From: Paul the first <BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Kara - <BR>
   Thanks for taking an interest in my poem and posting it on your website.  I think you may be the only person who liked it.
<HR>
From: Eric, [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Kirk,<BR>
<BR>
Hey, sorry it took me so long to have my rebuttal, but I'm glad I waited. Often when I'm writing, I have no real knowledge of the meaning of the poems...I only hear the words in my head...I write them down. Reminiscent of "I'm not the message, just the messenger" Not that my poetry has anything TO say and not that I am a carrier of important messages, but...that's how it works for me. <BR>
EXCEPT for that one particular poem. <BR>
<BR>
I had finished a day of Geology 3 at ye ole college, during which the man decided rocks weren't his topic of choice and he'd much rather figure out evolution. Which is perfectly fine, I'm open minded, I'll listen.<BR>
<BR>
But, it lead me to want to question everything.  And I figured the best way to question something is to engage in a debate or a heavy argument over the topic.  So, the purpose behind that particular poem (Scientists...Cease & Desist) was specifically written, (if ever read by another) to cause questions to arise, or argumental wars to be waged. <BR>
<BR>
And...not to drop a bomb here...but, I think you allowed me to succeed.  And I thank you.<BR>

<HR>
From: Misti<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Nikki~<BR>
  God/Goddess/DGOUS/Darwin bless you! Finally, someone agrees with me on McDonald's fries! But yeah, Wendy's makes damn good fries, too!<BR>
  I love Taco Bell but it really pisses me off when I tell em to leave the beans off the nachos and they leave the beef off instead! And Pepsi SUCKS!!!!! Pepsi and Mountain Dew and Big Red should be ILLEGAL!!!!! <BR>
Candyman~<BR>
  Have you ever seen "Flash Gordon"? That gets my vote for best b-movie. My favorite B horror flick is "Monster Dog" with Alice Cooper.<BR>
  I love butter on my popcorn. The more butter the better!<BR>
And I love Sour Patch Kids and Brite Crawlers. And Sweettarts. <BR>
  <BR>
...got my "nickname" at work tonight. One of the inmates said,"Girl, you look like you a rebel." Later on in the dorm she said,"Uh oh. Look out. Here come the rebel woman!"
<HR>
From: Nikki<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Misti!!!<BR>
<BR>
I have to agree with you on Taco Bell...and everyone else...Ithink Ihave yet to go there and get my COMPLETE order.  Every time, I order cinammon twists, and not once have I gotten them...but the worst experience was going to Taco Bell and being told that they had run out of lettuce! <BR>
<BR>
How can a Taco Bell run out of lettuce???  <BR>
<BR>
And Misti...I forgive you for your harsh words on Mountain Dew...I survive on the stuff!  :)
<HR>
From: Nikki, yes, again<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Paul, I just read Cold Front (I hope that was the title).  Thanks a lot, it seems to fit this night just fine.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
...so, what do you do when in one breath someone says they want you to move to be with them, and then you don't hear from them for almost a week?  just curious...<BR>
<BR>
Goddess of misjudged situations...
<HR>
From: nikki the insomniac<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

ok, ok, I know I should put this all down at once.  gimme a break will ya?  I can't sleep.<BR>
<BR>
Enigma (I once met an Enigma in a chat...wonderful person, a shame I didn't get to speak with him more), I read your ramble, finally, and I was blown away.  I think it's somewhat sad that you didn't learn what you have stated in enough time to save your marriage, but I am impressed that your words were able to teach me a little something.  It was nothing I didn't already know, just a few things I refused to admit.  So, thank you.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
a most humbled Goddess....but a Goddess nonetheless  :)
<HR>
From: Nikki<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Kirk, I just wanted to apologize for posting 'Take Off'.  I know it may not seem romantic, but it was written on the way to my first meeting with the man I currently fancy myself in love with.  So hopefully, you will understand, and forgive me this one time for my indiscretion.  Thank ya!
<HR>
From: Enigma<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Nikki,<BR>
<BR>
Thank your for such kind words.  Although I learned my lesson late, the future women of my life will benefit as I continue to grow personally.  
<HR>
From: Matthew Ayre<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

You stand there in the corner as if you are gay, Are you i asked myself with a daze of woried confusion.<BR>
I thought you were not but sadly you were<BR>
To be honest i should have guessed because your name was TWISTOPHER. 
<HR>
From: Galadrial60<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

<BR>
<BR>
Terry---<BR>
<BR>
        You captured in that poem what I was dithering about last week--summer love----a kiss so fresh and sweet it puts you to mind of a moonlit field of honeysuckle dancing with fireflies while warm air wrapped you almost as neatly as a pair of arms...and the person who was kissing you wasn't a god or goddess---but in that one moment, made you like you were...<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
                                    (sigh)<BR>
<BR>
           Proud of you Guy.<BR>
<BR>
                                    Gala
<HR>
From: Kirk, Blender-Keepeer<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Eric-- well, I'm always up for a good argument/discussion.  I definately have principles that I like to defend- probably the most important one being to trust in many things, but have faith in nothing.<BR>

<HR>
From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Kirk?  nothing?  Faith in yourself?<BR>
<BR>
A bit of perspective here:<BR>
If you had not heard (it's all over national news, on the front pages of the Washington Post and NY Times - at least their websites) the town of Los Alamos, NM is starting to burn (from a 'control burn' started last week by the National Park Service - yes, your government is here to help).  My company has a rather large office up there (you can see the smoke from parts of Albuquerque), so several of my colleagues are affected by the conflagration...  <BR>
<BR>
Events like this tend to lend perspective (to me, anyway).  So my word to everyone is to cling to what is important in this life, and don't wait to start doing it...<BR>
<BR>
k
<HR>
From: kevin (again)<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Thank you Megs and Nikki for your kind words...<BR>
I shall have a few of my own shortly...
<HR>
From: Galadrial60<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Kevin Urenda---<BR>
<BR>
            Eloquent as ever...got a truly lucky lady there guy...and I'll bet she knows it too!<BR>
<BR>
        <BR>
                                          Gala
<HR>
From: Calypso<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Kirk<BR>
<BR>
Thank you for including my poems on the front page...its a fun day when stuff like that happens...
<HR>
From: the guppy<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

eric---geology eh?...how gneiss...ha...i'm a soil scientist/environmental consultant myself...actually, there's often kind of a weird tension between soil scientists and geologists...which is funny to me...geologists get all the attention...ha...it kinda follows the same lines as anyone studying environmental science being taught that the army corps of engineers consists of boneheads...which i pretty much agree with...ha...there are exceptions, i'm sure<BR>
<BR>
gup<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Gala,<BR>
As always, you are very kind and supporting.<BR>
<BR>
To everyone else:  If you have noticed a difference in my  latest posts, I have gained a wise email teacher who is trying her hardest to get me to stop writing words and start painting emotional moments with words as my color.<BR>
<BR>
Thank you Lisa
<HR>
From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

gup-<BR>
<BR>
I come from the A/E side of the equation, and let me tell you, my experience has been that the CORPSE of Engineers has way more than its share of boneheads...  greater than two standard devations, AT LEAST...  <BR>
<BR>
k
<HR>
From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

A friend of mine in college was studying GEOLOGICAL SCIENCE bot GEOLOGY, DAMMIT! Though I don't know the difference.<BR>
<BR>
Anyway, kevin: no, I have *trust* in myself, not faith.  Maybe it's a mere semantic difference, but for me, trust is rooted in expectations from prior experience, faith is based on a trust of things unseen. 
<HR>
From: kevin (can't resist!  SOMEBODY stop me!!)<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

true story!<BR>
I used to live next door to not one, but TWO geologists (both of whom were doing their PhD's here at UNM - the geology is so lovely here in the west!).  VERY nice (and WAY cool) people...  Last I knew, one of them went off to Holy Cross, the other to Amherst, to accept teaching positions...  that was a while ago, though...<BR>
<BR>
k

<HR>
From: kevin urenda (last time today, I promise!)<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Kirk-<BR>
yes, your point is well taken (we could argue semantics until Ancient Greek comes BACK into vogue... hey why not, Bell-bottoms did!!!)...<BR>
<BR>
But I simply MUST commment on some poetry...<BR>
<BR>
some poems of quality thus far (and April was supposed to be 'poetry month'  HA)...<BR>
<BR>
sarah-<BR>
As a guy, I thoroughly enjoyed *several* of the images of "velvet night."  &lt;grin&gt;  Thank you...<BR>
<BR>
HMS-<BR>
I am truly sorry for your pain.  While it's true that the clichés offered up by modern culture offer little comfort, it's also true that the sun comes up every morning (whether you can see it or not).  Life is a struggle.  But you should never forget to be kind to yourself.  Wounds will heal...  <BR>
<BR>
Shareware-<BR>
I rather liked the idea underlying "Victims" because all of us allow ourselves to think we are at one time or another...  Not to mention that the advice of the poem is quite sound, as well...<BR>
<BR>
Crystevin-<BR>
"Love Story" (no, not the overwrought film) was wonderful for its surprise ending.  The pages of many books and lives have a similar story written upon them...  yours here was well-done...<BR>
<BR>
Nikki-<BR>
Trust your poetic voice...  The clarity (particularly at the well-framed closing) of "I used to..." and "Farewell to the Past" tugs at this reader, drawing me in, leaving me wanting more.  Thank you for sharing...<BR>
<BR>
Madison-<BR>
"baggage at amtrak" is lovely on many levels, not the least of which is the imagery it evokes.  But wow, the POWER...  beautiful...<BR>
<BR>
keep writing everyone!  What I've always loved most about this place is how we bounce off one another...<BR>
<BR>
Oh, and last, and best,<BR>
Thank you Gala for your kind words.  They mean more than you know...<BR>
<BR>
k
<HR>
From: nikki<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

ok, ok, I'm at work, but sue me, I have nothing to do right now.<BR>
<BR>
Kev-you're like I was last night, post after post...keep it up buddy.<BR>
and thank you for the kind words on my works.  I try, and it's nice to know that every once in a while I succeed.<BR>
<BR>
All the rest of you crazy love people, I think I am having a small nervous break down, so read my new ones with that in mind.  I swear, this'll pass soon.<BR>
<BR>
neurotic, but still loveable...
<HR>
From: Eric, [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Blender Man, <BR>
<BR>
I believe I should clarify....I am NOT and nor will I EVER be a Geologist....Not a rock jock...<BR>
<BR>
I'm in Advertising, but just had to take Geology as a science.  No point here, just to clear things up.<BR>
<BR>
I'm seeing some of the most thought provoking discussions in here now...this is great!<BR>
<BR>
But I wanna say just one thing, and probably will keep it going.  Faith.  Kirk, you HAVE to have faith or you'd be so paranoid you wouldn't function.  You have faith in the air you breathe, I hope...and as someone else said, faith in yourself.  Faith in this website :-)      <BR>
<BR>
I just don't think you should take faith so lightly, could it be that you're afraid of what you can't understand or can't touch or see.  It would seem like a man that started a site that deals with love would be more in tune with SOME type of religion, but then again, maybe your religion is having no religion, which I guess passes that test :-)  <BR>
<BR>
I don't know what my point is anymore...I think I'm a candidate for rambler lol<BR>
<BR>
Later all
<HR>
From: HMS<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Kevin,<BR>
<BR>
Thank you for your words of consolation. (I actually wrote that a long time ago, and things ARE better, most days.)  I liked "Garages" very much.  Why is "transom" such a great word/image?  It just is.  And "you are" (is that right?) is lovely.  Millay had the same idea in a less-passionate, lighter vein: "And who am I, that I should love so wisely and so well?"  I admire intensely your passion, and your willingness and ability to articulate it so beautifully.  <BR>
<BR>
I'm a newcomer here and much intrigued by the sense of community in these cyber-pages.  
<HR>
From: Angel<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Good thang for Pepsi that everybody aint got Misiti's taste buds :))) I happen to love Diet Pepsi and BIG RED Is the best dang drink ever invented (I havn'<BR>
t had any in sooooooo long...they don't have it down here(S.Ga. :(((but i grew up on it as a child in Cincy!!!!)And ya'll would forget all them fries if you tasted my fried green tomatoes Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! And isn't it wonderful that we are all so different...yet we all share a love for beautiful words.*SMILE*
<HR>
From: the guppy<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

interesting perpective on trust from the movie jackie brown:<BR>
<BR>
"do you trust her?"<BR>
"hell no, i don't trust her.  i don't have to trust her, i know her"---not sure if that's the exact quote...haven't seen it in awhile<BR>
<BR>
the point of it is that if you know something, you don't have to trust in it, or worry about it, or have faith in it...like 1 + 1 = 2...there is no trust involved...it will always equal 2...if you doubt that, i'd welcome a proof by counterexample (and yeah, i am talking about base 10 numbers here...none of this binary crap where 1 + 1 = 10...ha)<BR>
<BR>
i don't believe that god is at all necessary for love...it'll take awhile to draw up a truth table for that claim without major assumptions being made...maybe i'll have it for y'all next time...ha<BR>
<BR>
gup 
<HR>
From: deevaa [[email-masked]]<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

&lt;wiggles in stage right a clipboard in hand&gt;<BR>
<BR>
OK.. we've had a few people recently say that they are new comers to the Blender board, and I sense a few shy faces hanging out at the back of the class room... so... I thought it'd be nice if everyone did a quick intro so folk know who people are and get a chance to say what they want others to know...<BR>
<BR>
I'll do a quick round up of the long time regulars and then if they feel I've missed out something important they can add it on... and the newer crowd can speak up... would that be a good idea? (I already think so... so I'm going to do it.. hehe)<BR>
<BR>
OK... &lt;pointing out faces in the crowd&gt; in no order other than who pops into my brain at that time..<BR>
<BR>
Kirk -- hes the blender keeper.. he rocks, in the best possible way. He's getting married to Mo, and therefore she rocks too... I like logic!!<BR>
<BR>
Theres Kev -- hes from New Mexico and he has been here since time began I think, he writes beautiful heart felt gems for his lovely wife, he's the biggest sweetie I know.<BR>
<BR>
Gala -- (AKA Fairy God Mother or FGM)  apparently she's been on and off the blender in several re-incarnations, but I'm so pleased she's sticking about... I love her to itty bitty pieces.<BR>
<BR>
Misti and Mojave (or Chris as he's been posting as recently). Misti has been about the blender since before my time, and Mojave is just a new comer.. they are in love, &lt;wide grin&gt; so you may have to forgive the soppy love poems, Misti used to be famous for angst filled stuff, seems like cupids arrow has mellowed her now days!<BR>
<BR>
Crys-- he's hard to describe..  a dear friend... I'll let him say anything else.<BR>
<BR>
guppy -- now this guys poetry rocks, I'm proud to say I introduced this guy to the Love Blender... I was kinda sneaky and underhanded but it was all worth it. We have a great relationship.. I adore him, and he ignores me &lt;wicked grin&gt;<BR>
<BR>
Megs and her cousin Eric -- &lt;grin&gt; well... proof that talent runs in families I guess!<BR>
<BR>
heartSong and Angel -- these two like Kev and Misti have been about since way before me... I always think if these two together.. they've both been AWOL recently but they are hinting at making a full return ... yahhh!<BR>
<BR>
Paul -- Paul is still a new guy, made famous for helping with Misti's screen play, but inspired recently to write...<BR>
<BR>
oh hell this list is much longer than I thought! I've not even gotten to mEg (not to be confused...) Calypso, Toklas, Sarah, Nikki, Terry... and... smouldering.... oh gosh there are so many more, I'm sorry you'll all have to introduce yourselves!!! please do, I love to hear a few details it helps make the poetry so much more 'real'.<BR>
<BR>
Welcome new faces.... please comment and join in..<BR>
<BR>
dee<BR>
<BR>
PS -- oh and I'm deevaa, I'm 26 and the mother of a 2.5yr old son... I'm separated and my Ex has moved to Japan. Sometimes I paint and everynow and again if the words move me I illustrate some of the poetry here.... I work as a desktop/web publisher in New Zealand... and I love email.<BR>

<HR>
From: nikki<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

ok, my take on some of the new subs out there....'cuz I know ya'll are dying to hear what I have to say  :)<BR>
<BR>
Kev-I absolutely ADORE 'You Are'.  I think it's the most precious thing anyone could say about the one they LOVE, mostly because of all the commercialism of beauty, and society telling us we have to look a certain way, mostly perfect, and it's nice to know that at least one person thinks that the way she is, IS perfect...<BR>
<BR>
Terry-as if I didn't have enough to deal with..'Baby I'm Tired' just struck me like a knife in the heart...it's amazing how one poet can write something that pictures so perfectly (if ever perfect did exist) what another person is feeling.  I think I want to go cry now, but I promised myself I wouldn't...so thank you for, in an odd way, giving me an outlet for the way I couldn't say I felt...<BR>
<BR>
Gala-I do believe you get better with every one you write.  Damn, woman, how do you do it?  anyway "Far Afield of Dreams' brings me back with a certain amount of longing to a time when I remember what it was like to take the time to revel in the passionate feelings Nature can evoke.....I wonder where those days went...<BR>
<BR>
Ok, enough for now...I feel a melancholy moment taking hold, and most likely I will curl up and drown my sorrows in tater tots and bad TV...after all, it is Thursday, and WWF Smackdown is on....<BR>
<BR>
forever caught between two rocks....
<HR>
From: nikki<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

yes, it's me AGAIN...I seem to be somewhat addicted to this place...is there a cure?<BR>
<BR>
Ok Dee...I forgive ya for running out of steam towards the end there, and am more than happy to relate to anyone who's interested (if you're not, turn away) a lil bit about myself.<BR>
<BR>
I'm almost 26, almost in a relationship, and most certainly headed for a nervous breakdown..oh, and I'm in Oregon, and Mojave/Chris introduced me to this page, after many e-mails of him listening to my guy problems...thanks Chris :)...hold on to that one Misti...he's definitely a keeper.<BR>
<BR>
I recently flew to Texas to meet a guy that I had formed some kind of bond with online, and right now things are kind of up in the air as to where we stand...in fact, I think we had our first fight via e-mail today, so.....shaky is one word I would use....and I can be slightly neurotic.<BR>
<BR>
gah!   I think that is quite enough....you know, you guys can jump in anytime and save me from babbling....<BR>
<BR>
skipping gaily to the land of tater tots....
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

umm... tater tots? something to do with potatoes? forgive me, I'm Americanism-ally (hehe..new word alert) challanged... please explain Miss Nikki...
<HR>
From: smoldering<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Terry,<BR>
<BR>
     Your Baby, I'm Tired was a powerful peice for me.  Everybody uses their own experience to color the words they read, but this one could have been a mirror. <BR>
Very Nice.
<HR>
From: HMS<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Deeva (and all the Blender regulars)--<BR>
<BR>
Thanks for the intro.s and the welcome to the Blender.  I'm separated too (paperwork is making its languid way through family court...I'm torn between wanting it to be over and hating for it to be over).  Very sad.  <BR>
<BR>
I love the richness and variety of the submissions here, and the sublime-to-the-ridiculousness of the comments--from "what is faith?" to Taco-Bell bashing!  <BR>
<BR>
To complete my own introduction:  McD's fries are awesome (yes, of course they're too salty, that's what so good about them).  I rarely drink soda, but Coke is It.  (Mountain Dew addiction caused multiple kidney stones for my brother-in-law: friendly warning.)  My personal beverage of choice is peach-flavored seltzer.  I'm 34 and crazy--have to be; I teach middle school.  And thanks to the Blender, I wrote my first NEW poem (not a revision of something I've been fussing with for decades) TODAY!  No current love in my life, but had a brief brush with passion<BR>
--fun while it lasted!<BR>
<BR>
Kirk--Clearly, you are a person of rare wit and true genius.  A gentleman and a scholar.  Thank you for this place.<BR>
<BR>
Other newcomers:  YOUR TURN...
<HR>
From: HMS (again!)<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Kirk -- Just read your Ramble and couldn't resist this comment.  From "The Gay Divorcee" (a favorite Fred & Ginger movie of mine--long before I became one myself):<BR>
<BR>
"Chance is the fool's name for Fate!"<BR>
<BR>
And I wish I knew, too.
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

&lt;smiles&gt; thanks Nikki, thanks HMS -- I knew this would be a fun game.... I love filling in the blanks, poetry sometimes looses its soul if its just a name with no face (if that makes sense to anyone but me)...<BR>
<BR>
dee<BR>

<HR>
From: Nikki ([email-masked])<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Yes Dee....sorry Iforgot about youbeing from New Zealand,,,and how did your opening go, by the way?  I haven't seen a word about it!!<BR>
<BR>
tater tots are...ummm....like ground up shreds of potato, molded into either circles or some other shape...help me out someone...i eat em all the time, but i can't explain them...<BR>
<BR>
and HMS, thanks for the warning on Mountain Dew...and I thought the only problem I had with it was the caffeine allergy giving me migraines...  :)<BR>
<BR>
nikki...without a flippant trail....yikes
<HR>
From: nikki...again & again & again<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Smoldering-that's quite a take on the heart...I almost wish I had read it BEFORE I ate....however, I think the last line makes it great.. :)
<HR>
From: Megs<BR>
Date: 11 May 2000<P>

Nikki-  WWF Smackdown and tater tots...now THAT sounds like an evening with my man *grin*  He is a HUGE wrestling fan and I have to admit that though he is a jerk I think HHH has a DIVINE bod *giggles*  I only watch Raw myself...its all I can take...from one WWF woman to another.  *giggles*<BR>
<BR>
These last few days of comments have kept me grinning as we skip from Fast Food Fajitas to Faith to the intended purpose (love poems)  I've passed my thoughts on Taco Bell...but as for faith I must say I am a big fan of faith *grin* But I won't get all preachy (that looks like Eric's place...)  Sorry Cuz.<BR>
<BR>
Dee- I like your game so I will play and I hope everyone else will contribute their vitals cause as much as I love you guys I don't know much about anyone past what I read in poems/emails...how many emails do I owe?  Gala don't disown me!!! You either Uncle Old Fart *giggles* I started work so.....I am constantly on the run *sigh*<BR>
<BR>
I am 19...the WV barefoot princess with the long legs...hehe...drinker of Zima...waitress extrodanaire...being PARALYZED by writer's block...is that sufficient?  Oh and I am the Fairy God Child of Gala...and cousin to Eric...and occasionally source of intuition for Misti (who is up there on Cloud 9 where they don't write email anymore.......)  *giggles*<BR>
<BR>
Email= [email-masked]<BR>
<BR>
I am going to go catch up on my e's NOW!!! I promise!!!
<HR>