| Author | Message | ||
| ~M~
Board Administrator Username: mjm Post Number: 7316 Registered: 11-1998 |
Dearest Membership -- just a short note to let you all know that the eagle has landed! We are back and will be getting down to work shortly. My first order of business, of course, is judging last week's Creativity Challange. My sincerest apologies to all the entrants for the late judging and announcement. As Lisa told you, we were virtually computerless (no power supply and only about 3 hours of battery life for four days -- it usually takes me that long or longer just to read all the Challenge entries and make my decision). I will be doing that shortly. I just walked in, threw down my bags, and ran to the computer. Haven't even eaten yet or checked to see if we were burglarized while we were gone. *LOL* In my opinion, the reading at Moonday was an unequivocal hit! Knocked it right out of the ballpark! The readings by Sis, Steve, Emusing, Mr. B, Deborah Kolodji, and Carol Sanger were . . . well, hell, they were all outstanding! I believe we had about 20-25 people in the audience and we put on a real show. Even wore our purple pannie party hats (well, not Mr. B -- I put it on his head and he immediately snatched it right off! *LMAO*). We were able to sell all eight copies of the Anthology (thanks to E for donating her copy) that we took with us and perhaps we might get orders for a few more. My love and thanks to Emusing for arranging and managing the entire reading opportunity (you were wonderful, dear heart, and such an inspiration) and Katie, the owner of The Village Bookstore in Pacific Pallisades, for allowing us full access to her shop. Also to Alice who heads the Moonday group and to all the people in attendance in the audience. And a special thanks to Deborah Kolodji, Carol Sanger, and Steve Saxon for traveling to be with us, to do their own readings, and to lend us their much needed support. It was a thrill to meet those we have only communicated with via Wild and e-mail, and to reconnect with old friends we don't see often enough (Sis -- six years is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long *grin*). We love you all dearly and you are all just as vibrant and loving in person as you are in your presence here at Wild. Well, I said this was going to be a short note and I've run off at the mouth as usual. Ask poor Emusing and Carol -- we met them for dinner and I never shut up for four hours. Didn't let them get a word in edgewise. Don't even think I ate my dinner. Too busy with verbal diarrhea. *LMAO* My apologies, ladies, and my thanks for your patience and willing ears. My special thanks to Lisa for managing Poem of the Week / Honorable Mentions for us this week while we were unavailable. She pitched in without much notice and did a terrific job. We would be lost without her. To all those who couldn't be with us physically (especially you, Lisa), we thank you for being with us in spirit. We could feel your essence and your encouragement. We all kept saying we wished everybody at Wild could have been in attendance and that we missed you all (especially you, Lisa!). I would say more, but I've got a Challenge to judge. We did take pictures at the event and I will post them as soon as I get them developed. I'm still in the dark ages and haven't gone digital. *sigh* Will run to the photo lab tomorrow and get pics on disk. We really need to do Wild Anthology readings all over the country. It was a blast! Love, M and steve | ||
| LJ Cohen
Moderator Username: ljc Post Number: 4592 Registered: 07-2002 |
I'm so glad the reading went well! Know that I was there in spirit last night. And there *will* be a time when I can be there to read and talk and laugh with you all. This place may only exist as a bunch of zeros and ones on a server computer somewhere, but Wild is as real to me as any community I am a part of. And the people who make up Wild's community I count as dear friends. Much love, ljc Once in a Blue Muse Blog | ||
| Christopher T George
Senior Member Username: chrisgeorge Post Number: 4963 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi M Welcome back. I'm pleased to hear the trip went well and that the reading was such a success. I wish could all have been there! Will look forward to seeing the pics! I second the idea of having other Wild Anthology readings. I'm up for one here in the East.  Chris Editor, Desert Moon Review http://www.desertmoonreview.com/ Co-Editor, Loch Raven Review http://www.lochravenreview.net/ http://christophertgeorge.blogspot.com/ | ||
| Sis
Moderator Username: djclowes Post Number: 279 Registered: 11-1998 |
walk away>? you mean crawl don't ya? *LOL* We had an awesome time. And I must say, those in the audience that signed up for the open mic were pretty awesome too. I was much impressed. It so exciting to meet everyone. And yes, Aunti M, 6 years is much too long. *sigh* We should have brought more books. Dont we have to send them a few more? M, tried to sell my personal copy too! *lol* Lisa, I'm still trying to work out the schematics for a telepoter. As soon as do... hehe  Many thanks to all involved in the presentation and to all of you who made the book possible. I'm still grinning big underneath my purple pannie party hat. By the way, they filmed us. We had to sign a release! Purple pannie's and all! But i have no clue where or what station its going to be played on. *lol* Might have to figure out how to get a copy of that! *lol* Wolf hugs and purple,poetry flavored lifesavers to you all, Sis | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 7697 Registered: 07-2001 |
Great venue - a bookstore with quotes in the floor. Great readers - most impressed by the open mics. Filmed, I think for a feature on women over 60. E should be able to get us a copy. Now if someone smart enough to put it on the web as streaming video! Super hosts - both Alice and E gracious and allowed all the time we wanted, though E did not read enough. And the store owner - still there when we left at 10 and has to rearrange her store in the am. Purple panties - enough said. And Wilders - not enough can be said about M, Sis, Steve, E, Debbie, Carol and a couple who rarely post but where there for moral support. Finally, the the resturant we went to after - probably thought they were being invaded. Too bad we could not do such all weekend, but tis over and now I have to load the RV for another outing and a feature in Port Townsend tomorrow night. Thanks all for the experience. Smiles. Gary (Message edited by garyb on May 10, 2006) A River Transformed The Dawg House March 2006 FireWeed | ||
| Emusing
Moderator Username: emusing Post Number: 3276 Registered: 08-2003 |
Dear Wilders, I am so pleased to have been part of this dynamic (crazy), fun-filled reading. For me, it was the completion of a miraculous circle from small beginnings of a poet on Wild to co-hosting a reading with my fellow Wilders. I felt so proud of my friends, my heart beyond bursting--meeting the people I have admired for so long. M and Sis both read together and yes! they wore their purple panny hats (hey we all got one at the reading) and it just broke the crowd loose. Here’s what my co-host Alice said in an email: “Thanks again for helping make a great reading last night. I think everyone was inspired by the dynamic you guys have created and its nurturing aspect! Even the old diehards in our group (I think there are a few) were totally won over! I particularly enjoyed D.J.'s (Sis) poems...these would be great to read to children.” So Sis dear, take a big bow you were terrific! Your reading was genuine and natural. You are a woman of great heart--a wolf heart that reaches into everyone you meet. The hard work, the countless hours of dedication to take Wild from a concept to a thriving community is something that stands as a monument to your life. I hope you are inspired and please please let me know anytime you and your honey would like to come to Moonday for another reading. I’ll get you reserved seating LOL!!! Did you ever meet someone and feel like all you wanted to say is I love you! M, it could take a lifetime to articulate what meeting you was like. I’ve never known ANY poet more dedicated to poets than M. You think of our Wilders night and day and as Steve mentioned to Carol and I at dinner, the only way he gets to see her is when he wheels her away from the computer! She is truly the heartbeat of Wild and I will hold this time close to me forever. Your reading was a surprise and a delight—the audience loved you, purple panny hat and all. It was terribly rewarding to see the Moonday regulars buying up all of our books and asking our members to sign. What a thrill and an utter victory for all. Gar, I loved having lunch with you and Deborah K. and Alice. I could have sat there all afternoon talking poetry. I’m a little disappointed that you didn’t don the purple panny hat but maybe next time!!! You gave a sparkling reading and really kicked off the event with quality and style. Thank you so much for coming down. As promised, next time it’s the Four Seasons and open bar at Trader Vics for all!!! Steve I was so impressed with you as a person, as the divine other half to Ms. M and ultimately as poet. Your poetry is deft and sensual and your reading was an exceptional treat. Deborah was a phenonmenon! I had never heard haiku or cinquain recited in public. What an aesthetic treat! You read them with perfect timing and I could hear the oohs and ahhs in the audience from these intensely packed jewels. Thank you SO much for coming, for giving your heart and your time. I loved having you there and spending lunch with you and Gar. Carol, I couldn’t be more proud to know you as poet and friend. Your were my angel in all the ways you know. My ex-boyfriend landed on my doorstep quite unexpectedly (that was Steve sitting with us at the Japanese restauraunt) he is a soulmate and has always supported my poetry 100%. You were there for so many reasons Carol. Thank you for your heartfelt reading. I love you and your poetry. It resonates within me as a true kindred spirit. Your bloom is the evening Jasmine, a fragrance one seeks to remember the self, the flower without a face. As for my reading, I made it short because I wanted to give the time to my guests. One day when I come for a reading in your town, I’ll bring along my arsenal! I read Jim Doss’ poem The Messengers which the audience loved. I wish I could have read a poem from each one of our members. Hey maybe a Wildathon in someone’s town? I’m game! As to the stage crew, that was a total surprise! I will ask Shirley Windward, the poet on whom the documentary was featured. M, perhaps you and I can push this one through. Lisa m’dear, the gathering was incomplete without you. I hope one day we can do this all again and I am TOTALLY game to fly there. Just name the place and time. Paris? Prague? Costa Rica? Let’s go!!! Your ever lovin, E | ||
| Emusing
Moderator Username: emusing Post Number: 3277 Registered: 08-2003 |
p.s. PICS!!! Can't wait to see the pics! | ||
| Gary Blankenship
Senior Member Username: garyb Post Number: 7704 Registered: 07-2001 |
Debbies from Saturday also. Smiles Gary posting the last thing he does before he leaves for camping, three Southland poems done, one more titled A River Transformed The Dawg House March 2006 FireWeed | ||
| Deborah P Kolodji
Intermediate Member Username: dkolodji Post Number: 377 Registered: 04-2005 |
Words cannot really express my thoughts about this wonderful reading adequately. It was soooooo wonderful to meet M & Steve & Gary & Carol, as well as seeing E again. Everyone’s poetry sparkled & I came away both inspired and awed. There was an energy level there that night which was absolutely incredible. I don’t know how to post the photo I took at lunch on Saturday, but I forwarded it to M. I did write about the reading & the lunch on my blog & the photo is included on the Saturday blog entry. And Lisa...I really, really wish we could have transported you there somehow!!! Here are the links to the blog entries: Saturday poet’s lunch & photo: http://dkolodji.livejournal.com/#entry_64953 Moonday reading (forgive the myopic focus on reading haiku & my short stint at the mike - it was meant as a personal blog entry not a review of the reading): http://dkolodji.livejournal.com/#entry_65562 Deborah P Kolodji www.livejournal.com/~dkolodji www.kolodji.com Editor, Amaze: The Cinquain Journal Amaze: The Cinquain Journal | ||
| Karen L Monahan
Intermediate Member Username: klhmonahan Post Number: 924 Registered: 08-2004 |
Wow! How fun. All of you must of had a blast. Deborah, the information you provided is wonderful, thank you-- I really enjoyed all of the poetry and experiences. How about Texas next? Austin is a really great place for the poetics. I'd love seeing you all. (((smile))) Karen | ||
| Carol Sanger
Valued Member Username: carolsang Post Number: 237 Registered: 01-2006 |
Deborah - It is true that your haiku was wonderful! Thoes rose images have stayed with me. So good to meet you and everyone - I said more on the other thread. Carol | ||
| Sis
Moderator Username: djclowes Post Number: 284 Registered: 11-1998 |
Oh E, you are going to make me cry for certain. Thank you. And you want us back even though we tried so hard to change your name in person to E? *lol* Please tell Alice thank you for me. She is a very talented lady and I am humbled by her comments.  I don't know what else to say gang. The experience was awesome. And I ardently hope that other such readings and get togethers come to fruition. Who knows, perhaps and annual or semi-annual Purple pannie convention? Just a thought. *lol* mega wolf hugs and tangerine,poetry flavored lifesavers to all wilders. Cuz you guys are the only reason this works. Sis | ||
| Vienna
Senior Member Username: vienna Post Number: 436 Registered: 11-1998 |
Gosh it all sounded so wonderful, I really wish I could have been there ! Loved the photos, they really caught the spirit and verve of the evening and you lovely lot. Maybe I should send a photo of me and you can sit it in a chair (suitably draped with a PPPH)at your next get together and I won't feel so left out! You guys are the best!! Much love V XXXXXXXX 'All of us get lost in the darkness Dreamers learn to steer by the stars' Neil Peart My poetry books at Lulu http://people.lulu.com/users/index.php?fHomepage=101596 | ||
| E V Brooks
Advanced Member Username: lia Post Number: 1283 Registered: 12-2003 |
How wonderful the Moonday reading sounds. I would have loved to witness it first hand and am utterly envious! Perhaps me and Vienna will rowboat to the next.. if that fails I always have my yellow duckling float-ring! And the photos.. how smashing to see you all at the reading. The photos showed the atmosphere so well.. even the party hats! (especially those! hehe) I could almost imagine being in the audience. Kindness Lia |
