From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=268">Misti</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

I don't believe in introducing or qualifying my poems (I read two poems at a coffee house tonight and did not banter with the audience...just read the poems...POW!)but this is just to say that I don't know or love-in-a-romantic-way Tony Santiago. I was just really impressed with his poems and his kick ass delivery. Chris thinks I'm making him look foolish. Wasn't my intent.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=109">Stephen</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

True jackryhme, but what should we do, start posting our pictures/meeting irl, turning this into some kind of dating/friend service? Naw... it's an ironic barrier most of us put up, where poetry is all we want to show to our distant, made of text friends...sometimes it can be compared to the idea that you can talk about weird things infront of strangers because you most likely wont see them again.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=5">jackryhme</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

ah Stephen <BR>
how about a CHEERS strategy...  a place to go where everyone is welcome and everybody knows your name like sort of deal, you know just simply friends.  don't need to change it in any way and people have met here and do meet online from here... so strangers? when people here know your heart? seems so like ya know cold mayhaps...<BR>
<BR>
just my thoughts<BR>
<BR>
jack<BR>
<BR>
ps.. actual matter of fact i do talk with quite a few from here online my self at times so...<BR>
<BR>
lol pps  just kinda have a prob. with the term strangers i guess lol any hoot
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=801">Bridget O</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

Savannah Haze~ i have been going through a lot of the poets here and reading all of their poems and i came to yours today and i have to say that i love all of your works.Every singleon And I especially looooved "Joke" oh my god it blew me away.and your latest "Unfeeling Right" :)<BR>
<BR>
ok, enough of my rambalings (hehe)<BR>
~bridget O of the infinite smiles-for now:):):):) 
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=268">Misti</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

Yeah, what Jack said!<BR>
I've talked with more than a few people here, too, and I wouldn't call them strangers. And what's wrong with people meeting here and then in the real world? I met Chris here. I don't think that's psychotic. If I had lived in New York or he had lived in Texas, we would have met at a poetry reading or in a bar or someplace similar. But I realize this site means different things to different people. It's whatever you make it. 
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=668">kylie</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

Much lauding and many honors to the front pagers this month, some pretty powerful stuff out there!<BR>
<BR>
As for "stranger", I would say the regulars usually know how to make someone not feel like one.  This is one of the best places I've found.... ;)<BR>
<BR>
the kylie girl
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=109">Stephen</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

Lol.. Cheers.. Right on.. right on.<BR>
<BR>
I guess if the opportunity arrose, I wouldn't mind meeting someone from here. I'm just saying; we all come from different age groups/backgrounds, and unless the scene might <BR>
resemble something around poetry, (what misti suggested), I know I'd feel funky. ;P<BR>
<BR>
@}-`--,-<BR>
<BR>
ps   anyone else from california, let me know ;)
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=328">Rhetoric</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

jack, stephen & misti - <BR>
<BR>
    I don't think that referring to people at the blender as strangers is a bad thing.  I realize that I share much of my myself here (as do most of you as well), but you will never have the opportunity to see me in my own environment.  I think that is the only way I can determine that I "know" someone.  I need to see them navigate a situation, watch facial/body expressions during conversation, and most of all, they need to see me in those ways as well.  Then, I would not hesitate to call then my compadre. Calling someone a stranger isn't negative - it is just one state of a relationship.<BR>
<BR>
misti - you met chris here, but would you have married him had there not been a quality about him that immediately set you at ease?  Didn't deevaa and Gala (I think I read that a long time ago) meet in person as well?  Wasn't the internet bond strengthened after the meeting?  There was no question that she was your friend after that.<BR>
<BR>
I like the fact that most of you are only available to me through my screen - I can say things and write things here that I can't even tell many of my closest pals.<BR>
<BR>
Rhetty Schmetty
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=2">scqueen</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

How interesting... I have never thought of anyone here as a stranger. We protect, we care, we laugh, we argue and we love. I find this environment safe and comforting. I feel that some of my closest friends are here; people that know more about me than someone I might see on a daily basis. I can certainly say that after almost 2 years, this is my second home. And I know that I could call or meet any number of people here without a worry in the world. I've bought a painting from Deevaa, called Kevin on his birthday, sent Misti a gift. I could go visit Gala on a whim, have margaritas with Madi in Austin, gossip with BK & Jack endlessly, and Gudkarma...well, we spent last Easter together in our own way...and that's all I'm saying about that.<BR>
<BR>
Anyway, you get the point.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=436">Jon</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

The way I've always thought of it is that everyone on this site are poor victims of my online journal/poetry hehe..jk. Over the course of the year this site has become a lot more to me than just a poetry website, it's like many of you have said a second home. This is the first place I go to when I'm online and it's part of my morning routine. Dress up, eat breakfast, view Blender, go to work.<BR>
<BR>
I love it here, and if I were to meet any of you outsite of the net I would apolgize for having such a huge grin on my face. :-)<BR>
<BR>
Kirk you have created something magical here.<BR>
<BR>
Take care and all that Blender stuff<BR>
<BR>
-Jon
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=17">deevaa</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

Yup, I've met Gala, and the interesting thing is that since we met in person we chat less online, yet we are closer -- if that makes any sense at all.<BR>
<BR>
We may say less to each other, but it means more.<BR>
<BR>
I've spoken to a number of the team on the phone, Kevin, the guppy, gala, and a couple of people that have been and gone.<BR>
<BR>
I've sold/given paintings/prints to many among the ranks - been inspired by more.<BR>
<BR>
Misti sent me a thankyou card and Devin owes me chocolate!<BR>
<BR>
It really is more than a bunch of strangers hanging out... not matter how strange the sum may be. :-D<BR>
<BR>
take care of your hearts.<BR>
<BR>
dee
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=10">Galadrial</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

Met Dee? Desi and I practically ADOPTED her! She stayed at my house for a few days---and when I went to drop her for the next leg of her journey, we both happened to be looking at the sky in the right place to see a shooting star...And I will never forget how sweet she was to my girl---who STILL adores her...as do I.<BR>
<BR>
Sc and and I are Jersey Gals---makes for an unbreakable bond. I've spoken on the phone to a few blender folks, and made some my FGK---(fairy god kids) <BR>
<BR>
I have adored Tanq, Guppy, and Dev from afar, count Kev and Dee as dear friends---and live in deep reverence of every blessed sylable Madi writes.<BR>
<BR>
MY time is short, so I am not the regular I once was---but always I come back to the blender...and even with my stuff all over the web---i STILL get such a charge out of a front page pick...it's been four years for me here, I think...and it's still my emotional home...<BR>
<BR>
(((((((((((((((EVERYBODY)))))))))))))))))))))))))))<BR>
<BR>
                                          Gala
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=2">scqueen</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

Oh dammit, Gala ~ you know better than to have your stuff all over the web!<BR>
<BR>
And Stephen ~ I'm in California, where are you?
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=5">jackryhme</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

stranger n<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
lol k my lady rhett... gloves off heh<BR>
 <BR>
1) according to your words there are things here we do know of you that most others of your acquaintance do not<BR>
2) heh i dont think you are new here<BR>
3) i think you are a member in more ways than one here as in in your absence your words have been missed<BR>
4) i believe you are far more than a visitor or guest if you are a contributor to both the poetry and boards<BR>
5) i believe you are well accustomed to the subjects under major discussion here at this site<BR>
6) i dont think this really applies to you as well because your heart is still here for us<BR>
7) our major currency here is the topic of love and i think you have been both privy and party to on going transactions here<BR>
<BR>
stranger n <BR>
1. a person whom somebody does not know<BR>
2. somebody who is new to a particular place<BR>
3. somebody who is not a member of a particular organization or group<BR>
4. somebody who does not live in a particular house or community but is present as a visitor or guest<BR>
5. somebody who is not accustomed to or acquainted with something specified<BR>
6. somebody who has become distanced or alienated from another, others, or something<BR>
7. somebody who is neither privy nor party to a transaction<BR>
<BR>
ah but again just my thoughts my lady<BR>
<BR>
jack<BR>
<BR>
 misti does this mean im at least a little forgiven?<BR>
<BR>
and jon heh we would be grinin right back at you <BR>
<BR>
Stephen ... san diego and soon to be port hueneme<BR>
im comin closer Scqueen<BR>
<BR>
  <BR>

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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=436">Jon</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

I'm from California. I'm currently in Diamond Bar for the rest of the summer. But I'm moving back to the dorms at UCLA when school starts.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=109">Stephen</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

Ahh, southern californians<BR>
See I live in silicon valley land, the bay area...San Jose<BR>
and I still have about year till I start going to UC Davis..or UCSC.. which would you guys pick?
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=869">wandering_soul</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

Misti-I really enjoyed reading Bloody Knuckles. 
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=5">jackryhme</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

lol wouldnt know Stephen... i r a  simple sailor... lol and thats another thing,  can you picture me going about ship spoutin love poetry lol i think i would be adrift without a ship in no time if'n i did such a thing lol probably about a thousand miles from land<BR>
<BR>
jack
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=268">Misti</a><BR>
Date: 11 July 2002<P>

wandering soul~<BR>
thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.<BR>
jack~<BR>
forgive you for what, dude? I have nothin' but<BR>
love for ya. <BR>
<BR>
...I am filled with love tonight. Allow me to spread it like extra crunchy JIF on Ritz crackers. I'm just psyched 'cause last night I read a couple of my poems at a coffe house and tonight I had two of my collages hung on a wall of the same coffee house. I owe thanks to Dee for providing me with artistic anecdotes and e-mail advice. Thanks, girl!<BR>
<BR>
I fell in love with two different men here. I've only met one of them (my husband). If a man can move me with his words and ideas, he is more than halfway there. Heady stuff, I tell ya. Must be Mercury in Pisces in the seventh house, opposite my Virgo moon.<BR>
<BR>
From my computer I can see the print Whitney (scqueen) sent me. I've corresponded via snail mail with shadygirl (whom I miss!), Angel (whom I also miss) and Kevin, who lives in the same city as me and is layin' low. Ha. And I've received all kinds of kick ass surprises (PEZ dispensers! glow-in-the-dark nail polish! Hello Kitty! Yowza!) from Lisa (Galadrial). <BR>
<BR>
I know I'm a dork but I still love the idea of a Blender bash in Boston. Or anywhere it could be arranged. Maybe somewhere in the middle. Kansas City? Ha!
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