From: Harem<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

To Bill ~<BR>
I think you are right. Although some of my stuff is indirectly related to love, it's often the byproduct of having lost that love, and the resultant effects. This is the only place that I have ever shared the negative aspects of love... you know the pain and disappointment stuff... And I do believe that the loveblender is not the place to put that stuff... I am in the process of finding a more suitable place to post my work ... for the negative and pain stuff.... This place is really more for the sexual and romantic stuff, like the Hallmark Card type of stuff.... And I certainly agree with you on that.  I have been contacted recently, by someone who had been reading my stuff here.... about publishing a book on my life... and am presently working on that piece by piece.  I believe that today would be a good day for me to stop posting my short stories here... as it appears to be upsetting the readers.... and just limiting myself now and then to the sensual, provocative, and romantic pieces.... that are so much the heart beat of the love blender.  Thanks for your comment, and for helping me to stay on the right road.....<BR>
*Smile.....    ~Harem ~<BR>
<BR>
....
<HR>
From: Harem<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

After talking with a few friends, and my daughter, I have decided to post my short stories on the xanga.com site that I have recently created, instead of here, as it has been pointed to my attention, that this is not the place for it.<BR>
I welcome anyone here, who has been enjoying my postings, to come to the Xanga site  under "HAREM"... as I will be posting daily there... as I used to here.  I can't promise that I won't occasionally drop a juicy sexual submission here now and then, or possibly a romantic inuendo too....<BR>
So I am not leaving... just going to spend most of my time now at Xanga.... and possibly creating my own website, as so many others here are also doing... venturing out, and becoming more creative....  <BR>
<BR>
  ~ Harem ~   <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
.......
<HR>
From: Harem<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

To Galadrial ~<BR>
Your insight and wisdom is profound... You're ability to put such complicated feelings into words is truly remarkable.. I am amazed and also struck... I have tears from this writing of yours.... What more can I say....<BR>
Thank You.<BR>
<BR>
  ```` Harem ````<BR>
<BR>
``
<HR>
From: ~ Harem ~<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

To Galadrial ~ (Gala)<BR>
"What a Woman's Heart Remembers"<BR>
Your insight and wisdom is profound... You're ability to put such complicated feelings into words is truly remarkable.. I am amazed and also struck... I have tears from this writing of yours.... What more can I say....<BR>
Thank You.<BR>
<BR>
```` Harem ````<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
`````
<HR>
From: Harem<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

To Gala...<BR>
Sorry, Giggle... forgot to add ...<BR>
<BR>
What a Woman's Heart Remembers, can also refer to a man as well.  I have known a few men, who are exactly like that as well...  These guys are almost unreachable, as they expect to be cheated on, because they were before... They avoid their feelings.. and some run from committment for fear of being hurt again... It's NOT just a woman thing... It's a People thing... Especially people that love deeply, and have been severely scarred by some really cruel experiences... I bet you know a few men like that too... or at least one..... COME ON - GUYS OUT THERE.... SPEAK UP !!!!<BR>
There are lots of submissions here on the love blender written by men... about this very subject... I know, I have read them... and if you look out there right now, and in last months submissions, you will find at least five of them..... Your title could read,  <BR>
"WHAT A BROKEN HEART REMEMBERS".... You go girl ! ! !<BR>
<BR>
I am hooked now, on your writing, and will be keeping watch for your stuff....  Thanks for sharing...<BR>
<BR>
* * * HAREM  * * *    *Smile..<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
*<BR>

<HR>
From: Ali<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

scqueen~ 'Content'...loved it! =)<BR>
<BR>
Dreamer~ 'Love Story'...OK, wow...I really loved that...it got to me...struck a nerve...Wonderfull job...<BR>
<BR>
Gala~ 'What A Womans Heart Remembers'...How true is that, sometimes...Beautifully done(as usual!)...=)<BR>
<BR>
Love and dreams, Ali
<HR>
From: Ali<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

Gala~ I must agree with Harem...your website goes above and beyond amazing...I started to read some of your poems...how can one person have some much talent, as yourself!!!Truly, I am in much awe of you, you know that? I probably should post this on your board, but while I've got your attention, what the hell, right? 'A Love That Was'...I really loved that one, I can't tell you how much...=)<BR>
<BR>
Terry~ Wow...you're amazing...You went above and beyond, on designing Gala's website...you are very talented(but I believe that goes without saying!) =)<BR>
<BR>
Love and sunbeams, Ali
<HR>
From: ~ Harem ~<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

To Ali ~<BR>
"Standing on the Edge".. was great... I liked the way you were talking to yourself, preparing yourself for the possibilities... and psyching yourself up... for the worst.<BR>
.. I also liked the way this flowed.<BR>
<BR>
To iLLblEeD ~<BR>
You are putting lots of really good stuff out there.  I like it all.. I look forward to reading it.. I especially liked your "de ja vue" - your comparison of liking and loving ... sometimes one can fall in love with someone that they don't even like... Soo Confusing... Thanks...<BR>
<BR>
To Violet ~ <BR>
"Thousand Year Old Sleep"   WOW ... Liked the part of 'as I stop swaying to your rhythm.'  I feeling I can identify with... Thanks.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
.......
<HR>
From: Harem<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

To Du'Doll,<BR>
"Girl in the Corner"... A lovely poignant piece. !!<BR>
<BR>
To Rose*Petal,<BR>
"The Storm"... Well written, creative and to the point.... I could see and sense your feelings... Thanks.<BR>
<BR>
To SCqueen, <BR>
"Content" Was short but very descriptive and with a lilt...<BR>
I liked it ! !   Thanks....<BR>
<BR>
To Ali,<BR>
"What If" ...  You are so right ! ! ! I loved the way you showed how much time is wasted by so many, with the (what if) - attitude... sort of like living in the past, instead of going on with your life.... It was SUPER... and the best part of it all... Was admitting that you need to take your own advice...  BRAVO ! ! !  Thanks for sharing.<BR>
<BR>
..
<HR>
From: Harem<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

To Dallasgirl ~<BR>
I think this is the first time that I have read your stuff..<BR>
I read all that you just submitted. I really liked them..<BR>
Especially "The Dance" one.  It was my favorite... I liked the analogy of getting up and dancing to taking a chance on love, rather just sitting there and watching everyone else dance... GREAT ! ! !<BR>
About "The Best Man"... sorry to hear about your friend with cancer.... I have read that some people are attracted to what they can't have, or to those that are difficult to obtain... so many people identify a knot in their stomach with love.... So when someone is easy to get along with, or just so kind and loving... we don't get that knot... and we bypass it as being boring.. or NOT LOVE.... I am guilty of this myself... I am learning to be different... and avoid the rats who give me that KNOT... of love....<BR>
Your writing is very good....<BR>
I like it.<BR>
Thanks for sharing.<BR>
<BR>
.
<HR>
From: Harem<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

To Just Some Girl,<BR>
"SUBSTITUTION" -   You Go Girl...  ! ! ! Very Clever...<BR>
Great Attitude.. / You are a smart lady... Good Advice...<BR>
Thanks.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
.<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: Just Some Girl  [email-masked]<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

THANKS, Harem!!!!!  :)  
<HR>
From: Ali<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

Harem~ (grinning) Thanks! Glad you liked them!! <BR>
<BR>
Love and faith, Ali
<HR>
From: Ruby<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

Kirk - A random question: When you went to Europe recently to meet 'the one' from "Cafe At Night", was there still chemistry between you, and what would you have done if she had expressed an interest in re-exploring your relationship? 
<HR>
From: Smiling Kat<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

Dallasgirl---"A Kiss" was great!  You are sooo right.  A kiss is never "just" as kiss!<BR>
<BR>
Just Some Girl---"Substitution"  At first I was thinking, Oh, no, another sob story. (not that they are bad!) Then I read your last line, and I was thinking "You go girl!"  I love it when women are strong enough to be smart and be themselves!!!
<HR>
From: Tara Holland<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

Harem - it seems that when someone (ie: you) gets alot of good attention, here at The Blender, people begin to criticize, 'suggest', and regulate (Kirk's job, I believe). It seems to me that there are MANY submissions here that can only loosely be classified as 'romantic'. I notice that these submissions often go without remark. True, we should stick to the forum that Kirk intended, and you have said you will and that's cool, but I wanted to say that I hope you didn't feel intimidated or ashamed due to some peoples' comments. Your writing can take any form you wish. If a short story 'looks' like a poem, who the hell cares? You write it the way you want it. To some of those commenting people, I would like to say...maybe you should quiet the green-eyed monster and chill a little, sheesh!
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

Tara -- <BR>
<BR>
I take offence to that. <BR>
I did not realise that several of Harems pieces where infact short stories because of the way they were laid out, I thought that they where very very long poems, and I offered a constructive piece of advise. <BR>
<BR>
You don't have to like my poetry or admire my work.... but don't pretend like I'm a sniper.<BR>
<BR>
deevaa.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

Tara -- <BR>
<BR>
I take offence to that. <BR>
I did not realise that several of Harems pieces where infact short stories because of the way they were laid out, I thought that they where very very long poems, and I offered a constructive piece of advise. <BR>
<BR>
You don't have to like my poetry or admire my work.... but don't pretend like I'm a sniper.<BR>
<BR>
deevaa.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: dee<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

(opps must have been feeling passionate about it... pressed send twice... sorry)
<HR>
From: Du'Doll<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

~Harem~<BR>
<BR>
Thanks for the comment.  Comming from you I take that as a very big compliment.  I enjoy reading your poems, I just don't get a chance to comment on them alot.  Thanks again!
<HR>
From: Tara Holland<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

deeva - <BR>
thank you for expressing yourself. Here's risking another long, drawn out bit of 'uncomfortable discussion' on the Blender Board...When I read your comments to Harem they really sounded 'sniperish' to me. I felt bad for her. She did respond very graciously, and I admire her for that. I wanted to encourage her to go with the release of such horrible things without having to be concerned with how other people think she should do that. <BR>
<BR>
To me you write:<BR>
"I did not realise that several of Harems pieces where infact short stories because of the way they were laid out, I thought that they where very very long poems, and I offered a constructive piece of advise." <BR>
<BR>
You mention the following to Harem:<BR>
"Harem, Have you ever considered making your work shorter? I find some of your work overwhelmingly long, and often find it difficult to read to the end."<BR>
<BR>
I don't see this as being constructive advice. I see it as an expression of your difficulty in reading long works of writing. I don't see the constructiveness as it relates to Harem. Do you normally ask writers to shorten their work so you have an easier time reading it? (rhetorical question).<BR>
 <BR>
Re:<BR>
"You don't have to like my poetry or admire my work...." <BR>
<BR>
I would hope that the offense you have taken to my comments is short-lived, as they were made mostly to encourage Harem rather than to inflame you or others. If my comments made you upset, and that caused you to be a bit more understanding and supportive of other's work, then great, I consider that an excellent by-product of my support for Harem.<BR>
But, please know that this has absolutely nothing to do with your work. I am not sure where that comment of yours came from. I take no exceptions to how or what you write in regard to your work. As you now know, it's my belief that a person's writing can be whatever they wish it to be. I'll never try to change it. And I'll defend that as long as can I breathe.<BR>
<BR>
......walking outside so they can blow me away..........
<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

Yes I said:<BR>
"Harem, Have you ever considered making your work shorter? I find some of your work overwhelmingly long, and often find it difficult to read to the end."<BR>
<BR>
The constructive advice was in the following sentance:<BR>
<BR>
"I admire Gala's work also, and what I think that she does so well is allowing the reader to conjure the image in their head without overwhelming them with words."<BR>
<BR>
As Harem had commented that she thought Gala's work was great.<BR>
<BR>

<HR>
From: deevaa<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

I ALSO told Harem I had not realised the work in question was a story, if I had of I'd maybe not suggested it was too long.... <BR>
<BR>
I stand up for the right to offer constructive advice to anyone who post, I consider work posted in a public forum where there is the abity for people to comment, in essance giving people the right to comment. <BR>
<BR>
dee
<HR>
From: Tara Holland<BR>
Date: 19 April 2001<P>

                   <BR>
<BR>
                   cool.<BR>

<HR>