leonardcohenforum.com

this board is descending into obscenity...HOORAY!

In keeping with the header of this thread, I have to say Thanks, Lizzy - your comments buoyed my spirits - I too had a very physical reaction to the elections thing, so much so I seem to have reverted to another era (eg. I became 'bummed out'). Thanks for your comments - I think, in many ways, you are the (or at least one of THE) driving forces behind the whole board. I understand the need for a moderator/administrator - the trick is getting the right one. This site has succeeded in those they have chosen. I will continue to post - I just need to get my emotional strength up to snuff, I'd hate to lash out at someone simply because I may have some lingering dismay over how things happened.

Jane Siberry is a Canadian singer/songwriter and a favourite with many women (and men). She isn't one of my favourites but I haven't listened to her in a while. Those that do like her feel much the same way as Hillary.

With respect to the 'gaping holes' in the grid and filter that you simply
plunge through - at least you plunge through with your eye on the ball.

See you in another thread.
Linda.

I used to be a bingo caller
but I never played..that remains an ambition

Pete

Isn't unkempt a strange word?

Pete I love the dizzy heights your ambitions go to.

Hi Linda ~

Thanks for your comments [and compliments ] ~ I'm glad that what I've said made a difference in the way you were feeling. "Bummed out" ~ yes, that's my era, for sure. The war thing, and discussion of the war thing, can take me there pretty damn quick. There are many, worldwide, who agree with the things you're saying on that thread. They may, like me, be choosing to stay out of it, but it doesn't mean they don't agree. So, if your energy allows you to discourse, I'll be happy for you to speak for me. I couldn't begin to enter into the Canadian politics of it, but I know there are others from Canada who agree with you on those, as well. I know of one, no longer here, who would be actively engaging with you, if she were. I'm trying to stay in the positive mode here, and 'going there' plunges me immediately into the negative. Then, the gaping holes appear and people seem to start feeling I'm attacking them personally when I start talking about Americans as a group, i.e. the 'Americans' who voted [with their votes counting] for Bush. When I speak of the American government, it seems to get misconstrued that I'm speaking of Americans period. All these can be addressed and re-addressed, ad nauseum, in attempts to make the distinctions understood, to no avail. However, at this point, even if they were to be understood, it just feels better to be staying out of it. I get riled enough simply reading it.

As to the moderators/administrators ~ Jarkko is the only one of either, as far as I'm aware, and I'm absolutely certain I'm correct in that. I could be wrong, of course, but I don't believe I am. I'm guessing you may be referring to informal emergences of some, though I'm not really sure.

Thanks for your comment about still keeping my eye on the ball. G~d knows, I try. Of course, I have to allow for that final comment being a digression on your part, to tap into the flow of a few postings surrounding yours .

Doesn't take much to make you happy, does it, C2 ? A little smut and you're good to go .

Pete ~ I'm certain Paula could point you to the finest Bingo halls in all the land. If you're gonna scale the heights, you might as well go for Everest . Bingo caller to Bingo player. Would that be a step down or up?

~ Lizzy

Paula
Lizzy


I saw the joy in the faces of the winners
I saw the despair of those who squandered their savings
I created the anticipation
I shared the tension
I was the caller
I held the balls
I dropped the balls (sometimes )
I dictated the pace
I created the anxiety
I was the bingo guru
the one who made it all happen
the one who could give with one number
and take with another
the jester
the teaser
the maker of dreams
the creator of nightmares
the one who had 90 reasons
for happiness
and 90 reasons
for loneliness
the loneliness of the long suffering bingo player
it was I who made it all happen
I was the bingo caller
for the school PTA

but I never played
and I have never played
and I need to play
I need to test my system
before it's too late


Pete

Pete I thought I only went to bingo to collect my thoughts (and the odd win) find my way through the smoky haze to get my books, grab a cup of tea and a plate of chips and smoke my way through the evening I didn't realise it was that involved.

Lizzy,

I'm not sure how the board runs really so I just ASSUMED that you fell into the 'moderator/admin' category. We all know what assuming things can lead to. So, my apologies to yourself and especially Jarkko. I guess I was just referring to yours and others' seeming 'authority' while on the board.

As far as 'keeping your eye on the ball' I meant it in the usual fashion but with a twist as I sometimes can't help myself from using cliches or bad puns when presented with the opportunity. I try not to but sometimes it's almost impossible not to. (?)

Best Regards,
Linda.

Your poetic license knows no bounds, does it, Pete ? Who'duh thunk so much could be invested in such a volunteer job? I'm guessing the 'local PTA' did not allow for winnings; hence, no cut of the take for you, right? Just playing with play money ~ for the sake of setting good examples for the kids ?

Well, it remains that I'm glad you feel I've served some sort of positive purpose, here, Linda. You'll be pleased to know that Jarkko is a very kind person with very great humour, so I'm certain his colour is returning nicely. Eija can be relied upon to call for help, if need be ~ but I'm sure he'll weather the storm. However, relinquish his control here? No way ! Meanwhile, he knows I can be trusted to correct any misgivings .

It's probably more accurate to say that me and some others simply have big mouths . I don't participate in, and have rarely visited, other Boards, so I have no idea how they work. Your presumptions may have been perfectly reasonable, even if they were dead wrong .

Oh, dear, the ball reference. Yes, I give in to pun temptation, too . However, I should have known that as soon as I stated my position on loo humour, all sorts of things would find their way in to my direction .

~ Lizzy

I hope you are not suggesting I have a big mouth Lizzie

[Lizzie turns quickly around] Oh, Hi Paula !

Hello All,

Once again I vanished from this message board, and I have no other excuse save exhaustion and stress prior to and throughout the holidays while having to take care of my 15 year old autistic son 12 hours daily as his long-term foster mother seemed to be verging on a nervous breakdown. Her family was also in town and they intensely dislike my son, with his anxiety, highly aggressive tendencies and excessive loudness. He was essentially exiled from his home and sent to mine, and while I love him dearly, his behaviors, including hitting, scratching, biting, throwing, destruction of property, loud teeth grinding, shrieking, whining, refusing to wash his hands or let anyone else control the use of the computer and television, left me on the threshold of panic for countless days. He is probably going to be institutionalized if some help cannot be found for him, and this is of course a very painful prospect.

I just couldn't manage to do anything but sleep when I had time away from he and my five year old. And I'm still in a kind of limbo, uninspired to write, so I figured I wouldn't be missed around here. How nice to get a phone call from Lizzy very concerned about me. Sometimes when I'm off coping in the maelstrom, hanging on by my fingernails with my son Oliver, I forget that others who care about me need to know I'm all right. I am sorry, then, for those whom I caused worry. I will try to be more attentive and consistent.

I hope you all survived the holidays! I hear there's a poetry contest coming up or on now. I'll check in tomorrow to see what's up with it

Sincerely,
Hillary Hays

Dear Hillary ~

You can get that tail back out and start it wagging again. I'm glad to see you here. It sounds like you've found a level spot for standing ~ at least for the moment. Your recap has a sense of 'the past' to it, so I'm guessing and hoping that you've been given a reprieve. Your checking in here tomorrow sounds promising; however, probably moreso than the Poetry Comp's having any definite parameters by then.

Love,
Lizzy