From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=436">Jon</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

leamas~We aren't here to win some kind of award. We aren't here to receive praise for our work. Most of us are here to share. I'm sure most of us aren't trying to write the most ground breaking poem that has ever been conceived or ever will be. I don't come here thinking "Oh, I've got to write a poem that will be remembered by the romatics around the world for the rest of recorded history." I come here to write and share. It's that simple.<BR>
<BR>
Oh and don't be like one of those people sitting down on the sidelines at a club or a party commenting on the people on the dance floor and thinking to yourself how "lame" all of it is.<BR>
<BR>
We come here to share and generally we have a good time doing it. If you're too cool to have a good time, well, then leave.<BR>
<BR>
-Jon
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=268">Misti</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Today I was thrilled to receive Yesterday I Saw the Sun by Ally Sheedy in the mail. I ordered it last week online because it is out of print. I found the book in a store when I was nineteen and couldn't afford it. I've looked for it ever since. It is an amazing collection of gutsy poems. I think I'll submit one of my favorites tonight. 
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=801">Bridget O</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Wow Leamas, your really sparked something here. I do tend to agree that if you don't like it, then don't read it. it seems that someone's gotten too good for the Blender. We aren't here to critique the most eye popping poems in the world, we're here for ourselves. But you sure did get the attention it seems that you wanted so badly.<BR>
<BR>

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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=969">drew1977</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Leamas, <BR>
I started reading your poems, but got bored after the first line. Maybe ill try again some other time, or not.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=872">cryingshame58</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Chances are...<BR>
<a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.01.05.04.00.27966">Kisses</a> ... clever, cute and just amusing...liked it mucho...<BR>
Congratulations to all made the front page picks...Kirk, bravo...<BR>
Cryingshame
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Bri/Lauren~ I am so glad to see you get a front page pick. You, like others here, have written some lines I wish I had penned (the most sincere compliment I can give). Keep up the good work with the imagery. <BR>
<BR>
leamas~ (who wants attention): I've managed to read many of the "greats" in my life. I much prefer the interaction with living poets when possible. Blender is a wonderful site for that. I am drawn to different lines or verses here. There is no such thing as a good or bad poet to me with someone trying to express themselves. Blender is a fine place to practice and polish those communication skills. I've been a competitor in my life. Competition is great in its place. It still proves nothing other than a group of people prefer a twist of words at the time. Any writer has a fan or fans somewhere. Blender lauds the diversity of attracting a broad range of writers. Acceptance in a group is worth far more to the creative spirit. leamas, the theme in all your work is depression and non-acceptance: psychology 101. It delves into abnormal psychology in some lines. You stay and read even when displeased. You want perfection in entertainment. That usually comes with season tickets and not cheap seats. Kirk gives us quality and quantity here. I applaud him, but have been doing that for a number of years, not the year or so you've stated you have read here. Running creative folks down often results in less desire for them to produce, or angry angst works. IF you have read the historical time frames and any biography available on many "great" poets, then you are aware that many flourished in supportive communities. Many of them gained fame at ther own pace, or by being lifted up and encouraged by their peers, friends and extended family. I have had the great privilege of seeing some very simple poets and creative folks work to expand their abilties and become "great" in my life. A simple offering here has lead to a portfolio of works that have helped some previous and current poets from Blender get published. Strive to stand out here in encouragement rather than criticize and see your feelings and community acceptance thrive. Or, stay in the same rut of hurling barbs and insults to feel it makes you gain some modicum of attention until you are finally ignored and truly are alone as your posts to Blender's new submissions reveal. Perfection and sitting king of the hill is lonely. Finding a place to help pull on a line or submit a line can be rewarding. Then again, you may be far more satisfied in the abnormal psych than in the psychology of submitting poetry. Your observations are welcome, even spark some creativity. I'd like to think you are playing the old reverse psychology game on us here to push the level of submissions. Remember, in chess, there are those who will play better AND there are those who will throw the board across the room in anger at insults. Let us keep playing here ..... Rennie
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1058">Chances are</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

cryingshame58 - Thankyou. I had a lot of fun writing it. Look forward to seeing more of your work soon.<BR>
<BR>
Chances
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=872">cryingshame58</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Champagne,<BR>
<a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.01.05.07.34.21534">HYPNOTICALLY - GLAZED</a> captures the idea of when you look into someone's eyes, you can see the reflection of their soul/spirit...I like your analogy...good work!<BR>
CryingShame
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=909">leamas</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Well, I have to say it is refreshing to actually come across some REAL emotion on this site.  I can honestly say I am not looking for attention, moreover I could care less if I received any from a group of people I will never meet.  I was simply trying to see if any of the "poets" from this site suffer from any emotion other than the drooling "love-lost/when I lose my self in your eyes" stuff.  Evidently you are all seething, so at least you have anger.  The only reality in life is our personal emotions, and when those are fake or repetitive to the point of nausea, then it is time to look at something else that inspires, positive or not; some other form of feeling.  I know poetry is not a competition, I am not a fool (though most of you would disagree with that) but to mindlessly praise something that you read the day before, except with a few minor changes, is not fair to anyone.  If you want to stroke someones ego to make them feel good about themselves rather than be honest and help them express themsleves in a new way, far be it from me to actually call your attention to your folly.  By the way chess is a form of art, the Germans mindlessly followed a leader who made them feel good, and yes Teej, lunch sounds good.  Why don't you give me a call.<BR>
Oh and by the way, if you didn't pay attention to what I wrote last night I will reiterate: the poems I submitted were carbon copied, regurgitated ideas so often seen on this site (actually all except one) in a sarcastic attempt to call your attention to what I just spoke to you about.  Ya didn't catch it.  Actually that's not true Teej you did.  Have a great evening.  I didn't intend to offend anyone on a personal level, but hell I'm not going to apologize if I did.---LEAMUS 
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=909">leamas</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Rennie, nice message.  You have a way with words.  Yes I do have issues, but who doesn't.  If you say you don't you are either lying or dead.  Lets play a game.  It's an association game.  Ready....Van Gogh....Manic depressive.  Shakespeare....disassociative disorder.  Robin Williams....Paranoid Schizophrenic.  Jimi Hendrix....Bi Polar.  Bobby Fisher....Depressive.  <BR>
I too have taken Psychology in college.  I have also taken Philosophy, English and I actually took tennis.  Perhaps we might strike up a conversation about them as well.<BR>
A famous person, ya might know who he is, once wrote, "The only thing that a man can truely call his own is rebellion."  And I don't think he was only talking about politics.  Rennie, thank you, thank you so much.  You have fixed me and shown me the error of my ways.  I am whole again.  By the way I didn't say that all the works submitted sucked, it was just the incessant clapping of hands that repulsed me.  Thanks--LEAMUS. 
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=872">CryingShame58</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Leamus,<BR>
All of us are human...as you...we all have plenty of different human emotions, but this is a "love" site...i believe it's intention is to express ourselves about love...it's clear to me that most are repetitive because of similar experiences of human thoughts and emotions...I think all blenderites read and write here for different reasons and so exactly why do you read and write at this site?<BR>
CryingShame
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1058">Chances are</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

LEAMUS - YOU repulse me. About the only thing on this site that does, actually.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=962">LuLu</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

bk- you are so right...i have a terrible temper. i react on impuse(which isnt always the best reaction..but whatever). thanks for making me feel like Im a physco manic by screaming my  head off up here. lol. <BR>
lemas-believe it or not, these are real emotions. we dont just change a few lines here and there....we pour our hearts out up here(well at least i do). critizing someones poetry is like telling them they're emotions are wrong. <BR>
dont get me wrong...im all for you being able to say what you want and all that, but seriously...have some respect. I dont know about everyone elses(even tho im sure people dont make up feelings), but i know my writings are pure, raw emotions....and i dont care whether they are up to your standards or not.<BR>
everyone(except lemas)-<BR>
sorry for the language in my last message...it just really pissed me off.<BR>
LuLu
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

leamas~ I lettered in tennis as captain first singles, but would rather play doubles with a partner in the LOVE game of tennis. There were 666 submissions last month for Kirk to sort over and find something that struck his fancy. I salute you for reading enough of the submissions for finding the repetitions where each of these poets/writers have gotten inspiration and decided to "bump" another writer's work ... sounds a bit like being a university professor's job in reading and managing this site that Kirk has, no? It is a difficult task to write about love since it can leave us breathless, crying or numb. It can get someone so wrought that they have an overabundance of words, or leave them unable to speak or write. Forcing a writer to put a real emotion to words is a daunting task for any educator -- and you are trying to educate us. Trying to teach them to keep the same honesty of that emotion in correct spelling, grammar and punctuation will often kill the height and honesty of the writing moment. It is often also nice to go ahead and learn all the "rules" of writing and try making a mark by breaking them and still be understood. This site has writers in age from the young to at least one octogenarian I know who is educated far beyond those we regularly see here. I'll have to say that some of the most simple words and phrases have hit me with greater impact than those I have had to mull over and grow to appreciate. I would not swap one for the other, leamas. We need balance in life. I would not swap the poet who has come here to learn and dares to share for the most famous poets I know. I enjoy the volleys, leamas, as long as others learn from them. You are a poetry addict to stay and read enough to complain for more. Hopefully, we can all give you the romance poetry-fix you need here even if it is only in increments. Thanks for the honesty in what you would like to see here. I don't dislike you. I don't like to see unnecessary pain. Like teej, I can easily put you in the crosshairs if necessary, but won't, just like her in her wisdom. On the contrary, I'd like to see you help writers here learn by example with some posts, be they your works or those you like of other writers you include in your account ..... Rennie
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=23">Kirk</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

echolocation -- glad you like the Handley quote--when I grabbed it (way back in the mists of time) I don't think I realized it was the "Of 'Deep Thoughts' Fame" guy.  If you check out the regular content and sidebar of <a href="http://kisrael.com">http://kisrael.com</a> , you can see "quotes" are an ongoing interest of mine, you just have to have an eye and ear open.<BR>
<BR>
Leamas certainly likes to rile things up.  He definately loses points for trying to invoke the Nazis so early in on the discussion.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

awwww, Kirk~ the invocation lets us know if he is loaded for bear or bacon ;). I truly hope he shares the work of some poetry "greats" here with us as examples of fine writing ..... Rennie
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=801">Bridget O</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Rennie~ thank you so much it's amazing to have a writer like you say those things it's made my day -or maybe month- thank you thank you thank you.<BR>
<BR>
Bridget
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=933">RainbowChaser</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Leamas-I think that you are trying to hard to get others to notice and pay attention to you. It is no secret that some of the works are very similar, but that's what happens when we all speak the same language and use those words to form our thoughts. Don't be sarcastic about psychological disorders--it doesn't make you intelligent or well read to know what famous person has what disease. this forum is therapy for a lot of people.  People aren't angry with you, they're just suprised by your ignorance and lack of regard for others whom you know nothing about.  why don't you start your own poetry site---that might put shakespeare to shame...doubt it, but you're welcome to try.  everything i write in here comes from my heart..how dare you criticize something or someone that you don't understand!
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=13">B.K.</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Leamas; You know what they say, People who can DO, People who can't TEACH and When the foo shits...out pops a CRITIC!<BR>
<BR>
bk
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=4">tj holland</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

leamas ~ ah, your name has been repeated so often in the last few days. does it ring in your ears?? you have raised some hackles and roused some emotion. sometimes those who love passionately also attack (see Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of 'attack') passionately. you have brought up a good point...genius is but one small step from insanity, on which side of the line it lies is negatable. anyway, though your work does tend to the morose, it is also fairly brilliant. and, as with most of our works here, it is somewhat raw and rough around the edges. but that happens when we let it go straight from fingertip to 'finished' in 3.0 seconds. i do know that you have a very interesting brain. so, yeah, lunch at Aioli's sometime? there's no doubt that the ambiance there is as cool as our conversation will be.  <BR>
<BR>
-Teej
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=16">kevin urenda</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Teej - <BR>
your question is up...<BR>

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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=744">jimmyallgrownup</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

My take on all this is that Leamas is more closeted than my Great Grandma's chinchilla coat. His rather nutso behaviour reminds me of how I was back when I would go to extraordinary lengths to convince straight-arrow friends and family members that I was anything other than queer. Living a lie takes a major toll on the psyche, and the truth seeps out in strange (and often destructive) ways. My advice to Leamas? Get out of the closet, my friend! Step out into the light, into the sunshine! Accept yourself for WHO YOU ARE - be it gay, bi, transgender, whatever. Once you can live with yourself, living in harmony with others becomes the easiest thing in the world. Godspeed to you all . . .
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=598">danica</a><BR>
Date: 7 January 2003<P>

Oh lemas, don't you think you do in fact owe these people an apology?  You too were once in love with a girl who had light in her eyes and saw magic and fantasy in everything.  You used to aplaud her simple poems and marvel at her simple nature. Blender people write work after work, perfecting their own collections. We are just guests here.  Remember, the meek shall inherite the earth. Its not nice to disrupt beauty that doesn't belong to you.  
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