From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1139">jwb71913</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

Kase,  Belated thanks for your comment on Sangria.<BR>
<BR>
Chances, keep your powder dry, or strike your Jack.<BR>
<BR>
Jim
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1120">Chances</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

I don't think I want to know what that means.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1040">empyrean</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

ladyinwaiting - <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.05.03.11.06.30841">Pieces of Love</a> I can relate to this one<BR>
<BR>
Chances - again your words put my thoughts in front of me, this time its <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.05.04.03.58.13831">Confused Muse</a> thats done it.  I have long been a fan of your work :)<BR>
<BR>
~empy~
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

jim and chances~ you're both too much fun. My captain filled my dance card and waltz'd me on out the plank last night for some skinny dipping, shore leave and a corndog. PLEASE don't do any damage firing rounds in the boatyard while we're hauled out on the hard! ;-) ..... Rennie
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

Indefense~ I am reminded that if old F. Garcia Lorca had used a bit more humour, old Franco wouldn't have had his boyz drag him out and shoot him :)<BR>
<BR>
B.K., Chances and ladyinwaiting(thanks, I'm grateful)~ Thanks on LEGENDS. Just like I read everyone else here in growth, I never get tired of reading you. I was sick all day yesterday, so it was great fun firing rounds (posting the bumps) at the time. I just felt I better also post something a bit more "rennie" with everywoman ..... Rennie
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

edit/correction: "inflatible dingy" ... rolling off the tongue, but should be INFLATABLE ... not like edible,  but that's a whole 'nother fish ..... Rennie
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=220">wolfscreamer</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

kareem....((2003.05.02.15.05.7940)) Those eight lines hold a world of meaning .
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=220">wolfscreamer</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

Bugger .. first time I try to use a link code I mess up guess theres a space between the (( right ??
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

wolfscreamer~ Quote (unknown): "I understand your problem. I'd be glad to help you out ... which way did you come in?" I also enjoyed his work: kareem's <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.05.02.15.05.7940">Missing You Today</a> ..... Rennie<BR>
<BR>

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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=158">footballdude</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

chances,<BR>
   thanx...ill try it some time!
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1120">Chances</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

wolfscreamer - double square brackets, no spaces. Doubleclick the linkcode if in doubt. Best of luck.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=74">Echolocation</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

Hey all -- I recently posted a comment to one person (name escapes me, sorry!) giving my opinion that their work would have more impact if they spelled out words like "you" instead of "u" -- and there has been much discussion lately about spell-check etc.  This gave rise in my mind to a question for those who use these email/chat abbreviations in their poetry.  <BR>
<BR>
[NOTE:  Please believe me that this is a sincere query, not an oblique criticism or a prelude to slamming anyone.  I hope to get honest answers because I'm truly interested in your responses.]<BR>
<BR>
Here's the question: why do you choose to employ these abbreviations in your poetry here? I can understand using them in chat because they save time and chat is a real-time thing -- you want to respond quickly.  But why use them in more formal writing, like your poetry -- for example, why say "b/4" instead of "before"?  Is it just habit?  Do you use it to make your work more faddish/up to date?  Do you like the way it looks?  Do you feel that it more accurately reflects your feelings/attitudes/etc?  Do you feel that it's accepted usage these days and so it doesn't matter one way or the other?  Or some other reason entirely?<BR>
<BR>
And then here's a followup for everyone: I'm curious whether people think that abbreviations like that alter the meaning of a poem.  For example, does a line that says, "Touch me once more before you leave" have a different kind of impact from "Touch me 1x more b/4 u leave"?<BR>
<BR>
Looking forward to thoughtful responses :)<BR>
(and hoping I don't start any flame wars!!)
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=872">CryingShame58</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

Rennie and Jim,<BR>
The limericks and bumps were fun for me to read...You both amused me with your quick wit...It has challenged me to write them for my family and friends...Thanks for the inspiration...Jim, not only people, but places stay in a special place within me...any mention of Mobile makes me smile all over...<BR>
Wolfscreamer,<BR>
Your opinion that everyone has star status...is probably similar to "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"...we might not feel like we are beautiful or a star, but we could be in someone's eyes, heart, mind or spirit...<BR>
Coujeaux,<BR>
Your submissions here always amaze me, although I usually get a sneek peek..."banana split" was something different than you usually write about...hhhmmm good!<BR>
BK,<BR>
Glad that the dog submits brought smiles!  <BR>
Ladyinwaiting,<BR>
Thanks for your comment....my hubby and I met a dear friend of mine...I try to surround myself with worthy friends, but it's a bonus when that friend brings laughter to my life...<BR>
CS58
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=436">Jon</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

Echo~ I usually avoid any poems with that type of slang, I find it annoying. It usually doesn't have the same impact on me as if say the author had typed out the entire sentence in simple English instead. I guess they think it's cute or that's their "style", whatever, if I don't like it I avoid it. I guess we live in the internet age, I just hope these people don't type out essays or formal letters like that...that would be awful.<BR>
<BR>
ladinwaiting, thanks for the re-welcome! :)<BR>
<BR>
Take care<BR>
<BR>
-Jon
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=927">carol</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

just wanted to say sorry to anyone that i affended...<BR>
<BR>
carol.. and newfoundlove!! and for the poems that some of u dont like i'm leaveing as soon as i find a new web site. anyone know any good ones i would like  some help finding one!! thanks!
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1">Kirk, Blender-Keeper</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

The May Digest is here, with a special guest frontpage blurb (by Brooke/Lupschada, who provided the frontpage redesign a year ago this month.)<BR>
<BR>
She pointed out to me that there were a lot of new usernames on the frontpage picks, which I think is always a good sign.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1103">ladyinwaiting</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

Thank you Kirk...I am honored so much...I still jump with joy...yeppie yeppie...dancing around the room...<BR>
<BR>
Congrats to all the Front Page Picks...awesome job
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=933">RainbowChaser</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

I'm not trying to spam or whatever you call it, but i know that a lot us are interested in a lot of alternative things, and i've been exploring the other side of things..so if you're interested in a reading let me know...i've learned a lot lately.  also..your first call with 3 mins is free!
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=900">RennieLorca</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

carol~ <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2003.04.09.15.21.22149">feeling better</a> "i put my e-mail on gurl.com under cutting.. and now these girls are adding me.. talking to me..asking me things, geting help from someone who knows where they are comeing from.. and those who just want to know so they dont start.. .... "i dont feel so left out so many ppl can relate to me i never knew that b4.. i'm worth somethng i am useful!! that makes me feel amazing!! i can help!!" .... how about sticking around, because you really seem to want to write. Help others here with your positive attitude since it looks like you have love and friendship to give. You might see if the gurl.com website has a poetry sharing section, or even offer to help start and work on one. There's a writer inside of you, and we'd like to see you do well with your work here. Maybe help you learn by example on dealing with feelings, spelling, how to ask for help. We'll also see about surfing some sites and find some website(s) that might be more suitable to you for helping others like yourself. Maybe even start your own website, a good thing to ask a teacher about. You might have more poems about deep friendships, love and even a happy romance we wouldn't want to miss. We're all human beings here. Some may be just a bit more mature than others. It is said that age is the price you pay for maturity. I think you are wise beyond your years in some aspects of your life. Whatever you do, all Blenderites are family, so please take care ..... Rennie <BR>

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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1120">Chances</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

Kirk - Thankyou. I had read your planet work before, and loved it. Congrats to the front pagers and everyone who contributes - it makes worthwhile reading and being part of the Blender.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=872">CryingShame58</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

Kirk,<BR>
I thank you for your new front page May picks. Congratulations to everyone that was selected for the May, 2003 page!  I try to read all submissions, because I appreciate everyone's style...I enjoy reading them more than I do my own submissions...It's fun to see the new writers and I am always amused/amazed by the constant ones that have been submitting longer than me...Although some of the writers do not submit as often as others, it's always a pleasure and surprise for me to read something from them...<BR>
May is a special month! I want to mention to all those that suffer in any way...please, don't give up hope...My grandmother was a 1/4 native american indian and believed that the first rain in May held great powers for healing...She believed that a person should run barefoot in the rain at this particular time so that one would/could stay healthy or that this rain would/could heal you physically/emotionally/spiritually...I think some have already experienced a rain in May, but I am still waiting here in Northwest Louisiana...May everyone find peace and comfort today...<BR>
CS58<BR>

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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=933">RainbowChaser</a><BR>
Date: 4 May 2003<P>

&lt;a href='<a href="http://www.keen.com/calls/PT_interimcall.asp?sid=5304740'&gt;&lt;img">http://www.keen.com/calls/PT_interimcall.asp?sid=5304740'&gt;&lt;img</a> border=0 src='<a href="http://www.keen.com/calls/callimage.asp?sid=5304740&ImageType=1'&gt;&lt;/a&gt;">http://www.keen.com/calls/callimage.asp?sid=5304740&ImageType=1'&gt;&lt;/a&gt;</a>
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