in the mail already...NOW you change it to toaster...

as for the millionaire marriage stuff...crap i say...i was cracking up at how the contestants tried to play it off like they weren't in it for the money...like it was all about love and family values and stuff like that...um????...i'd believe that crap if the show was "who wants to marry a plumber?"...or "who wants to marry a pig farmer?"...whatever...ratings

*ponders having his own little pageant called "who wants to marry a little fish?"*

gup


From: deevaa amovin' quick
Date: 16 February 2000

*hand shoots in air*

Gup!! Gup!! Pick Me!!! Pick meeeeeeeee!!


From: galadrial
Date: 16 February 2000



Hey Gup?

Better a little fish than a shark!


Gala


From: Galadrial (dragging her soap box)
Date: 16 February 2000

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Nothing is more amusing, or sad than the endless battle between men and women on the grounds of love. Men want to be loved for themselves. Women want to be loved for themselves. Only....

Men want beautiful women who posed for the Sports Illustrated calendar while on hiatus from their six figure career, who nonetheless live to answer their every desire, and don't mind putting all that aside to raise the kids.

Women want men who will adore them, afford them security (spelled a lot of money) won't care what they actually look like under the war paint,and still have tons of time to spend appreciating their ladies, and playing.

Am I generalizing? Of course---but what do you see out there? The women on that pagaent last night---bathing suits and high heels? They were parading for the highest bidder---and they had already established their minimum price.

But the male involved...a bored guy, tired of suspecting that every woman he met was in it for his boodle---and he agrees to marry Miss Chicklets? Trump married Ivana first---a beautiful girl. When she grew up, he traded her in for a carbon copy. Marla. Then when she started to get older---(what maybe 30?) he went after the Next Miss Tropical Tan.

Stupid. Like a certain cup size, hair color, or arrangement of features assures you that the rest of the package is going to be great. Please........


Enough from me. I'm going to go live in a cave or something. I'll take love---first last and always.



Gala


From: jgleve
Date: 16 February 2000

Why can Kirk not put the most current dates of entries at the top of the page....I scrolled over 170 times to get to yesterday's dated material....gee whiz!!
PLEASE change that...spend more time scrolling than reading the stuff.


From: Pensacola Tan
Date: 16 February 2000

That is a great question that those women really should have asked themselves before requesting to appear on the show. "How would a woman explain that?" It just says so many different things to me. Desperate! Money Hungry! That would make some impression on any future suitors. I wonder how those that lost felt? I'm sure that many of them were smart enough to feel horrible. Oh well, we all make mistakes. It's just that we try not to do it for millions of others to see. There is an up side to being a loser. They were able to place a personal ad for millions of people to see.


From: Pensacola Tan
Date: 16 February 2000

Poetwench i just loved the Salad Days Poem. I made another attempt at writing my own. Check it out.


From: Misti
Date: 16 February 2000

I almost submitted "In the Flesh" by Blondie the other day 'cause I like it but I decided the lyrics aren't strong enough to stand on their own.
..."Darlin, darlin, darlin...I can't wait to see you/your picture ain't enough/I can't wait to touch you/in the flesh"
Still haven't found a karaoke bar that has that song on the list.
...As for the millionaire thing, I'm sure at least some of you remember that comment I posted awhile back. I tried to be on the show but I'm glad I didn't make the cut. I'd rather marry a plumber or a bus boy or a little fish. :)


From: Misti
Date: 16 February 2000

Oh oh oh!!! Just wanted to add that if I had better luck in love I never would have done a lot of the crazy things I have done. Like placing personal ads, hitchhiking to L.A. from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, writing reams of psychotic poetry, writing horrendous novels, and throwing my colors across the canvas and not caring if anyone likes my shade of blue. I wanted to marry the first guy I ever loved when I was 17. He had no money or power...he was just a 17 year old like me. But I loved the way he embraced me and made me laugh and the way he smelled and the way he kissed and the way he could make me shiver just by touching my face.
I'm glad now that he didn't love me enough to marry me, but my needs and desires are basically the same. I just want to find a man who can make me shiver. It would be a HUGE bonus if I could make him shiver, too. Bye.


From: poetwench
Date: 16 February 2000

Hello Pensacola---

Much tighter---much more imagery to taste---and no one is a "professional" silly.

The Wench


From: DeeR_GeYiK@hotmail.com
Date: 16 February 2000

ppp


From: Angela - North Carolina
Date: 16 February 2000

Dear Breakup Girl,
I dated someone for 2 years and I broke it off; due to gambling and cheating. He still calls, pages, and drops by. How do I let him know that it's over for good? I've tried to get the message across but he won't take NO for an answer. HELP!!!!


From: deevaa
Date: 17 February 2000

guppy you = crazy loon, and I love ya for it.
snowballs and salads I love them all!!


From: Misti
Date: 17 February 2000

I was born at 6:29 p.m. on this day in 1973. I am happy to be alive.
:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):
(happy)


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 17 February 2000

Jgleve- for aesthetic reasons I'm not going to reverse the order of entries- English is read from top to bottom, and combining that with chronological order dictates the current structure. On the other hand, it might make sense to start only having the last week or so on the page at any given time. I might switch to that.


From: kevin urenda
Date: 17 February 2000

Kirk-

If you do decide to make that change, what would then happen to the older comments? Sometimes some of us refer back into a conversational thread, hence the question. I do completely understand the desire on the part of some to NOT have such a large file (the comments file this month is inordinately lengthy already) to download each and every time they want to see the latest comments (and not everyone has a T1 connection at their workstation...)

Oh, and does it feel any different, being affianced??

On today, the nineteenth anniversary of my first date with my beloved I am reminded that I am not averse to long engagements, having been engaged for a total of eighteen months... Once upon a time...

-k (the ancient)


From: Angel
Date: 17 February 2000

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, MISTI*
*SMILE*
Angel


From: Andy
Date: 17 February 2000

Happy Birthday MiSti!

I hope your day started as well as mine.


From: Megs
Date: 17 February 2000

Misti- Happy Happy One...mine is next week which makes us birthday month buddies I s'pose. Anyways check your mail for a birthday smile.

Kev- Glad I could help you come up with such a great piece there. MUCH more satisfying than my own.


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 17 February 2000

Kirk - Congrats! The king of all romance sites has just grabbed a rope, and ready to tie...you go boy! Are we invited?? Haha...;-)

gala-haha...you're gonna get me locked up? That's one I haven't tried yet...wooohooo! let's atleast make it worth it...no murder though...I hear blood is a real pain to get out of clothes. Philly is still on hold for the time being, but I will keep you updated, I have a feeling we won't know until the very last moment.

Dee - HOT SEX! I totally forgot about that stuff....that was soooo yummy...:-) Mmmmmm...and Galliano, that's the stuff...

Misti - you better believe it girl! Thanks for the flowers and road trip to texas...that would truly be amazing...and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, you wacky girl you!

Hey guppy - so, how'd u do on the test...know yet? Probably not, it was only two days ago (I ooze impatience...hehe) Don't fret, I thought I failed my A&P midterm last week, the written half, and I got an 80, still not an amazing grade, but much better than failing. But I breezed through the practical! It is so exciting to have found my niche(sc?). And getting into particle physics and all the big-bang 'hoopla'...and the devolution of man...lotsa hoopla that makes my brian boil with anticipation of unknown answers. I felt like Einstein yesterday (especially after a glance in the mirror, my hair was doing something awful funky...hehe...).

Kev - how u doin'?

Hi to everyone I missed!


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 17 February 2000

Testing, testing, testing--
if this works, then I'm ready to roll with a new message board system, that's much more flexible than the old month-based single page- it's great at showing just a few days, or even more than a month, if you don't mind waiting for the download.

So let me know what you think? Is three days a good default time?


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 17 February 2000

So everything seems to work! I like this a lot.

Everyone should update their bookmarks, if they have one that goes right to the old comments page- comments.html will stick around forever, but it will be a redirect to this page.

Here's the details, if anyone cares- as a geek, I'm a bid proud of what an improvement this is.

The old system had a special [ADD COMMENTS HERE] line embedded in comments.html. When someone one added a comment, the script had to read in the old comments page, rewriting each line to a temp file, and then printing out the new comment when it reached the special tag, then printing out the rest of the old file. Then it renamed the temp comments.html. Kind of an ugly kludge- it worked, but if interrupted somehow, would break badly (though that only happened a few times.)

The new system stores all the comments for a day in a file in the directory board/year/month, named after the day of the month, so all I do is append the comment to the very end of that file, which is much more reliable than the search-and-replace I did before. The disadvantage is that you *have* to use a script to view the past comments, but its very easy for that script to show whatever group of days it wants to. (I'll need to tweak it at the end of the month, so that it can take in a year and a month and show only those comments, not just the N last days)


From: Galadrial
Date: 17 February 2000

Hey All!


H>B> to the Misti One!

Shady, I never intend to get anyone arrested---but things have this way of happening when I'm around...can't imagine why. Of course if you are arrested, hand cuffs could come in handy...don't have a pair at the moment...wonder who does?

Kevin Urenda, whaddya mean ancient? I'm older than you and you said I wasn't ancient----never annoy an elven queen---particularly one with a perverse sense of humor....


From: deevaa deevaa@paradise.net.nz
Date: 17 February 2000

Kirk... liking it alot... its much faster to download and I like the however many days defualt feature.. very nice.

And yes I think that 3 days is a good number.

I also agree with you on the new subs, I think they should be in the order they are submitted.

Bravo Kirk~!

Today is my parents 33rd Wedding anniversary.. which is kinda cool... what is freaky is that Kev and my son have the same birthday and Kev and my parents have the same anniverisary. <looking about for lightening crashes>

Shady.. <waving> must email you soon... just been kinda busy at work!

Take care of your hearts.
dee

PS.. why do I keep putting the name of the person I want to direct the comment to in the 'Your Name' slot! I ALWAYS have to double check that! Today I had Kirk in there!

Sheesh can't even remember who I am.


From: deevaa
Date: 17 February 2000

(handcuffs? what ever would anyone have a pair 'just lying about' for?? I have a chat friend who is a cop.. maybe he'd lend you some.!!)

Kirk forgive me....

I've just registered one of my paintings for sale on a new website, and I thought some of you might be interested.

I am NOT expecting any of you to bid, but I thought it might generate some interest in my web site and in my paintings in general. For those of you in the USA the price is in New Zealand $$ so you can basically divide the price in half to get US $$

Take a look at my add and let me know if you think I need to change any details <grin> I am open to suggestions!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/structure/auction_detail.asp?region=100&id=11631


There is also a guppy poem that compliments the painting, Kirk picked them for front page a month or so back.

:)


From: kevin urenda
Date: 17 February 2000

(taking short break from one long-ass day)

Kirk-
OUTSTANDING... you ARE the MAN... Your adjustment to the comments page should make everyone happy (and thanks for the explanation, now I know the logic behind the download 'speed')

Gala-
'twas only FEELING ancient today since I tweaked my knee playing soccer with kids a third my age... Besides, are not elves immortal? I thought that meant you could NOT get "Old."

Megs-
What I experienced yesterday was this - I already had a poem rolling around in my peanut brain, but it was ill-formed. The idea from your writing served as a catalyst for the poem I eventually wrote. THAT is what a community of writers/poets does... We feed off each other. THAT was satisfying. Thank you for the use of your idea and also for your compliment...

Shady-
SHOUT OUT to you, woman! I am doing pretty well all in all...

MVR-
Don't party too much, tomorrow is still a work day... he he he...

Angel,
You have been sorely missed. I look forward to seeing some submissions from you soon...

-k


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 17 February 2000

Deeva, no forgiveness nec., I even made it a link. Good luck, it's tough starting out (well duh)

Jgleve- you should be able hit "ctrl-end", or just press and hold pagedown, if you do get to a page that's too big in the future. The main reason I acted is that load-time was really a problem for everyone.


From: deevaa agigglin'
Date: 17 February 2000

Kirk, seeing as you made it a link I'll forgive ya for spelling my name wrong. <blows a kiss and winks at him>

dee


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 17 February 2000

Kirk - I LOVE the new 3 day thing. No more waiting for all the messages I've read to come up...its wahn-daful.

Kev - THERE you are! Hope your not too bogged down...take time to smell the flowers (which I'm sure you all have on your coast, as opposed to our forecast of snow and bad morning commute for tomorrow...:-P) Ah, but spring is on its way, and soon I'll be wishing it were winter again...

Dee - oh girl, I envy you, keeping your art going and flowing, I have not touched a brush (aside from my night job), lump of clay or even a measly piece of charcoal in way too long. I've begun to UN-label myself as an artist, something I realized the other day, which sort of upset me a bit. I've always been an 'artist'. And I am one not typically pleasured by labels, but, that was one I was quite proud of. Someone of these days...I'm just going to gesso an old canvas and let my brain vomit color through my fingertips (pretty image...hehe:-)

Gala - will you please stop that whole age thing! Dear lord woman! You have one of the most youthful souls on this &@!#* &%$@!!! (gosh darn) site! I swear I am older than you, inside!! And handcuffs? I have a fake pair, does that count? My Phillie baby and I bought them as a joke. I think I hid them when everyone started getting the wrong idea. (If only he had made it the RIGHT idea! Jeesh! *blushing, deep deep crimson* hehe...)

Alright...nuff said. It's almost friiiiday, It's almost friiiiday!


From: Galadrial
Date: 18 February 2000

Morning Shady...

So far as the age thing is concerned dear, you mistake me. I am very happy being the age I am---and wouldn't turn back the clock for anything. My 20's were horrid---my 30's have been pretty cool---but been there, done that. I happen to be a scream, a stitch, and while reasonably "mature and responsible" in my real life, have never forgotten what it felt like the first time a saw a shooting star---or the first time I was kissed by someone I was dying to be kissed by. Still chase fireflies in the grass in June---still think color tv is half magic----

but always I will believe that love is the best magic of all. And I can too embarass you ib public, little britches!


Gala


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 18 February 2000

Gala - you are a lucky woman to have kept so much magic in your life. :-) Yeah, you probably could embarrass me. Hell, my cheeks tturn red at the drop of a dime...I'm continually rosy...hehe. Right Dee? I like to call it a healthy glow...;-)

TGIF!

Kirk - I REALLY love this new Board!!!


From: Pleasantly Anonymous
Date: 18 February 2000

Kirk-

Cudos on the new Blender Board format. It's great! Load time is so much faster. And what with the fast food society that we live in today, faster is always better, ey?

Sleet and freezing rain in D.C. today, yuck!


From: gala
Date: 18 February 2000

Shady,

You should have never told me that...now I will live to make you blush!!!! Yippee!

Evil Gala


From: Beth (Angel1624@hotmail.com)
Date: 18 February 2000

Hey everyone...
It's a blizzard here!!! This might inspire me enough to break this stupid block i've been having. Anyways we have a whole ton of that light fluffy snow....i feel a snowball fight coming on!

Beth


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 18 February 2000

gala- I'm used to it...I blush even if I'm not embarrassed, all you have to do is expect me to blush, or say "You're blushing" and I'll blush. I have hypercolor cheeks! So go crazy...see how red u can turn me...I can take it! :-)


From: Galadrial
Date: 18 February 2000

Oh Wicked Bliss---a blusher----hee hee hee (wicked cackle)


Ahem...Shady dear girl,


Worry not---Gala will treat you as if you were her own daughter---and the white slavers gave me a hell of a deal for her!

love

Gala


From: deevaa
Date: 18 February 2000

I LOVE Saturday mornings!!!!

Its cold and wet here, an ideal "stay in your jammies, and watch TV" day... see its summer here so we aren't sick of those yet!!!

Misti... forgot to wish ya happy things for yesterday! <blows a birthday wish her way>

hey Gala - look over there -------->>>>

<Pulls Shady - aka the day-glow-girl aside and whispers in her ear>
Watch Gala she is dangerous, but hell... she can be fun some times, just stay in her good books and don't tell her any secrets and you'll be fine.

Take care ya'll

dee


From: Misti, Karaoke Queen
Date: 18 February 2000

Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! Your wish came true! I got a head start on Wednesday night...partied so hard I had to call in sick the next day! Tried to talk my newest friend into taking me to Mexico but he's a straightlaced Capricorn engineer. Found myself at IHOP, instead, eating these nightmare-inducing blueberry pancakes. Then last night we hung out at Jack London's, the karaoke bar of all karaoake bars. I wanted to sing the "Three's Company" theme song but my friend reminded me that it's a duet, so I sang "Upside Down" by Diana Ross.
***Angel, where have you been? Glad to see you're still alive!
***Andy, thank you. I got lost this morning and found myself surrounded by Yuppie morning traffic. Very unpleasant! Then I looked at the clouds and just knew a tornado was gonna swirl down and carry my ass off to Oz. Anyway, I'm still alive and still hung over. And I had to have TWO quarts of oil put in my truck!!! I'm going to run on over to Yahoo now and research the cost of living in San Francisco. Hope work doesn't suck today!


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 18 February 2000

Gala - u so silly :-)

Dee - uhoh...secrets? When do I ever uncover anything about myself anyways...still working on that lock...:-)

Misti - girl, I would have LOVED to see you sing Karaoke...:-) Too funny! My song of choice assuming I grew those some _____, would be "Me and My Bobby McGee" hehehe...cliche maybe, but, I love it...


From: Misti
Date: 18 February 2000

Shadygirl,
The first karaoke experience I ever had was on the anniversary of John Lennon's birthday back in 1998...I sang "Piece of My Heart" and shook my head around like Janis Joplin and scared people! This happened after many beers, Jack and Cokes and tequila shots!!! I have the tape of her greatest hits but I still haven't heard "Me and Bobby Magee." My DREAM karaoke song is "Brand New Key."
..."I got a brand new pair of roller skates/You got a brand new key!" It was terribly exploited in "Boogie Nights."


From: Galadrial
Date: 18 February 2000

(Highly affronted)


DEe! I have never betrayed a confidence in my life....so bite me, Kiwi Chick!

Sorry blenderites----but I did use that in a sentence.

Gala

(stomping off to mutter a wicked spell)


From: deevaa
Date: 18 February 2000

oh please girl.. have too.


From: Ryan (Misti's Cousin)
Date: 18 February 2000

My first time to submit something...something went wrong, I accidentally hit the enter key. SO, if you read the first submission it will be blank because it was a mistake. I'm sorry.


From: deevaa
Date: 19 February 2000

been doing abit of reading of new subs...

Lily.. I really liked 'waiting'... great little piece that says so much.

liked some others too.. but thats enough from me right now.

dee


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 19 February 2000

Since the upgrade to the board went so well, my next change to the site might be to the new submissions page:
I'll make it follow the same return following rules as the comments page (instead of always putting everything in <pre> formatted mode) and I think I could be able to add a "preview" feature- in fact, I think I might make *everyone* take a look at their work as it will appear before pressing the final "submit" button. (This isnt blaming the people who make mistakes, btw; it's not the most intiuitive system to begin with, which is why I mean to fix it.)


From: kevin urenda
Date: 19 February 2000

Kirk-
That'd be a good idea (would have spared ME some embarrassment yesterday!)
Seriously, though, it might help those who are not accustomed to submitting. That change might make it less likely for someone to submit the same thing four times...

-k


From: Megs
Date: 19 February 2000

The changes are GREAT- very convienient. I have to say kudos to Kirk for being smart enough to manage all this. I would be HOPELESSLY lost. I am sooooo not comupter literate. Anyways...just wanted to pass on my compliments.


From: deevaa agaspin'
Date: 20 February 2000

OMG! Funny kinda romantic story for ya!
I don't know if anyone remembers it, but before Christmas I posted a story about meeting a guy on a bus - a guy that looked like LL Cool J, well that was a true story from when I was in the USA.
Today I got an email from LL Cool J - First time since I've been back in NZ:

"I always think about our eventful trip...it was something out of a movie...but in this case the hero didn't get the girl."

He signed the 2 page long email with... "write soon" -- Ha! Its only been 5mths since I've been back!!!

Anyways it made me smile... thought you might enjoy it to.
dee


From: Toklas
Date: 20 February 2000

Madison,
I love "eachother." What a terrific image. words on wind becoming one. Really like this one.
By the way, I have not been able to do anything else with my page... my life is so busy right now. I work 50 hrs a week and am trying to write inbetween. I hope to add a links page next weekend and would love to add your page if that is okay...
Toke


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 20 February 2000

Hey all - I just submitted a very very weird thing...I sat down, wrote it, have no idea what it means, so don't hold it against me. :-)

Misti - Hahaha...Brand New Key? That's cute. "I rode my bicycle past your window last night..." Oh I love those songs...and I happened to have loved Boogie Nights. :-)

OK, I'm going to play dead for a while, today took a very long time. :-)

OH! And for any of you whom I'd ever whined to about that gosh darn baby blanket I've been making for the past 1 and 1/2 years...it is OFFICIALLY DONE!!! My granny days are over, well, until my next friend has a baby...hehe...:-)


From: Madison [aka_madison@hotmail.com]
Date: 20 February 2000

What a great month of new submissions, everyone is sending in EXTRAordinarily romantic pieces - just a few that struck me tonight:
kev, recycled fragments and bloom
D Ross: A weekend, a weekend
Barbara by brunssen
was it ever there? by angelcita
Toklas: Sea of Love - beautiful alliteration. btw, I'd feel honored if you link to my site
Gala: Out of Town Blues
haven't finished reading yet, but my kid is sitting here tapping his foot, waiting his turn at the computer so...


From: Galadrial
Date: 21 February 2000

Madison----

I'm dying over here...your opinion I trust. So chase the kid off the puter, and give an opinion...trash or treasure? Gala


From: Madison
Date: 21 February 2000

treasure !


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 21 February 2000

NEW SUBMISSIONS PAGE!

I've made a few changes to the submission page:
1. "Title" is now the first field-- hope this doesn't confuse oldtimers too much.
2. There are now THREE types of text modes. The new mode, the default, works a lot like the comment page has for a while-- it should help avoid the long lines that go on forever syndrome, while still having the same looking font and preserving most of the formatting. The second mode, the old default, preserves spaces *exactly*. And you still have the option of doing HTML in the raw.
3. You now preview the new work before you can submit it. From there you can hit back and fix things, or hit submit to actually send it.
4. The script that actually does the submitting passes you to the 'thanks' page, so even if someone hits reload it won't resubmit the work. (In fact, the way it passes the submitter, it's kind of like a one way valve. They'd have to go clickety clickety clickety with the back button to get to where they could submit it. Hmm. It just occurs to me that this might be a problem for people posting many things at once. Let me know if this becomes too burdensome.)


From: kevin urenda
Date: 21 February 2000

Kirk-

Changes sound great! I'll use them shortly...
Don't worry about those submitting many things at once. They should already be opening several windows in order to submit (this is, as I have found, the quickest - though not least fool-proof - way). For those who have their browsers set to open on their start-up page every time, this could be annoying, but cutting and pasting the proper address in the address (IE) or location (Netscape) bar and hitting return will take you to the correct page.

-k


From: Gala
Date: 21 February 2000

Thanks Madison....

From the bottom of my insecure-poet- type heart...


Gala


From: Misti
Date: 21 February 2000

Shadygirl,
I love "Boogie Nights," too! It's one my favorite movies in my weird collection of videotapes ("Flash Gordon" is my #1 favorite). People who think it's sleazy miss the point. I love how Dirk Diggler expounds on why he thinks people hate his porn star status, when he compares himself to Napoleon! "It's like history repeating itself." Ha!
I sang along with "Brand New Key" while driving down the highway this morning. "I ride my bike I roller skate don't drive no car/don't go too fast but I go pretty far/for somebody who don't drive I've been all around the world/some people say I done alright for a girl/oh yeah yeah!"
***I need help with my screenplay! Papaw is going to sing a song in the karaoke bar but I can't think of what I want him to sing. I'm thinking "It's De-Lovely" by Cole Porter or "Blueberry Hill" by Fats Domino or "The Great Pretender" by the Platters. The catch: after he sings the song, he's going to inform the audience that it was the first song he and his wife made love to. Muy importante! Academy award winnin' moment, we're talkin'! Hellllllppppppp!!!!!


From: Gala
Date: 21 February 2000

Shady----


Either "witchcraft" or "Anything GOES!"


In olden days a glimpse of stocking was viewed on as something shocking, but heaven knows---ANYTHING GOES....!


Gala, carrying the mezzo section.


From: kevin urenda
Date: 21 February 2000

Why Gala!
How many would recognize Cole Porter instantly?
<Giggle>
If the Karaoke doesn't have any Elvis tunes, I am so NOT there!

-k


From: Galadrial
Date: 21 February 2000

Elvis? Ewwwwwwwwwwww....was once trapped on an elevator in an AC elevator with Elvis Impersonators....not pretty.......


Gala


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 21 February 2000

Gala - WHAT? Was that comment sirected at Misti, u silly lady?? :-)

Misti - I think Mark Wahlberg was incredible in that movie! That scene with his mom in the beginning, when she's trashing his room, ouch. My stomach was turning. Part of my collection too. (And this coming from a girl who thought the sun rose and set in Donnie Wahlberg's pants when I was about 14...NKOTB, oh geezuz *blushing a bit*) Speaking of Donnie, did you see Sixth Sense? My most watched video is (prepare to laugh) a copy of the very last episode of My So Called Life...with Jared Leto and that thick sexy neck of his, kissing Whatserface (hehe)

OK...back to work for me...hi ho hi ho...


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 21 February 2000

Gala - that should have said "Should that comment have been Directed to Misti?"

:-)

me=dunce


From: Gala (goofball today---forget the elven crap)
Date: 21 February 2000

Yup....sorry shady----

But my new fave is :


My Funny Valentine, sweet comic valentine, you make me smile with my heart---
Your looks are laughable, unphotographable---
Yet you're my favorite work of art---

Is your figure less than greek, is your mouth a little weak---when you open it to speak, are you smart?

Don't change your hair for me, not if you care for me, Stay little valentine stay----

Each day is Valentines day.....



(And if you're making love, something soft can be a treat as well. So there.)


From: Gala (goofball today---forget the elven crap)
Date: 21 February 2000

Yup....sorry shady----

But my new fave is :


My Funny Valentine, sweet comic valentine, you make me smile with my heart---
Your looks are laughable, unphotographable---
Yet you're my favorite work of art---

Is your figure less than greek, is your mouth a little weak---when you open it to speak, are you smart?

Don't change your hair for me, not if you care for me, Stay little valentine stay----

Each day is Valentines day.....



(And if you're making love, something soft can be a treat as well. So there.)


From: Misti
Date: 21 February 2000

Gala,
Thanks for the suggestions. I agree- no Elvis! Not that I don't love him 'cause I do. But I really want Papaw to sing something kinda obscure, something from the late '40s or early '50s. I love "Remember (Walking in the Sand)" by the Shangri-Las but I can't picture Papaw singing that song. Maybe "Under My Skin" by Frank Sinatra...hmmmmm. No. Absolutely not.
Shadygirl,
I was a huge NKOTB fan, I admit. I was in HIGH SCHOOL but my sister (who is your age)had their videos and posters and tapes, even the Christmas one! She was all for Donnie (she was always rewinding that one part in the first video where he said,"Milk. It does a body good!")but I was crazy in lust with Jon. And I loved Joe's personality. Yeah, I saw "Sixth Sense" with my brother the night my ex told me he needed a "break." I didn't know that was Donnie until my sister told me, and I didn't believe her until I read it in a magazine. That movie made me cry, and I loved the surprise at the end. Last night I saw "The Green Mile." That made me cry, too. I LOVE "My So Called Life" but I never saw the last episode! I like the one where Rae Ann (however you spell that crazy chic's name)sings a bluesy rendition of "Sesame Street."


From: Misti
Date: 21 February 2000

Found it! "Candy" it is! How appropriate! :)


From: kevin urenda
Date: 21 February 2000

MVR, Gala-

The Elvis comment was meant only as a reflection of my taste for karaoke (I am very much a "Beatles man" as opposed to an "Elvis man", for those of you who have the video of "Pulp Fiction" with the extra scenes)... For my money, "Stardust" would be the quintessential tune for lovin' (for someone as 'experienced' as Paw-Paw):

"Sometimes I wonder why I spend the lonely nights
Dreaming of a song.
The melody haunts my reverie.
And I am once again with you
When our love was new.
And each kiss, an inspiration..."

(my favorite "version" of this tune is Nat 'King' Cole's, with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra)

-k


From: Misti
Date: 21 February 2000

Kevin,
Thanks for your input and insight. Can't go wrong with the Beatles, that's for sure. Do you (or anyone else, for that matter)know the name of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis's favorite poet? Last name begins with an "S"? No, it's not Shelley. The librarian wants to know, for some weird reason!
:)misti


From: Megs
Date: 21 February 2000

I have been wondering what song Papaw would choose...nice to see the behind the scenes work that goes on in a playwright's mind :) SUCH exhausting research. I read all these comments about the music and realized what a young-timer I am. And I thought I was well-rounded!!! Hehe...I DO hail from WV tho...where we are proud to HAVE two types of music (country AND western) hehehe...ok that was corny.

ANYWAYS
Shady--- I REALLY liked what you wrote...the alleged "weird piece" Not weird.

Megs=Dork today :)


From: deevaa
Date: 21 February 2000

Megs I wanted to suggest anything by Loius or Ella... but then saw everyone elses suggestions and thought I'd best shut my mouth.. what would a kiwi chick know! LOL. and I couldn't quite work out which era he'd be from either... I see Misti found something anyways.

you = funny chick.

*wink*

dee


From: deevaa
Date: 21 February 2000

I've just received a great (belated) Valentines gift from someone -- its the 'good loving - great sex' desk calender. It suggests things to do each day that'll help you toward sexual happiness.

Todays is "skin on skin touching is vital to the health and well being of all humans- Have you had a good long (naked?) hug today?" My plan is to txt message my lover on his cellphone each morning with the suggestion.

I think its a great way to embrace our sexuality and be positive toward each other... does anyone have any other suggestions for keeping the ZING in long-distance (albeit casual - hehe) relationships?


From: Megs
Date: 21 February 2000

Deeva -

Thanks for making me feel better. *grins*

Long distance *ZING* eh? Sexy zing I have no experience at (I am a lil naive baby...hehe) But I will tell you one of the most romantic long distance things I have ever had done for me...A guy I dated traced his hand in a letter and told me to put my hand to it and pretend to be holding his whenever I missed him. I thought that was verrrrrrrrrry nice.

Whelp story times over...g'night kiddies.

Megs


From: catskill5211@e-mail.com
Date: 22 February 2000

I love you darling happy valantine


From: mEg
Date: 22 February 2000

etta james -- "at last" and her version of holiday's "the man I love"

the aretha franklin "queen of soul" boxed set

al green, al green, al green

just my 2 cents in song.

mEg


From: Tracy Mueller onlygirl@core.com
Date: 22 February 2000

My Mother is getting remarried and I'm in need of a love poem to read at their wedding.If you have anything that would fit the bill I would be most grateful.


From: Toklas
Date: 22 February 2000

Tracy, try "The Good Morrow" by John Donne.
It is a timeless and beautiful love poem about relationships. If I get time, I will post it here sometime this week. Otherwise, it is easily available. I sure you will find it on the net somewhere.


From: deevaa
Date: 22 February 2000

unit305 baby! thankyou - for the remembering your promise! *blushing* you spoil me.. hey and.. happy birthday for the Bailey girl. Love you both.

So who exactly is Lady E .. and is her poem 'Her Promise' anything to do with our promises?

Unit305's is refering to this poem...http://loveblender.com/1999september/works/promise.html


From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper
Date: 22 February 2000

Any thoughts on the changes to the submission proccess? It seems to be working ok for people. Admittedly, it's less snazzy than the changes to the Board, but in some ways it's more important. And it's not quite the vision of having serious author login and indexing, but it's a start.


From: deevaa
Date: 22 February 2000

Kirk, I'll find something to submitt just so I can play with it! *grin* gimme 10mins!

*blows kisses&wiggles out*

dee


From: deevaa [deevaa@paradise.net.nz]
Date: 22 February 2000

*looks about* I feel a bit like I am on the Marie Celeste today... where is everyone? Even my email box and txt msg-er is silent -- this is all VERY strange.

Kirk, I've played with the new New Subs form... I like it very much, I like the fact that you are 'forced' to see your submission before you post it - often I've posted and then spotted something really simple on reading it. These changes are all things that were never really WRONG with the site before, but having them now, really makes a difference. I say 9.5 points to the master!!!
*grin*

mEg - 'Terminal C...'
GRAND.

The Wench - "like kisses wrapped in letters/peppered with punctuation" *deep sigh* wow.

gup - 'a wonder' Watch me being impressed. *gasp*

*giggle* take care of your hearts and email me y'all.

dee


Date: 22 February 2000

To Deevaa,

Lady E did not mean to intrude upon your promise, just found it beautiful and inspiring which lead to "Her Promise."

Take it as a compliment! Ü


From: Kirk
Date: 22 February 2000

Have to say I am liking the new submissions changes. Makes it especially easy on us prose-prone people who don't like to hit <enter> after every line. No complaints here.
You rock.

*lots of giggles here*
Megs


From: ronakmela
Date: 22 February 2000

I want a new life that's easy on me
I want a new soul that I can set free
I want some wings to soar through the sky
I want a new shoulder to use when I cry
I want what's best, though it might not be right
I want to be strong, though not wanting to fight
I want to be loved, but only if it's true
I want a soft breeze to carry me to you.
But getting these things is just too much to ask,
And, achieving each one is too big of a task.
So there's only one wish that I hope will come true:
That someday I'll be together with you.






From: ronakmela @aol.com
Date: 22 February 2000

I want a new life that's easy on me
I want a new soul that I can set free
I want some wings to soar through the sky
I want a new shoulder to use when I cry
I want what's best, though it might not be right
I want to be strong, though not wanting to fight
I want to be loved, but only if it's true
I want a soft breeze to carry me to you.
But getting these things is just too much to ask,
And, achieving each one is too big of a task.
So there's only one wish that I hope will come true:
That someday I'll be together with you.






From: Galadrial
Date: 23 February 2000

Kev---

Hmmmm...on the same page again?


Gala


From: Tania:cutie_00_17@hotmail.com
Date: 23 February 2000

Hello I am writting to you just to let you that I am flatuated by your poems ,comments,ect..I beleve that every thing your client's wright has a way to express the way I feel at times..

Thankyou for tacking the time to listen..

All greating's Tania masse.


From: parker
Date: 23 February 2000

This site needs a "search" function! I came across a great quote that someone submitted (Misti was it you?) about the origin of kissing....something about lizards licking each other! I meant to print it out but now I can't find it. Anyone know what I'm talking about and where it is?

Thanks!


From: deevaa
Date: 23 February 2000

Parker -
Its on the New Submissions page, and will stay there until sometime around the start of March when Kirk does the new edition, from there it'll either go into this months 'heart on the sleeve corner' or if Kirk picks it, to the front page, not that hard to keep track really.

dee


From: Kath
Date: 23 February 2000

Love your random quotes but could you change them on occasion?

Get site. I visit almost every month.


From: Parker
Date: 23 February 2000

thanks, dee. I was looking too far back!

Parker


From: deevaa
Date: 23 February 2000

Wench - *giggling* hey liked your new piece and Kev - yours too!! Kinda reminds me of the ones a whole bunch of blender folk wrote awhile back that sorta went with one of my drawings... Wench I don't think you were about then ... check it out if you'd like at http://geocities.com/SoHo/Square/6442/drawings.html

And Kirk, if I was to submit a drawing/painting to see if anyone had any great ideas to go with it would that bug you?
I've got something that I haven't written anything to go with, but it really needs words, I don't think my painting tells the whole story. (as much as I'd like to believe it did.)

guppy - 'bound' is the name of my Valentines Day painting... spooky.

dee


From: deevaa
Date: 23 February 2000

I probably should let this go... but you know me... "flatuated" ummm.... oh no, I can't.... *giggling like a loon*


From: Megs
Date: 23 February 2000

*giggles to deeva* I ALMOST mentioned it...glad you did and I am not the only one who had a chuckle over that one.

Romance people HELP!!! I am having disasters of the heart...I would ask for advice but I can't figure out what the problem is. What do you do when you want to end it for no apparent reason after three years? Like one day you wake up and feel burnt out with it all?


From: deevaa (deevaa@paradise.net.nz)
Date: 23 February 2000

Megs - TALK to him about it. Tell him, he needs to know, suggest things that'd make you feel happier, maybe you just need a weekend alone, maybe you need a month, maybe you need to end it, but talk.

Todays "Good loving-Great sex" idea is:
Praise Pays.
When was the last time you told your lover how wonderful they are? How much you enjoy making love with them? How turned on by their body? Everyone loves praise, especially in bed.

btw did you know in France 'French kissing' is called 'soul kissing' -- how much more romantic is THAT?

Take care of your hearts.

dee

Megs - if you'd like to email me, you know the address... open all hours.



From: Megs
Date: 23 February 2000

Got cut off in the last one...cause subject of message was entering the room (OOOOOOOpps) I am really bugged here and I don't know where to go for the answers I need. So instead I have my nice neat break down among anonymous computer people. ICK this sounds like a submission instead of a comment.

What I need is someone who knows at least ONE solid answer about love. And a hug <sigh>

*Saddest Megs Today*


From: deevaa
Date: 23 February 2000

OK... a hug I can do
(((hugs Megs tight and strong)))
I came back looking for ya email address (I'm at work and don't have access to my home address book here)- Let me know if I can help more.


From: Galadrial60@aol.com
Date: 23 February 2000

Hey Megs---

Want to talk to auntie Gala? Pull up a chair, have a cuppa...and a large hug...

1.Love is almost as unpredictable as men.

2.The heart speaks honestly---but you have to listen close...and be willing to accept what it says.

3. I love you is the shortest sentence---but is so heavy in meaning---that sometimes you can get caught up by it.It's not a chain, or handcuffs...and you shouldn't say it if you don't feel it...


E me if you like...


From: Angel
Date: 23 February 2000

errrr.....ummm...Dee, what if THAT was what she REALLY meant....lmao and running out of the room *SMILE*


From: Megs
Date: 23 February 2000

Dee thanks for the hugs I feel them across the borders and cyberspace. And Gala I sent you a mail that makes about as much sense as I do at this moment. But anyways...it will all work itself out. I feel bad for my guy. He doesn't know what sense to make of all my tears and confusion!!! I would like to help him understand...but I don't understand myself. I should at least be able to write something bout all this..................

Megs (with less heart or smiles than usual)


From: hamed, h_sedaghat@hotmail.com
Date: 23 February 2000

i'm 27 mail from iran-tehran
programming vb6 & designer web sites
seek a girl or women in tehran for SEX
thanks, bye...


From: the guppy
Date: 24 February 2000

kirk

please remove the latest submission by your's truly...powder break...dee pointed out to me that the whole first line was from a chili peppers song...soooooo...apologies...i swear that i didn't mean to do that...must have been a sumbliminal thing...thanks much

*embarassed*

gup


From: deevaa
Date: 24 February 2000

considering what you just commented under, I don't think you need be that embarrased. *grin*

dee


From: Galadrial
Date: 24 February 2000

Hello All---

Auntie Gala is asleep on her feet...but before I sleep---

Toklas---Shady---Madison---Dee---KEV----Guppy



It is seriously cheating to hold out such good stuff until the end of the month...

Madsion you've done it again---taste, texture and power all with economy---the biggest bang for the buck!

Toklas---you could write a book---the zen of love...kudos.


Shady---whether we meet or not in the future, you must never stop writing girl----

Gupster---somebody once said that writing was easy---you just open a vein and let it flow on the page...you rock.

Dee---you never fail to make me "OOOOOOOOOh"---and you do it with such guiless calm....

And Kev---what a wealth this month---has someone been spiking your starbucks? And where can I get some?


There are others, but I am sleep deprived---let me just say that the lot of you challenge me, inspire me, and in general, make the poetry move in my soul. Thank you all---You are Valen-shines as well---and it is my honor to write here with the likes of you.


So Says Gala


From: Gala
Date: 24 February 2000

oh yes---where did the cyber geek get the idea that the blender was a one handed typists dating service?

Sheesh.......sorry I missed ya Megs....

yawning Gala


From: Toklas
Date: 25 February 2000

Gala,
thank you for your kind words, a lttle encouragement right now is just what I needed...my friends say I have been metaphysical of late ha ha.


From: Deb
Date: 25 February 2000

A special thank you to Chris Schneider.


From: deevaa
Date: 25 February 2000

Gala.... 'guiless calm' ... whats that in english????
<grin> seems that everyone is really quiet at the moment.. why is that?


From: Misti
Date: 25 February 2000

Alrightee, here's some noise!!!! It's Friday!!!! Yay!!!! I'm getting a computer this weekend!!!! ICQ, baby, ICQ!!!!!
Bye.
:)misti


From: deevaa
Date: 25 February 2000

hehe.. Misti - just Friday huh? LOL.. it seems so good to be a day ahead of people sometimes. <grin>


From: Megs
Date: 25 February 2000

If it is Saturday in Deeva land than it is already my birthday there...hmmm...so I am already 19 in some places. Hehe...not really but that would be neat.

Asking stupid question here...WHAT is ICQ? I have seen this on here so many times...

Computer Illiterate as always- Megs (who is ALMOST 19)


From: deevaa
Date: 25 February 2000

Happy Kiwi birthday Megs!!!
<blows birthday kisses>

ICQ is a chat program that you can download for free, go to http://www.icq.com and download the latest version, you'll be given an ICQ number and you'll be able to search chat friends... look me up if you get it.

My parents have just left my house in a pale pink and grey Vauxhuell Cresta, with a license plate that reads, "ROCKON" ... my mum is wearing a red, beehive wig, and dad a fat old elvis wig - to celebrate their 33 wedding anniversary. <blushing> I'll be scarred for life!

suddenly glad she is unable to go to the party....

deevaa


From: Marc Roberre
Date: 25 February 2000

Uhhh, That Feel


From: Galadrial
Date: 25 February 2000

(wearing silly party hat)

Happy Birthday, Nut-MEG! Have a hug, a kiss for luck---and my very special coating of fairy dust, so that you will always love wisely, and well!


Gala


From: Crystevin
Date: 26 February 2000

Kirk-love the new format and upgrades.

Blenderites, i miss you all, hopefully i'll be back soon and once again have the time and access to participate in this community more reguarly.

Crystevin


From: deevaa agigglin'
Date: 26 February 2000

CRYS!!!! LONG time no see handsome man!
Can't wait to catch up, you always have the best stories to share <wink> mail me... or ICQ me... you know where I am.
Is there poetry to share too? can't wait. <grin>

oh and Megs.... happy day after your kiwi birthday.

dee


From: deevaa (again) [deevaa@paradise.net.nz]
Date: 26 February 2000

Wondering if anyone can help...just abit of research work for me... I want to get hold of two videos in the format that you can play in the USA (NTSC - I think) .. NZ plays a different format.

I want to give them to Unit305, one is 'Once Were Warriors' written by Allen Duff, Director--Lee Tamahori, Starring Rena Owen and Temuera Morrison.

The second is 'The Piano' written/directed by Jane Campion, starring, Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill and Anna Paquin (who won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role). Its an incredable love story set in 19th C NZ, amazing, passionate - sexy.

I can easily get hold of these videos here, but how would I go about getting the US format so I can send them to him? Are they easy to get hold of at a video store? (at last ditch I'd send him out to hire them himself!)





From: deevaa = dah
Date: 26 February 2000

sometimes I can be such a ditz! I can go to Amazon.com and order them there and post them out to his address yes?
I claim Sunday morning to be my defence!!


From: Riggs
Date: 27 February 2000

Hey Meg
thanks for the cool was pretty cool. I like the disjointed structure. I used to right heaps of stuff like that, still do occassionally I guess. A little more raw perhaps but similar. Deeva will know what I mean. Feels good to get it outdoesn't it. Anyway, I thought it was profound.


From: Riggs
Date: 27 February 2000

Jesus I'm hopeless, thanks for the "cool" indeed. You get the picture I imagine......


From: SuaveBoy@excite.com
Date: 27 February 2000

the death of romance is upon me
as I trip and fall on my knee

a broken knee and a broken heart
makes road of life hard to start

it seems time and time again
i go love without my brain

she sucks all my being
and reduces it to nothing

i keep saying to myself
don't lose to the evil elf

i can only hope and pray
true love will soon come my way


From: SuaveBoy@excite.com
Date: 27 February 2000

How do I make a quick change to my poem?


From: Madison
Date: 27 February 2000

Suave ... try clicking "Comments or Material" below. Then, at the new link look for "Submissions Page" in the first two lines of text. Click. You can submit your revised poem there.


From: deevaa agigglin'
Date: 27 February 2000

*grins@Riggs* Its ok, you are Australian - say no more we understand!

*dashes out of kicking/thumping/throwing distance*


From: deevaa
Date: 27 February 2000

Megs - a agree with what Riggs said...but man, his whole comment was a 'right' off to begin with! *cheeky grin*

'thanks for the call' - a very powerful piece, and yes Riggs did write loads of stuff like that, not now though it seems judging from the last mushy one that was produced.


From: Megs
Date: 27 February 2000

Deeva...Thanks for the bday wishes on my Kiwi day AND the day after. It was quite a weekend and both days were equally crazy. One night of too much cheap tequila (GROAN) and Saturday night a "psychic" encounter in which I ended up on a stage being levitated by two mind readers. N'er a dull moment!!!

Kev...spark to flame. VERY nice. Just hit me right today.
Gala...Tinder. Keeping with the fire theme :)
Your fairy dust helped heaps Godmother ;) Can't say it was a 100% perfect weekend but an ENLIGHTENING one yes. Will have to e you about my "psychic" reading of the "situation" I have been telling you about.


From: Galadrial
Date: 27 February 2000

Hey Megs---

Of course the fairy dust worked---ya think I'm some sort of cheap knock off elf or something? We got the real deal here honey---pointy ears and all!


Love,

Gala


From: Jenna Holland (poetic_angel@gurlmail.com)
Date: 27 February 2000

Jeez! I should disappear more often, when I come back, there are all kinds of changes made! Kudos to Kirk! Love the new layout for the submissions page!

-Jenna-


From: Shadygirl fading_shade@hotmail.com
Date: 27 February 2000

Misti!! - Hahahahaha..I had that same NKOTB video and rewound the same damn part with Donnie and the milk! Hahahaha...that is so funny!


From: kevin urenda
Date: 27 February 2000

I have been horribly remiss with my commentary this month, it has been a most enlightening and cathartic time for me... I do thank J for using my words in such a personal way (in a valentine for her espoused), and thanks to Megs for the compliments on the same poem...

I am very appreciative for all the kindness shown me by everyone who made mention of my submissions this month. (And no, Gala, no one spiking my jamoke...) Like I mentioned, I do not feel like the same person leaving the month as the one who entered it inhabiting this skin...

I did forget to mention (and this applies heavily on a rather sunny and warm day sure to elicit every particle of pollen known to the restless natives here) to Shady that we have no coast here out in the high desert. Lots of dirt, rocks, shrubbery and sagebrush, and what passes for a moving mud puddle, but no 'coast.'

<running off to catch up with more things I am behind with>

-k


From: eko_prastiyo(prastiyo@eudoramail.com
Date: 28 February 2000


beta coba tuk mengirim adinda

cuma ini yang terucap di keyboard

tapi hatiku.......

ingin lebih dalam bersamamu

I hope this card can make you happy and pleasure

please always remember me

eko


From: kevin urenda
Date: 28 February 2000

UGH-
I am sadly lacking in concentration lately...
sorry folks, last week it was a misspelled title, now I am misspelling words in my descriptions... soon, it'll be my name or something...

<runs off looking for those memory pills...>

k


From: Misti
Date: 28 February 2000

Megs,
Happy Belated Birthday! Sorry I wasn't able to send you a card...I was being held captive by my wonderfully close-knit family. My mom and step-dad were in town this weekend so that meant shopping all day Saturday (uggh- did manage to snag *Timequake* by Kurt Vonnegut and some cool orange dreamsicle body lotion, however)and then honky tonkin' in Cow Town (Fort Worth)on Saturday night. It was so ironic- I hadn't been to Billy Bob's (this huge country music venue/bar/pool hall/indoor rodeo arena)since last June when I went there with my ex, and Toby Keith just happened to be there. I saw Toby Keith in concert at Fort Sill on the Fourth of July with my ex. Went back to the photo booth where Brian and I made two minutes worth of decent memories and got wacky for the camera. I'll e-mail you the results as soon as I scan 'em. Long story short: Hope you had a damn good birthday. Sounds like you did!
Shadygirl,
Read the *calciyum* haiku I just submitted. That was written about Donnie. Yes, he dropped by my apartment on Friday night. We had milk and cookies and then he serenaded me with "Please Don't Go, Girl." I said,"I'm just going to the bathroom! I'll be right back!" Ha!!!!!!!
:)misti, certifiable chica loca


From: Krystal
Date: 28 February 2000

All the poems that I read on here were great. I really like that the guys show their feelings. I don't know to many guys that do that. My boyfriend and I just broke up so it is nice to know that I am not the only girl in the world going through the pain of loss. The poem that really hit my heart was "Last Goodbye" author unknow written on July 2, 1997. It is a great poem and it is so very true on how I am feeling. This is a great web site.


Date: 28 February 2000

Misti- Thanks for the belated wishes. Your train of thought was too fast for me...what? you got wacky with Toby Keith? hehe...ok well anyways. Ya it wasn't a bad weekend. Tequila night Thursday. Sick Friday. Psychic Saturday. And Seafood with the Fam on Sunday. Sounds like a lineup for Nick at Nite ;)

Calypso- REALLY liked the last two lines of Details.

Off I go to try and write something about this palm reader...

*blowing kisses g'night*
Megs


From: j
Date: 28 February 2000

Your corny sight sux. I think all the poems and stories are gay and shit full. My little sister can make better sense then this crap ass shit. Whoever wrote all this bullshit, may i just say your all weenas


From: Riggs
Date: 29 February 2000

THANKS J MATE!!!!. I have some recommended reading for you. It's called Green Eggs and Ham, and it should really connect with someone of your obvious high intellect. Get a life you stupid bastard.
Oh and Dee, what was that you said something along the lines of "a" agree with what Riggs said. hahaha. Yeah the rage has subsided a bit (temporarily I'm sure) hell who's content all the time? It will be back I feel certain. I don't need to try and give you a thumping, the Aussie cricketers are doing it for me!!!!
(grins cheekily and scurries off)


From: Galadrial
Date: 29 February 2000

Dear Riggs,

Green Eggs and Ham? That's cruel! How dare you suggest literature that is obviously beyond poor j's ability or comprehension? Clearly they need to start with something better suited their intellect and temperment---say picture books?

By the way---liked your last piece. But what do I know? Just a damned yank with attitude!


Gala


From: me
Date: 29 February 2000

rainbow
there are 7 colers in da rain bow they are all very nice
to gether they make a big pretty light thats what love is like-


From: Megs
Date: 29 February 2000

Hmmm...I was just wondering...what IS a weenas? Is that a bad thing?

Oh and I soooooooo take criticism seriously from someone who spells "sux" with an x.

hehe...Obviously a man just wise beyond our comprehension there ;)


From: Gala
Date: 29 February 2000

Kirk--a query---

I wanted to dedicate that last piece to Meg---but when I tried, the form kept shoving the dedication into the title---is this the desired effect? No matter how much spacing I used, bam---onto the title....just wondering...

And Meg, last one's for you!


Gala


From: Calypso
Date: 29 February 2000

Hi Kevin,

Spark into Flame says it for me.


From: kevin urenda
Date: 29 February 2000

Gala-
Many truths are woven into "The Laughter In My Eyes."
Sometimes these things are not obvious, so thank you for saying them in such a wonderful way...

Calypso,
thank you for your kind Leap Day words...

k


From: deevaa
Date: 29 February 2000

Riggs - *wink* baby-- one day you'll get yours and I sure hope its this kiwi chick feeding it to ya.

(PS and this girl has been accused of flirting with you... damn, I'll have to stop batting my eyelashes in your direction! Caught out again.)


From: Megs
Date: 29 February 2000

Gala-

Laughter in my Eyes...put tears in mine. Thank You Thank You Thank You. You couldn't understand how much that means.

(((BIG Hug of Appreciation)))
Megs


From: Calypso
Date: 29 February 2000

Gala,

I enjoyed Laughter in my Eyes as well. Hey I can relate...