From: Michael (feeling moronic)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Megs and Everyone ~ Instead of posting a long comment or sending an email I can't send to everyone, I made it a submission, called "I love the blender."<BR>
<BR>
Michael (moronic)
<HR>
From: Michael (appreciative)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Kirk ~ thank you for the honor of bestowing first pageness for my work. Seriously I thank you for the appreciation.<BR>
<BR>
Unfortunately, "Shannon Sways" is the only thing I got from her. She didn't respond to my email asking her out on a date. I will simply call this "qutting while you're ahead." I hope I will produce more work that is good enough to make the front page. I hope that this will all die down and that I won't be feared, loathed, and ignored by so many.<BR>
<BR>
Michael (feeling blessed and validated by Kirkishness)
<HR>
From: Michael (sheepish)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Terry and kevin ~ Kevin is good. Real good. So good I get jealous and wish I was as happy to be in love as he is. But I'm too negative right now. I don't know how to change that part of myself or grow more positive about this love I feel yet. It hurts. I want it to stop. I don't want it to stop. <BR>
I want to be content. I don't want to be content. I'm conflicted. Yin and Yang. Together.<BR>
<BR>
And I shouldn't have taken it out on a comment on kevin's work which is excellent. I forget that the internet lacks the context. And that kevin and you don't know how much I like his work. <BR>
Michael (sheepish)
<HR>
From: Ashley Skye<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Hey Megs..I loved the "New Haircute" poem.  It made me laugh because I did the exact same thing 3 weeks ago, and it was because I thought I needed a change( but it was really because I was going through some stupid boy crisis.) Haha, maybe I went overboard considering that I cut about a FOOT off, but I llike it, same as what you said, playful and tousled.  It must be a girl thing.  Im sure yours looks great, Power to us women!!!<BR>
                Ashley Skye
<HR>
From: Michael ( too tired to dance)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Megs ~ I like haircute too. People seem to be trying to change when they change their haircut. I guess I need a haircut.
<HR>
From: Michael (curious george)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Kevin ~ if you would like for me to hear your story about your love, I would like to hear it.
<HR>
From: Galadrial<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

<BR>
<BR>
Oh Michael....<BR>
<BR>
              A fairy godmother never makes dreams come true---that's Disney. What they really do is listen, suggest--and from time to time, sprinkle a bit of magic dust. Ask Kev, or Megs--or Dee and they will tell you that there is nothing magical about me at all...<BR>
<BR>
             But in this life, I have known rare and fine folk who cared for and about me when they didn't have to. They were my fairy god parents---male and female---and I repay their kindness by being kind to others. Aside from love, kindness is the only magic we own. I didn't get all calm, wise and serene by living in a bubble. My life was ghastly at times---but I refused to accept defeat---or other people's ideas of who I was supposed to be.<BR>
<BR>
            So facing 40 on October 1st, I have my own life.<BR>
But I paid for it. And will always pay for my choices...<BR>
so I offer you this...if you want attention, you might have better luck with a whisper than a bellow.<BR>
<BR>
            Take care dear.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
                                        Gala
<HR>
From: nikki<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Hank, Sheli--'Gravediggers' and 'Pain' are incredible.  Keep it up.<BR>
<BR>
Michael--check your e-mail..<BR>
<BR>
note to self:  need to go out more often...no one is around online on saturday night...  :)
<HR>
From: Michael (Thanks nikki and FGM)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Nikki ~ I'm working on a response. I won't have it done until tomorrow as I'm going to pass out soon.<BR>
<BR>
Gala ~ I whisper something so quietly it can't be heard. Thanks for the advice though. <BR>
<BR>
I guess I come on too strong.<BR>
<BR>
Michael
<HR>
From: Angel<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

*SMILE* *SMILE* SMILE* Front page is reallllllll nice and loved, did i say LOVED your ramble GALA! Congratulations everyone!!!<BR>
<BR>
Thank you, Nikki for your kind remarks on "Translation"
<HR>
From: Megs<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Starting waaaaaaay up there with Misti-  Too bad my Piscean intuition was so incredibly off with the current object of my affections but...I am glad it brought happiness to your much deserving self.  *blows a kiss*<BR>
<BR>
Gala- Actually I do think you are a bit magical.  I mean a fairty godmother who provides poems, peeps, comforting phone calls, and BUBBLES?  There has to be some magic there...I love ya no matter...and I printed out your lil ramble and posted it at work...hehe.  Maybe some one will read it...<BR>
<BR>
Ash-  I cut of soooooo much hair too.  I wish I had a scanner so we could compare cuts.  I love it.  And he DID compliment me on it...so...maybe it wasn't so bad. <BR>
<BR>
And thanks to whomever else complimented me on that silly lil piece.  Just being "playful" (it goes with the cut)
<HR>
From: Megs (((w/a quick apologetic hug)))<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

And one last to Micheal-<BR>
(especially since I was the only one who got mentioned by name *blushes*)<BR>
<BR>
Maybe I should have done this in a private email but hell I am off to work so...<BR>
WOW I read the whole thing and here is my reaction.  Sort of.  You shouldn't leave the Blender because...well...you just shouldn't.  Venting is fine every lil bit or so (as you have mentioned- I have done it) and it seems everyone here will cut you off when necessary.  <BR>
I didn't mean to insult you by calling down that comment but to me it sounded a bit ego-ish and I am down on men ANYWAYS right now *grin*<BR>
I wouldn't even mind being friends cause everyone needs a good friend.  And you're right on the money about one thing.  You need to be loved.  I need to be loved.  We all do...and ghosts or poems or rants or rambles aside maybe...a lil bit of love and understanding is what we are looking for here.  Courtesy of Kirk.<BR>
<BR>
Megs<BR>

<HR>
From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Terry-<BR>
thank you for reading the spaces as well as the words.  That is a talent that serves one well where the emoting is done in the flesh, not just in the Web we all weave...  <BR>
<BR>
Michael-<BR>
I have to think some more about exactly what needs to be said...  Just know that I am not offended by anything you said.  I think I understand that what I have written just happened to intersect your crosshairs at an imopportune time.  Congrats on your front-page selection.  <BR>
<BR>
Gala-<BR>
It continues to astonish me how YOU are astonished by your adoring public...  You are beyond any superlative that borders my thinking at this moment (and your succinct ramble reinforces that).  There are some points of your ramble that we have discussed before, and you know I deeply appreciate your perspective.  Very well done...<BR>
<BR>
Megs, Kiwi, Nikki, HMS - congratulations to all of you (and those not heretofore or hereafter mentioned)...<BR>
<BR>
Rennie-<BR>
I've already expressed my feelings about your artistry that makes me smell the salt air...  Thank you for continuing to share...<BR>
<BR>
Lastly...  To my dear friend Angel-<BR>
We've known each other a while, and I bet I was ALMOST as excited as you were to see the new Blender Digest released on the anniversary of your birth with YOU ON IT!  But only slightly less so...  <BR>
<BR>
k
<HR>
From: Michael (grinning)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Thanks to everyone who responded to me. I'll try to be giddier here. "Don't it make you smile? When the sun don't shine?"
<HR>
From: Rennie Lorca<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Dear Kirk et al ...<BR>
<BR>
Once again, thanks for the Front Page pick with more of THE ALBATROSS saga ... she is "un-nested" and sadly solo again.<BR>
<BR>
And, congratulations on all the other front pagers and heart-on verses.  This is a kind and supportive community even in critique. <BR>
<BR>
Keep writing ... life is too brief not to make some comment on it ... and what better way than in memorable verses.  Take care ........ Rennie
<HR>
From: candyman<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

The candyman is honored to have made the front page of the Blender this month. He isn't surprised, but he's still honored.<BR>
<BR>
His new web page has recently been completed. Here it is:<BR>
<BR>
www.oe-pages.com/SPORTS/Basketball5/choc/<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: nikki<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Sheesh...I go to bed for 8 hours, and Icome back and there is all this new stuff... :)  You guys are awesome!<BR>
<BR>
Scott--good work with 'Firing Squad', especially the last two lines.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
(did you ever notice how the ending can sometimes make the poem?  Not talking about anything in particular here)<BR>
<BR>
Sarah--I like 'Sleep'...don't know if it's the part about the moon that draws me, or the part about the actual sleep, but it tugs at my mind...<BR>
<BR>
Kev--as always, you never cease to amaze me with your talent.  I especially like 'In the Margins', though, from this new batch that you posted...<BR>
<BR>
(I wonder how much I will be inspired to write on my trip to my new home...)<BR>
<BR>
Chris--it's good to see some pieces from you, again.  Two thumbs up for the second part of 'Three Pseudo-drunken Pieces'.<BR>
<BR>
Well, all...I am off to forage for food...and that is just an excuse to be outside when I should be working on various projects inside...<BR>
<BR>
Later love-bugs!<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Michael (Feeling some of Kevin's pain)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Kev ~ you have to teach me some of your wushu. =p
<HR>
From: Michael (oops)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Kev ~ actually, you're already trying. I should shut up and pay attention.
<HR>
From: Misti Girl<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Candyman~<BR>
   I thought I had seen it ALL and then I checked out your page. &lt;sigh&gt; What IS this world comin' to???
<HR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

candy man = kim wu = dope fiend = chris<BR>
<BR>
fake fake fake.
<HR>
From: Misti<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Mr./Mrs./Ms. Anonymous~<BR>
Yeah, Chris is real. We talked on the phone this morning until I fell asleep. And even though you're too cowardly to use a name, any name at all with your comments, I know that you're real. And I'm glad I don't know you. Critics are so fucking boring. They tear everything apart but they don't BUILD or CREATE anything. Go grab yourself a life. Treat yourself to an orgasm or hot fudge sundae or ferris wheel ride or shopping spree at Goodwill or SOMETHING.<BR>

<HR>
From: Michael (Cheering)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Misti ~ You GO GIRL! Let me at him. Lemme at him. (whips out his Silver Sword, FireBringer.) I'll slay the nameless one for thee fair maiden!<BR>
<BR>
Though I think your six shooter will fill him full of holes darlin.
<HR>
From: [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Love is like a raging river, I say jump in and drown in its bliss
<HR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Misti, he may be real but he's just like you, likes playing games just like you. You used to submit poetry under different names then say how wonderful it was under Misti, pretty childish.<BR>
<BR>
Kim Wu may write great poetry but its a pity they take the piss out of someones culture.<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Misti<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Person w/o a Name:<BR>
I guess having a sense of humor is childish, huh? I HAVE submitted poems under various names but I have NEVER complimented my "alter egos" on the Board. I don't need to. Writing poems and submitting them is reward enough for me. If I was all about ego or whatever, I think I'd probably submit all my poems as Misti Velvet Rainwater. That way I could, like, you know...take credit for em all! Duh! <BR>
Yeah, I guess Chris and I ARE childish 'cause we like to have fun. Comedy is SUPPOSED to push buttons. Comedy isn't supposed to be politically correct or polite.<BR>
...and what is "real"? Tony Clifton was every bit as real as Andy Kaufman. All the alter egos are as real as I am. And you are really lame.
<HR>
From: nikki...bored...and seething<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

You know....what is this world coming to when someone doesn't have the..err...grapefruits...to own up to their own thoughts...<BR>
<BR>
now..the anonymous person/s speaking to Michael I could almost understand, as it wasn't something meant to hurt,but this moron speaking to Misti, and about Chris...you have got to be kidding me.<BR>
<BR>
Take Misti's advice, find something fabulous to occupy your time, rather than trying to shred the people here, who you apparently know nothing about...<BR>
<BR>
(Misti, Chris...I know you don't need my input, or help here....it just pissed me off, is all)<BR>
<BR>
and if I didn't have such a deep respect and love for the people I have met here, I might have been more able to express myself, but I decided to forego the four letter words, which I'm sure was a better decision on my part...<BR>
<BR>
sick of the crap invading from the outside world....
<HR>
From: nikki<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Michael--I love 'Conquering Gaze'...very well said!<BR>
<BR>
8Ball-'Explicit Thrills'...WoW!  perhaps too steamy for this hot afternoon...<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
off in search of a publisher to take pity on my poor type-weary fingers...
<HR>
From: Misti<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Michael and Nikki,<BR>
    Thanks for helpin' me out here. I know I shouldn't let anonymous posts by someone I don't know and don't want to know piss me off. Whoever it is, they seem to enjoy the hell out of insulting me. That just won't do. And when they say that the man I love isn't real, dem is FIGHTIN' WORDS!<BR>
<BR>
...Christopher David Lake is my Muse, my soul mate, my best friend. He makes me laugh so hard that I cry. We're going to meet each other in Las Vegas in August. Stay tuned for more ebullient poetry written by a real guy who goes by Christopher Lake and a real girl who goes by Misti Velvet Rainwater. <BR>
<BR>

<HR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

oh so Nikki, as long as its someone you don't like then its ok for me to speak my mind? gosh, its just as well you informed me of the rules.<BR>

<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

&lt;giggling&gt; its a public holiday here in NZ (Queens Birthday) .... got my family here, just popped on to see whats happening, and it looks like we've got oursleves a stirrer.... its pretty funny, you'd think that we'd have learnt to IGNORE it by now.<BR>
<BR>
Oh and Misti (not wanting to stick up for no name, but loving to be the devils advocate!) I do remember you commenting on a poem you submitted under a different name, (I have a LOOOOOOOONG memory when it comes to written stuff -- but when it comes to something someone SAYs to me... ha! forget it.) A few people picked up on it then and said on the board when you then went on to say you wrote that poem... I think the name was Red Rose Luva... but I'm not 100% on that.) hehe... sorry girl.<BR>
<BR>
dee
<HR>
From: Angel<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Ummmm, if i may remind people that writers are creators, as are actors and visual artists...while i rarely take on another name when posting here at the Blender, there has been the occasion or two when even i felt the need to assume another identity to convey a particular scenerio or feeling i wanted to get across....a view from the opposite sex...or perhaps the view of an older or younger person...and maybe even a side darker than what i feel 'angel' could get by with and be taken seriously. I admit this is a very RARE occasion for me( i think 3 times in two years) and i don't recommend anyone getting in the habit of doing so...for one, like Misti said, you will not get credit for your work. I feel that this swapping of identity should be done only when necessary to validate the work. If someone feels the need to switch identities 20 times a month,perhaps they are MP or perhaps they just have a more active imagination than I or most here and that is cool with me so long as it makes me *SMILE*. Now, the gameplaying is a different story...sheeeesh...is all i can say...i hope it stops! And in closing, i happened to LOVE Kim Wu's works regardless of who she is...And Misti ROCKS so I'm sure Chris does too:)))
<HR>
From: Misti<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Yeah...what SHE said! Ha! <BR>
Angel~<BR>
  Thanks, chica! I know I haven't sent you (or Kevin or Shadygirl)any snail mail in a long time, but you are one of the most beautiful people I have ever met in cyberspace. <BR>
Dee~<BR>
  You rascal! I vaguely remember "Red Rose Luva"...remember "rat boy"? He was my personal favorite. I'll have to go back and see if what you say is true. Probably is! But I don't do that sorta thing now. I'm reformed! Ha! Still waitin' on that Kiwi bird! When I get a job I'll buy a Texas souvenir and send it your way.<BR>
:))))))))))))))))))))))))a giddy troublemaker
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Misti -- see I can't let you away with being the only trouble maker on the board! hehe... the kiwis are on there way... will they get to you at your address still?<BR>
<BR>
dee
<HR>
From: Misti...Blowin' the Hell Outta Her Own Horn<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Just went back and found some poems I submitted under pseudonyms. *change* and *watch* by Tawnia, *predictament* (a love poem about a gynecologist...wOw!)by Cheetah and *Miss Demeanor* by ratboy. Couldn't find Rose Red Luva, though. But I'm gonna keep lookin' 'cause I remember that name!
<HR>
From: Misti<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Dee,<BR>
 I'm still in my same apartment in the pasture known as Bridgeport, Texas. I decided to stay here 'til I move to Austin in the fall.<BR>
 A Board w/o trouble is like a mound of shaved ice w/o Tiger's Blood syrup! No flavor, no fun!
<HR>
From: HMS<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Sheesh, isn't it a beautiful summer day where anyone ELSE is living?  (Not the kiwis, obviously, but the rest of you?) I mean, all this griping and anonymous sniping.  I personally have no problem with people submitting under any fool name they want--writers use pseudonyms all the time for any number of reasons, including simply not wanting their friends/lovers/family/neighbors/hormonally-overloaded middle school students/fellow Blenderites/co-workers, etc. to know what they feel in their deepest hearts.  Who knows who's out there reading?<BR>
<BR>
Gala -- let's have a birthday party!  I'll be facing 35 on October 2.  Libras are awesome!<BR>
<BR>
And so, Kirk -- not to worry.  Gala and I will both be certain to validate your theory that 26 is NOT OLD!  Because WE'RE not old, so you DEFINITELY cannot be!<BR>
<BR>
Deevaa-- keep up the giggles and wiggles.  That's what I come to the Board for, not cranky anonymous whiners.  I'm playing a wiggler myself in a musical this summer.  Got any tips on how to act like a true floozy?<BR>
<BR>
(Name witheld to protect the guilty.)  HMS
<HR>
From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

HMS, just some thoughts<BR>
Pseudonyms themselves are fine-- I can see wanting an online life seperate from the offline one.  And I can even see taking on more than one identity online, though I'm not as comfortable about the idea.  Part of it has to do with my own sense of openness, I pretty much own up to everypart of myself, even the uncomfortable stuff.  Anyway. It seems like some people go a little bit nuts with identity thing. And that's all I have to say about that.
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

&lt;jumping up and down&gt; libra here too!!
<HR>
From: nikki<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

apparently, oh anonymous being, you have taken my remarks in the wrong light.  I don't like it when anyone is ripped apart for no aparrent reason, whether I like the person or not.  And if you are under the impression that I don't like Michael, and that is why I used him as an example, well...that is your own deal.  Michael knows how I feel about him, which is something that is between him and me.<BR>
<BR>
I have no problem with pseudonyms.  I myself started out here with an alternate identity, which everyone knows, who pays attention.  A lot of people use them for writing, acting, art...etc.  When people are posting anonymously to rip someone up, though, that is another story entirely, and one I don't wish to read, personally.  That's just plain cowardice, in my book.  <BR>
<BR>
and as an afterthought, if the anonymous poster is someone that I am already acquainted with online, then apparently I didn't know you as well as I thought.<BR>
<BR>
off to find something more substantial with my time.<BR>
<BR>
(and I'm sorry to anyone who is taking this all with less than a grain of salt.  I'm not normally a troublemaker, really.)
<HR>
From: oops<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

that should be 'something more substantial to do with my time'...<BR>
<BR>
nikki
<HR>
From: Michael (feeling righteous)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Nikki and all ~ I pick up pseudonyms easily. I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy. Lots of weird names. When I was growing up we used to play role playing games because they don't cost much except time. I had 9093249 characters. Each one needed his own name and personality. I took pieces of me for each one. And I have 9438394 email addresses because I've grown attached to some of the names.<BR>
<BR>
I'm going to use Michael (with some description) from now on, simply because it's common enough and because it confused the hell out of everyone, including me, when I was trying to respond to Evangeline and also post things that I didn't want her to see because I didn't want to mess with her engagement when she didn't want me to. I thought she did. She don't. Fine.<BR>

<HR>
From: Misti...a Woman of Multiple Delights<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Just created a new page. Thought I'd plug it here without shame. If you wanna check it out, go to www.oe-pages.com/SCIENCE/Astrology/marrowsucker. Has nothing to do with science or astrology, btw.<BR>

<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

HMS a real floozy? &lt;grin&gt; you have to ask Gala about that!! hehehe
<HR>
From: Michael (needs to get outside)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

Misti ~ that's an AWESOME comeback line. I like the page too. I think I'm 14. Um...Nintendo. Hehe.
<HR>
From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

&lt;almost ready to parrot the erstwhile keeper of the Blender&gt;<BR>
<BR>
I have no problem with pretending, per se, in the ethereal world.  I choose to be me, maybe a little more open than the average bear, but that is my choice to make.  (I don't presume to tell anyone how they should conduct themselves.)   I don't want anyone mistaking someone else for me.  I had a BIG problem with that once.  I did, about a year or so ago, post a series of poems under a single pseudonym.  But all my friends knew it was me anyway, and I grew out of the need to hide behind a letter.  Nicknames are one thing, but screwing with people's minds and hearts just for fun is quite another, and not, I think, what this place is all about.
<HR>
From: kevin urenda (again - OOPS)<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

postscript -<BR>
 <BR>
Nikki-  <BR>
Thank you for your kind words.  They mean a lot to me...
<HR>
From: Jenna Holland ([email-masked])<BR>
Date: 4 June 2000<P>

I havent been here all weekend and I am just getitng caught up on the new subs, many of them good, but to Christopher Lake and Forest Adams, your stick out.  All of them great, Congrats on the front pagers!<BR>
<BR>
-Jenna-
<HR>