From: Misti<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Terry~<BR>
  Thanks for signing another one of my guestbooks! Just read your newest submission. How cool to know that I'm not the only person in the world who dresses pillows in old t-shirts!
<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

nikki,<BR>
'Oh Lonesome me'  *sigh* what can I say when all I do is ask why? and 'A Question' is so simple, yet communicates the very essence of fear mixed with love.<BR>
<BR>
8 Ball Wizard...'Explicit Thrills' turns the thermostat all the way into the red....<BR>
<BR>
Michael...quit telling us you can't write poetry. You lie...'Conquering Gaze' is wonderful, 'Everything I Need' is uplifting, even in a sad way, and 'Spaz Loves Jennifer' made me cry the big tears...<BR>
<BR>
Angel...'Loneliness' said what i wanted to with your usual style and grace..thank you for the clarity<BR>
<BR>
Misti...'There is the Aching'...A very deep expressive work. As a rape counselor I have heard that thought whispered and screamed and sobbed...well done...<BR>
<BR>
terry    
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From: Crystevin<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Congrats to the front pagers of the JUN Edition.  Excellent choices and excellent work by all.  <BR>
<BR>
Kirk-I think one of the best recent editions i can remember. Thanks for your efforts.<BR>
<BR>
GALA-Kev said it best and I agree, an amazing follow-up on last month's ramble, you hit the spot! Now if men could, the world would be a better place. :) Excellent piece of writing!  Also, the quote at the top of the Jun Edition seems to really connect with the theme.<BR>
<BR>
elsewhere:<BR>
<BR>
I believe in anonymity when the situation is appropriate.  Many great authors used pen names specifically because (for whatever reason) they didn't want or need to be associated with the work.  However, I agree that hiding your identity so you can play with somebody's mind and pretend you are someone else is nothing more than deceit.<BR>
<BR>
-Crystevin
<HR>
From: Galadrial<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

<BR>
<BR>
Morning all...<BR>
<BR>
          One whipped puppy dragging elven imperatrix here...This weekend was a big one in my community--street fair on Sunday, community concert on  Saturday night---takes a year to organize both and I crawled into my bed last night at 7:30 and utterly crashed.<BR>
<BR>
          Woke up with the birds, and caught up with the board...and must thank everyone for their kindness. The ramble was excellent fun to write, and gave me a chance to purge a lot...I am happy that it was so graciously received, and thank you all for being so damned sweet.<BR>
<BR>
          Kev---Terry--Chrys---thanks guys...I half wrote the thing because it irks me no end that men and women do this endless dance...yearning, longing, loving---and get no closer...seems like something that both sides wish for so much should be simpler somehow...<BR>
<BR>
          Nikki, Megs, Kiwi, Angel---thank you for not trying to kill me. I know we're supposed to all mysterious and alluring---but there are limits! And thanks for your sweet support.<BR>
<BR>
         Ahem. Yo---Wench of The Southern Cross? Miss Giggling and Wiggling...we have a serious case of the pot calling the kettle black, don't you think? And I have never in my life worn lavender, so pppppppphhhhhhhhhhhhtttttttt!<BR>
<BR>
          In a few weeks Gala's going to vanish for a little. Have to have a few repairs...not looking foward to this at all---but a Florence Nightengale type gave me a serious talking to, and finally convinced me that I was being a damned fool...so if I drop out for a little, fear not. I'm going to miss you guys a lot---withdrawl? Oh, mercy--yeah...<BR>
<BR>
         Play nice---write a lot, and drop me a line while I'm recuperating...and when I finish that first chapter who's next? Kev?  Come on---I had volunteers out the yin yang in the beginning...and y'all fail to realize that with this romantic crap, I have no damned idea what i'm doing.<BR>
<BR>
         God------I am going to miss this bizarre rag tag incredibly wonderful crew...October second? My god, that's neat---lots of Libras here...too cool...<BR>
<BR>
         Bye for now all...Gala with love......
<HR>
From: Christopher Lake ([email-masked])<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

In regard to the anonymous poster of the 4th:<BR>
<BR>
First of all, thanks to all who have stood up for Misti and I...<BR>
<BR>
Yes, I have written under other names. Here are a few that I can remember: goo goo doll, dopefiend, Billy Boy, candyman, hearts-n-flowers, and perhaps a few more that I can't remember right now. I'm not Kim Wu, however. I wish I could claim that one, but, alas, I'm afraid I can't.<BR>
<BR>
I must say I'm amazed at the deadly seriousness with which this sort of thing is greeted. I can only speak for my own motives--and those of my comrade in love and poetry Ms. Rainwater--when I say that it was never done out of anything other than...fun! It had exactly nothing to do with ego-gratification, manipulation, or anything so sinister. Writers experiment with voice. It's what they do. It's hoped that they don't abuse people in the process, however, and that was not our intent. Creating characters is hardly the same thing as posting anonymous attacks on the Board. I have nothing but respect for the Blender community and what we do here. It's really a great place. I have no respect for anonymous posters.<BR>
<BR>
This is turning into a wordy response, I realize... For the straightfoward, no-bullshit one, check out Misti's comment up above.<BR>
<BR>
Oh, one more thing: our anonymous poster says that I'm just like Misti. Well, I take that as the highest possible compliment. Misti and I are of like mind. We're of ONE mind most of the time, in fact. And that's the way we like it.(Love ya, darlin'!!!)
<HR>
From: Megs<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

I can't leave you kids alone for 24 hours it seems.<BR>
You know...its crazy how quickly certain people get jumped on...and its crazy how quickly we all get up in arms about it rather than letting it flow...<BR>
All I know is I love Misti...and Chris...and Misti and Chris together...and all their aliases...and everyone else here.  And as long as I read something good it can be under the name Satan for all I care.  *grin*<BR>
The only thing about Misti that makes ME mad is her neglect of email since falling in love *pouts*<BR>
<BR>
And Gala-  Where might you be going?  What WILL happen to her Manifest Destiny?  (Which seems to have died...?)  What WILL happen to the crew you keep in line here?  Oh don't leave us...
<HR>
From: Megs *hands full of tissues*<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Misti- You hit the nail on the head with "The Aching"  Aye if I don't understand that one here.<BR>
<BR>
Terry-  "Insight" is so sweet.  And makes me want someone to love again.  *sigh*  You are a lucky guy.<BR>
<BR>
Micheal- "Spaz Loves Jennifer" made me CRY...oh that was a good one darlin'.<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Madison<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

HMS I have your bottles all filled, labeled, and ready to send - & will be mailing the new leave-in hair treatment version next week.  Thank you for your words, I wasn't sure if I liked that one yet, so it gave me a very big smile to read that you did : )
<HR>
From: Rennie Lorca<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Once again, thanks to all who have given congratulations here and in e-mail or phone. And, thanks for catching me in chat and congratulating me, Toklas. Blue, you are a delight in both e-mail and chat.<BR>
<BR>
Kevin, I really appreciate your support (your talent and depth of emotion are marvelous) and always your kind remarks ... for you, the rest of the verses from The Albatross as they now stand are on a page by My Captain and myself (you might hear the seagulls and taste the salt air there):<BR>
http://members.tripod.com/~TruLeigh/albatross.html<BR>
I go back and rework something there from time to time ... play with it ... add or subtract something ... it is mine, ours ... we are allowed ... that is also part of the beauty of poetry.<BR>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<BR>
Sometimes I am asked about some of my influences in poetry. I am enjoying some work most of you may not know by author Gustaf Sobin in Articles of Light & Elation from Cadmus-Editions ... an out-take:<BR>
&lt;html&gt;<BR>
&lt;pre&gt;<BR>
  no greater nudity than your tears, were what<BR>
I'd sipped into<BR>
    thin pellets of sound: madrigals of wind and<BR>
  shadow, and these late daisies, worked<BR>
                            azurous, about the <BR>
                                 narrow whorl of your ears.<BR>
                                    &lt;pre&gt;<BR>
                                     &lt;/html&gt;<BR>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<BR>
Angel, I am really paying attention to your work because it has been speaking a language I enjoy and can understand ... thanks for sharing your talent.<BR>
<BR>
Misti and Chris ... more power to you ... any relationship is difficult at best ... you are that much more committed by your long-distance courtship because you really have to pay attention to the words, really communicate to have anything since you don't have that most basic body language to help or hinder you in developing something together. <BR>
<BR>
People who have studied the romantic period of writing ... or even more writing throughout the centuries know that many people were often apart great distances for long periods until they could find their fortunes or be "allowed" to marry. Mule trains and schooners weren't capable of 0 to 60 MPH and few people had funds for more than the most necessary travel.  I am sure there will actually be poets on the board who may remember some famous romantic poet couples .. :)<BR>
<BR>
To all the rest who care to share here ... go write! ... I am always thrilled to see someone pen a line, twist a sentence, produce an awesome thought ...... Rennie
<HR>
From: Michael (smiling)<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Megs and Terry ~ I cried while writing "Spaz loves Jennifer". I cried the first time Spaz told me his story. I cried the time he told me the WHOLE story. I can't talk about that though. Let's just say there is a reason they were so close. I haven't talked to Spaz in about a year, since I stopped playing computer games all the time. Damn RSI.<BR>
Spaz is really hard to find though, because he's doing the same thing I am trying to do. He's already stopped leaning so hard on the net and started leaning on other people in person, and even more importantly, leaning on himself. But he still loves Jennifer. <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Misti<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Megs,<BR>
  Chica, I just read *To Him-Whomever He is* and I just have to let you know that I am 27 and I STILL wish on 11:11 and pennies in the fountain and birthday candles and dandelions and stars! And awhile back (years back) I wrote a similar poem...kinda a plea to the cosmos, a message in a bottle kinda thing. And it worked! It's so funny...after Brian dumped me I made a list of qualities I desire in a soul mate. After I had been correspondin' with Chris for awhile I sent him the list. It was too funny.<BR>
  Keep makin' those wishes and lists and keep lovin' all the colors in the box and He WILL come to you, sweet girl! I know this!<BR>
&lt;Hugs&gt;<BR>
:)))Misti Girl
<HR>
From: Misti<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Oops! *Whoever*, rather!
<HR>
From: HMS<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Okay, this is an APB:  Calling ALL librans on the blender!<BR>
Probably not a coincidence, come to think of it, since we're supposed to be hopeless romantics.  And also often readers & writers, I believe.<BR>
<BR>
Deevaa--I too have an amazing memory for anything written, and ZILCH for the spoken word!  Too weird.  Maybe we were separated at birth?!  When is your birthday?<BR>
<BR>
And my FINAL word on the recent "identity crisis" on the Board.  I guess I agree with whoever said it's all about your intent.  (Kevin?  Probably.  I always agree with Kevin :-))  I myself have not/don't plan to submit under any other "name," but I don't care if others want to play around for their own good and fine reasons, or just for fun.  But if your reason is simply to mess with someone's head, then I DO have a problem with that.  And I do think it's cowardly to post anonymously.  If you don't dare put a name to a comment, please don't make it.  That just seems like simple justice to me.<BR>
<BR>
(Oh, yeah, another libra hot-button--justice!)<BR>
<BR>
Whoops--what does any of this have to with love?  Sorry, Kirk.  Just now the love interest in my life is sailing the high seas and incommunicado for another few days.  Waiting for the phone when you KNOW it CAN'T ring is the rock bottom of lovesickness, I'd say!  Pretty sad.  Maybe there's a poem there if I ever get these darn book reports graded.<BR>
<BR>
HMS<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: HMS<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Michael - Just read "I Love the Blender" and I hope you didn't think I was telling you to leave the blender forever.  NO!  Just thought you could use a vacation from it, maybe visit the real world for a week or so, like Kevin did...  Of course, I'm one of the worst offenders myself, I'm just excellent at avoiding reality, so I'm allowed to tell you what to do.  Plus I'm old enough to be your mother.  Almost.  Take care.<BR>
<BR>
HMS
<HR>
From: Megs<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Hey Misti-<BR>
<BR>
That is exactly what it is.  A plea to the cosmos.  Bring him to me.  I think I know who he is.  I hope he is who I think he is.  I keep wishing.  But looking at you and Chris and the volumes of ebullience well...I just hope I can find someone to make me so happy.  You are blessed.<BR>
<BR>
To the masses-  Are there any other Pisces in the house?  
<HR>
From: Misti<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Megs~<BR>
  I'm on the cusp of Pisces and I've got Mercury in Pisces...which means I think like a Pisces. I'm a diluted Aquarian. I've got a major Earth influence...Virgo moon and ascendant, Mars and Jupiter in Capricorn and Taurus at the midheaven. I still do crazy Aquarian things, though. Can't escape the sun and Venus in Aquarius. I'm branded.<BR>
...Chris is a major Libra. Sun AND moon and Uranus and Pluto and Mars and Mercury in Libra. wOw!<BR>
   I like Libra people. Chris, Dee, Gala, HMS, my sister, my grandmother, my late Uncle Greg, John Lennon, Julio Iglesias, Sting, F. Scott Fitzgerald.<BR>

<HR>
From: HMS<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Misti--If I don't shut up, we're gonna have to start calling this the Blender of Love and Astrology.  But I guess I've discovered that I really like Aquarians, too.  (And I hope I like Pisceans, because my brand-new niece/godchild is one!)<BR>
<BR>
Gala, I hesitate to volunteer because I am the world's WORST procrastinator, and also know nothing of the chosen time period for "Manifest," but I will be a liberated woman (liberated from school/on vacation!) starting next week, so theoretically it's possible that I could be writing...  Can you direct me to any good books about the time period?<BR>
<BR>
And take care of yourself.  You know we'll all be thinking of you.<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Tara [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

HMS, I am a blender regular reader and have only posted a couple of times, but I am a Libra...<BR>
<BR>
Tara
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

HMS -- I'm the 18th of Oct, but my big brother is the 2nd... my ex was libra also and my son... my handsomest man, he'd be a libra if he'd hung out in there for just one more day.... good thing I was induced though, can't have a whole family of indesiveness!<BR>
<BR>
Gala -- I'm so damn pleased you listened to someone's advice even if it wasn't MINE, you have all that it takes to get through this girl... and you know it, and you've got a huge support crew if things get rough -- but they can't read your mind.... you need to push that big ole pride out of the the way and ask, everyone will be there for you... just let em know ok?  <BR>
<BR>
(((hugs))) and you know that this kiwi chick is sending the best kinda vibes your way... maybe if you are real lucky I'll throw something in the post for ya.<BR>
<BR>
(take that look off your face, I know what you are thinking and I did NOT mean that kinda vibe....)<BR>
<BR>
I've got some serious plans coming up... BIG, big plans.... I'm gonna burst.<BR>
<BR>
dee<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Misti<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Kim Wu is a Cancer. She lives in L.A.<BR>
8 BALL WIZARD is a Leo. He lives in Tulsa.<BR>
Marcia Marcia Marcia is an Aries. She lives in Cincinatti.<BR>
Chichi is a Taurus. He lives in Miami.<BR>
Braeden is a Capricorn. He lives in Corvallis, Oregon.<BR>
Mango Mama is a Scorpio. She lives in Jacksboro, Texas.<BR>
<BR>
...okay, I'm off to find a job now.
<HR>
From: Kiwi<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

I think that this nameless person is being inasnely childish and annoying.  There's no point in tearing people apart.  That's not what this site is about.  Let's play nice, shall we?
<HR>
From: Angel<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Thank You ,Terry and thank you, Rennie...Terry i thought you did a wonderful job with your 'lonely' poem...loved the t-shirt over pillow case part...i will use that idea in Brandis' upstairs big-girl room when i redecorate it. I did write lonliness after reading your poem, so i sorta fed off it. Rennie, your beautiful nature poems have always been some of my favorite reads...like Kevin, i believe their is  nothing quite as poetic as the sea:)
<HR>
From: nikki<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

You know what...I have absolutely no idea what I just read in all of the passing comments....<BR>
<BR>
Gala....take care love, and of course I will be here when you get back...maybe I'll even write a little something for your e-mail box..hmmm..<BR>
<BR>
Misti and Chris...your love amazes me and makes me feel petty and childish for being irritated with my Chris...like it's really HIS fault that he's 3,000 miles away...~slapping my forehead~<BR>
<BR>
Terry...thank you for your kind words on 'Oh Lonesome Me' and 'A Question'.  I appreciate it, and I know that you know where I'm coming from with those two.<BR>
<BR>
Off to read new subs now, so of course there will be more from me in a few....<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Coda<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

I'm new here, and have been reading over all your beautiful poetry.  I wanted to write a little note to Kiwi, your poems are beautiful!  I've never read such heart-felt, honest, and pure poetry.  I love your work, please don't stop writing, and thank you for sharing it with the world :-)
<HR>
From: nikki<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Ok Michael--I am in agreement with everyone else..'Spaz Loves Jennifer' just ripped my heart out...thank you for sharing that with us..<BR>
<BR>
Misti--'There is the Aching' reminds me of a girl I thought I knew...funny how we don't always bury what we thought we had...<BR>
<BR>
Megs--I was a little confused by the title "You Turn"...but of course, after I read it I was more empathetic than confused...ramble my butt...you keep writing, girl..and of course, 'To Him-Whoever He Is' made me cry.  What's up with all of this poetry making me cry.<BR>
<BR>
Note:  I used to be a cold person....never shedding a tear, for almost a year...and now...hell I should take stock in Kleenex<BR>
<BR>
Kiwi--Random Heartsong...mmmm....I like it!<BR>
<BR>
Angel--No simpler way to put it....great job with 'I Love You'<BR>
<BR>
ok...I'm off to write something or other, and maybe it will make it, and maybe it won't, but something has got to get me to sleep at night...N
<HR>
From: Kiwi<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Coda~ wow.  I don't know what to say.  I love writing... it's my therapy.  I am so honored that you like my poems so much! thank you!  you've really made my day! :-) What about you, when do I get the pleasure of seeing your poems posted here? :-)<BR>
<BR>
Nikki~ thank you :-)I really liked "Spaces"
<HR>
From: Angel<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

"River of Love" by Onna (my step-grandaughter, age 13) and "Love", by Brandi (my own precious little girl, age 7) were both very sweet reads *SMILE*<BR>
PS: I only said 'step' because i am 38 and i didn't want to freak anybody out...but she is very much a part of my life:)<BR>
The girls are enjoying writing poems on key words i am giving them...keeping them occupied and hopefully planting a spark:)
<HR>
From: Angel<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Thanks nikki, and your "spaces" really touched me...very well written:)
<HR>
From: Angel<BR>
Date: 5 June 2000<P>

Jenna~"Silent Shadow"...it is very dark there too...nice one ,Jenna:)
<HR>