From: Paul<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

mEg,<BR>
   Uncle.  You win.  I'm really not trying to start anything here and I was only mildly offended.  But I would think you would have to expect that from someone simply because you can't please everyone.<BR>
   Let me ask you something...does the fact that Washington named their Football team the Redskins bother you?  Well I'm part Native American and it doesn't bother me BUT I'm sensitive to the fact that there are those who are bothered by it.<BR>
   I would have enjoyed the work more if it had came to a different conclusion.  That being, YOU are in control of who you date.  If that wasn't your aim, so be it.  Misti loved it.  Several others liked it.<BR>
   And it aroused me enough to comment. Are you telling me that there is absolutely nothing that can be written here that would offend you?  That as long as it is presented as art you wouldn't be bothered?  <BR>
   I read your 'venting' and I came up with that question...did you realize the common denominator here was you, and you responded - yes.  <BR>
   Most work such as this comes from personal experience.  I assumed yours had as well.  I wish you nothing but the best.
<HR>
From: A Random Ginger Spice Wannabe<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

excuse me, has anyone seen my pet monkey, koko? he a gud boy! he likes coconuts and shirley temples! so i thought i'd look here. 
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From: Misti<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Yeah, he went THATTA way. Last time I saw him, he was on the bar imitating the Rock. He has the eyebrow thing downpat! Yeah, he IS a "gud" boy! Very well-behaved, for a drunk simian! Hope you don't mind, but I bought him a Shiner Bock and fed him some spicy peanuts.<BR>

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From: koko<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

asjdklfjdaklfjsdklfjdklfjasdklfjasdklfjdasklfjsadklfj<BR>
akdjf;akdfjasdklfjkldjflakdfjklsdfjkldjfskldfjklsdfjk<BR>
adlkfjadklfjdklfjdklfjklsdfjdsklfjkdlfjkldfjkdfjkkdfk<BR>
"I don't care where an actor acts. It can be in summer stock, it can be over a radio, it can be over television, it can be in a goddam Broadway theatre, complete with the most sunburned-looking audience you can imagine. But I'll tell you a terrible secret- Are you listening to me? There isn't anyone out there who isn't Seymour's Fat Lady. That includes your Professor Tupper, buddy. And all his goddam cousins by the dozens. There isn't anyone anywhere that isn't Seymour's Fat Lady. Don't you know that? Don't you know that goddam secret yet? And don't you know- listen to me now- don't you know who that Fat Lady really is?...Ah, buddy. Ah, buddy. It's Christ Himself. Christ Himself, buddy."<BR>
~j.d. salinger, *Franny and Zooey*
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From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Paul-<BR>
Actually, I DID realize my comment was pompous, even before pressing the "submit comment" button...  <BR>
But your criticism (personal as it is) is duly noted, even if you only sent it indirectly toward me.  I probably would have been better served by an admonishment to resist shooting from the hip.  My statement about your comment, was not specifically directed AT YOU, but rather at all the persons who are guilty of projecting generalizations upon the opposite sex.  I suppose that means I too was guilty of what I was condemning.  Certainly your criticism of mEg seeded my excesses of the day...  If I gave you offense, I apologize.<BR>
<BR>
k
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From: Paul<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Kev,<BR>
  None taken and if I stepped over the line I am also sincerely sorry for it....I do admire how your group comes to the defense of each other.  Honestly...mEg needs little help!  I would not want to fight her but I did enjoy the debate.<BR>
<BR>

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From: mEg<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Hi, Paul<BR>
Only two things to say... I don't need defense...and I bet you are pretty good in a weighty discussion over coffee (or in my case, shots)...<BR>
<BR>
Aren't those fun sometimes? Especially when immediately followed by a rip-roaring night out dancing with all the buds!  Yes....oh I love those kinda nights. SOmething for the head and the soul.<BR>
<BR>
Forgive the legaleeeeeeeeeze of the following, but it's my work style when responding on specific discussion points.  <BR>
<BR>
A) Per your post "Let me ask you something...does the fact that Washington named their Football team the Redskins bother you? Well I'm part Native American and it doesn't bother me BUT I'm sensitive to the fact that there are those who are bothered by it."<BR>
<BR>
So you are saying I have to write poems, prose, etc so as not to offend anyone? I have to write with sensitivity? If that's the case, that's waaaaaaaaay too much effort and planning and I just won't submit anything.  I can't write so as not to "offend"....  This is rhetorical, but it's 5 "Something" AM and I'm just shooting from the hip on my thoughts.<BR>
<BR>
2) As per your post "I would have enjoyed the work more if it had came to a different conclusion. That being, YOU are in control of who you date. If that wasn't your aim, so be it. Misti loved it. Several others liked it."<BR>
<BR>
Actually, it's not control over who I date....what we are talking about is control over what I WRITE. Two different things completely.... who I date and what I write.....<BR>
<BR>
Jeeze if they were related, I wouldn't be dating at all.<BR>
<BR>
All that said, fodder for that submission was just frustration on ePaper. For example, I have more fodder...the reason why I'm up at this ridiculous hour.<BR>
<BR>
I had my 3AM call from my Atlanta Friend -- oh I've written about him before in submissions.. lots of them... couldn't get back to sleep and thought I'd read the new stuff.  My Friend  telling me about getting thrown out of a club.... his love life, his desire to be a dad and had decided if we had a child someday he'd be the president.  But (to quote)..."if it was a girl, she wouldn't be president"... when I asked "why?"...<BR>
<BR>
His reply: "Cause girls cry."<BR>
<BR>
My response:  Laughed my butt off and said "Bless Your Heart, she'd be ruler of the world."<BR>
<BR>
Aren't old lovers sometimes a good shot in the arm? All those old memories come back.... and you realize how smart (or not so smart) you have been? <BR>
<BR>
Funny, but 3AM is a real pain in the butt time to get a call --- I used to think it was cute. Now it just makes me think too much.<BR>
<BR>
Night, Paul, keep posting & submitting & livin'.<BR>
<BR>
tkg <BR>
<BR>
<BR>

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From: Misti<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

I'm in a "B" mood tonight. All things "B" are alright with me. If you'll notice, all those poems I just submitted begin with the letter "B"! Cool, huh? Now here's this:<BR>
Beware! Freedom of speech also includes the freedom to be misunderstood.<BR>
~Ashleigh Brilliant<BR>
<BR>

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From: Paul<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Nope!  I didn't say you have to be P. C., I'm only saying you have to be prepared that someone, somewhere will be offended or bothered.  If you take chances with your work, some will accept it, while others scoff.<BR>
<BR>
Go ahead and take chances.  I brought up the common denominator input because as soon as I changed my M. O. and stopped dating blondes and girls with the long 'e' sound at the end of their name I suddenly found happiness.  But I will forever be attracted to blondes and all the ladies with names such as, Tammy, Debbie, Vicki, Laurie......<BR>
But I'm on the wagon now.<BR>
<BR>

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From: Galadrial<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

I am so relieved that my every day name doesn't end in "y" or "EE"....<BR>
<BR>
      Just an observation Kirk---but I whisked back in time this morning to my first submissions back in 98---and was astounded by how much the Blender has grown! I used to think Front Page Pick was great when subs were in the dozens---but it's gotta be in the hundreds by now...<BR>
<BR>
       Out of curiosity---how many is an average month t0hese days? (total subs, not counting editorials, and of course, stupid quizes?<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
                                     Gala
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From: Gala (again)<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Understand what you mean Paul...when I was editing a little mag, my staff would fight for the priviledge of reading their own pieces (We weren't supposed to know who wrote what, avoiding the "popularity contest" issue). The thinking was that a poet could give something to their own work, with their own voice that no one else could----true to a degree---but not the point.<BR>
<BR>
Poetry is written word that must stand on it's own----without the impassioned voice of it's author, or the melting, smouldering look of an actress or actor...and it's been my observation that if it works on paper---it'll be even better read aloud....<BR>
<BR>
Just my spin...............Gala
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From: [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

     I am   borry  
<HR>
From: [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

    i like to  meet  everybody  now  because   I am home alone .<BR>
i dont have  anyfriends   i dont have boyfriend  .<BR>
my name pop  .    I live in thailand.    pls  let to me    at<BR>
[email-masked]   thank you  :)
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From: Toklas<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Calypso,<BR>
"Treading Water" is a great poem! It is so subtle! The not being able to breathe under deceptively calm waters--all those images saying so much.  Well done! <BR>
your friend<BR>
Toke
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From: lanna<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Wow......happy Sunday everyone!<BR>
<BR>
I stop by after a couple of days of ghosting, and it seems I missed one fiery debate.  After some serious consideration, I have decided not to give my two cents, which realistically id probably only worth a half a cent today.  Anyway....<BR>
<BR>
I read the question about the love songs, and after racking my brain, I've decided that I can't actually pick a favorite.  Everytime I hear a love song, whether it be happy or sad, it evokes newer feelings of being my 'favorite' and saying exactly what I was looking for, so you see my dilemma.<BR>
<BR>
Off to read the new subs, and perhaps post a few of my own.  More to follow later.<BR>
<BR>
Lanna
<HR>
From: lanna<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Back sooner than I thought.  Surprised??<BR>
<BR>
Ok, so here's my take on the new stuff.  I do so love offering my opinion when it hasn't been asked for!  (Guess it's just one of those days!)<BR>
<BR>
Misti..'Be Still'I feel is one of those pieces that any one can read (well maybe not anyone) and see the reassurance that is there.  Believe me, this week, I need to know that there are others who require the same reassurances that I do.  Great job.<BR>
<BR>
Mojave...You know my story so much better than everyone else.  'These Days' hits it just right, you know?  Especially your line about time either destroying or making it stronger.  Stop reading my mind, dammit!  :)<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>

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From: deevaa a gigglin'<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

hmm... phhhfffftttttt..... I would comment, but hell there isn't alot left to say... &lt;shaking her head&gt; <BR>
<BR>
Like I was saying in an email to Paul -- I think critisim of  the work on the blender would improve the quality of the poety, but would it improve the community spirit?? I don't think so Tim.<BR>
<BR>
dee
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From: Megs<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Dee-  I was so happy to get your letter sounding all Dee like again. *Giggles*  Reply coming back atcha.  Dee is back YAY!!!<BR>
<BR>
Also I have been watching this lil debate unfold between Paul and mEg and even a shot at Kev and I wouldn't be me if I didn't put my comment in...so I will.<BR>
<BR>
I agree with Dee on the Blender community spirit.  I think the reason people submit here (or at least the reason I do) is because we are finding "poetic friend" who we can share our work with and share a lil about our lives with.  When I submit a poem here its like I am showing it to a best friend who loves poems too.  And if someone wanted to critique me they have a write to but DAMN poems are so personal and I try to say everything in MY voice and I can't say I would just go..."okay you think it sucked that is cool."<BR>
Does that make sense?  And Paul- You seem like a very intelligent person.  You have every right to say whatever you feel about a poem.  BUT a bit of gentleness in any criticism (especially that which in essence attacked a person as well as a poem) is never a bad thing.  <BR>
<BR>
Or maybe I should shut up and mind my own.<BR>
<BR>
Misti- Watched "Forces of Nature" last night and though I have never met you I imagine you as something comparable to Sandra Bullock's character.  Which is a good thing.<BR>
*giggles*<BR>
Later Controversial Kiddies-<BR>
Megs<BR>
<BR>

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From: mEg<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Just got back from seeing "High Fidelity".... recommend and got some great laughs over John Cusack's character (Rob).<BR>
<BR>
The love song question is a good one.....<BR>
<BR>
"Let's Stay Together" Al Green (the happy times)<BR>
"Soft Place to Fall" Allison Moorer (the not so happy times)<BR>
<BR>
mEg
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From: Misti<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Megs,<BR>
  I thought the same thing when I reviewed "Forces of Nature" for the paper! I hated the ending...I felt so sorry for the Sandra Bullock character!
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From: Calypso<BR>
Date: 2 April 2000<P>

Hi Tokie,<BR>
<BR>
Thanks for your comments, I'm glad my poem communicated what I intended. What can I say about your poems? It's hard to pick my favorite, but I think it's Bonfires. Exquisite as always.<BR>
<BR>
Cal
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