From: chrisandmisti (together at LAST!!!)<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

(misti) Howdy, ya'll! Ebullient greetings from your most favoritest choir girl! I'm in New Yawk at LAST with the man I love! YES! <BR>
<BR>
(chris) Yeah, I'm here too! Let me just say that the wait was torturous but worth every agonizing second. (By the way, she's a DAMN good kisser, a good ear-buzzer, sixty gazillion times more beautiful than the pictures, etc., et al...)<BR>
<BR>
(chrisandmisti) We'll be baaaaaaaack to annoy the hell outta ya'll!!!!<BR>

<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Toklas~ Thank you so much for the constructive help with the hummingbirds...I sorta thought the same thing myself before I posted it, but I have this really bad habit of trying to add things at the last minute, as I did with this one. After reading your post, I realized just how right you are about the end! And I definetly need that type criticism more often...thanks again!<BR>
<BR>
And Maria~ I have only been posting and commenting here at the Blender since March. So I can testify that newbies are accepted with open arms and hearts. But I know at times there is an appearance of partiality here that does not really exist.  I think it stems from the fact that so many poets contribute here (600 subs in June), that even if you read every new sub (as I do), there is simply not enough time to also comment on everything. So I find myself commenting mainly on works that especially appeal to me for whatever reason...But I read and enjoy many authors that I have yet to comment on.....like yourself. So relax, and read, and continue to contribute to the community. I'm sure you too will find out just how special the place really is...<BR>
<BR>
terry
<HR>
From: Ashley Skye<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Oh I was soo happy to come on and see a comment from Chris and Misti!!! Is this the first time you've ever really met eachother???  Are you together to stay now??  Just a couple questions from a very curious blenderite!!  Good for you guys!!!<BR>
              goodnite all.....*Ashley*
<HR>
From: Paul B<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Misti - Contact me via email ASAP.  I need your signature on the entry form of your screenplay so I need to know how to send it to you quickly.  Your screenplay is finished and I need to get it into the mail.
<HR>
From: Galadrial<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

<BR>
Angel------<BR>
<BR>
        First you don't visit......and now you wave hello? Email is good! Miss you dear!<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
                                    Gala
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From: Glenn Chapman      [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

                        Childish?<BR>
<BR>
Why is it that when two separate always one has contempt for the other? I left with nothing but the best wishes for you and your family. Yet, I find out that when your aware of my plans for a new life, in your eyes I am Childish? I get a chance in a lifetime and I am childish for accepting it? You ruined my life and when I start a new one with out you I am childish? I used to think that maybe someday you might want me back and that we would apologize and things would be back to normal, but now I know that that is the only childish Idea I have ever had with you. I used to dream of our life together and how perfect it would be, and when I woke up I would just want to go back to sleep. I prayed for that day to come sooner and sooner, but now that dream has vanished and I no longer need you. So many people warned me before I decided to pursue you, that you would only break my heart and they were right, but I guess it was worth it. Every life needs at least one heart ache to keep them in check with reality and two make you that much stronger. Because of you I have become a more religious man. I learned of how Jesus gave his life for us and I thought for a while and decided that I would have given my life for you. He gave his for a world of people that loved him; I would have given mine for one woman that didn’t. I would have gone through everything that he did just to save you and it scared me. But I’m not afraid any more. All that meant was that I truly loved you. You try to understand me and yet you don’t even understand yourself and I am called childish? Isn’t name calling a little childish itself? I regret saying those three words now more than ever and only wish that I could take all the pain away, but I can’t and will have to live with it for the rest of my life. I still have a bright future ahead of me and although it is without you I will still make the most of it and who knows I might actually be happy again someday, until then I will just have to be content with how it is no matter how hard that will be. I wish you the best and hope that someday you will make some man out there a great wife and I know now that that man will never be me and I totally accept it. We’ll go our separate ways and live our lives to the fullest, but not together. So I wish you the best again and hope you feel the same. This will most likely be the last letter you will ever get from me. So I guess all that is left to say is goodbye.<BR>

<HR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

*** silence ***
<HR>
From: Kirk, Blender-Keeper<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Blender's running a bit late, look for it Monday evening. (Family reunion this weekend- you can see some pics at http://kisrael.com )<BR>
<BR>
I do wish people would be less likely to use the submission board as a scratch pad, or at least proofread a bit more closely.  I am loooking into what it would take to add in the "free spellchecker" offered by http://spellchecker.net/
<HR>
From: Madison<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

re: "River Where We Meet"<BR>
<BR>
Toklas/Medusa,<BR>
<BR>
The words alone were true art.  I hear the undertones of its deeper meaning.  And a perfect image to boot.  Outstanding and Bravo : )  Summer's been a wild and scary ride here so this is the first chance I've had to read.  Haven't clicked through all of the submissions yet, but HAD to leap to this screen to tell you Thank You for creating this one -
<HR>
From: Tanna<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Maria-<BR>
<BR>
Believe me, there ARE no outsiders here.  I've been reading for about 2 years and finally had the nerve to post a few this month, and I'm counting on these guys to tell me if I really suck... =)<BR>
<BR>
Everyone here is very warm, there are just some who have been around a bit longer.  Don't fret, you're not the only newbie!!<BR>
<BR>
Take care!<BR>
Tanna
<HR>
From: Tanna<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Kirk, thanks for the update; now I don't have to keep checking every hour to see if it's magically appeared & I can stop doing the "when will the new issue of the blender arrive" dance (my boyfriend will be so happy).  Hope you enjoyed your family this weekend; aren't reunions fun??<BR>
<BR>
Take care<BR>
<BR>
Tanna
<HR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Sunday morning ***sigh***
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From: Toklas<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Hi Madison,<BR>
So happy to see you back. I have been very busy also.  Glad you liked the poem and thank you for your comments.  Whenever I write about water, I am in my most creative element.  My friends tease me and call me the "wet" poet &lt;grin&gt;.  <BR>
Hope I see some verses from you soon.<BR>
<BR>
tok
<HR>
From: serious writer<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Jenna, thank you for the compliment<BR>
<BR>
Dear serious reader… I completely understand your view on the often misspelled words on the blender. But I honestly think you should just except that some people here are learning to express themselves here in a form of words. It’s not easy saying some of the things people lay out for the word to look at here, and for someone to take and not give it more time than to point out there’s a problem so little as of misspelled words, it’s not going to help anything. I come here to express my self, and I’m glad that you are giving some constructive criticism, but either you like it or you don’t, and if it is because a word is misspelled, you must have missed what the poets were really trying to say.<BR>

<HR>
From: laurel ahlfeld<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

I'm at a relatives house for the day. I have a long list of favorite's from the past 2 weeks at home. I read the most recent subs here and here are a few that struck my fancy. I'll be posting the other list soon.<BR>
<BR>
*~Toklas~* River Where We Meet<BR>
<BR>
*~Tanna~* Dreamscape...your writing does anything but suck.<BR>
<BR>
*~Jackrhyme~* Storm, Shadows, Unloved, Sleep...I thoroughly enjoy your style. Such vivid words and powerful emotions. I'm certainly excited to see the next.<BR>
<BR>
*~Andel~* Five Minutes of Living and Learning<BR>
<BR>
*~Riggs~* The Thin Line<BR>
<BR>
*~Meg~* my Test<BR>
<BR>
*~Crystal~* Life Without You<BR>
<BR>
~Laurel(needing someone to brighten her day [[email-masked]]...*hint hint*)
<HR>
From: serious reader<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

To quote Jenna, 'and if it is because a word is misspelled, you must have missed what the poets were really trying to say.'<BR>
<BR>
Exactly my point! If the spelling and grammar are so poor in a piece of work as to loose the whole understanding of it, then the entire piece is spoiled. I was not flippant in my remarks. I was offering corrective criticism without embarrassing anyone. My remarks were not to the occassional misspeller of words, but to the author/authors of a continuous flow of them in piece after piece by someone obviously not wanting to make the added effort to improve him/herself. And, I might add that this board was created for remarks such as mine and only the most sensitive would be offended by it. And wasting other people's time with (I will quote Kirk) , 'scratch pad' work, is insensitive.<BR>

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From: serious reader<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

I see in the above remark I have misquoted Jenna. I stand corrected and give credit to that quote to SERIOUS WRITER.<BR>
Excuse me.
<HR>
From: ZoE<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Thanks for the Happy Birthday wishes TaNnA and GuPpY! <BR>
TaNnA- Yup, I got an 'Adam' too. Thanks for the compliments. :)<BR>
<BR>
-ZoE
<HR>
From: Toklas<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

There are many online dictionaries available.  <BR>
<BR>
Try www.dictionary.com<BR>
While we all might make the occasional error (I have had embarrassing typographical errors), it is more enjoyable, in my view, to read works that are error free. <BR>
<BR>
A writer has to convince me that they at least know the rules before they bend them.  An very accomplished writer has more chance of doing this well than an inexperienced one.  I believe all good art starts with a thorough knowledge of the basics and moves outwards from there. <BR>
<BR>
Read works like Strunk and Whites "Elements of Style" until you can recite the rules.<BR>
For creative writers who want to move beyond first person statements of feeling, try Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones." <BR>
<BR>
I come from the world of dance. The work at the bar consists of basic exercises done over and over for a lifetime.  Language, I believe, is a lifetime work of going back to the fundamentals.  Poetry asks us to measure the weight of every word. <BR>
<BR>
I don't hold myself up as perfect in this by any means-but  I believe in the attempt.<BR>
<BR>
tok<BR>

<HR>
From: Toklas<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

There are many online dictionaries available.  <BR>
<BR>
Try www.dictionary.com<BR>
While we all might make the occasional error (I have had embarrassing typographical errors), it is more enjoyable, in my view, to read works that are error free. <BR>
<BR>
A writer has to convince me that they at least know the rules before they bend them.  A very accomplished writer has more chance of doing this well than an inexperienced one.  I believe all good art starts with a thorough knowledge of the basics and moves outwards from there. <BR>
<BR>
Read works like Strunk and Whites "Elements of Style" until you can recite the rules.<BR>
For creative writers who want to move beyond first person statements of feeling, try Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones." <BR>
<BR>
I come from the world of dance. The work at the bar consists of basic exercises done over and over for a lifetime.  Language, I believe, is a lifetime work of going back to the fundamentals.  Poetry asks us to measure the weight of every word. <BR>
<BR>
I don't hold myself up as perfect in this by any means-but  I believe in the attempt.<BR>
<BR>
tok<BR>

<HR>
From: Jenna Holland ([email-masked])<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Serious Writer-Reader (whatever) - How did I get in this??  I didn't compliment on anything, and please refrain from quoting me on something I did not say... please check your references before posting.<BR>
<BR>
***Confused***<BR>
<BR>
-Jenna-
<HR>
From: toklas<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Excuse me for the double post. I thought the comments worked the same as the submissions where you could go back and edit.<BR>
Tok.
<HR>
From: chrisandmisti<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Ashley,<BR>
<BR>
Yes! It was the first time we actually met, and, yes, we're together to stay. (We just spent 17 hours in bed, in fact...) Overall, we're making the most of the situation: we shoulda met 26 years ago, but we're making up for it now!<BR>
<BR>
Well...we're about to go out to a posh restaurant--which makes me wonder why Misti is eating Gardetto's as I type this :)--so we gotta run... Later, all!
<HR>
From: Chris W.<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Maria, <BR>
I'll join the chorus here and agree with what everyone has already said.  As Gala pointed out, I've been visiting this site for less than two months, and I've gotten a nice reception from everyone.  I think sometimes newbies can be overlooked because it is hard to read every submission.  However, if you're consistent with your submissions, people will be happy to take a look and comment.  I know that once I see a name over and over and become familiar, I am more willing to check that author's subs out.  It's easier to be interested in someone's work once you've become familiar with their particular style and voice.<BR>
So keep submitting and keep reading!
<HR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

(and 17 hours in bed is proof that your relationship will last? I now understand what it is based on.)<BR>

<HR>
From: lydia<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

hi everyone, im so tired. yawn!!! well im enjoying reading most of the most recent pieces, ive been so busy lately i just continue to fall behind on the new submissions, but i am excited to see august's loveblender issue. i have one more comment, im so confused by the arguments that go on on the board. is there really any reason to have these going on? remember that the board really is there for comments and help to let all of us grow as writers. and a dictionary isnt always a bad idea, im horrible when it comes to typos and mis-spelling things, but it does go to show for you when you take the time to fix the little things like that.<BR>
<BR>
well im off to try and finish reading everything<BR>
suga<BR>
lydia
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From: Crystal<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Laurel~  Thank you for commenting on my writing Life Without You.  I was reading your Tummy Trust.  I know exactly how you feel about wanting to say I Love You and don't because it's easier on you both.  I never have been able to do it though.  I always say exactly what I feel and never hold back, I guess that's why my heart is broken right now.  I maybe I said I Love You too often.
<HR>
From: C.L. Hollinghead<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Howdy people.... Sorry I haven't been here in a while but the first week of school kinda took up most of my time. Most likely this whole semester will. Three out of my four classes are required(thus the homework) and the forth class is varsity athletics, so I don't get home till about 5:00 because of football. Next semester should be a fly by though. Well, I'll still try to keep in touch on the weekends.... I just wanted to let ya'll know that I haven't forgotten about ya'll.... And sorry I have no comments yet.... I haven't had much time this weekend either.... Ya'll have a nice night.
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From: Tanna<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Lauren:<BR>
<BR>
Let me guess, you had a cast party last night (I just read "Killer"- it's really good!!).  They're wonderful, I know, I've done theatre for the past 15 years... =)  Let's talk!<BR>
<BR>
Tanna
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From: deevaa ([email-masked])<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

goodness me... it seems peoples toes have become rather tender here recently. There has been some good constructive (and not so constructive) criticism -- I guess those here to learn and grow, will   and those with such delicate egos that they can't stand even a gentle prod in the right direction will stamp their feet and gnash their teeth and demand attention for work that isn't all they'd like to think it was.<BR>
<BR>
Zoe -- Happy Birthday!!  'Adams Rib' was powerful.<BR>
<BR>
guppy, 'rather liquid' really caught my eye... beautiful flow (as always from you) and almost lyrically, I love the way you can twist and turn words without losing the story.<BR>
<BR>
Toks, 'River where we meet'  --lovely, the drawing too, and 'precarious'  was a nice analogy.<BR>
<BR>
Tanna, 'Dreamscape' did many things, but one of them was not suck. A lovely mental picture.<BR>
<BR>
jakeryhme, 'Sleep' in particular struck me from the group you submitted.<BR>
<BR>
Angel, you outdid yourself on 'Five minutes'... I was really waiting with you... hoping the doorbell would ring.<BR>
<BR>
Riggs -- wonderful imagery in 'thin line'.<BR>
<BR>
Maria -- I agree with Chris W, sometimes a poem means more to you if you know a little about the person who wrote it. I try to read all the new submissions, and  comment on everything that really catches my eye... but sometimes time is against me and I will skip to the work of those I know.<BR>
<BR>
misti-and-chris, hehe.... that anonymous poster has a good point!!  Your 'story' has a few regulars hooked.. keep us all posted.<BR>
<BR>
Take care of your hearts<BR>
<BR>
dee
<HR>
From: Tanna<BR>
Date: 6 August 2000<P>

Laurel/Dee:<BR>
<BR>
** blush ** your words are very sweet.  Gives a newbie a bit of confidence...thank you<BR>
<BR>

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