From: DarkAngel<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Hello Everyone,<BR>
      All of your well wishes and messages have been relayed to me and I must say how very much I appreciate each and ever one of you.  <BR>
<BR>
      Hopefully I will be back at the computer by the weekend and will personally express my appreciation to my Blender Family.  <BR>
 <BR>
       Untill then, thanks again.<BR>
   <BR>
DarkAngel/StandsWithASmile
<HR>
From: the guppy<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

dee---i like the nipples you paint...they remind me of some of the nipples i was friends with back in the good old days<BR>
<BR>
i wish i had some bit of wisdom to pass onto everybody about the arguing/insults flying through here lately...all i can really say is that it sucks...it sucks for everybody involved and for every "innocent" bystander...stop with the mock warfare people...you're better than this<BR>
<BR>
gup
<HR>
From: jack<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

lol busy three days    wish u the best on recovery gary
<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Madison~ I continued to be impressed by the richness of the imagery in your writing.<BR>
<BR>
'it never mattered<BR>
in-between the subdivisions <BR>
of existence'<BR>
<BR>
What a great line!... and<BR>
<BR>
'they will <BR>
nap on talavera pottery, still warm from the <BR>
kiln.  and speak in fluent spanish.'<BR>
<BR>
Excellent use of specificity there...<BR>
<BR>
BK~ 'One Kiss',,,was an excellent bump..<BR>
<BR>
'bringing kisses of wine that memory<BR>
could never erase, leading our spirits<BR>
back to one another with fervent desire'<BR>
<BR>
mmmm that  line has such a sensuous feel. I could taste it!<BR>
<BR>
and 'Beyond the Blue'... I really liked...<BR>
<BR>
'Our passion fills sails<BR>
voyaging into a blue horizon of<BR>
tantric bliss, where eternal love<BR>
wraps as earth with sky forever.'<BR>
<BR>
What a marvelous image there....you get better all the time!<BR>
<BR>
gardenguru~  'A Not Quite Pink Rose'   was a wonderful love song. The ending was dynamite...<BR>
<BR>
'This rose colored of FLESH, so like yours<BR>
This rose of petals soft as your skin<BR>
This rose bearing a sweet fragrance, only a hint of you<BR>
This rose of luscious, perfect proportions<BR>
This rose unfolding as you unfold to me<BR>
On sweet and sensual nights<BR>
This rose of sparkling and unique beauty'<BR>
<BR>
Simply Wow...<BR>
<BR>
Ali~ 'Roses in Your Hand'...your writing here was pure joy to read...<BR>
<BR>
'Almost shyly, you reached for my hand, clasping it in your own<BR>
And I had almost forgotten how much bigger your hands were, then mine<BR>
My hand seemed to disapear, swallowed by yours'<BR>
<BR>
Awwww such a sweet, innocent image you gave us. Thank you!<BR>
<BR>
and...'Uneasy'...you painted the feeling well....transmitting  that feeling right to the reader. Bravo!<BR>
<BR>
Misti~ 'Oscar Wilde & Tchaikovsky' ...truly was  transcendant.<BR>
'Gee, Wally' was just pure fun...<BR>
'Legion' was deep..and revealing...but then you have always had the guts to reveal Misti to us...<BR>
<BR>
'keep loving me<BR>
and the good will seep in<BR>
the clarity will cast out the shadows'<BR>
<BR>
I know the feeling behind those words my friend.<BR>
<BR>
'Warm Body'...you pegged  disconnection of mind well there.<BR>
<BR>
Harem~ 'Never Give Up'...truer words have never been spoken...very uplifting.<BR>
'The Tears We Cried'...had a very lyrical flow to it.<BR>
'Stroke' was almost like a hallmark card. Very nice tribute.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Gala~ 'The Simple Art of Kissing' was purely  a wonder to read. WOW&lt;WOW&lt;WOW.<BR>
<BR>
'Speaking To The Sleeping Heart' was just so very tender and loving. Your writing is in top form lately my friend!<BR>
<BR>
terry<BR>
 <BR>
<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Devin Aka Crystevin<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

I put the AKA Crystevin in here because somebody just think this "devin" guy is some newbie who hasn't a right to comment..but shaddduuupppp!<BR>
<BR>
Dee, I agree with Kirk, that's too funny, 2 nipples too many..LOL definitely deserving as a quote of the month.<BR>
<BR>
Gala, Kev, as you know, I took my retreat a while back based on a similiar feeling that the "community" we all shared is becoming a playground of sorts, filled with endless grafitti and empty beer bottles. I still walk through from time to time hoping to catch an old "friend" and if you two are vacationing, gives me even less cause for walks down memory lane.<BR>
<BR>
Devin
<HR>
From: Ali<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Terry~ Thank you ever so much...you honestly just made my day...I've so glad that you like those poems...=)Thank you!!<BR>
<BR>
Love and smiles, Ali
<HR>
From: B.K.<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Ah Terry; You know I love you and all it takes is a bump from you to get my imagination going.'Fade to Black' was just lovely and all the beautiful Cinquains you write just take my breath. <BR>
<BR>
h; the Cole Porter song I sent to my man. 'Night and Day' you are the one, (sigh) still incredible after all the years. Thanks for posting it.<BR>
<BR>
Gary; Hope all the nurses are keeping your spirits up, just take it easy and get back here soon.<BR>
<BR>
Gala and Kevin; I hope you both are kidding, right?<BR>
<BR>
Madison; All your latest poems are just wonderful. I always love to see your name for new work, Bravo!<BR>
<BR>
Misti; There's no place else that gets as many hits in a month to show your work. No one here has asked you to leave. Only to respect the page. For all the  words written in the last two days, it's that simple. RESPECT (sing it Aretha) Respect Yourself and Respect the rights of others.<BR>
<BR>
bk <BR>
<BR>
bk<BR>
<BR>
 <BR>
<BR>
 
<HR>
From: Kirk<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Kudos to Terry for trying to set a good example by example... <BR>
<BR>
The "e-mail performance art" I referred to was the posts to the Board that seemed like private messages to your sweet lovin' one and only.  Putting that kind of personal message in a Blender submission can work, but in general I like the tone of the 'board to be more or less straightforward (and preferably wit-laden) conversation among friends -n- peers. But like I said, it wasn't that big of a deal-- if I had been at all upset I probably woulda put on my "blender-keeper" hat. 
<HR>
From: kevin urenda<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

final takes:<BR>
kirk-<BR>
is correct (re: Terry)<BR>
<BR>
chris- <BR>
You are, in fact, the self-righteous one.  Not EVERYTHING is about you (plural).  And just where do you get off passing judgements on people who have never shown you any ill will whatsoever?  I have never once slammed either you or your spouse anonymously or otherwise.<BR>
<BR>
bk-<BR>
I was not kidding.<BR>
<BR>
Devin-<BR>
I doubt I would be missed much around here.  What's a few less emoting electrons, anyway?
<HR>
From: kevin (yes, again)<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

besides, I am just too busy to keep up lately...
<HR>
From: Toklas<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Madison, I loved bird of prey.  I think there are parts which could be improved with attention to punctuation and breaking it up into strophes. Reading it outloud, I think it would read better like this:<BR>
<BR>
there were years(,)<BR>
even decades(,) <BR>
with little but a <BR>
tease of mercy taunting<BR>
come back.<BR>
<BR>
Come back<BR>
we are waiting;....<BR>
<BR>
Just my opinion.  Nice work. 
<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Kevin~  You my friend are badly mistaken! Both yourself and your work will be sorely missed. In fact, it already is to a great extent from the fewer number of poems you post. And the same goes very much for Gala. Fact is, I have cut way back on the number of post I make. But the reasons have nothing to do with anyone but me. For one thing I am trying to improve, and part of that growth is to recognize that just because I write something, does not make it good nor poetry, nor good poetry. I am starting to edit and revise and throw a lot away as crap. Before, I felt the poetry was more real and pure as it came out. Editing seemed sacrilegious. Which is an excellent excuse for laziness. In my case leading to mediocrity, a fading enthusiasm, and writers block. And I have been writing some at a different forum. One that has a broader scope than the Blender with tools and competitions that help force me to grow as a writer.<BR>
<BR>
Chris~ I try to stay out of the anonymous comments and word wars that have occasionally erupted here. I respect you on your own as I do Misti. Fact is, as a genuine Blender romance, you two are Blender icons of a sort. I have never attacked anyone and own my own remarks and poetry. I have submitted under an alias as a way to experiment with another poetic voice, but even then I never used that alias as an easy way to attack and hide at the same time. I am the french speaking cowboy 'Hank Christian'.<BR>
<BR>
And please don't misunderstand....I am not saying you ever did that. But what you did do, in the  heat of the moment, was to give attributes to the posts made by Gala and Kevin that were not there. You percieved their comments as 'picking up my toys and going home', when it was only stated that they would be taking a break. The added emotional element was added by you. In much the same way I percieved the post by gardenguru as an attack on Dee,  when in reality he never meant it as an attack. I was the one with the wrong perception.<BR>
<BR>
Kevin and Gala both are much respected and much loved in this community, and  I don't think they asked nor deserved to be pulled in that way...<BR>
<BR>
I hope you read this with the knowledge that I respect  you. And I think Misti knows the respect I have for her. We are all unique and valued people here, so maybe we all just need to acknowledge that more often.  For one thing.....no matter what is posted to the comment board, no one is forcing anyone else to read it! This is Kirk's  baby. So if he allows my daily menu to be posted, why should anyone care if I do?  Chris, you and Misti have used the Board to exchange love notes, schedules, problems, anecdotes......really, a little bit of any and everything...., but it baffles me that anyone would get  so upset at that as to attack you. For goodness sake, there is a scrollbar. Simply scroll past it all. Again, no one is forced to read a word! And that fact alone makes all this back and forth wasted energy and time. <BR>
<BR>
To  echo  someone else.....Can't we all just get along?<BR>
<BR>
terry
<HR>
From: Harem<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

To Ali,<BR>
Thank you for your kind comments dated 3/19/01.... You always make me feel welcome here.... *Sigh....<BR>
<BR>
To Terry,<BR>
I really appreciate your encouragement dated 3/20/01.... Made me feel special.... Thanks ! ! !<BR>
<BR>
To GMAN,<BR>
Hope you don't grow up like me..... That would be a big mistake.... giggle.....  WARNING WARNING ! ! !  However,<BR>
I do want to thank you for reading my stuff... and taking the time to give me a pat on the back on (3/19/01)..... *WOW.... thanks..  It meant a lot to me.... especially from someone whose writing is really good..... I like your style.... and you do have a definite style.... %%%%%<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
...........<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Harem<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Hi Blenderites,<BR>
<BR>
I am feeling very weak..... I am falling fast and hard,  and I need help real bad !!!!  I need someone or everyone to help me.... Please read my poem "HELP".... its real and its happening to me right now.... I can feel it..... I am sliding, and slipping and about to fall into a pit.... and I have no power to stop it.... I may not listen.... I make soo many poor choices.... I always have..... I've been good for awhile.... but I feel like a drug addict ready to shoot up....... Please someone help me.....   Harem....<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
............
<HR>
From: Chris<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Kevin & Terry,<BR>
<BR>
Good points. Yeah, I shouldn't have said that. Yeah, I apologize. You're right, Kevin. It just bothers me when longtime regulars don't stand up to attacks directed at other regulars--who go back way longer than me--and instead complain about the general atmosphere and decide to bow out. Terry's approach is the one that I think truly befits a community like this--that is, not hiding behind anonymous posts, which I'll ALWAYS think of as the height of cowardice. Any "grains of truth" (as Deevaa equivocatingly put it) are thus negated. Just my final take. <BR>
<BR>
So Terry...you were Hank? Wow! That was quite a feat. Really. Some top-notch stuff there...
<HR>
From: jack<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

See? told ya it was the blender of love.....<BR>
with respect to all <BR>
........................jack
<HR>
From: Sun-Tzu<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Chris-<BR>
what, no apology for Gala?
<HR>
From: Gman<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Harem~~~ I know where of you speak. I don't think I can offer any good advise cause I'm in the same boat (See Falling Down) What can we slaves to love do?
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Oh MY! <BR>
<BR>
Isn't it odd everyone has a name today?<BR>
*grin*
<HR>
From: Harem<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

To Ali ~<BR>
I sit here with tears from your poem.....<BR>
Thank you so much for sharing   "Don't"   with me.<BR>
You have no idea, how much I appreciated that.  The quicksand hidden beneath flowers really hit me hard. The last few lines were so beautifully written and so full of wisdom. They were the clinchers that sent me for the tissues...... I am printing it out.... to take to work with me tomorrow, and to bed tonight.... I have had a very rough day, because I was feeling so vulnerable and weak today.  He called me at work three times, and the last time, I could tell by his voice that he was drunk.....I could hardly understand what he was saying.... and all the old bad feelings came back... and I shook all the way home...... What you shared was exactly what I needed.... Thanks... Harem....<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
********
<HR>
From: Harem<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

To Gman~<BR>
Thank you also, for taking the time to address my plight.<BR>
I read your poem "Falling Back", several times..... and yes,<BR>
I see your dilemma as well.  I guess there is some comfort in knowing that others face similar demons in their lives.  Thanks again for sharing.....  Harem....<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
*******
<HR>
From: Ali<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Harem~ You're very welcome...I'm just happy that I could help you...I'm here for you, anytime...k?<BR>
<BR>
Love and smiles, Ali
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Terry, I have a quick question.<BR>
<BR>
Now 90% of the time I don't have a problem with the comments board content.<BR>
<BR>
You point out that there is a scroll bar to scroll past anything I choose not to read, and go on to say that no one should mind if you (or anyone else) choose to post their daily menu.<BR>
<BR>
If we all choose to post notes (that Kirk so beautifully described as "performance art") to our lovers, our daily routines and/or menu would you be willing to come here and scroll past all the off topic comments to get to a comment or critique of a poem.<BR>
<BR>
My point is, Kirk has said the board is not the place for that, other blender regulars have said (albeit annoymously) that they felt it could have been emailed, should we not respect that?<BR>
<BR>
dee<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Argyle<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Would not another board labelled "Performance Art" be the solution to everyone's recent problems?<BR>
<BR>
That way if you want to come and read comments on poetry, prose or any other work, you can come here, and if you feel the need to follow the intimate lives of others you can go there.<BR>
<BR>
Take it one step further, you could call it "Performance Art, bitching disguised as poetry, and other miscellaneous negativity that seeks to promote disharmony amongst the majority", and divert interested parties off to Yahoo.com or something.<BR>
<BR>
That way all the absent people could come back, and the peace moderators don't have to lose any sleep.<BR>
  <BR>
Just a suggestion...
<HR>
From: Argyle<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Please note, no disrespect intended towards Gary by the use of the term "everyone's recent problems".  I think we all know what I was referring to.
<HR>
From: twinky ([email-masked])<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

And now for something completely different...<BR>
<BR>
erin's "in this dress" is the best poem I've read in a long time. Thanks. :o)
<HR>
From: Chris<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Dee, Argyle--<BR>
<BR>
God...you guys just can't seem to let it go. Kirk weighted in...so why keep playing hall monitor? I apologized to those I thought I'd wronged. Dee, Terry has merely set a positive example that I think we should all try to follow. And Argyle, poetry doesn't exist in some neat, hermetically-sealed environment (I'm not patronizing you...I'm sure you know this). Hearing you propose--facetiously or not--two seperate boards would be funny if it wasn't so annoying. Let's move on already!
<HR>
From: ~Cee~<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

well ,, i was gone for a few days .. and i think im glad i was .. SO im off to read , and read , and read ... im sure youll see me when the next million or two 'catch my eye' (this is my excuse to comment on the few peices i can)  <BR>
<BR>
untill then ...<BR>
<BR>
Cee
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Chris, back off.<BR>
<BR>
I'd have asked the question via email if I didn't think several of the other board readers would be interested in an answer.<BR>

<HR>
From: an nameless wimp, who doesn't want Chris jumping down her throat.<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Chris:<BR>
<BR>
If Deevaa and Argyle bug you, maybe you now get a taste of how You and Misti have been to us recently.<BR>
<BR>
You are being arrogant and obnoxious, at least Deevaa shows respect.<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

bitch bitch bitch whine whine whine ugly ugly ugly
<HR>
From: John Lennon Back From the Dead<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Hey Guys! Give Peace A Chance! 
<HR>
From: terry<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

SIGH~ I hate to see this just keep going on....<BR>
<BR>
Dee, in response;  I did point out that it is Kirk's baby so he sets the guidelines we should follow. But scroll back...you are interpreting Kirk very narrowly. He said that such messages 'can' work, but that he 'prefers'  the comments to be straight forward. And he ends with a very telling comment. He said none of the  'performance art' posts were a 'big deal'.....not enough for him to get out his 'blender-keeper' hat.<BR>
<BR>
I said  the same thing when I mentioned just scrolling past any comment you don't like. What's the bid deal? If Kirk is not upset about it why should I be?<BR>
<BR>
Now, if you had asked my personal thoughts the answer might be different....but I don't set the rules therefore my personal thoughhts matter little.<BR>
<BR>
terry
<HR>
From: Chris<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Ha! I think we should all listen to John there. Arrogant??? Come on... Look, Dee...all I meant was, haven't we talked about this enough? Obviously Kirk isn't being legalistic, and Terry (I thought) was just proposing that we show one another respect--and lighten up a bit. Your question just seemed to be dragging this on even further. You've shared details of your personal life on the board many times, as I recall. And I think that's one element that makes this an interesting place.
<HR>
From: Chris<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Exactly, Terry. Well said.
<HR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Chris you are the one that should lighten up you are like a dog with a bone.
<HR>
From: ~Cee~<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

~closes her tear filled eyes and hums a song softly to herself~
<HR>
From: Argyle<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Yuppers, its kinda gotten old for me as well Chris. <BR>
<BR>
This has gone far, far further than I ever intended, however I stand by everything I wrote - facetious or not.<BR>
<BR>
Some of it was addressed to you, some to your lovely wife, some to the peanut gallery who post anonymously in support of either camp or *gasp* think in support and mumble to each other behind the scenes yet for better or worse display neutrality in public or even try to wave magic wands.  Some even to the so far budhist and PC over this issue owner of the blender.<BR>
<BR>
Should I have weighed in, given that comparatively to many (well, pretty much all) others here I haven't contributed a lick to the actual purpose of this site?  Perhaps, perhaps not.  I like to think that I'm still allowed to come and enjoy it for what it is meant to be.  I would hope that Misti can get over being called a villiage idiot and not receiving a great deal in the way of support against the idea (only one person outcrying in her defence over that little landmine should tell her something even if nothing else does) and come back. <BR>
<BR>
Will she though?  Perhaps, perhaps not.  Maybe this place as the majority of people would like it to be (including those you label cowards - that they took the time to post something at all either way at least puts their thoughts out in the open, if not their faces) isn't an attractive proposition for her.  However, if she could perhaps moderate her "free spirit" and learn to co-exist with others on this planet in harmony then who knows what she could achieve, and maybe even be truly respected for all round instead of just her fine work with poetry and screenplaying.  I'm sure she'd enjoy the rewards that would bring far more than what she's been getting out of here so far.<BR>
<BR>
Well, as I mentioned in an e-mail to someone yesterday, I now intend to keep my word and retreat back to being an observer, as I don't wish to continue being a cancer here.
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

*confused look*<BR>
<BR>
Chris... really, yes we have talked about this enough, you are the one that keeps making 'final takes'  I'd have left it as is yesterday, if you'd not been such a hypocrite about Kevin and Gala.<BR>
<BR>
Argyle was making a joke earlier, you jumped on it, maybe YOU are the one that needs to lighten up. I have made personal comments on the board and I will continue to when the mood takes me. <BR>
<BR>
Terry, Kevin, Gala, Madison, Toks, Ali, Argyle, Kirk, Harem, Sarah (if you are about)....  I believe in standing up and speaking when I see something that I believe is wrong, I'm sorry if you think my voice has been heard too many times over the last few days.  But I spoke with honest intentions.<BR>
<BR>
Take care of your hearts.<BR>
<BR>
dee<BR>
<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Toklas<BR>
Date: 20 March 2001<P>

Poetry Challenge!<BR>
<BR>
Write a triolet. They are a great form for love poems. <BR>
<BR>
A triolet is a poem or stanza of eight lines in which the first line is repeated as the fourth and seventh and the second line as the eighth with a rhyme scheme of ABaAabAB.<BR>
<BR>
I posted one on board. 
<HR>