Writers Notebook

Archived Messages from November 21, 1999 to December 5, 1999

Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwriters.com Sun Dec 5 21:40:19 PST 1999

Hello all: Did not get to archiving and am a little swamped with holiday issues. Just ordered two additional didgiridoo's , one for Fran and a blank not illustrated didg in the key of E. That and some covers for my didges. Also, finally discovered something that will convert quicktime or avi to flawless mpeg. Its a bit costly, but I am jumping up and down in delight at being able to construct a CD ROM with diverse video. Got a portion of S from Americo, but still no joy on attachments from his Mac. As for Outlook Express, Americo, I use it for newsgroups, but am not about to face the possibility of an email virus. Eudora has been my email client for the past five years and I am not about to change at this point. Hope my suggestions about zipping or using Alladin's stuffit to compress the file is a useful option. Oh, well, get to archiving tomorrow. Went to a rather nice Withworth College concert tonight. It was replete with many English charols and other music, but also had Brazillian, Afrikaans and Xhosa interludes that were absolutely captivating. We go to this every year and I am delighted by their progressive innovations. Take care all. Love, peace and happy holidays. When I get to archiving tomorrow I will likely add a different graphic and midi file. Good writing in any case.

Rachel Sun Dec 5 19:15:34 PST 1999

Teekay - Hi you. Yes, I am reading your posts (smiles). I had fun that evening that we were able to meet up in chat. Maybe we can do it again some time. I am glad I didn't offend you with the tit/tid thing. So, I should smack them (laughter). I proabably have smacked all of them at one time or another (grins and much laughter). SUMMER! SUMMER!!!! We didn't get summer this year in British Columbia. Oh, maybe we got a week or two, but not the real deal.

Take care you
Rachel

Teekay Sun Dec 5 17:31:32 PST 1999

G'Day Mates,
It is soooo hor here. Started yesterday. Before that we though we must still have been in Winter, but no, Summer has well and truly arrived.

RACHEL:- Please don't think that I'm upset about the tidbit titbit thing coz I'm not. I very much appreciate you pointing out this type of thing, anyway at least it shows some one is reading it. And any way now we're both the wiser and I definitely do not think that you are a pig, but you should probably give those men a great big smack.

RLH:- Well really. I was reading your post and cackling to myself and hubby was standing outside the window and he could hear me. He told me I sounded like a mad thing.

I really love it when I learn something new and I know Rachel does too, but really, I have never ever never ever heard of anybody doing that with a spoon before, except maybe Captain Hook from Peter Pan. Why oh why do you think you were born with fingers, which I assume you have been though I really ought not to assume. You may be typing in your messages with a spoon, right? :-} :-] :-D (this is supposed to be laughing.)

By the way, Benjii pointed out that there was no such word as perseverent. He begins dog training classes on Saturday.

Bye Everybody. I luvs ya all.

Rachel Sun Dec 5 16:19:54 PST 1999

Hi all

Teekay - Okya, tit bit is fine. It's just that for me, well, I had a lot of guy friends and the word tit, well okay, it translates to breast for me (grins). Yah, I know I sound like a pig. Sorry, I'll get over it. You say tit bit as much as you like :)

Jack - Okay, here is the thing. Most times I can just open the files with no problem, but then there are times when it just doesn't happen. I am not sure why. When this comes up I save it to my desktop and then go through my programs one by one until I find one that will open it. Sometimes I will open it as a view only and then copy it to another program. It's kind of hard, because I don't know what you have and I don't really know much about computers. So, if you understand what I just tried to say, give it a try. Good luck to you.

RHL - You sound like a very decent guy.

Take care all
Rachel

Take care all
Rachel

Laura97224@go.com Sun Dec 5 14:57:50 PST 1999

Jack:
Thank you, it is probably the firewall on these school computers. It makes life miserable.

RLH startiki@hotmail.com Sun Dec 5 09:24:46 PST 1999

Rachel: I get a little down now and then, especially when I see persons less fortunate than me. My problem next is as bad, replying to Teekay...see below.

Teekay: (Smiles) I have been dreading this all weekend. The SPOON THING. Oh dear...what to say. Oh boy...how can I handle this one. No pressure here RLH. Just remember that the NET is world wide and your next few words are going to be reviewed by countless writers, famous and infamous. No pressure here at all. There's no doubt about it, I'm finished as a writer. Done in by a simple spoon. Kaput Used Auto Sales will be my future web site.

THE SPOON THING. Uh...well, let's see. (Head shakes, grimace) When will I learn to keep my big bearded mouth shut. (Stares at the screen) Dug another hole, haven't you RLH. Shot yourself in the foot...again. How you gonna handle this one Hoss. (Head shaking) Boy oh boy, ain't never gonna live this one down. (Head in hands)

(Wipe the tear away) Okay RLH get down to busisness. The spoon is used for ... say, how about those Cowboys, huh? Any bets on the Superbowl? No. I hear the Queen of England is ill with a flu... right?(Sigh) (Mumbles) "How am I gonna handle this?"

You know there are persons out there who could have stepped forward and explained to Teekay what I was talking about. I mean, someone else could have taken pity (Grins) on old RLH and handled this. Anybody? Speak up. (Gloom) (Mama!)

Okay. Time to fish or cut bait RLH. No one stepping forward to help. The ball is in your court. Time to **** on the fire and call the dogs in. It's now or never. Sink or swim. Time to hoist the anchor and set sail.

Say, How about... No. (Big Smile) I see you out there! Squirming with joy as RLH struggles to explain the SPOON.

Well let's consider the problem...how to explain the reflex action of the body as a spoon is inserted into the throat to intice the stomach to void certain materials?

Hey! I thing I just did it!

Now ain't that just like a writer?

Go to the moon and back just to fill a page with keystrokes.

See ya Teekay (Big hug). RLH

Americo Sun Dec 5 03:41:15 PST 1999

Jack, try Outlook Express.

Allein Sun Dec 5 00:09:55 PST 1999

PS - For those interested, the score was Thunderbirds: 3
Cougars: 5
Allein

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Sun Dec 5 00:09:04 PST 1999

This is a telegram from Allein. Stop. Went to hockey game - Seattle Thunderbirds against Prince George Cougars. Stop. Lots of fun. Stop. Thunderbirds lost - lots of fighting. Stop. Allein going to bed because it is midnight and Allein is very tired. Stop. More from Allein tomorrow. Stop.
Allein

Sat Dec 4 22:10:23 PST 1999

p.s. Notebook is loading a bit slowly. I will make a stab at archiving sometime tomorrow up through Saturday. So, feel free to add your posts after this one with impunity. They will be carried over. I am just a bit bushed at the moment. But will attend to this at that point. Mainly, I am digging in to complete my CD-ROM.

Oh, Rachel or whoever: I am having trouble getting attachments from Americo, if you could let me know the secret I would appreciate it. I am using the latest version of Eudora and generally do not have a problem. If you or anyone else has insights, please email me.

Well, back to the Red Dwarf marathon on PBS. Lot better than the WTO demonstrations and talk about the Battle in Seattle. Take care.

Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwiters.com Sat Dec 4 22:06:44 PST 1999

Laura: I took it upon myself to add you to the mailing list for forwriters.com . Not sure why the link does not work for you. At any rate, when I do send out the newsletter sometime in the next week or so you will receive it at your aol account. Hope this acceptable.

Teekay Sat Dec 4 18:18:07 PST 1999

I'm sorry if my last notice took up heaps of space, but I just had to write it. It was actually the second time I did. I'd already written it once and I don't know what I pressed, but it just disappeared. I felt soooo sick. When I told my woes to hubby about how the computer lost it, he was very unfeeling and told me that it is a bad workman who blames his tools."
I said "........" There was nothing to say really.
So there is another thingy about me. Wether it be for good or bad I can be perserverent.
Seeya's.

Teekay Sat Dec 4 18:11:25 PST 1999

Hi All Y'all.

RACHEL:- Hi. I was lying in bed this morning saying over and over to myself 'tid bit, tit bit, tid bit, tit bit, tid bit, tit bit.' I know, sad really isn't it?
Anyway, I could take it no longer and so I get up to go and get the dictionary. I said to my husband. "Dear husband of mine, have you not seen the dictionary?"
"No my love,I have not. Have you looked in the bookshelf?" (DOH)
I asked my first born child, "First born child, have you seen the dictionary?" F.B.C. responded by saying. "I told you to wait after you knock, until I give you permission to come in and not just barge in here. No I haven't seen the stupid dictionary."
I then went to 2nd Born childs room and presented my question. 2nd born was only too willing to help, but what was a dictionary?
I didn't ask the baby because I keep tabs on what he puts in his mouth and although the assortment is interesting, a dictionary has not been on the menu.
I was about to give up all hope when I chanced to look out of the window and lo', there was the dog skulking off with something book like in his jowls. On investigation it turns out that the dog had pilfered the dictionary in order to improve his mind. "Well let's put this to the test then" said I. "Is it tid bit or tit bit?" Benjii laughed cockily, sat back on his hauches and crossed his little furry doggy paws in front of him. "And may I enquire as to the substansiality of the token of gratitude that you will endeavour to bestow upon me in return for the knowledge which I shall impart to you?"
I wasn't quite sure what he had said so I told him that if he would answer my question I would give him some little tid bit or tit bit from the fridge. With that he laughed gleefully. "Then mistress," said he, "My reward shall be doubled, for it is a fact that both words exist in the English dictionary and they do indeed mean the same thing."
Of course I kept my promise to the dog. I've also hidden the dictionary on the highest shelf after showing it to 2nd born that is.

Most of this story is true. Parts have been added for artistic purposes.

Laura Laura97224@go.com Sat Dec 4 12:04:43 PST 1999

Hi Rachel. Long time no see. I can't stay on too much longer, I'm going christmas shopping today.

Laura

Rachel Sat Dec 4 11:51:50 PST 1999

Allein - Hey girl! How are yah (big smiles and a hug). Yup, I have been one busy little puppy, and now that my children are off of school for the Christmas break, well, things are going to be wild. They of course understand that mummy writes and it does not matter if they are home or not, there are a certain amount of hours that go towards writing every day, that is just the way it is. They know to let me get down to it and more or less will leave me undistrubed (grins). Then again, I tend to plan stuff that will keep them busy while I write. My children only get a limited amount of screen time each day, so when it comes up they are sure to take advantage of it, and if I offer an extension on this time they will gobble it up. Because Dan works at three different jobs we have a stack of Christmas parties to go to. I also have a couple of things that we will need to attend, as well as Jordan's Birthday party. We do a party for children and then a party for family, this way it is easier on the relatives and they get a chance to visit with her. We tried the combined party and it just made Dan's family dizzy (grins and laughter) then 14 girls running around screaming will tend to make most people dizzy. I have to get her party organized...(grins).

Well, I should zip it and send you the rest in an e-mail.

All - Sorry to blabber on.

Take care all
Rachel

Laura Laura97224@go.com, Laura97224@aol.com Sat Dec 4 11:28:25 PST 1999

OOps, sorry about the first post, I hit enter when I wanted to hit tab.
How is everyone?

Jack, the link still won't let me in. It keeps telling me it cannot connect to server. :( I don't know what I will do. Thank you for fixing the other two links though.
Has anyone read chaper two?
How about Dragon Dishonored? (By the way, I do intend to finish that. )
Well, one more week until our family christmas party. My parents will be gone over Christmas so we moved it to the tenth.

Laura

Laura97224@go.com; Laura97224@aol.com Sat Dec 4 11:24:03 PST 1999

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Sat Dec 4 10:09:56 PST 1999

Rachel - HI THERE!!! (((((BIGGEST HUG IN THE WORLD FOR YOU)))))) I'm so happy to see you back. Sounds like you've been busy. I just sent you a Christmas card a few days ago - I know it's early, but I couldn't wait. Today I'm going to a hockey game in Seattle, so I'm making this a short post. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow (we won't get back till 11 tonight).
See ya,
Allein

Rachel Sat Dec 4 07:16:24 PST 1999

Jack - That Santa is so cute!

Teekay - Didn't mean to embarrass yah, just thought you would like to know (smiles). Honestly, if you read over my past posts or even my present ones, you'll see I make lots of boo, boos.

Gary - Where are yah? Did you die from not getting those little fish you like? Have you taken off with Hayden's car? Or are you just lurking and working?

Take care all
Rachel

Teekay Fri Dec 3 22:43:31 PST 1999

RACHEL:- I shall be honest with you, I thought it was called tit bit(how embarrasment.) Thankyou for pointing that out to me, I won't be making that boo boo again.
Hope nobody got too carried away.

Can't wait to see S*. Especially with all the drama it's causing. Just remember, what doesn't kill you will make you stronger.(or drive you mad.ha ha.)
Till next time,
Bye y'all.

Teekay Fri Dec 3 18:01:50 PST 1999

AMERICO:- Why are you frustrated and disappointed. Did I already say that?

Probably.

Rachel Fri Dec 3 17:32:03 PST 1999

Hi all

Americo - I send you a very strong hug. I know that "Shadows" has been a lot of work and can be frustrating.

All - I don't know if anyone realizes how much work has gone into the editing and bringing together of "Shadows" It has been not small thing. I have only been a co-editor and have been astonished by what is required to have a book take shape, at least a shape that anyone would want to read.

I have loved the experience, but it can be frustrating. There are so many glitches that can come up, and we all have timetables and things that happen outside of our writing that call for our attention. Ah well, just have to say I'm happy I had the opportunity to work on "Shadows" this way. I have learned much.

Jack - I am so pleased to hear about your friend (big smile).

RHL - Go easy on yourself.

Rhoda - I'm here. I had a major computer problem a couple of days ago and thought I had lost masses of material. I almost fainted, but upon recovering my senses I was able to track things down. I also have a house full. I was approached by my employer who asked me to take a temporary contract. I was a little hesitant, but agreed. I hope that all will go well with this.

Teekay - "A tit bit" I laughed when I read that. I bet you intended to say (tid bit - grins) I am so happy I am not the only person who makes spelling mistakes (I hug you)!

Rhoda rfort@arn.net Fri Dec 3 17:25:44 PST 1999

Americo,

You could not be any more disappointed than me right now. I am at the point of tears, and all for a round robin that started out in fun.

Rhoda

Eddie French Jack_dooley@longago.com http://www.efrench.freeserve.co.uk Fri Dec 3 16:27:34 PST 1999

Americo,
I second Teekays' first.
Why are you so frustrated and disappointed?
Ed

Teekay Fri Dec 3 16:03:10 PST 1999

AMERICO:- Why are you frustrated and disappointed?

J. Dooley Jack_dooley@longago.com Fri Dec 3 15:30:36 PST 1999

Errr, 'Lo you lot,
Okay, so you lot think you are real people. Okay, if you are, well prove it! Who's my best mate then?
Ha!
Knew it! You're just dreams.
Do me a favour,
Get out of my head!

Got it now, you're that lot Eddie thinks about when he's not with me. Well, no need for me to talk to you!
I'm going to sleep now.
Bugger off the lot of you!
Mmmmm, 'night
Jack.

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Fri Dec 3 14:29:15 PST 1999

Jack, I've received your e-mail and sent you an attachment with a shorter file. I have also sent you the contents of that file on the body of an e-mail, just in case you cannot open the attachment again.

Rhoda, I've sent you an e-mail about your latest editing.

PS. No comments except perhaps an exclamation expressing frustration and disappointment.

Eddie French eddiefrench@email.com http://www.efrench.freeserve.co.uk Fri Dec 3 13:35:52 PST 1999

Teekay,
Yes, I did get your email. I was about to reply when Americo came up with a similar thought. I am thinking hard about what you and Americo have postulated. I still have my original reservations about the idea but I am (obviously) mulling it over and trying to envisage a way in which this could be accomplished. My problem is, I imagine myself reading a novel? written in the way in which you suggested and I find myself thinking that it is not enough. I will get back to you very soon.

Americo,
A mature writer?
Does this mean that you think that I have been writing for a VERY LONG TIME, or that my writing is seems to be mature? Hee hee.
Yes I have approached a publisher, but it was a long time ago and the material I sent was (Looking back) not very good. I decided (after reading the rejection letters) that thay saw promise, but I needed to hone my skills. Are you saying that I have possibly accomplished this? (I am now 44 years old and I was 30 when I last submitted something for publication) Take note younger would be scribes!
Here lies the value of the notebook. Well done Jack!
Later,
Ed

I will email you with a bit more info on what Teekay and I have been debating.

Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwriters.com http://ns1.vnweb.com:81/guest/RemoteListSummary/Newsletter Fri Dec 3 04:11:13 PST 1999

Laura: Thanks for pointing out the missing links. As it happens, the reference to archived Short Stories was an outdated reference. I have corrected the broken link to the Critique page. As for the link to the mailing list. It does work. Just checked it. If the button did not work for you, it could be because you somehow have javascript turned off. In that case, use the link above. It will take you directly to the page. Take care. Have to run.

Oh, Americo, in case you did not get my email, S did not come through as an attachment.

Teekay Fri Dec 3 03:32:16 PST 1999

Hi Everybody,

RHL:- I just gotta ask, What did you use the spoon for when you took a spoon to the bathroom when you had food poisoning? I've been thinking and thinking about it, but the only thing I could come up with was to use it to unblock the drain.
Your latest entry was very thought provoking. It brought a tear to my eye.

JERRY Lee:- CONGRATULATIONS!!! You must be feeling on top of the world.

EDDIE:- Did you get my latest email it was the one after you answered all those questions. I think I may have shut down the computer too quickly after I sent it. Let me know.

ALLIEN:- I loved the poem about life before computers.

RHODA:- I hope your having much better luck with your novel now. How long have you been writing it for and what stage are you up to? I've never actually tried to write a novel. I'm planning to though. (daunting) Well more than one really.

Another tit bit about me. I am the eternal optimist.

Well it's 10:28pm and the baby is tired of waiting for me to finish typing so I shall be off.
Till next time.
Arividerci.

Jerry Lee jerryleejr@xoommail.com http://members.onecenter.com/scifi/jerrylee/ Thu Dec 2 19:19:10 PST 1999

Yo all,

Rhoda, thank you for your support. I find editorial cartoons fascinating and very hard to write. You must take a complex situation and boil it down to a line or two of text. Luckily, a picture still paints a thousand words.

But I only wish I had written that remarkable story. It was Jerry E.

Take care all,
Jerry Lee

Rhoda rfort@arn.net Thu Dec 2 18:54:26 PST 1999

Jerry Lee,

Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you. It is good enough to create something and take the trouble to submit it. It is even better to have it used and appreciated. Way to go!

Jack,

I am so glad about your friend's good news. That is indeed something to celebrate.

This page is loading very strangely for me. I was reading RLH's post and ended up getting it blended into an earlier written by someone else. That was a strange experience. That might not be the fault of this page. After my computer crash, my computer is still doing some odd things.

My father visited me this past week. While I was crying about not being able to write anything worthwhile on THE RELUCTANT BABARIAN, he counciled that I should leave it be for a few days and devote my time to a short story. You can finish a short story in a matter of hours and have the satisfaction of knowing that you completed something. I desperately need such an accomplishment right now. So I suppose I should do something for SM. With all the food that has been around this house the last week, I don't think that should be hard.

The only continuity in my hectic life right now is Shadows. I seem to work on that well enough, though I am a little slow.

I haven't posted much, but I have lurked. Allein, I have enjoyed your funnies. I also liked your gerbil poem. RLH, it is good to have you back, and I enjoy reading your thoughts. Rachel, I hope all is going well. Gary, where are you? I at least hope you are still lurking about. Jai, I miss you also. Please post something to let us know you are still around. Teekay and Laura, you have added much to the Notebook. I am glad you two have joined us. Howard, it is so good to see you back. I've thought much about you. I hope you stick around. Eddie, I am so glad you are back with us and are adding so much to SM. SKS, Lydia, Phillip, and Ashling, I miss you guys. Americo, your posts are always appreciated and much enjoyed. Most of all I miss that cheeky cat, Jon. I hope he isn't laid up at the vet's or something.

Happy writing, all!

Rhoda

P.S. Jerry Lee, after reading your story on the sin eater, I read a book by Francine Rivers called THE LAST SIN EATER. I bought it at Sam's Club a year ago and forgot about it. It was awesome. That is a fascinating custom. Thank you for bringing it to mind in such an interesting way.

Jon Thu Dec 2 18:45:55 PST 1999

Just to say good night. I am still alive, though starving for lack of Strawberries stories and concomitant (do you know this word? check my dictionary) cucumber sandwiches.

Jack: you okay?

RLH startiki@hotmail.com Thu Dec 2 17:59:55 PST 1999

Good evening my friends:

I hope everyone is blessed with the weather, albeit dry, that central Texas is having. It's 7:00 PM, 71 degrees F, with a clear sky and stars aplenty. A beautiful night to be alive, healthy and plenty to eat. What could be better? Christmas ahead, time for family and friends...the season of reflection and cheer and spend, spend, spend.

So what about the family we saw an hour ago as we were shopping for groceries? The poor are all around, we should see them on a daily basis if we choose to look. Are we looking? Who is caring for them? My wife and I saw a troubled family tonight.

A family of perhaps six, several in mental distress, a blind woman pushing the grocery cart as her husband pulled. An elderly woman shuffling along with them, no teeth, wearing a ragged dress, a troubling blank stare, and sunken eyes. The children were pot bellied, torn jeans, barefooted, even though they wore shoes. You know what I mean. The man was dressed about as well as anyone in the family...and it was terrible. He was struggling with them all, trying to keep them together as they moved along.

I made the comment to my wife that I wished we could get away from them, so distressing was their condition. Not without rancor, just spoken words without proper thought. Jesus shut His eyes, He turned away from me then. Maybe just a second, because He realizes that all humans are flawed. But I felt it...guilt washed over me an instant later and I will remember the less fortunate family for a long time.

At the checkout line they were behind with a basket full of beef brisket, frozen turkeys, and ready mix stuffing. I was so ashamed at my thoughts earlier I hurried away, but I doubt if he paid cash for the items. They were probably on some kind of government aid, as they should be. What this man must go through during these times is heartbreaking. Remember the old Roy Orbison Christmas song..."Pretty Paper Pretty Ribbons" about the poor man who sits on the sidewalk and cries as the happy Christmas shoppers walk around him.

Jesus is taking care of this family. He will reward the mentally distressed, in time. The man who struggles to care for his family and Jesus's attempt at salvation of humans is certainly comperable. Maybe it was Jesus I saw? Impossible you say? Maybe He walks the earth on a daily basis. Perhaps He submits us all to tests, checking our humanity. Christmas would be a good time for our money obsessed society. ("If you don't buy your wife a diamond, she won't love you.") I believe Jesus should interact with us, reminding humans of our one task, to become, to live, to act as He taught.

I failed my test tonight.

Will you, my friends pass your test?

No one need to worry about caring for this family. For they are walking in God's hand. He has their future mapped out and will one day call them home. Human tribulations are nothing to an eternity in his Grace.

God bless you all and a Merry Christmas.

(I spoke of Jesus as He is the Savior in my faith. There is no discrimination about or toward other, but equally important religions in our world.)

Pardon the spelling, I was rushed to get this post in.

Again, good night. RLH

Laura Milanovich Laura97224 Thu Dec 2 16:51:42 PST 1999

Sorry, I'm still trying to get it working.

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Thu Dec 2 15:33:17 PST 1999

Eddie,

Your story "Absolution" seems to me at least as interesting as the others. No boys are innocent, and all of them need confession. It's a problem to remember sins, even if it's just some bananas we "found". You have stuff to write a good novel with that kid. While reading your story I thought that students of English abroad would find your stuff quite useful.

Haven't you ever approached a publisher? You seem a mature writer to me.

And with this we have already around 100 pages in the collection. Not too bad for such a shor period of time. When I conclude S* I will dedicate all my attention to SM**

Jerry Lee jerryleejr@xoommail.com http://members.onecenter.com/scifi/jerrylee/ Thu Dec 2 15:13:24 PST 1999

Yo all!

Today is a great day for me, I just picked up today's copy of the college paper and there on page 5 was an editorial cartoon that I submitted on Monday! I'm SO proud!
It's in reference to the notion that the Egypt-Air co-pilot flew his airplane into the ocean. While I'm not convinced anyone could really do such a thing, it is an interesting question.
The cartoon shows a "Nirvana Airways" jet heading straight down toward the ocean while the caption reads, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your pilot, Capt. Cobain. There's nothing wrong with the aircraft, but I AM having a really bad day..."

Laura, I tried your URL, but was unable to get through. AOL told me they couldn't find the address.

Anyway, take care all,
Jerry Lee

Laura Laura97224@go.com Laura97224@aol.com Http://hometown.aol.com/laura97224/myhomepage.index.htm Thu Dec 2 14:48:21 PST 1999

Hi, I just got a homepage, I thought you might want to see my amature attempt at a web page. Enjoy.

Laura

Laura Laura97224@go.com Thu Dec 2 12:43:37 PST 1999

Jack:

The links to the shortstoy archive and critque sections are broken. It keeps telling me that it cannot find them. I posted a story in there so I was looking around and noticed it. Thought you might want to know.

Laura

Laura Laura97224@go.com Thu Dec 2 12:03:17 PST 1999

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Thu Dec 2 09:20:13 PST 1999

What a pretty music you have chosen, Jack. And the sound is so pure and crystaline! Real stereo around my ears. I am glad that it is not one of those boring Christmas carols I have been loathing since I was seven months old schmacking of presents my father and mother did not have money to buy me! This pretty tune reminds me of beautiful Arab women dancing their elegant womb dances. The dance of the veils, or whatever you call it . I really like it. Actually this music gives a lot of intimacy to the Notebook. It is as if by linking me to the Notebook I can touch you all and see you all and kiss you all. Marvelous idea, Jack!

Jack,
I sent you moments ago 150 pages of S*. I am singing and dancing! We did it!!!

Eddie, I am going to download your most recent install for SM** and certainly enjoy it. I'll tell you something later.

And now, back to work!
(I like this kind of work)

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson@hotmail.com Wed Dec 1 22:56:15 PST 1999

First, a poem I wrote:

Shut up, you gerbils!
I mean, be quiet, don't squeak,
Can't you see I'm trying to sleep?
Didn't you hear me!
Stop running on that wheel!
If you don't, I'll make sure,
You're a cat's next meal!

My gerbils have the noisiest wheel on the planet and their cage always stinks. I think I'll get one gerbil next time.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for:
ALLEIN'S FUNNIES!!!

A man was taking it easy, laying on the grass and looking up
at the clouds.
He was identifying shapes when he decided to talk to God.
God", he said, "how long is a million years?"
God answered, "In my frame of reference, it's about a minute."
The man asked, "God, how much is a million dollars?"
God answered, "To me, it's a penny."
The man then asked, "God, can I have a penny?"
God answered, "In a minute."

If you love something, set it free

If it comes back, it was and always will be yours

If it never returns, it was never yours to begin with

If it just sits in your living room and
- messes up your stuff
- eats your food
- uses your telephone
- takes your money
- and never behaves as if you actually set
it free in the first place

you either married it or gave birth to it!

LIFE BEFORE THE COMPUTER
--------------------------
An application was for employment
A program was a TV show
A cursor used profanity
A keyboard was a piano!

Memory was something that you lost with age
A CD was a bank account
And if you had a 3 1/2 inch floppy
You hoped nobody found out!

Compress was something you did to garbage
Not something you did to a file
And if you unzipped anything in public
You'd be in jail for awhile!

Log on was adding wood to a fire
Hard drive was a long trip on the road
A mouse pad was where a mouse lived
And a backup happened to your commode!

Cut - you did with a pocket knife
Paste you did with glue
A web was a spider's home
And a virus was the flu!

I guess I'll stick to my pad and paper
And the memory in my head
I hear nobody's been killed in a computer crash
But when it happens they wish they were dead!

And now something a bit different. Recently I subscribed to a Trivia newsletter as well. So, here's ALLEIN'S INTERESTING FACTS!!!

Did you play with LEGO blocks when you were a kid?
* Since 1949, the LEGO company, based in Denmark, has produced
more than 200,000,000,000 of the plastic elements that make up
the Lego System.
* There are 102,981,500 ways to combine six of the 8-studed
bricks of one color.
* The name LEGO did not come from the cry of an angry mother
who couldn't get her kid to put down his toys and come to
dinner: "LEGO of those bricks or I'll kill you!" It's from
the Danish, "LEg GOdt," which means "play well."

In England there is no difference between a pig and a hog, but here in the states if a pig is over 180 pounds, it is
considered a hog. But just to set the record straight. If
you are called either one, whether here or abroad, it's not a compliment.

Homo sapiens shouldn't feel too high and mighty, even though
they currently dominate the Earth. After all, they are
covered with flesh that medical scientists have determined
bears an important resemblance to Silly Putty. The specific
gravity of your skin and the gooey stuff is close enough that
doctors have actually used Silly Putty to align and test CAT
scan machines. (Your pride has been hurt enough, so I won't
tell you about the amazing resemblance between bubble gum and
some human brains.)

laura Laura97224@go.com Wed Dec 1 18:08:12 PST 1999

Hi everyone. Just goofing off before I get back to my homework. I am revising chapter five of my book for class on tuesday. If you want to see chapter two check out the Novel archive.

If you bring the forwriters newsletter out of mothballs, you might fix the link. It won't let anyone in.

Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwiters.com http://ns1.vnweb.com:81/guest/RemoteListSummary/Newsletter Wed Dec 1 16:27:18 PST 1999

Americo: I am quite interested in looking at and editing S. Not sure what help I can be for the publisher side. Most of my knowledge is in the Science Fiction realm of publishers and not the mainstream, literary or other areas. Others might want to get in touch with Americo and lend some ideas in this regard. Perhaps Philip McLaren could toss his wisdom in in this regard.

Also, I have made mention of my friend who discovered a lump in his breast. The growth was removed and checked and has been found to be benign. This is a great relief given that other symptoms gave severe worry that a particular nasty and fast growing version of cancer might be present. For any who lent their prayers I thank you on his behalf and am greatly relieved and thankful both that this was the final outcome.

Also, I am preparing to dust the forwriters.com newseltter off and bring it out of moth balls and fire it up. It has 2300 members (most likely many are defunct or dead email addresses, but we will see). At any rate, if anybody has anything they think should be added send it to be via private email.

Take care everyone

Laura Laura97224@go.com Wed Dec 1 15:11:24 PST 1999

Hi all. Just thought I'd drop in and see what you were up to.

Laura

Eddie French eddiefrench@email.com http://www.efrench.freeserve.co.uk Wed Dec 1 14:42:34 PST 1999

Evening all,
I've been working for a change. I've just posted Absolution and Fireworks in SM**. Excuse the double post in there but on the first attempt the paragraph formatting didn't get tagged in and it read terrible. The second version is ok though, so please ignore the first one. Sorry.
(I wonder if Jack could sort it out?)
Hope you are all fit and rested tonight. (Unlike me!)
Must go,
Later,
Ed

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Wed Dec 1 08:25:53 PST 1999

Rhoda,
I sent you yesterday Jack_2 both on the body of an e-mail and as an attachment. Hope you got it. It's a short text.

Jack, be ready for reading (and editing, you're supposed to be the final corrective editor of S*, remember) the greatest novel Internet cooperative writing has ever produced. Tell me when you have time for that daunting task. And then get us a publisher, okay? The magnificent five (you, Rachel, Rhoda, Allein and I) should then be prepared to meet in the Chelsea Hotel in New York, on the occasion of the launching of the novel. Is this dreaming to much?

People: you must give more of yourselves on this page. You are writers, that's to say, semi-gods, right? So tell us about the mystery of your soul. As a reader, that's what I expect from you.

And by the way, what do you people write? What is the importance of your writing in your life? Are you prepared to put literature above anything else? If not, why not?

Rachel Tue Nov 30 21:59:08 PST 1999

RLH - You're welcome. Gezz, your makin me blush:)
Take care you
Rachel

Americo Tue Nov 30 19:29:08 PST 1999

I almost forgot to wave goodnight to papa Noel. Good night, father Christmas.

BTW; Jack, I have dragged the Santa Claus to my desktop and now I have a copy! Hope it was not copyright protected. Anyway, if I'll use it, it will be just for pedagogic purposes.

(Can only Macs do that? I would really like to know. Just drag and drop, and Quicktime does the rest. What a wonderful machine! Until it crashes, that is.)

Americo Tue Nov 30 19:21:30 PST 1999

I know, I know, I should already be in bed. But I would not like to go to dreamland without thanking you all for your posts and your company. Incidentally, I like your posts, RLH. And I also like the child in your heart. WE all have one, I guess. And Teekay, when Jon (or was it I?) said that you have an extraordinary talent to peopling your pages with characters he meant it as a compliment. When he said that those characters would be dearer to the reader if there was a sentence or a line of introduction to them he meant exactly that -- hence the word improvement somewhere in that post.

(If you do not understand now, it is not your fault, but the fault of this writer)

RLH startiki@hotmail.com Tue Nov 30 18:37:37 PST 1999

Good evening all:

Been away for a couple days. Food poison last night after eating bar-b-que and trimmings. Realized what was happening, took a spoon and went into the bathroom...well the rest is messy so I'll move on. It was a lot of fun!!!

Another day at work, delivering auto repair parts, listening to the radio and working on plot and subplot. I've got a great story inside, now all I need to do is put it down.

Rachel, thank you for your kind words in the e-mail. You're obviously a super person and we all should be like you.

Why do employers ask potential employees if they want to be writers? I've come across this 3 times in my life & cannot nail it down. Are they afraid we might be writing in our mind as we work? Well guess what? They're right!

Physical appearance?

Well...RLH is middle age outside. Inside? Somewhere between (and you should really consult with my wife on this) 15 and 21 I suppose. Age is the great leveler, so that should put me close to, emotionally speaking, uh, between 15 and 21. My wife is a blonde who likes to read. I have been compared to Kenny Rogers in appearance.

When the movie deal comes up next year (in my dreams) Faith Hill or Shania Twain are neck and neck to play the role of Andrea Abbey, a major character in my work. Well why not, seen any country videos lately? A woman I used to work with caused a family uproar one night when she wouldn't let her husband OR teenage son watch Shania's video "DON'T BE STUPID." Rather tearfully she told me. "They ran for the TV in the bedroom and left me all alone. Can you believe it?" Well... Being in control of the remote has it's drawbacks I suppose.

Yes indeed dear friends, fame, fortune and Larry King are waiting in the wings. All that darn publisher has to do is get off his kester, make a deal and sell the ---- thing!!!

See Ya!

Teekay Tue Nov 30 18:07:02 PST 1999

Sorry, just one or two more things.
1st apologees. I hope I didn't bore anybody stupid maeant that I hope I didn't bore any body into a state of stupidity not bore any body who was stupid.

2ndly. Don't you hate it when you think you've caught the noticeboard blank before it enters and then it enters it twice??

3rdly: I was thinking, how about with each entry we add some information about ourselves. Personality wise or what ever.
I'll start. I am a truly great procrastinator, but am trying to change that. I'll start tomorrow for sure!!

Bye till tomorrow.

Teekay Tue Nov 30 17:43:53 PST 1999

just went and checked the notice board and we were all around at the same time, we could have had a chat!!
Now it's too late and I must go alas alack.

description of me: now close your eyes and picture Elle McPherson. Got it?? Good very good. Now picture Elle running full pelt up the road. See her hair blowing in the wind? See her complexion, how it glows, her eyes how they sparkle? Good good very good. Now oicture Elle slamming face first into a semi trailor travelling at oh, say 50 km. Now imagine Elle after the incident.

I really shouldn't do this now when you read Teakai you will picture, well... all of the above probably.

I really am of average appearance. Good with make up (though I can't stand the feel of the gunk all over my face.)& so so with out.
Haven't scared any animals or small children. Not by looking at them anyway. Husband is able to wake up beside me without vomiting all over the place.

Long flowing tresses.. oh no wait that's Elle again. Medium length auburn hair (thank you loreal.)

Sparkling hazel eyes.(not crossed.)

A spattering of freckles in Summer dammit.

All in all spectacularly beautiful but horribly unphotogenic.
No merc. either dammit again!!

As for the soul that will reveal itself to you all as we travel this path together. We shall not put that journey into mere words but shall let it unravel in it's own pace.As we all shall, for as we should know, our own opinions of ourselves are just that. Impressions we take from the reflections of the way other people respond to us.

YEEEHAAAAAA am I on a roll today. Sorry if I have bored anybody stupid.

Jerry Ericsson jerrag@sd.cybernet.net http://www.geocities.com/soho/lofts/9304 Tue Nov 30 17:35:03 PST 1999

Looking for some reading material, check this site out -
http://www.promo.net/pg/_authors/_A_index.html
This will take you the the Gutenburg Project, a collection of E-Texts that runs into the thousands of books. An online library if you will. All the texts are available in both ZIP and TXT format, If you have trouble with zips, just download the txt format, and you can read it in your word processor. I don't know about you, but I love reading the classics, and most of them are there in whole, and freely available for the price of the download.

Teekay Tue Nov 30 17:32:26 PST 1999

Rachel Tue Nov 30 17:31:56 PST 1999

Teekay - Emma_9 is a text that is part of "Shadows"

Teekay Tue Nov 30 16:26:08 PST 1999

ALLIEN:- go pizza, go pizza go, go, go pizza. Are you putting a story into SM*. I hope so can't wait to read it. The good thing about typing onto a computer is that nobody sees the chocolate smears, right??

RHODA AMERICO:- Who is this mysterious Emma-9?????

EDDIE:- Sent you another email.

JAI:- Have you turned into the dark, mysterious stranger who haunts the outer realms of the notebook, always there lurking in the shroud like cover of the shadows, turning from the brilliant glare of the computer screen?
COME BACK JAI, I MISS YOU!!!

TO ALL, have a great day and whatever you may be doing with it do it to the best of your ability,(unless your planning to murder somebody or do something else that isn't nice.)

SEEYA.

Americo Tue Nov 30 16:21:29 PST 1999

On looks:

I only want the physical descriptions of the beautiful people. Those who do not share Jon's radiance are dispensed.

Teekay:

if you go to the archives and read the thread that dealt with the same subject of physical beauties (sometime in February, I think) you'll find that we share the same opinion about external appearance. What matters is the soul (if it exists), the mind (when there is one) and a good Mercedes.

Laura Laura97224@go.com Tue Nov 30 16:04:03 PST 1999

In a way I think teekay is right, pictures would lead to oneupsmanship, (there's a ten-thousand dollar word:)). However, I would like to know something about what the people look like, how they think and what they like. I'm a people watcher. I tend to like meeting new people so I can see what makes them tick and write better characters in turn. But really, I would like to know who some of you are, because what you know about a person who is reading your work helps you understand the comments you make. (Writer's Creedo, Know your audience.)

Teekay jtman@lisp.com.au Tue Nov 30 15:54:18 PST 1999

Hellooooo Dears,(courtesy Mrs. Doubtfire)

JON:- Bless you for the kind compliment and I think that because of it we should all remain anonymous and retain the illusions that are sometimes much better than reality rather than doing what Americo wants and sending in piccies, thus destroying the dream.
Also read your comment over and over and over and over in reference to my characters or their names and am still none the wiser. Does that mean it's good or bad? Tell me please coz I have to know, I'm a bashful child beginning to grow.(courtesy ABBA) thankyou for the music ABBA heeeeey that would make a really good song!!!) And perhaps a tad dense as well.

AMERICO:- Don't you perhaps think that maybe by sending in pictures and details it somehow puts barriers up? Sad as it may be there are those who judge people by their age, colour, creed. I am not one, but as it is I feel that we are at the moment thanks to the noticeboard, entities that come together without the limits which society usually inflicts and as such are able to be truly honest and open with our minds and feelings and our love of writing. It would be so sad for that to happen.

HOWARD:- After reading your post I feel you to be one of the worlds truly beautiful people.

JON:- If I add some strawberries or a moon to this can I add it to the workbook? There's another cueey sandwhich in it for you I'm sure.) I'm very sorry for this lengthy post it's not often that I have a lot to say what with being shy and retiring and all, but sometimes a girls gotta say what a girls gotta say.

Eddie French eddiefrench@email.com http://www.efrench.freeserve.co.uk Tue Nov 30 14:58:45 PST 1999

Hi All,
Teekay, I just emailed you with some info.
Howard, Welcome back, you've been missed.
In case I missed anyone by email, thank you for the support for my project in SM**. Your mail spurs me on!
Oh, Americo, You sure you want to know what we look like?
Later,
Ed

Laura Laura97224@go.com Tue Nov 30 13:22:15 PST 1999

Allien:

Good one. I don't really appreciate the Spice Girls so it was nice to see someone else didn't either.

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Tue Nov 30 11:57:59 PST 1999

Yes! It's time for funnies!

A young ventriloquist is touring the South and stops to entertain at a bar in Texas. He's going through his usual stupid Redneck jokes, when a big burly guy in the audience stands up and says "I've heard just about enough of your smart ass hillbilly jokes; we ain't all stupid here in the South." Flustered, the ventriloquist begins to apologize, when the big guy pipes up, "You stay out of this mister, I'm talking to the smart ass little fella on your knee!"

One day, Hanson and the Spice Girls were all on an airplane, and they get into a discussion when Baby Spice stated "You know, I could toss a thousand dollars out the window of this plane and make one person very happy."
Then, the oldest Hanson brother said, "Well, I could toss ten one hundred dollar bills out the plane and make ten people happy."
Then Sporty Spice said, "Well, I could toss one hundred, ten dollar bills out, and make one hundred people happy!"
Then the middle Hanson brother very proudly said, "Well, I could toss one thousand, one dollar bills out the window and make one thousand people happy!"
Sick of the discussion, another passenger said, "Well, I have a better idea, I could toss all of you out the window and make the entire world happy!"

Americo Tue Nov 30 11:18:12 PST 1999

Rhoda,

I've sent you Emma-9 on the body of an e-mail. Hope you get it and all your computer troubles end soon. I do not like Windows. I do not even understand how people can use such a system. Only because of habit or ignorance that something better exists, I suppose.

Laura Laura97224@go.com Tue Nov 30 09:11:53 PST 1999

Well, I'm off to class.

(If any of you are into Highlander fanfic, the 7th dimension archive is one of the best places to go.)

Laura Laura97224@go.com Http://www.seventh-dimension.simplenet.com Tue Nov 30 08:54:52 PST 1999

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd drop a line and see how everyone is doing.
I have class at 09:30 PST. It is just before nine now.) I really don't want to go to class. And I definately don't want to think about the fact that only two weeks are left. This week and next week, and then finals. Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Tue Nov 30 08:41:24 PST 1999

Just a nice good morning to clear the sky on this new day.

People: you must give more of yourselves to the Notebook. This in case you have something more to give, of course.

laura Laura97224@go.com Mon Nov 29 21:59:50 PST 1999

I just posted something to the Short Story Archive, what do you think? (Fogive the typo's.)

Laura

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Mon Nov 29 19:13:10 PST 1999

Hi Laura - Actually, my M&M's are leftover from Halloween. Usually, chocolate in my house has a life expectancy of about 5 seconds. This year, I seem to have mastered this willpower thing. I'm writing a novel that can be found on my webpage. I hope one day to get it published. A lot of my friends absolutely love it, so I think it'll be popular with kids my age.

Teekay - Supreme pizza, yummy. I don't much care for Jalapinos, but I LOVE mushrooms, and olives and onions. I try to stay away from red meat and stuff that's got lots of fat in it - at least after today's sports med. class I'm going too. You wouldn't believe the stuff that builds up in your arteries. Yuck! The good thing is that spicy food, oatmeal and apples help to clear that stuff out. I can't handle spicy food though - my mouth is too sensitive.

Well, people, I'm off.
*hugs to all*
Allein

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Mon Nov 29 18:49:34 PST 1999

Yes, Howard, life is good.
I was going to bed but it's always the Notebook I kiss lastbutone. And read your post. It reminded me that I could never grasp the last word my father said to me. Since then I keep thinking of that word. One day I'll finish it for him or I'll understand what his unfinished word meant and realize it was a full word-- the only possible word.
I also read Jack's post.
Gosh, I really need your pictures. Make them with beard and moustache but red lips.

Jon first and Americo a contre-coeur agsousa@esoterica.pt Mon Nov 29 18:29:29 PST 1999

Oh, dear! Now we'll have a new thread. REAL physical appearance. I need to know (urgently) how you, shadows, REALLY look like. Teekay is of course a beautiful Australian blond with blue eyes and a quick intelligence and an extraordinary talent for peopling a page with character (or at leat their names...we must improve here, Teekay) RLH a middle-aged gentleman with a leaning to brunettes, a field where Gary excells. Laura is responsible for the dreams of half a city (the other half is just looking at her as she walks like the girl of Ipanema -- don't ask, Teekay, that's Brazialian supercharm--. But what about
Lydia
Cassandra
Avatar
Howard = Howard= yes, Howard, this is for Shadows, two sentences for immortality
Hayden
Sqrl
Goodweed
SNArly
Olivia
and, last but first, Eddie. Who else?

On second thoughts, it's Aline who should deal with this very brief physionomic gallery of fictional characters in a dream. She is the graphics artist of the Notebook after all.

Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwiters.com Mon Nov 29 18:12:15 PST 1999

Hello all: Have not heard word back about my friend who had his biopsy last week, but I am thinking healing thoughts and prayer in his direction. Just got off the phone with Adaptec tech support. Long times on hold on long distance were annoying, but in the end they were friendly, helpful and more important successful in getting things back up and running.

So, my Christmas CD-ROM is back on track. Everyone who would like a copy when I do in fact complete it, please email me with your snail mail address and I will send it your way. Specify your platform so I have some idea. This will be part experiment for me in that I am sure of what it will look like on a Windows environment, but think I will have to take a visit to Kinkos to make sure everything runs smoothly on the Mac.

I will have video from Australia, fireworks here and other tidbits along with commentary.

And, I think I actually have time to make a stab at my SM story as well now that this is out of the way. :-)

Take care everyone and hope the midi carols are not annoying to people.

howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Mon Nov 29 18:11:07 PST 1999

Hi Americo --
Yeah, I guess it's best not to promise anything, at least not right now. I promised myself I'd take it easy after I retired, but now I'm busier than ever!
About the only time I get to slow down is the time spent with my dad. He's about to leave us. I'm not done learning from him, but he's going anyway. He's tired, and hurting, after a severe stroke that has left him a shadow of what he was. He's a grey shadow, but still beautiful to me, and I love him.
I turn from him to see another beauty -- my 9 month old grandson, Stephen, who's visiting (with his mom) from Arizona. Dad smiled at him too, and recognized him from his pictures. We took a picture of the two of them together, both smiling -- one in anticipation and the other at memories... no, both in anticipation, I think. We asked dad if he was afraid, and he smiled and asked "What is there to be afraid of?" He has friends there, too.
I am fortunate, to have both of them at the same time.
Life is good.
howard

Americo Mon Nov 29 17:43:38 PST 1999

Rhoda,
Thanks for your today's files. Emma_9 must be in Perryton, Texas, by now. Hope you like it.

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Mon Nov 29 17:40:28 PST 1999

Allein is a chocoholic, I am a Shadowsholic (and soon a Strawberriholic), Santa Claus is a waveholic and Howard a fugitiveholic. What is Hootie?

No stories today? No cucumber sandwiches for Jon. You people have no heart?

Teekay Mon Nov 29 16:31:07 PST 1999

ALLIEN:- thanks. No I've never ever ever seen an add for AOL. Are they on TV or the internet? If they're on TV we don't get them here in Oz and if they're on the internet I haven't paid them any attention. Your writing about chocolate made me feel like a pizza. Supreme, no pepperoni, xtra mushrooms and jallipinoes please.

AMERICO:- Bless your kind heart.

Oh yes and make it thin and crispy. The pizza that is, not Americos heart. And large.

Laura Laura97224@go.com Mon Nov 29 15:07:18 PST 1999

I Just posted chapter 2.

Laura Laura97224@go.com Mon Nov 29 14:51:27 PST 1999

Hi Allein,

I wish, I don't even have enough money to buy M&M's. What do you write? Are you hoping to get Published?

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Mon Nov 29 12:20:32 PST 1999

Hi Laura,
My name is Allein and I'm a chocoholic. It's been about 2 seconds since my last bite of chocolate (I'm sitting here in the school library eating M&M's - shhh, we're not supposed to do that). Luckily, they're well concealed in my cute little backpack. :)
*hugs*
Allein

Laura laura97224@go.com Mon Nov 29 09:31:05 PST 1999

Hi everyone!

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Mon Nov 29 06:49:41 PST 1999

Teekay - AOL is short for America Online, an Internet provider. No doubt you've seen their annoying commercials everywhere. Incedently these commercials promising great access, fast connections and lots of other perks, always seem to pop up when I'm frustrated with AOL.
Anyway, I hope that answered your question.
*hugs*
Allein

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Mon Nov 29 05:57:13 PST 1999

Rhoda,
I've just sent you the file Emma8+Aline3 (Rh1129). Let us try to present Jack with a marvelous best-seller before Christmas!

Howard,
I am really happy to see you back. You will not go away now, I promise (well, I can't promise that, can I? Jon promises.) The Notebook has become a place of work and learning. Check "Strawberries and a Moon" (in the Workbook) and you will be delighted. We have great writers here now. The latest acquisition is Teekay.

Eddie,
absolutely! And Jack Dooley is right. A father with 25 years is an old man. When I was a boy I thought that 14 was the maximum for a decent human being. Now I think it's 140. Your texts give a very interesting (and true) image of childhood vision of the world (well, J's world).

Teekay Sun Nov 28 23:38:01 PST 1999

Hey every one.
RHODA & ALLEIN:- Hi guys. Whats AOL?

EDDIE:- Yes absolutely up to standard. I've sent you an email.

Rachel Sun Nov 28 19:34:19 PST 1999

Hi Howard - Nice to see yah!
Take care you
Rachel

Howard htuckey@stny.rr.com Sun Nov 28 19:28:40 PST 1999

Stretched
like an elastic band
released
snapping back through
previous domains
trying
to regain a former visage
boinnnng
ouch!

I'm baaack! (This *is* back, isn't it?) Dunno for how long, but hi to all who are still here, and hello to all who are here since I was not.

howard

Eddie French eddiefrench@email.com http://www.efrench.freeserve.co.uk Sun Nov 28 16:10:21 PST 1999

Teekay,
I have just been into SM** and got your post. I will read it later tonight.
I have added one more day in the life of young Jack.
it is entitled:
THE CALLING, LAMB STEW ON WEDNESDAY, AND FIRST LOVE.
I hope it is up to standard. You can always write me if it is not.
Please do!
Later,
Ed.

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Sun Nov 28 09:13:46 PST 1999

Rhoda,

I sent you a second e-mail to your Sheherazade address. S* is (still) waiting for you.

Have a nice Sunday, everyone.

Rhoda Scheherazade1001@aol.com Sat Nov 27 23:09:34 PST 1999

Opps,

I messed up on the e-mail address in the below post. It should be right here.

Rhoda Scheherazade1001 Sat Nov 27 23:08:17 PST 1999

Americo,

I am sorry, but I went back and found that I had set up mail controls on that internet address. That is probably why your e-mail did not work. I took the filters off. Try it again, and it should work. I'm sorry for the inconvience.

Allein,

I would love to chat on AOL anytime.

Jack,

Would you be able to send me the address to Workbook gateway. The bookmark and the e-mail giving the address was on my Netscape. If you do send the information, please send to the above aol e-mail address.

Have a good evening, everyone!

Rhoda

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Sat Nov 27 21:15:15 PST 1999

Sqrl - Thanx.

Rhoda - I'm also on AOL under the screen name Lunika, so if you wanna chat sometime, just send an IM. :)
Allein

RLH startiki@hotmail.com Sat Nov 27 20:50:08 PST 1999

Americo: Thank you for your thoughts related to my mother-in-law and her fight with cancer. She has shown some improvement in the last few days. Still God has her in His/Her mighty hand and the choice is His/Hers. (Gender unspecific...just in case)

Jack: How can I get into the SM you folks are using?

Again, thanks Americo. RLH

RLH startiki@hotmail.com Sat Nov 27 20:43:28 PST 1999

Dreams...again.

A dream two nights ago was different than the type that usually drift through my nights. This one was not visual, full of illusional images with conflicting sub-plots. Sound, interspaced with two words composed this dream. The sound was as a strong wind alive with blustery intensity. The brisk wind at twilight when an approaching blue norther promises a bitter cold night. The cleansing wind that removes the last leaves of summer and scatters them across remote isolated pastures. The moaning wind that breaks tiny twigs and deposits them on the roof. The ill wind that makes babies cry and dogs whine and move closer to the fire. That kind of wind... Sound streamed through the dream and in the background I heard two words repeated...

Ascend ... Descend.

Well now.

Was this a statement on my past?
Possibly a comment on the present?
An omen of the future?
Pure nonsense?

Ascend to old age?
Descend to dreams of youth and regret?
Reminders of mortality?
A hint of mockery?

Ascend as my novel sells?
Descend as the manuscript drops to the trash can?
A note on my past sex life?
Future Viagra prescriptions?

Possibly we all put too much into dreams...maybe we don't pay enough attention to dreams?

I love the rock group Eagles.

"Lighten up while you still can,
Don't even try to understand.
Just find a place and make your stand
And take it easy."

Goodnight all.

Sqrl Sqrlmunk55@aol.com www.netcolony.com/entertainment/squirrelmunk Sat Nov 27 19:13:31 PST 1999

ALLEIN! YOUR STORY IS GREAT!

Sqrl

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Sat Nov 27 17:33:23 PST 1999

Rhoda, I'm afraid your Scherahazade address is not working. My e-mail was returned with a note of "user unknown". I used the address indicated in your post. Sorry.

Good night, folks. Happy Sunday.

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Sat Nov 27 11:55:17 PST 1999

I've just sent you an e-mail to your Scheherazade (AOL?)address. Just words of comfort for distressing situations such as computer crashes.

Now, keep it cool and everything will be all right soon. Jon's here asking me to tell you that he loves your Scheherazade name. We'll give him some extra food tonight.

Rhoda Scheherazade1001@aol.com Sat Nov 27 09:59:57 PST 1999

Americo,

I cannot receive e-mail from my old address yet. I used to do my e-mail on netscape. The problem is that I tried all last night to load netscape from the website, and being a two hour download, it did not work. I have bought the disk and hope to get it in the mail soon.

I do, however, have an AOL account. I can do e-mail from that once I am able to set up my AOL software again. I hope to do that tonight. You might try sending me the last installation of Shadows to the e-mail address above. If I am successful in getting back to AOL I can work on it and finish before the Netscape disk arrives in the mail.

A word of advice to all of you. If you have Microsoft Explorer on your computer, do not reload Windows from your disk. That is how we ruined it.

I hate this version of Microsoft Internet Explore we are using. It is better than nothing, I guess. At least I can communicate with the Notebook.

Jack,

My partner in misfortune. Good luck with your Windows 98.

Happy Writing and Happy Computing!

Rhoda

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Sat Nov 27 03:57:23 PST 1999

"the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach."
Not quite sure of that, Teekay. Yet your story might very well have saved Jon's starving life.

Rhoda. Glad it was only your computer that crashed. I was thinking that you had run away with S*.

Jack Beslanwitch Sat Nov 27 01:13:18 PST 1999

Rhoda: Having my own tales of woe due to an unavoidable reinstallation of Windows 98 I mentioned earlier, I sympathize and hope you get things back together soon. Take care.

Rachel Fri Nov 26 20:09:37 PST 1999

Rhoda - Hope you get all your computer troubles cleared up.
Take care you
Rachel

Rhoda rfort@arn.net Fri Nov 26 12:23:46 PST 1999

Hello folks,

My husband and I messed up our computer in an attempt to reload Windows 95. After some help from technical support I have my Windows running again. I still have to reload every single thing I had and that will take some time.

I hope to be back and running soon. Meantime all I can do is lurk and write messages here.

My next goal is to get back Netscape and set up my e-mail again.

Wish me luck,

Rhoda

Fri Nov 26 03:22:26 PST 1999

make that firewire streaming video and not livewire. A few too many JD and cokes I am afraid.

Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwiters.com http://www.webwitch.com/posi-web/australia.html Fri Nov 26 03:16:56 PST 1999

Well, Thanksgiving went over well. The honey brined turkey was a success, as was the mulled (aka merlot laced) cranberries and, as always, the appropriately named Ultimate Pumpkin Pie. My friend who potentially has breast cancer had his biopsy yesterday and will get the final results on Monday. He was here.

I am a little bumbed since yesterday I was forced to reinstall Windows. This screwed up the installation of my livewire streaming video capture card. As near as I can make out it is an IRQ conflict or something involving CMOS. Bummer. Particularly given I plan to put together a Christmas CD-ROM with video from our Australia trip, thoughts, reflections and other. If anybody is interested in this, send me your snail mail address via private email and I will endeavor to send them out when I have the hardware capability of putting it all together. Of course I will have to rethink things if I get thousands of requests, but I suspect that unlikely here.

You will also notice that I have replaced the rambo turkey with Santa and a bit of music. For those not necessarily of the Christian persuasion, be patient. I am hunting down a Menorrah to post around Hannukah time and will be switching things as I have time to liven things up. I wish seasons greetings to all whether they are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Wiccan, Athiest, Theist or otherwise subscribing to an idea and not a belief. Oh, and everyone may consider their noses lightly touched and me saying 'boooop' If you do not understand that reference, go see Dogma

:-)

Teekay jtman@lisp.com.au Fri Nov 26 02:31:36 PST 1999

Hi All:- I hope that to all whom it applies enjoyed Thanksgiving.
We don't have thanksgiving here. We don't have halloween here either. It's really very sad. I've always wanted to do the halloween thing. I've also wanted a white Christmas, but we don't have that here either, and I don't think we have rutabagers or studabakers, but we do unfortunately have Dr. Peppers.

JON:- You shall eat tonight ( or today, I can't keep up.) for I have posted another effort in S** and this time I have even named it. Twice.( I think this calls for double helpings don't you? Mmmm Mmmmm bring on those cuuies.)

Also we do have Asterix here, if he is that little comic man.

Must run, have piles of absolutely nothing to do.

Arividerci.

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Thu Nov 25 23:30:36 PST 1999

Well, I had a lovely Thanksgiving. I wrote for a while, watched TV, took a nap and then I ate dinner with my family - chicken (no Turkey, Dad didn't want to carve a turkey and have lots of leftovers), mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, corn and my mother's crescent rolls which are to die for. Is anyone hungry yet.
After that my boyfriend came over and spent the whole evening in my brother's room playing video games. I was downstairs with my mom watching movies and eating popcorn. :)
Anyway, I hope everyone else had a nice day, even if you don't celebrate the holiday.
Bai bai,
Allein

Rachel Thu Nov 25 18:15:50 PST 1999

Dr. Kirk - I have never heard of any cat who went to the dentist so often! Come to think of it, I don't think I ever heard of a cat who went to the dentist at all... As for my story, it is not ready to save Jon. It still needs some work.

Take care you
Rachel

Dr Kirk Thu Nov 25 18:02:01 PST 1999

Rachel, please do not do that. I am trying to get rid of that terrible cat. Imagine that he does not like Jack's wonderful turkey!

BTW: it is not true that I only give Jon a cucumber sandwich (one of these ridiculous things only the English - the American also? - can eat; sorry Eddie, I like fish and chips though). I also take him to the dentist's three or five times a week. The dentist is an old friend of mine who used to be a blacksmith before he killed his horse with a hammer. He also fixes window blinds.

Rachel danolson@sprint.ca Thu Nov 25 16:35:10 PST 1999

Americo - Jon will not vanish. I will be putting in a story in the next day or so. I just want to look it over a bit more.
Take care you and have a nice weekend.
Rachel

Correction Thu Nov 25 16:13:24 PST 1999

Americo

Correction Thu Nov 25 16:12:36 PST 1999

Your fate will not be enviable either.

Correction Thu Nov 25 16:11:27 PST 1999

Oops!
His life is in YOUR hands.

Americo Thu Nov 25 16:10:10 PST 1999

No new story for SM++ (two crosses, bad omen) again. I had an idea. Since Jon will only eat if you feed him (a story a sandwich, no story no sandwich), he will evaporate (like Rhoda) in, let us say, 30 days? How many days can a person live without food?

His life is in his hands. Take advantage of this marvelous opportunity to get rid of that awful cat!

(Of course, your fate will not be too good as well!)

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Thu Nov 25 15:28:54 PST 1999

Hi people,
I just finished my first short story (the anorexia one - it's a little early for the Christmas one). I'm so happy. If anyone wants to read it, just tell me and I'll e-mail you a copy.

Rachel, Sqrl - You'll be getting copies anyway. :)
Allein

Rachel Thu Nov 25 14:54:29 PST 1999

All - Uh, okay. I hope you all enjoy yourselves today (grins).
Take care all
Rachel

Eddie French eddiefrench@email.com http://www.efrench.freeserve.co.uk Thu Nov 25 13:03:30 PST 1999

Hi everyone across the big pond.
I have just watched the Thanksgiving episode of 'The Simpsons' (Hilarious) It just reminded me to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of our American friends.
This holiday means absolutely nothing to us on the East side of the pond, but I know how much it means over there. (One more little nugget that the internet provides)
Let's see some more entries into SM**. This is a project which has really got my creative juices flowing. I have enjoyed reading all of the entries. Let's have some more!
Later,
Ed

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Thu Nov 25 10:15:37 PST 1999

Rachel - Actually, Thanksgiving is today, but that's okay. I'll try to make it a great day.

It's ironic that on the day most people decide to stuff themselves, I'm writing a story about when Quachik was young and developing anorexia.
I can smell something yummy cooking downstairs! :)
Allein

Rachel Thu Nov 25 08:53:54 PST 1999

Hi all,

I have not been into SM for several days. Now I go off to have a good read. I have managed another day off! I am so happy (big bright smile). I am going to write, write, write. Okay, first I am going to read SM. Then I am going to write, write, write. The phone is getting turned off (even brighter smile). I hope all those who celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday enjoyed themselves.

Take care all
Rachel

Jerry Ericsson Thu Nov 25 07:39:28 PST 1999

Oh, I forgot, HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!! As I sit here before my TV watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Thu Nov 25 07:37:48 PST 1999

Teekay, thanks for the kind comment on my story. The rudabager (not sure of the spelling without my spell checker either) is a delectable vegetable. When fully mature, it is about six inches in diameter, and is, I think a member of the cabage family. It is a root crop, that is it grows beneath the ground. When peeled, it is a light orange color. The taste is very unique, but wonderful. It is used in many soups and stewes in this neck of the woods. The car you are thinking of was the Studabaker. That was indeed a wonderful old car. I learned to drive in an old Stuadabaker (not sure of the spelling on that one either) pickup, that belonged to my uncle. When he passed away, my father and I took over his business and ran it for my aunt. We did custom bailing of hay. My father drove the tractor pulling the bailer, and I followed from farm to farm in that old pickup. Several of my relatives owened Stuadabaker cars, they went out of business in the early 60's their only crime was that they were way ahead of their time in design.

Jon Thu Nov 25 07:32:49 PST 1999

Help!
(Next time it will be two helps, and so forth).
A* (that stands for Americo, but I cannot even see that name), decided yesterday to give me ONLY a cucumber sandwich for each story published in SM**
I do not mind eating nothing just for the pleasure of nothing see on the 2nd tabula rasa of SM** I love blank spaces. The problem is at night. If I eat nothing I nothing can do to Pussy at night. And she does not like that. So please, please, at least a cucumber sandwich a day!
Your starving admirer,
Jon
PS Is the turkey still looking at me with those terrible eyes? I will not gaze, I will not stare, I will not look.

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Thu Nov 25 07:25:09 PST 1999

Jack: and thanks for your Notebook. WE all love it, and also love you and Fran. And this is absolutely sincere. What else could be expected from a pagan like me? Nobody, no God, no Nothing to please. Just my pure heart.

BTW: Besides pagan, I am also Catholic. Just for the sake of my country's History and tradition. In my mind I am only pagan. My favorite God is a Goddess. Minerva.

Allein: whenever you feel down just let me know and I'll send you a magic potion that cures all evils. Asterix's recipe.

People: Do you know Asterix on that side of the Atlantic?

Teekay: I do not care about commas, but Jon, the cat, cannot stand errors of any sort. He shouts, "These people are very slovenly. They know nothing. " And sentences like that. An abominable cat.

RLH: I have been thinking (my way of praying) for your mother-in-law. And for you and your family. WE here sometimes say nothing, just silently feel.

PS. I suspect Jon has something to say. Hear him not.

Teekay Thu Nov 25 03:26:24 PST 1999

To those of you who have not yet read Jerry's 'Prisoner of the mind', I fear I have given away the end.
I hope you've all read it, if not then I'm really, really sorry-again.
Sorry.
I hate it when people tell you the end of the story.
I'm starting to ramble,

it's time to go to bed. I hope those of you that it applies to are enjoying your
thanksgiving. We don't have it
here, but if we did it
would be over by now.

Goodnight.

I have
broken this up into
easy to read segment
because big, chunks are

so daunting to read.
Really goodnight.

Teekay Thu Nov 25 03:12:52 PST 1999

LAURA:- While I was eating my dinner tonight I had this horrible revelation.( I actually gasped and nearly choked on my potato.) It came to me that I had posted your critique where the stories go. Sorry.

I hope that nobody mistakes it for a short story. A really, really boring one at that.

JERRY:- Whats a rutabager( is that how you spell it.) At the risk of sounding incredibly stupid I thought it was a car.

AMERICO:- Thanks to you I now have to stop and think where before I would just nonchalantly add a comma or two or three.

Teekay Thu Nov 25 03:04:03 PST 1999

More Questions.
Why oh why does Americo not read all the posts?

Yes. Where is Stephen King?

Some Answers.
I for one did read Jerry's piece and I was really shocked by it. I thought it was a brilliant piece of writing and I really got into that characters shoes. I was very disappointed to find that he wasn't home at all. While I was reading I kept thinking. "Oh I hope he gets his chicken, I hope he gets his chicken and there isn't a twist to this story." It was a very unexpected twist I can tell you. The thing is it just seems to go without saying that Jerry's pieces are good. Good sounds so trite, great I think is more appropriate, and I do agree with you that Jerry's future is definitely in literature. I hope mine is too.

I did comment on Eddie's story.

I don't know where you are but it's not quiet here.

Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwriters.com Wed Nov 24 23:57:18 PST 1999

Allein: Stuff away with great gusto. Just got the Ultimate Pumpkin Pies in the oven and have regular cranberry sauce and a mulled cranberry sauce with merlot and spices chilling. Turkey is sitting in a brine of coarse kosher salt, cracked pepper, honey, garlic, sprigs of thyme and water. I am very interested in how this will turn out, soaking the turkey for fourteen hours before I begin to roast it. Either way, I'll leave pictures.

Americo: I suspect the dearth of additions to SM for at least those on this side of the Atlantic is a function of being busy with preparations for Thanksgiving.

On the historical atrocities: All too true, but Thanksgiving today is about family, sharing and thanksgiving and not about the atrocities of the past. Remember we should, but celebrate the better aspects. So, in addition to regailing you with the culinary preparations, I will say my thank you's to the world.

I am thankful for:

Fran's continued good health
This community of writers in Writer's Notebook (you are often times my saving grace) and I am so glad that I began this forum three years and more ago.
friends and health and a new year to discover all kinds of wonderful new things and experiences.

Take care all

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Wed Nov 24 20:54:22 PST 1999

Americo - Actually I'm feeling much better now that I'm back on my meds. And Thanksgiving is tomorrow - I'm gonna stuff myself silly! :)

I remember that we learned about Thanksgiving in history last year. About how the Pilgrims had very little and the Native Americans brought them gifts such as turkey and corn. The Pilgrims gave the Native Americans a gift too - smallpox! The gift that keeps on giving!
Did you know that they actually had popcorn at the first Thanksgiving? Probably not. No one probably really cared either, but I just decided to share some of my knowledge.

Also, I am currently working on two short stories. No, they have nothing to do with food, well, maybe kinda - one deals with anorexia and the other has a Christmas dinner scene in it. But, even so, I'm not putting them in SM* because they have to do with my alien characters, so unless a person read my novel, they wouldn't understand. I am, however, turning these in for my Creative Writing class.

Remember to be thankful for everything that you have. But also remember that there are people in places like Africa, Kosovo and even parts of America who have so little right now. So, please, when you're sitting down to your Thanksgiving meal and giving thanks for the things you have, say a prayer for those who might not be so lucky.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!
Allein

Sqrl Sqrlmunk55@aol.com Wed Nov 24 19:06:05 PST 1999

Allein:
I'm sorry you no feel good. As a natural blonde I can empathise with you. This here blonde had a problem (more than once) where she mixed meds that shouldn't be mixed or in one case took two pills ever hour for two days, instead of 1 pill every two ours for 4 days. *ooops*
I'm glad the Sqrlmunk thing was only a dream. They are so rare and my mom saw one get run over the other day. :-(

Sqrl

RLH startiki@hotmail.com Wed Nov 24 18:36:00 PST 1999

Thanksgiving's spent in the Hill Country of Texas, are sweet memories of youth...and not without humor. My grandparents lived in a secluded heavily wooded section of Mason County. Deer and turkey abound where food markets are scarce. It goes without saying that our family never purchased a turkey for Thanksgiving. Venison, as well, was available, all one had to do was employ certain skills and God's blessings would sustain the family.

Why are Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays better at Grandmas? Because youth are seperated from the reality of preperation?

However, reality from a turkey's point of view is a question of mortality. And things change when your neck is a cantidate for the block.

Many, many years ago, Milton, an older second cousin, part cowboy, part ruffian and all Texan was given the chore of supplying the main course. My brother and I were 6 and 7 and not afraid of anything. So when Milton arrived we raced out the back screen door to view our future meal. Mom arrived at the scene, looked at our cousin, looked at Tom Turkey, looked at the rope around it's neck as it stood in the pickup bed. She turned to Milton. "Okay big shot, you brought him here alive, now you finish the job."

Milton had traded a fifth of whiskey (Old Turkey?) for a huge gobbler and drove 20 miles with the stately animal standing in the back of his pickup. We pulled the fiesty bird from the pickup and held the rope as Milton prepared to dispatch the poor animal with a 22 rifle. (Stay with me now, the ending is okay!)

He fired and the bird dropped without a quiver. My brother and I raced forward and each grabbed a leg.

Big, big mistake.

Turkeys, especially wild ones are very strong animals. Not quite able to leap tall buildings with a single bound but strong on self-preservation. They also possess powerful wings and legs. And this one had extra incentive to stay alive. The Tom was only dazed, came up fighting and not ready to be man handled by two Texas runts. He came to and despite our best efforts to let go proceded to give us an up close, down in the dirt lesson on in fighting. First he was on top of us, then we were on top of him. I had turkey feathers in my mouth, a wing beating my head and claws raking my back.

My grandfather and cousin were not helping as the uproar proceeded, that from the laughter I heard. The ranch dog raced into the fray, uncertain who to defend, but feeling he simply had to bite something, bit my leg. Mom arrived at the scene to see a rising cloud of dust, barking dog, laughing men and her two sons being assualted by Thanksgiving dinner.

About that time, Tom Turkey, deciding that retreat was the better part of valor staggered away and launched into a vertical blast off that would make NASA engineers gasp in awe. As the dust settled Mom helped us up and delivered a blistering verbal tongue lashing to her dad and cousin. Somewhere on my body hidden by wear and tear are scars from the encounter. For days I was sore all over and could taste feathers in everything I ate.

We had a Thanksgiving meal though. I believe the chicken population paid a high price for Tom Turkey's escape though. So let me give you a bit of sage advice. Wild turkeys are not slow, dimwitted, submissive birds. They will fight to live and this, I guess, is as good a lesson in life as I can think of.

Goodnight Tom Turkey wherever you are. If you're still going straight up please level off because the moon is straight ahead.

Goodnight all and Happy Holidays

Jerry and Jack. Thank you for your kind words regarding my mother-in-law.

Rachel Wed Nov 24 18:24:09 PST 1999

Hi all - I tried to go into the chat today and it would not let me in. Most days I have no problem getting in, but today I'm blocked. I wonder why?

Americo - Good night (smiles).

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Wed Nov 24 16:53:33 PST 1999

Questions
How come there is no new story in the SM** volume today?
What happened to Stephen King?
Why are you depressed sometimes, Allein?
Why did not anyone say something about the latest story of Jerry E. (Prisioner of Mind, a fine story) or the pearls written by Eddie French?
Why don't we meet one of these Springs, Eddie Fisher? Your island is not so far from (civilized) Europe. And, yes, we need a publisher (also) in London.
Why is the turkey still staring at me with those terrifying eyes?
Why am I not so happy as usual?
Why is Porto the best European soccer team?
Why is everybody so quiet?
Why cannot Jon eat only half a cucumber sandwich?
Why must we say good night every night?
Why does not a single good night be good for all week?
Why? Oh, why?
(Why isn't this a poem?)

Allein allein_anderson@hotmail.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Wed Nov 24 15:41:08 PST 1999

My hotmail addy is working again!! I can give you all Thanksgiving funnies!! :D

Rachel - Glad I could brighten your day. Please get back to me about if you can visit sometime over my winter break (I hope you got that E-mail).

Okay, funnies!! :)

New and Interesting Thanksgiving Turkey Uses

*As a blunt object to fend off your pesky cousins with.

*As a projectile to throw at the TV after Kathie Lee says,
"Aren't they a wonderful band!" for the 25th time.

*As a hood ornament.

*As a disguise so your ugly Aunt Harriet can't kiss you and say, "How much
you've grown!"

*As a football for the after-meal game.

*Fill it with whip cream - watch the fun.

*Bury in the yard; for future midnight snacks.

*If you're flying home, take the carcass as a carry-on.
See what it looks like in the X-ray machine.
Better yet, put it in a pet carrier and
ask the flight attendant for some chicken feed.

*As yet another object to drop from the top of the dorm to
test the range of the splatter upon impact.

*As a Christmas gift (avoid the holiday crowds this way!)

*As a doorstop to keep your relatives out.

*Makes a great doggie chew toy.

*Wear as a helmet, declaring, "I'm TURKEYMAN!"

*Before serving, paste feathers on the poor naked creature.

*Secretly replace with Folgers turkey crystals.

*Place a speaker inside the bird, and from another room,
amaze your guests with this talking fowl!

*Throw the turkey out the window yelling, "You're FREE! Fly! FLY!"

*Two words: Turkey puppet.

*Toss the carcass into a turkey farm to intimidate next year's stock.

*Attach to a fishing pole,
slowly drive around the neighborhood in the back of a pickup
and see how many dogs follow you.

*From a concealed location, toss in front of a passing car.
When they stop, run out screaming that they hit your dog!

*As in an old murder mystery, question all the dinner guests
in an attempt to discover who killed the guest of honor.

Raven Raven_Black_Crow@yahoo.com Wed Nov 24 06:42:23 PST 1999

Hi I need help to write an adventure story But I have no ideas for it. Please some one e-mail some ideas and Thanks

Rachel Wed Nov 24 06:28:10 PST 1999

Jai - I will send. I just am cleaning it up. I'm going to post off the first couple of chapters of my novel for you and Laura, but when I looked at it I was not happy. Fear not! I will send you some of my writing (grins).

Allein - Gasp! Oh you startled me (smiles). Thanks for the hug.

Take care all
Rachel

Jon agsousa@esoterica.pt Wed Nov 24 05:37:40 PST 1999

This warrier turkey makes my mouth water. Yes, Sir, it does. I would not like to be in its skin. No, Sir, I would not.

A* thinks that I can survive with just a cucumber sandwich a day. I hate cucumber. I'm starving. I... Well, I'd better shut up, if I want my lonely sandwich.

See you later, little turkey. On the plate, on the platter.

Jack Beslanwitch Tue Nov 23 23:12:41 PST 1999

Allein: Think the slow load was just a glitch in the server. Things are not that large here as yet. It might be a function of the Turkey adding a little overhead, but not sure. Take care and good luck with both your cold and the depression. I am off to do cranberry sauce.

Allein Lunika@aol.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Tue Nov 23 22:26:19 PST 1999

Jack - Perhaps you should archive the notebook, it's taking a while to load. I like the turkey by the way. :)

Rachel - ::sneaks up carefully, trying not to make a sound then leaps and gives Rachel the biggest hug of her life:: :)

Everyone - I'm feeling a bit better but now I feel like a true blonde. I misread the directions on the cold medicine - it's only a certain type of anti-depressant that I'm not supposed to take with the cough syrup. And it's not one of the kind that I'm on anyway. So I was sitting infront of the TV crying at an episode of a TV show that I don't normally cry about. It's the episode of Seventh Heaven where Lucy's friend dies in a car accident when she's only 14 - really sad. It reminded me of a dream I had a few days ago where I saw a Sqrlmunk get run over by a car and die. I woke up from that dream really depressed because Sqrlmunks are so cute.
Anyway, here's your funnies:

There oughta be a law... or maybe there is....
- It's illegal in Alabama to wear a fake moustache that causes
laughter in church.
- In parts of Alaska, it's illegal to feed alcohol to a moose.
- You're subject to fines and/or imprisonment for making "ugly
faces" at dogs in Oklahoma.
- In Utah, birds have the right of way on all highways.

Wanna hear a dirty joke?
A boy jumped into a mud puddle.
Wanna hear a clean joke?
He took a bath with bubbles.
Wanna hear a dirty joke?
Bubbles is the girl next door.

Bye bye people. Until tomorrow...tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow, you're only a day away!!!
Yes, singing is not one of my many talents. :)
Allein

Sqrl Sqrlmunk55@aol.com Tue Nov 23 21:00:33 PST 1999

Cool turkey!

Tue Nov 23 18:21:29 PST 1999

http://www.webwitch.com/posi-web/australia.html

Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwriters.com http://www.webwitch.com/posi-web/australi.html Tue Nov 23 18:20:27 PST 1999

Americo: Your wish is granted. There is now a tabula rasa aka blank slate for SM.

Jai: I subsituted your new version of the Watcher in the archived version of SM, so those who are so inclined can find a new version of that in that location. There is a link to the archive from the main SM page.

Teekay Tue Nov 23 18:06:32 PST 1999

EDDIE:- Wonderful. You haven't let me down. I certainly have a fondness for that little Jack. You know, I think you could make a good novel writing in that era with Jack as the main character. If you don't, I for one am going to miss Jack dreadfully.

Americo Tue Nov 23 18:04:06 PST 1999

Jai, so the name of the "Moon Dancer" (I love this title, well, this phrase) is Merry? How lovely. Thanks for letting me take her out for dinner. We'll have oysters and champagne and then... well, roast beef perhaps. A strawberry ice cream to cap it all. As for the coffee, MOKA, but never, never, "strawberry coffee". Your character was right. That must be disgusting. After dinner we'll go dance. And then we'll watch some soccer. Or perhaps she does not mind a game of chess. I am absolutely mad about chess. And I play well. I was a member of the chess team of my College, St Antony's. That's the only thing I am proud of in my entire life. If anyone wants a game of chess, just tell.

Bye.

Americo Tue Nov 23 17:54:00 PST 1999

Jack, please, please, another slate for SM** !!! I cannot open the first anymore, it's so full.

Jon is furious because of the turkey upstairs. He wants to eat it. He complains that the NOtebook has become "too heavy for his frail shoulders." He means: too loaded for "his" computer. He says that my Mac is "his computer". I must reduce his diet of two sandwiches a day. One is enough for such a lazybones.

Good night. I am watching midnight soccer. And Porto is going to win this match against Sparta of Prague. At least they are playing better.

Jai Jai@towersoft.com.au Tue Nov 23 17:49:05 PST 1999

Rachel - *Frown* Tut tut tut. You better young miss, I don't want any more of your empty promises.

Americo - Well that peice was suposed to be it. But it's kind of growing one me, that character has so much more to tell, so much more to learn. I can feel a novel sized peice calling me there and I'm not sure I want to resist. However I do have other commitments so you may have to be patient. And feel free to take Merry for a drive, I think she'd like that.

Jai

Teekay jtman@lisp.com.au Tue Nov 23 17:48:42 PST 1999

EDDIE:- HI. I just read your notice and am so excited I'm off to read your latest contribution.

By the way Dr. Pepper hasn't been all that long in Australia. I think it tastes terrible. It reminds me of medicine I had to take as a kid. ~ Shudder~

Teekay. Tue Nov 23 17:43:19 PST 1999

LAURA:- Hi. Have posted a critique on your story.

Eddie French eddiefrench@email.com http://www.efrench.freeserve.co.uk Tue Nov 23 17:43:14 PST 1999

I almost forgot again, What is it about Snickers (TM) and soldiers. many years ago the venerable Snickers bar went by another name in England. While on active service I made sure that I had at least one a day. Even now invariably, my midday meal consists of no more than a Snickers bar and a bottle of Dr. Peppers.

It was called a 'Marathon' way back when.
Later,
Ed

Eddie French eddiefrench@email.com http://www.efrench.freeserve.co.uk Tue Nov 23 17:36:49 PST 1999

Evening everybody,
SM** has taken off like a virtual rocket! Fantastic.
I have just posted the third episode of young Jack Dooleys' dinner days. It's entitled:
Monday is the Day that the Bannana Boat comes in to the Little Dock.
By the way, It's all perfectly true!
I am reading all of the entries in SM** and I will try to crit each and every one. Please reciprocate.
Later,
Ed

Rachel Tue Nov 23 13:58:48 PST 1999

Hi all - Wow, what a day off I am having. I am getting so much writing, organizing, editing done. I am so happy. I have been writing since 8am and I think it is 2pm or something. This is my idea of a dream day (big happy smile). I have only taken a couple of short breaks. Mostly to pop in here and to write a couple of letters. Now I have to get back to it. Tonight I plan to go in and read the new stuff in SM. My mouth waters (smiles).

Jai - I will send you something.

Laura - I will send you more of The Honeymoon story.

Gary - You lurker you (smiles).

Americo - I would be happy to help you with Strawberries in a Moon. I am enjoying working on Shadows and would be happy to go into another project with you. Let me know.

Arik - The turkey would have been done by Jack. He has left a couple of very nice pictures on this site over time. One in particular I am sure you would have loved. It was of a skeleton astride a dolphin. The dolphin was flying through what appeared to be another world. Just as a fantasy writer I bet it would make your imagination race. You should look for it back in the archives.

Take care all
Rachel

Laura Laura97224@go.com Tue Nov 23 12:53:30 PST 1999

I just posted something else to SM. I think those who liked the first one will like it. I remembered to title it this time.

Laura Laura97224@go.com Tue Nov 23 12:52:41 PST 1999

Arik Nesis@actcom.co.il Tue Nov 23 12:37:42 PST 1999

Nice picture! who made it?

Jon Tue Nov 23 11:50:10 PST 1999

I agree with A* entirely for the first time in my life. I never thought there were writers here. Thought just blahblahbers. I was wrong (for the first time in my life).

The problem is that's me who has to read the manuscripts and correct the English. A* only gives moral support and a little sandwich from time to time. So S** is a great book but for the first time in my life I am not amusing myself.

This is an appeal for charity!

Jon, PPR

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Tue Nov 23 11:43:09 PST 1999

Jack, would you kindly open a second slate for SM**? With 134 kb, the first has become painfully slow for opening. It took me almost 15 minutes a moment ago, but I could not resist having a look at Jarry Ericsson's new story: "Prisoner of the Mind".

Jerry E., you are becoming the great revelation of this project. Like Rachel in S* (I already knew about the talent of Rhoda, Allein and Jack).

I have enjoyed all the stories so far (it will be painful to choose the best from the lot, but I hope someone will help me). The stories I liked best were Rachel's, Jerry E's first one, all the production of Eddie, Teekay's "Rumballs", Jerry Lee's "The Short Life of LN", Laura's "Remembrance", and I am also curious about tomorrow's meeting of Jai's character with the "Moon Dancer" ( I would like to go for a drive with this dancer, Jai allowing of course). Please forgive me if I have forgotten anyone, but I am writing very quickly and not thinking much.

We need a publisher urgently! (Or perhaps an honest agent, if there is any in the world.)

See you later with more news about literature and life.

Gary S gsouza@corc.net Tue Nov 23 10:55:24 PST 1999

Lurk lurk lurk.

Rachel Tue Nov 23 10:14:03 PST 1999

Laura - I'll send it a couple of chapters at a time. Just let me know when you are ready for more.
Take care you
Rachel

Laura Laura97224@go.com Tue Nov 23 09:07:48 PST 1999

Well, I have to go to class, be back later today.

Laura Laura97224@go.com Tue Nov 23 08:58:11 PST 1999

Rachel:

I don't mind if it is long. I will give you all the help I can but I don't know if sending it all at once is a good idea with my slow computer. It would take me forever to load it.

Tue Nov 23 08:55:37 PST 1999

You can fix the spelling. I never remember how to spell it. (yes a writer can have words that they have forgotten how to spell.) I always spell it wrong.

Laura

Rachel Tue Nov 23 08:55:07 PST 1999

Laura - I will send you some more of that story, but brace yourself it is long (grins). I'll send it to you a couple of chapters at a time if you would like, but I do not think I would post the whole thing in the notebook. It is a completed story, so you could follow it from start to end if you would like. Just be sure to let me know if you get bored. Honest, it wouldn't hurt my feelings just make me realize that it was time to go back and give it a look. So, sure I'll be glad to send you more of the story, as long as you promise to be honest with me.

PS - When I say long I am not kidding, it is a full length novel.

Take care you
Rachel

Hi Alline (big smile and a hug)

Jai - I am just off to skip along my story files, I am sure I will find something interesting to send off to you (grins). Look out! Incoming!!!!!!!!

Americo - Hiyah!

Rhoda - How is Shadows moving along for you? How are the kiddies? Did you have a nice Thanksgiving? I bet your house was BUSY! You must have spent the day working your butt off in the kitchen, or did the kiddies help out? I have the picture in my mind. They came to help and it turned out not to be the sort of help you were looking for (grins). You know I love to put out a big meal. Love to entertain. Sure it can be a lot of work, but I really do like it.
Take care you
Rachel

Gary - You still out there

John Vaugh - Did I scare you away?

Take care all
Rachel

Jerry A.G. Ericsson jerrag@sd.cybernex.net Tue Nov 23 07:16:26 PST 1999

Greetings all, and thanks for the comments.

Americo, left you another in SM** - may be the last for a short time, as I have to take my wife to a specialist, she has been having pain in her leg, the Dr's have traced it to her hip, and she may need a total hip replacement.

Jerry

Tue Nov 23 05:34:43 PST 1999

Only the spelling, Laura.

Americo Tue Nov 23 05:33:35 PST 1999

Jai, "The Watcher".

"There is so much more to life, so much more than people think, so much more."

A new person in our life can work miracles and help us find that great truth. Hope the Moon Dancer helps... There is so much pent-up love to give in the big heart of your character that I do not doubt that the meeting with the girl will be successful. I suppose your juvenile text is just the beginning of a love-story. Who is afraid of love stories? "Essen" is not French for coffee, but it's German for food, so we are at home. Isn't "The Moon Dancer" more important in your story than "The Watcher"? Perhaps not. Only the ending will tell. Hope it's a happy ending.

Teekay Tue Nov 23 02:40:52 PST 1999

Hi everybody. Just reading the posts and realized that I'd forgotten to put my name to it. The one on Saturday that is. So not to worry, it was just me.

Laura Mon Nov 22 21:02:18 PST 1999

Jerry:

Kudos to you. (Sorry, I had to check the name on the post.) What do you think about mine in SM and my Novel scene. (If you read it, remember that the halves are in reverse order.)

Jack Beslanwitch jack@forwriters.com Mon Nov 22 21:01:05 PST 1999

Jai: If you wanted it posted to Workbook and replace your earlier version then it goes to me.

Laura Laura97224@go.com Mon Nov 22 20:58:08 PST 1999

Amerigo:

The title I originally wrote is "Rememberance", which is the title of the cremony that Curtis was the Caller for. I can't think of any other name that would fit his society. What is wrong with the title?

Rachel:
Sorry, wrong post. I meant the one called THE HONEYMOON. I was in the wrong section. I was looking at one and thinking of another.

I write Science Fiction, I loved "Strawberries on the moon." I thought you treated it well. I think all you would need to make it better is a little more scenery in some spots. (I need to know what things look like if it is that short.)

Allein Lunika@aol.com http://alleinanderson.8m.com Mon Nov 22 20:17:37 PST 1999

Hi people,
Hotmail is being retarded (again! - I'm seriously thinking about leaving the service) so I can't even get into my account. If anyone needs or just wants to e-mail me, please e-mail to my AOL address listed above.
Thanks,
Allein

Jai Jai@towersoft.com.au Mon Nov 22 19:38:47 PST 1999

Hmm, if I want to update my story do I send it to Jack or Americo?

Rachel Mon Nov 22 19:00:20 PST 1999

Laura - I can't remember what I posted. Was it the story about the nice couple, or the story about the weird and freaky family? Let me know. Those are the only two that I can think of that I posted in there. Take care you
Rachel

Americo Mon Nov 22 18:02:54 PST 1999

"The Watcher" by our own Jai. Still warm and appetizing. And in an easy place to go: the Workbook.

I will read it. And you?
I will say something about it. And you?
I thank Jai for all of you.

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Mon Nov 22 17:54:16 PST 1999

"No matter what they tell you in school, getting around on the moon is difficult at best, and with one leg missing and using crutches, it gets harder."

Jerry Ericsson, No one woud resist reading your story if you had started it with the sentence quoted above. If you want a little exercise, re-write it beginning with it and see what happens. Do not copy any of your sentences, just write using your memory of the first version or following the impulse that led you to write it. I am curious to know if the story becomes better or worse. It will certainly become different.

I am not a fan of stories that mention travels to the moon and Luna Cities and Alpha Omega things, so I cannot review your story. Yet I think that what you did you did well. You'll find here people who love that stuff -- they are in a better position than me to appreciate your text. I liked the more earthly things in the story and the way you moved through it. The crutches belong to the character not to the author, who seems to have the necessary qualifications to go far in the run to posterity (or at least publication).

----
Laura: your story is quite nice and deserves some words of appreciation. But how do you expect any one to read it if you entitle it "Rememberences" (sic)?
-----
People: please read your fellow writers and criticise their work. We are here to practise and to learn. Authors should also learn how to swallow criticism, even when apparently unjust. As Jerry Ericsson says, "there really ain't no justice".

Jai Jai@towersoft.com.au Mon Nov 22 17:46:24 PST 1999

There! I posted something for SM** ;p

Americo agsousa@esoterica.pt Mon Nov 22 15:46:23 PST 1999

Jerry Lee: you are absolutely right - no need to tell everything. Literature is the art of detail but also of suggestion. If you also like "The Short Life of LN" rather than the pre