Songwriters, Writers and Poets Unite!!

[topcliff 1]

Thanks Vandy. To be honest, all of what you said was unintentional. When I'm sad or mad like that, I just write. The only thing that was intentional was the syllable count. 8-6-8. Okay, new one from me. Short story this time. This has all happened, just not in the same Saturday.

> >

A Saturday in Sacramento>>

> >

          The darn cat was snoring again. I couldn’t believe it. That darn cat was snoring which unfortunately woke me up. It was a beautiful Saturday morning, but I shouldn’t have known about it until freaking 10:30 a.m. I mean, the sun was out and there were just a few clouds. Temperature must have been at max 57 degrees. Instead, I knew about it at 6:19 a.m. which was when Dad woke up.>>

          I got up, and started yelling at the cat. I know she didn’t know any better, but it felt good anyway. I walked out of the dark room, and into the kitchen. My God, how bright could the light be? I squinted, and reached for the Sacramento Bee. Tore the whole thing apart until I found the Scene section, where the funnies were. I walked out of there, and sat down in the living room. After laughing my guts out at Zits and Bizarro, I got on my computer.>>

          The exact nanosecond I get the wireless signal, my dad slams it shut and reminds me I have tennis in a little bit. So, after eating some just delicious maple bars from Marie’s Donut sover by McClatchy, I throw on my shorts and grab my racquet.>>

          I always listen to my Bruce CD on the way to tennis. I have it all timed out too. You’ll Be Coming Down Now ends right near the edge of Land Park, and then Your Own Wost Enemey ends right around the intersection of South Land Park and Fruitridge. After passing Land Park and watching all the ducks scurry out of the aptly named Duck Pond, we hit traffic right by the zoo. That place always smells l

[octaves 4]

Smilies...the smilies...remove em and I'll read. >:0

[Firebird 40]

He posted directly from word!

Get him!!

But yeah. It has the element of not really a story, but a journal entry of you. Thats what makes it good.

[6underground 11]

More - To the Thinker

If you question or wonder why

if, or ponder how and lie

think and wonder more and less

is this "it", or try to guess-

what's the purpose, why and how

for this life, that is a mess

should you be here, this second now?

destined for more, or purpose test?

A riddle this, existence now -

Perhaps there's been a mistake somehow?

When all's been said and questioned more

lest beware times dwindling shore

for when you hear the herald's call

There wont be time to think of "more".

Myself

[topcliff 1]

6Underground: I like it. The theme is very well played out. Good structure too.

Everyone else: What did I do wrong? Just comment on it! How could one tiny little smily affect a well written short story of a day in my life? Stop being so critical. I don't care if it is your thread, I worked hard on it and to have it be dismissed FOR ONE SMILY is absurd.

[octaves 4]

topcliff

Dude...calm down...I kid, I kid.    Don't worry I read it XD

Okay, I really like that style of story telling/journalism.  The way you described everything in a more, casual, relaxed fashion instead of the typical polished and clean version.  Have you ever read The Catcher in the Rye?  It's one of my favourite books and your piece really reminds me of the way J.D. Salinger write his book.  Thanks for posting this, I loved how you expressed how much history and culture there actually is in Sacramento.  You didn't exactly over-elaborate on it, which is a good thing, but it was just a feeling that was included.  Haha, a year ago I would've said "what the HELL?" if someone said anything good about California.  Sorry, had to say it. 

I wish I could say my life was that urban XD

6underground

Oooh!  I love this!  The last line really puts the feeling into place.  I really don't have anything bad to say about this...but I love it!    Two thumbs up! 

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

Firebird:   Oh, now I get it! Congrats on getting 2nd place!

frndofyaweh:   Welcome to the writers thread! Wow, that was a bit morbid lol. I like it though

Vandy:   Whoa, that made me woozy just reading it   Its like parts of it are funny at the beginning but then wow..... that's really sad. Yikes.

Brad:   thanks! Well, i try. Im not as thorough as Vandy in commenting.... I do like "Condolences," its very honoring to Veterans. I cant write under pressure, though (you mentioned it was for school or sometihng?) Well, i can, but it's never very good. 

topcliff: Oh my goodness!  Does your cat snore too?! mine does all the time, it's kind of annoying. That sounds like a perfect Saturday! btw, copy directly from a word processor (minus the smilies) with the "paste as plain text" button, thats what I always use.

6underground:  Hey, 6u!  I really liked that, especially how it's written.  "destined for more"... How many times have i wondered that lol. 

---

More torture from Twiggy.  This one, "Anesthetically Apathetic," is a work in progress.  It's terrible, because I can't seem to choose the right words to get my message across effectively.  So if you can help, please do

Anesthetically Apathetic

Tears effortlessly escape, dispassionate, from my eyes:

With every coldly formal stream, one hopeful fragment dies.

How can I describe your condescending smile,

Enticing my emotions out of self-assured denial,

While it yet possesses power to melt my iron heart?

After you have captured and plundered every part,

The momentary pity in your shifting persona hardens:

How many innumberable times have I pardoned

Your naïveté, tactlessness, and blissful ignorance

Of my detached and pitiful existence?

Such torturous capriciousness to vex my feeble mind!

And how habitually have I returned it in kind;

Your brief look painfully evicts every silenced woe.

How could some other soul attempt to know

The anguish your fleeting adoration produces?

Is my reckless affection for you really that obtrusive?

If only of its reciprocal I could be sure,—

My life would be solid, stable, secure.

But no; now I coolly suppress emotion:

Independently declaring, Who needs love?  Who needs devotion?

Yet did my enigmatic love ever really end?

If not, I embrace that anesthetic—apathy—my closest friend. 

Ok, and here is another short, somewhat cynical one.  I need a title lol

[untitled]

Love is a dazzling thing,

Readily arrayed

In flowers, rosy-red, and pink,

And happiness untamed.

She skips in stomachs like a girl

Chasing butterflies and bees:

Happily animated, but ignorant of

The danger she wreaks on me.

For she scampers hand in hand

With excruciating pain,

Not physical, intangible, yet

My heart she daily maims. 

-Twiggy

[octaves 4]

Thank-you-sweet-god-above.

IT'S DONE!  WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOO!  Haha.  WooHoo is funny in the Sims.  Sorry, A.D.D. here

I can't say thank you enough to everyone who helped the 5th Anniversary Project, let's not forget manticorefan who created the idea and brought this all into view!!

BlondeTwiggy

Your poetry is yet again as always an inspiration to me and others.  On to Anesthetically Apathetic: WOW that's one amazing title.    You capture the whole meaning in two very powerful and descriptive words.  I love how you can do the whole artsy feel to it, like i can hear it coming out of a mic in a cool and relaxing jazz club, I love how this sticks the feeling into my mind and I think and think about it.  Thank you for posting this.  Untitled: This was very very very interesting.  I've never heard someone refer to love as a being, that sounds weird but, no, I honestly haven't   It's almost a bittersweet feeling that wraps around my brain as I read this, a little girl named Love wreaking havoc on a victim's soul, innocent, but deadly as hell.    I really loved this piece.  Yet again, thanks for the inspiration and you incredible use of vocabulary.

Everyone

I have a couple things to share, but I'll post them later, a little busy right now.  Thanks.  <33 Love you all XD

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

Haha, I didn't know it was manticorefan's idea.  That was pretty cool. 

Thanks, I got the idea for Anesthetically Apathetic from Relient K's 'Apathetic Way to Be':

"Yeah, I'm not angry

And no, I'm not upset.

It's taken me a while

But this is what I've learned:

Emotional attachment is really not a threat

When I'm simply not concerned."

So I used that as a platform and kind of went from there.  On untitled:  Haha, that's weird, I don't think personifying love was anything new...I feel like I'm writing in circles, using the same cliché themes over and over.  It's hard to come up with something new and thought-provokingly different. 

I look forward to seeing more of your work.

[Firebird 40]

The Line

---

Drawn so thinly,

On the beat ground,

Is it there?

Lost... and found.

Many a life's worlds,

Separated by such a thing,

Which is real or not?

Who is the king?

There is no answer,

To the infinite questions,

My view is blurred,

Beyond comprehension.

All my life,

I thought i knew,

Until the time,

It just all blew.

I did not think,

I barely wrote,

But what i did,

Slit my throat.

There became no line,

Just one sky,

And one ground,

On which i lie.

I cannot tell,

The difference now made,

Though i wish i could,

An ace of spades.

I needed to change,

And right now,

I had no idea,

Please oh please how?

Then became a tree,

So lush and green,

With one dead branch,

I broke it in need.

The end was sharp,

From the tear,

I took that point,

And began in fear.

To mark in the ground,

Straighter than before,

The line that had gone,

To the very core.

Of the two worlds,

Once been blended,

Would be divided again,

Almost splendid.

I could not change,

What life i made me,

But what i could do now,

Is act less crazy.

In both worlds.

[Vandy 110]

Hi, Folksies.

Trying to catch up again...

---

----->>  Brad
You are more than welcome for my comments.  I try and be honest, yet caring in my critiques.  I agree that comments such as "Hey, that's good" or "Hey, that's bad" don't really help an author very much.  What I like to get from people are thought-provoking, in-depth analytical constructive critisism that I can use to make myself a better writer.

I've got to be honest and tell you that it wasn't easy writing "Red Steel".

Some comments on "Condolences":

Very well written and very well presented.  It is hard to find fault in a piece that honors those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  You certainly do have a way of turning a phrase.  I especially liked these lines:

"When soldiers' wives weep and their children don't play"

and

"Rememberance Day; a day for the departed"

and, especially

"Modern day people with red poppies attached
To their hearts for their family, sad thoughts are matched"

Well, done, Brad, well done...

===================================================================
----->>  6underground
Nice to see you posting.  Thanks for joining in.  Some comments on "More - To the Thinker":

Nicely written and a great build-up to a definite pondering ending.  You might want to work on your phrasing some to make it read smoother.  I like your rhyming scheme.  It is quite nice.  There are a couple of lines that stood out for me:

"think and wonder more and less
is this 'it', or try to guess-"

and, especially

"for when you hear the herald's call
There wont [sic] be time to think of 'more'."

That ending line was what made the piece for me.  As I said earlier, quite thought-provoking.

===================================================================
----->>  BlondeTwiggy
Hey, BT -- The PhotoShopping Queen!  You better be careful what you ask for as I am more than ready to stand and help you (with Anesthetically Apathetic).  I hope you don't mind the following comments and suggestions:

First of all, some comments on the piece itself:

Even it what you call a "work in progress..., terrible...., can't seem to choose the right words" state, this is really a very well written piece.  You've chosen word imagery that is stark yet thoughtful; harsh, yet caring.  BT, I really like this piece and the way you've woven it into a fabric that exists as a whole rather than as individual pieces or fragments.

Now, and I hope you don't mind, I've looked over the piece and have rewritten it from a "VANDY" perspective.  Please feel free to take (or not take) anything you wish and use it intact or reword / rewrite it:

Anesthetically Apathetic
  by BlondeTwiggy (rewrite by Vandy)

Tears effortlessly escape, falling dispassionately from my eyes.
Within every cold tear track, another hopeful fragment dies.
How can I describe your condescending smile,
Enticing my emotions out of their self-assured denial,
While they yet possess the power to melt my iron heart?
After capturing my heart and plundering every part,
Any pity felt in your shifting persona hardens.
I can't count the number of times I have pardoned
Your naïveté, tacklessness and blissful ignorance
Of my detached and pitiful existance.

Such is the torturous capriciousness that vexed my feeble mind!
I h

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

Firebird: Wow, I liked this, Its thought-provoking.   it's like you need some stability in your life...or... what exactly was the line??  Im curious to see if I was right   You're such a good writer fb, keep it up!!

Vandy: Haha, no, I never mind your comments or suggestions, in fact i look forward to reading them   Thank you for your comments on 'Apathetic' and your rewrite.  You make some of the sentences flow more smoothly (something I've never been good at) and I will definitely make some changes with your suggestions in mind.  The problem with me is I tend to create a work and then never want to change it for fear of making it worse or changing the meaning, lol so I am keeping this one in progress, I'll try to improve it as much as I can.  As for untitled:  I may go with Love's Ecstasy and Agony or hmmm... Thats a good one

On The Last Communiqué: I can really relate to this line:

"I strain my ears listening for the slightest sound but, all I hear is the deafening quiet that surrounds me."

That's why I have to have noise when I go to sleep lol... The silence annoys me with its sound. That doesn't make sense... but yeah....This is about dying right?  Since your last paragraph is about eternity.  This reminds me of a poem I wrote about a dream I had about dying... nah, it's pretty cheesy though.  however, yours is not lol, I really enjoyed the reflection on the words. 

[octaves 4]

Firebird

I don't know really what to say for this one   It's absolutely amazing

I like the lines "There became no line/Just one sky/And on the ground/On which I lie.

This section is vivid, thought-provoking, really sticks that image into your head--the remorse, the honest and true feeling of the end.  This was an amazing piece, I've gotta say you have talent

Vandy

YAY you're back!  Thank you again for the excellent criticism.    Onto The Last Communiqué.  AMAZING use of oxy-morons here (If thats actually what they're called )  I loooove how you expressed silence as not a silent thing, but creatively put it as a deafening, roaring and immensely powerful thing.  I loved the whole concept of death (I assume) and the horrible silence that wraps the soul as they lay, helpless.  Great work on this one.  I loved the lines:

"I strain my ears listening for the slightest sound but, all I hear is the deafening quiet that surrounds me."

"Black is nothing compared to an all-absorbing darkness where even the faintest glimmer of light has no hope of being seen."

"I can sense the lid being closed.  It is time for me to embrace my eternity."

Very, very, verrrrry powerful Vandy. 

And nice closing statement.  Methinks it clashes a leeeeettle with the mood.     Nice.

---

This piece I posted a couple of pages ago--actually I think it's on the first page while this thread was merely a showcase for poetry.  I just wanted to post it now because I think it's one of my favourite poems done by me, and I want honest opinions on it.  Thanks <3

While Angels Are Falling Asleep By Brad-MacD

I'm sitting in the strangest places

Seeing all these stranger's faces

The shadows are dying and I sit here crying

While my angels are falling asleep

I search for answers in hellish abyss

Crawling around but somethings amiss

Try to confide with what lyes inside

While my angels are falling asleep

I'm falling around in my remains

Of happy and laughing but now its just pains

I regret my decision for this last incision

While my angels are falling asleep

I dispose of these things but on the contrary

I realize these things are just primary

Gave all my heed to this desperate need

While my angels are falling asleep

I'm still sitting here, I stop my heart

I've been waiting for this right from the start

Say my prayers and avoid the stares

When my angels are finally asleep

[crazyyaya 4]

I think this is my first time posting in this thread. To start off in this thread, I thought I'd share I phrase I thought of.

"The Children of today's society have the greatest luxury of all, the luxury to be naive."

Just as a follow up to the quote. In many dangerous societies, children are forced to grow up at a young age. They are born into a world of hatred, poverty, & corruption. They are not able to live as many children in western society do. I as a child had the luxury of not having to know about the wrongs of the world.

[masochist 111]

*Peeks out from under rock*

Originally posted by: crazyyaya I think this is my first time posting in this thread. To start off in this thread, I thought I'd share I phrase I thought of.

"The Children of today's society have the greatest luxury of all, the luxury to be naive."

Just as a follow up to the quote. In many dangerous societies, children are forced to grow up at a young age. They are born into a world of hatred, poverty, & corruption. They are not able to live as many children in western society do. I as a child had the luxury of not having to know about the wrongs of the world.quote>

A very thoughtful quote, and it rings true.  Makes me wonder why younger kids want to grow up so fast...they don't know what they're missing.

Welcome to the thread!  I hope you share more insightful observations like that!

*Crawls back under rock for indeterminate amount of time*

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Snowday.

Snow.

Shiver.

Shovel.

Shift.

Shove.

Swear.

Sweat.

Sigh...

Snow.

Shiver.

Shovel.

Shift.

Shove.

Swear.

Sweat.

Sigh...

 

[octaves 4]

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

My back honestly KILLS right now from the damn snow.  And this was LIGHT snow.    It gets baaaaaaaad in March when it all melts and gets heaaaaaavy and messy.

[masochist 111]

*Crawls out from under rock...*

Hi...

I was just feeling really happy today!  It's a feeling similar to the one you get on Christmas afternoon...you know, all the excitement at opening presents has passed, and you just go through the rest of the day with a smile on your face.  That's what it feels like right now to me, except on a smaller scale.  Still...I'm in a pretty good mood, so I'd like to share one of my works, if I may...it's a sonnet, and the second poem I'd ever written.  I don't think I've shared it here before (forgive me if I have), and it's the only one I've ever written...:

She

Why does she ridicule me with her smile?

From her beauty and grace, I dare not hide

She alone is the one who holds the vile

Containing my feelings of love inside

 

Her heart seems oceans away from my hand

Her mind, her soul I fear I'll never hold

The hourglass slowly permits the soft sand

To take my beauty, take away my gold

 

Sweet ambrosia to the gods up above

Is not as precious as she is to me

She knows not that she is the turtledove

That will carry my heart eternally

 

Why does she ridicule me with her smile?

It matters not; it is still worth my while.

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

I would like to congratulate Brad on his Trixie, thank you for starting this thread!   I have really enjoyed reading others' work and getting comments on my own!

crazyyaya:  Hey, Thank you for sharing that thought with us!  That is very true!  Please share more. 

Masochist: I loved your poem, She!  Awwwww, it's so sweet.  It's obvious you love this person even when they may not return your feelings... and yeah, that hurts. 

Brad & abcvs:  It snowed here too!  In fact, after waking up one morning and finding the snow, I was inspired to write this tiny poem. 

On a Snowfall

Beauty pure

Falls to Earth overnight

And transforms it

Into her Image.

Anyway, I have been writing a lot lately.  Here is a piece I have been working on.  Did this happen in the person’s real life or in their dreams?  They can't really tell. 

Of Dreams or Daisies

I awake from my lucid, flamboyant dreams;

A shocking phantasma is all last night seems…

You appeared in my visions, those dances of light:

They offered fresh glimpses of hope to my sight

And tempted my fears with their tender-said words.

What proposal of ardor would not have allured?

But still, it was so very good to be true

That I realized this proffer could not be from you.

My material and ethereal life had been mixed,

An unfortunate event for my heart ripped betwixt

Rejection or acceptance of my untimely resolve.

Have I been cursed not to love, or be loved, at all?

Oh yes! Not merely a dream—but a jolting reality—!

Yet what else could fly me to heights of ecstasy?

Last night I dreamed that you said you loved me.

Meh.  I don't think it really communicates the feeling I want.  Also, I will work on "Apathetic" with Vandy's rewrites in mind.  I've been busily getting my new poetry down....now i need to polish it.

[sebbyb07 2]

wow some of this stuff is really good! I write occasional poetry and short stories but I'm mainly a visual artist. I'll be sure to post my next poem though!

[quickcases 0]

hey i'm new here, i sing in a band check us out!! www.myspace.com/theshelters and please i'm totally lost i just want some informations i don't know where post so help me i just want know how having some big commercial skyscrapers and if you got some cheats for me pleaaase!!! tell me what you think about our covers

[TheCrybKeeper 301]

Okay, I am generally a lousy poet and a cheesy writer, who tends to over-elaborate and never follow the rules of grammatics or punctuation, but here goes friends:

The Creed

I deserve to be buried,
I reserve no less than death.
My face is too scarey,
Not to mention my breath.

Yes, I deserve to be buried,
Put at the bottom of the heap.
But it must be hurried,
Or I'll come out and creep.

I desire to be buried,
I'll retire in the ground.
My organs are all pureed,
My bones are leather bound.

I deserve to be buried,
Preserved six feet deeper.
My coffin will be ferried,
I am the Cryb Keeper.

OR:

A Boob For The Tube

Why not get up, get out and kickin,
Out in the sun and get your hearts tickin.
What the heck's up with remote control clickin,
Get off the couch, quit eatin that chicken!

Get up and get out, see what is showin,
Run up a mountain and feel the wind blowin.
Rock out at concerts, get the crowds growin,
Shut off that TV, 'cause your skin is glowin!

Get out of the house, 'cause repeats are suckin,
Grab hold of yer mates and take off truckin.
Do anything at all, to escape what yer stuck in,
Invent a new sport, called Boob Tube Chuckin!

[octaves 4]

Okay WOW bumpness.  I've had no motivation for anything these last few weeks, but I have written.  Nothing good.  I think...*checks*

Nope.

Okay...now where to start.

masochist

"She".  What a delightful little poem.  I thought the message was well expressed, and you proved your point: "I love this person and nothing's going to stop me".  Very well done.  My favourite line in this great piece is "She knows not that she is the turtledove/That will carry my heart eternally.  Very emotional and heartfelt.  Great work! 

BlondeTwiggy

Yay!  I love reading your stuff.  For the snowfall poem, I thought it was very nostalgic, the whole waking up, seeing a completely different world outside.  I thought was very well written and as always I can't find anything wrong with it XD

"Of Dreams or Daisies".  Oh how I wish I had half the vocabulary as you.  Or thesaurus at least, gosh mine sucks.  Anyways.  This poem was descriptive, well thought out and extremely well worded.  Again, nothing at all to say...sorry.  I'm so bad at that.    All I can say is that I'm jealous XD

Sebby

OHEMGEE I want to hear something from you now! 

frndofyaweh

Yet again, your poems are totally kickin'.    This was very humourous and deserved to be a song.  Boob Tube Chuckin'...XD  Priceless.  Very good rhyming in there, some intense creativity going on. 

---

Okay fine, I shall share something because I haven't in a looong while.  It's not my best, and it's a work in progress.  See what you can do with it.  (Oh my gosh, I just read back and remembered BlondeTwiggy had a poem called Apathetic...I'll get on renaming this one...?)

aPATHETIC By Brad-MacD

There's snow on the ground

I wade up to my knees

Listening for a sound

And running through the trees

It chokes up my throat

Like the gift that makes me cry

Through this vice I float

And I soar into the sky

I swerve in through the dust

A tear dredges through my cheek

And this uncontrollable lust

Shines through a life so bleak

I look down into the trenches

This blizzards stings my eyes

Sliding down park benches

The memories--were they lies?

It takes so much effort

You take it all away

Can't afford to see them hurt

Please come and save my day

Stings to even feel it

Am I feeling it now?

Sit and watch me steal it

I'm not feeling this now.

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

Woo, a bump! 

sebbyb07:  I'd love to see your poems! 

frndofyaweh:  I think you're a great writer!  Thanks for sharing with us... Sorry not much more to say. 

Brad-MacD:  Actually, I use the thesaurus on Microsoft Word (the newest version I think), under Tools -> Language -> Thesaurus.  I couldn’t live without it!  The only problem is that it doesn’t differ between connotations of a word (as in house and home: synonyms and yet different shades of meaning).  In that case the dictionary can be helpful lol.  In my opinion, a love of words is essential to writing.  What am I saying?  You have to love words to love writing, since that's kind of what writing is made of.  Oh goodness, it's late and I've stopped making sense

Sorry.  Anyway, thank you for your kind comments.    Of course you don't have to rename your poem.  I like what you did with the "a".    A good poem, "please come and save my day" that's so true... (I''m assuming you're talking to apathy lol)  Also "the memories--were they lies?"  I also like.  I would like to comment more, but I'm a very tired blonde lol

---

A little something I wrote the other day, it might not mean much  since there's alot of personal symbols and such, and mystery.  Why is she waiting?  Who is she waiting for?

The Wait

Diamond snow, pure and white,

Driven by a windy plight,

Serene, perceives this lonely sight:

A pink-cheeked girl, almost young. 

The wind portrays her song unsung,

Waiting, though it won’t be long.

She is waiting, almost old:

Waiting, though the biting cold

And dismal skies tell tales untold.

Ambitious Wind now slows its pace;

Waiting in this silent place,

She waits to see again his face.

-Twiggy

[Vandy 110]

Hello, my Dear Friends.

First of all, I would like to apologize for not being active at all the past three weeks.

Second of all, I want to be sure to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year, regardless of your political, religious or social background, beliefs, etc.  Truly, we all have many things to be thankful for during this Holiday Season and I have much, personally, to be thankful for.

On 28 November, I woke up around midnight with a severe pain in my abdomen that continued to get worse as the night wore on.  I got sick a few times during the night as well.  Early Wednesday morning on the 28th, Christine took me to the emergency room where it was determined I had an inflamed appendix that needed to come out pronto.

Well, pronto turned out to be Thursday morning, the 29th.  Because of the mechanical valve I have in my heart, I'm on a blood thinner and the effects of the thinner needed to be negated before surgery could be performed.  I ended up getting three units of plasma before my blood was thick enough to have the surgery performed.

All went well with the surgery (I actually had a laproscopic appendectomy so the Drs. didn't have to do a general "cut" into the abdomen -- just three small slits) and I was recovering well enough.  I got violently sick Sunday night the 2nd of December and had to have a nasal tube put down into my stomach to suction out the contents that wasn't being digested.  Finally, I was well enough to be discharged from the hospital on Thursday, the 6th of December.

Around 10:00 AM on Friday, the 7th of December, I got a pain in my side that went immediately to an 11 on a scale of 1 being the least and 10 being the worst pain.  Long story short, back to the emergency room and readmitted.  It appeared that a large blood clot had formed in my abdominal cavity and had become infected.  For the next week, I was on pain medication and powerful IV antibiotics.  All the while, my blood thinning medication had to be withheld.  I was released again from the hospital on Friday, the 14th of December and was very grateful to get back home and on what I thought was my final road to recovery.

Sunday night, the 16th of December, I started having bloody bowel movements (sorry if I'm getting too graphic here...) and by Monday, it was back to the emergency room with rectal bleeding.  I was admitted for an overnight observation stay and it was determined that a combination of taking Lovinox shots (blood thinner) coupled with my Warfarin (blood thinner) had made my blood too thin and was causing a slow bleed.  As Tuesday, the 17th of December, wore on, my blood counts remained stable and actually rose so I was released again late that afternoon.

Currently, I am home recovering and, other than a real problem with my hemorrhoids, I'm doing relatively well.  I'm eating -- well, okay, getting exercise by walking and looking forward to spending Christmas with Christine.  I hope to go back to work on Wednesday, 3 January, 2008.  So far, I've lost 24 pounds and am going to be doing my best to keep it off and lose more.

So...

That's where I've been the past three weeks.

Again, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and may God's blessings abundantly be yours throughout this Holiday Season and the coming New Year.

My very best to every one,

Gary (Vandy)

[octaves 4]

Holy fart Vandy, you seem to have been though total hell this last while and we will certainly not hold it against you. 

Our hearts are with you and I really hope you can recover properly this time, and I hope everything ends well with a Merry Christmas with Christine and others.

Also thank you so much for checking in to let us know you're okay

Our hearts are with you and hopefully the 25 pounds lost will improve your health.  Maybe all of this will inspire some great material for us to read

I'm extremely glad to know you're alright, when I started reading this I almost expected you to say you weren't recovering from superguadroopleamungouspain heart bypass surgery or soemthing like that and you were deathly ill and--annnnnnnyways, it's really really great to hear from you man

Here's to my hope with you <3

-Brad-MacD and Fredericton, NB

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Wow you have really been through the hospital mincer Vandy... I seriously hope you are now on the mend... please get the rest you need and take care.

[BlondeTwiggy 43]

Oh wow, thats horrible!! Im glad you're okay now and hope you're feeling a LOT better soon!

[masochist 111]

Oh man, Gary...

I'm glad to here you're doing better.  That would be a scary ordeal for me to go through...but it seems you handled it rather well.  Also nice to know that you were home for Christmas.

Thank you very much for the holiday wishes, especially considering that you still found time to give them even after going through all that.  I know it's a bit late, but I hope your Christmas is/was good to you, as well!

[jugioh1012 2]

I had to write a poem about the Beatles for school so here I go(its not finished yet)

The days are gone,

and the years are over,

since the band as rare,

as a 4 leaf clover,

played and sang,

their gentle song,

The crowds loved them,

and they weren't wrong,

Beatlemania,

came and went,

from the Isles of England,

they were sent,

__________(help me out)