From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=141">wistful</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

I just wanted to tell all the Blenderites how much I appreciate this cyber-community.  Squabbling between family members aside, I am constantly amazed at the honesty and caring I see fly through the works you post and the thoughts you share on the board.  <BR>
<BR>
And yes, some come just to play.  And some play a dangerous game, where emotions run so high.  But I, for one, appreciate the acceptance I find here.  I love the washs of emotion, joy AND pain, that are exposed here, and held up as things of beauty, as they BOTH are.  I thank you all for making me feel safe in an unsafe world, even if just on-line, even if just with an anonymous penname and with people I may never meet.  Safe to be me, and to express myself, sometimes articulately, and sometimes with inane babblings of a tortured or love-adled soul.<BR>
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Three cheers for the blender!  
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=835">Liz</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

wistful:   I can tell <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2004.11.08.00.40.27027">My Decision</a> was hard for you to write, but sounds like it needed to be done,  Bravo! <BR>
<BR>
kluless : <a href="/blend/wv.cgi?id=2004.11.07.00.18.1722">nothing but a vapor</a> I like this one, I can relate. <BR>
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violet: it sounds like you're really happy....your work is still dreamy and sweet and sexy all at the same time.   I think Kevin had a crush on you just from reading it, but that was a long time ago. 
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1120">Chances</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

Congrats to all the front pagers for the month.<BR>
<BR>
Kirk - I enjoy reading your intros. Chemistry was my only science subject at school and I was never that good at it and wished I'd taken a different subject. Science was never my strength (but who can pass up a subject called 'chemsitry'?).
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1120">Chances</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

damnit, chemistry!
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=23">Kirk</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

Actually I really disliked chemistry in high school...too much memorization.  Physics seemed a much cooler applied science...
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=1139">jwb71913</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

Thanks for the pick, Kirk.  You're right about physics, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, fun stuff and cool toys to play with.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=141">wistful</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

In college I took a "Conceptual Physics" class.  Also known as "Physics for Poets".  All the cool concepts, none of the math...
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=23">Kirk</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

Yeah...my favorite physics toy was a heavy weight on a spring on a pendulum....hypnotic.  Made me coin the phrase "aesthetic-kinetic appeal", and I still look for objects with that.<BR>
<BR>
Man, I kicked total butt in AP physics...and oddly I think the calculus-based was easier than the non-, because they worked out every really difficult formula for you, but it let it go deep enough that you didn't cover quite so many oddball topics...
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=10">galadrial</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

Hey Crew...<BR>
<BR>
Been like forever.<BR>
I found myself hunting for an old poem today, and got homesick reading some of the old stuff.<BR>
<BR>
The Blender really was the first place I came to post poetry online---and I made some wonderful friends here---and met some amazing talent.<BR>
<BR>
I miss a lot of you---the poetry, the bickering even, but my life really did change back in April when my friend Tony died. He was all of 46---and I could not have had a more potent reminder that life is too damned short sometimes. I didn't so much leave this place, but had to grow. Love poetry will always be in me, but I needed to tackle other things...and I have.<BR>
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Funny...this place is like the net---and real life rolled together. I watched people here fall in love before our eyes---marry...and sadly come to parting. I have watched real folks and pretenders, all sorts of stuff, including one faked death.<BR>
<BR>
But I wanted to drop in---say I think of you all---and hope to visit when life is three speeds less crazy.<BR>
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Yes. I have a collection coming out in 2005, and now I am working on a novel.<BR>
<BR>
Desi is taller than momma, with her first school boyfriend...and writing.<BR>
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Life is good, bad, grand and ghastly---but never boring.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Hang in...and hello from the Wench.
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=23">Kirk</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

Hey Gala! Thanks for dropping us a note!
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=74">Echolocation</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

Gala -- lovely to have you drop by -- congrats on the forthcoming collection -- would love to know the particulars so I can maybe keep an eye out for it!
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=872">cryingshame58</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

Galadrial,<BR>
Thanks for the update on you and Desi :-)...it's wonderful to hear you are following your dreams...you go girl...take care and keep in touch!<BR>
CryingShame58
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=13">B.K.</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

Gala; Woman, congratch on the collection. Be sure to put some of my favorites of yours from way back. (The ridge poems) They were my favs. Glad to hear you are doing well. Take care and keep in touch.<BR>
<BR>
bk
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From: <a href="/blend/av.cgi?id=12">Tanqueray Cowboy</a><BR>
Date: 8 November 2004<P>

Galadrial!<BR>
<BR>
Always a pleasure... wonderful to hear from you.  Congrats and best wishes!<BR>
<BR>
~tc
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