And You Think What?...

Dear Rod:

I was a little confused by the article flow,i.e. you mention you are bringing back Thomas Hart w/ Tabloid Hart, then we get the horizontal line ********, which takes us directly into someone's "horizontal life". Is this Hart's writing, yours as a "me so horny" Monday morning manologue[sic] or just some hot(but tastefully so) yarn spinning?

Re: the election process. The current election process is a sham and a shame to both minority and majority people groups. From a minority perspective, the process is fucked, but that happens alot to minorities everywhere, under all sorts of circumstances - if you are the minority,SHIT happen(say a white guy with a flat tire in the ruff sections of Chicago.......a black man in Washington trying to get ahead in politics...) For the "majority people",white europeans, it is doubly distressing - you are in the group that would presumably have a major influence on what happens, and THAT ain't even happening. Obviously, our election processes, except on the minor, state levels, is no where near "by the people, for the people"BTP,FTP. If this was a government of BTP,FTP , this country would be one hell of a lot nicer for everyone, and personal accountability,initiative and ability would reign supreme. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ, I pray and practice in hopes of mankind moving that direction.

Keep up the good work brother.

Ed C.

P.S. In the mid-70's I had the problem of worrying about this girls "Shaft-wannabe" brother feeding me my nuts if he found out the "Godfather's" nephew was boffing his sister - this shit is so relative.


From Wolf DeVoon, near San Juan, COSTA RICA:

Rodya,

Since you linked them, I took a look at WORD, SALON, and FEED. I got trapped in WORD by their damn all-singing, all-dancing client side script (or whatever it is that disables the Back button). SALON looks like they broadened into a KMart of sorts (no mention of Paglia), and FEED claims to be more important than the rest of the web put together. All three suffer from an abundance of art direction, hoping to conceal spiritual emptiness, I reckon.

If there is any, the intelligent competition to G21 lives somewhere else.

You're doing great. I'll send something later this week.

Wolfya


From Steve C., Taipei, TAIWAN:

Dear Rod,

It's Chinese New Year, and I'm happy as can be to get four days off work. Keep up the fine job your'e doing on G21.

Best wishes
Steve C. Taipei, Taiwan.

P.S. And thanks to the House for passing the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act!


Raoul T., Aptos, CA, USA:

I find mr. carey very 'on' concerning global issues. when perhaps i find talent or regurgetated knowledge i will right as himself. he quite understands the machine.

from a int'l perspective the guy sees. most refreshing.

yes once in a while i get to read.

raoul

Braff Thinks Powers Swings

I received this in today's mail: Ý

Dear Bob, Ý

My good friend Mathew Domber [ of Arbors Records] read your wonderful review of our strings record that he got from your G21 magazine. Ý

I can't thank you enough for that slice of happiness that such words bring to me. Were it not for my friend Matthew, I wouldn't even be thinking of the different concept albums I do. Who else would have let me do the "Born to Play" album? Have you heard that? You'd probably love it. Ý Once again my heartfelt thanks to you. Keep loving music!!! Ý

Ruby Braff

The World's Magazine, the World's Mailbox

Hello, my name is Todd and I wanted to share my story with you. I'm 38 years old, a native to Dallas, Texas and, since a 1991 diving accident, a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair. Following my accident, a long hospital stay and grueling rehabilitation for my broken neck, I quickly realized I had two choices - lie around and feel sorry for myself, or get on with my life. My stubbornness unchanged by the accident, I chose the latter.

Being a bit of a closet computer geek, I decided to enroll in some college courses and pursue a career in the world of dot com. The Internet fascinated me and working with the web was conducive to my physical condition. Then, armed with a working knowledge of the Internet and a desire to design and maintain web sites, I set out in search of a job in the Dallas area. However, my optimistic attitude soon diminished as the reality of my situation became more clear. In contrast to what we all are told every day by the media, people are still reluctant to hire the handicapped. The rejection changed my optimism to depression and soon I considered giving up.

One day back in November of 1999, I ran into an old girlfriend of mine who told me she was working for an on-line adult Internet site and that I should contact them about a job. I sent an e-mail to whom it may concern at www.TexasXtasy.com, stated my intentions and included a resume. The next day I received a phone call from the general manager and he asked if I could come in and discuss becoming a member of the TexasXtasy family. "Family" I thought. That just seemed to be an odd word to use for an establishment featuring live sex over the Internet. I wondered how people in that sort of business would react to me when I wheeled through the front door. But, just as others were wrong in their assumptions regarding me and my potential from this chair, I was wrong in my assumptions regarding the folks involved in this particular adult-oriented business.

Well, I'm now a member of this family. I have a great job as an assistant control room technician, I work with people who like and respect one another, and, to say the least I'm the envy of all my friends.

Thanks for listening,
Todd


From Tom Hargrove (G21 Alumnus,) TX, USA:

Rice is the world's most important crop. It's also the most fascinating crop, and has shaped many lives. Mine, certainly.

Thus, I'm pleased to inform you that I've joined, as editor, PlanetRice, Inc., a new internet "portal site" to serve the world rice industry. (A portal site is a gateway to start an internet search, as well as a direct information source. Yahoo and Excite are "generic" portal sites.)

We serve the global rice community: farmers, traders, businesses, scientists, historians, students, chefs,

PlanetRice features news articles, rice events, market prices, research, awards, rice history and heritage, advertisements, classified ads, a message board for discussions, and links to institutions, worldwide, that specialize in rice. Future sections include Facts About Rice, Ask the Rice Experts, My Frite Rice Recipes, a Rice Book Store, and...who knows?

PlanetRice was started by Al Brooks, who worked for Uncle Ben's for 20 years, and is a consultant for the food technology industry. It went on-line in late October, 1999.

Please visit our site: www.planetrice.net

A PlanetRice press release announcing my affiliation is attached.

I'll continue to work as an agricultural editorial consultant, of course, and as senior writer for AGCOM International, America's only professional video production company that specializes in agriculture.

Last, Susan and I, and Miles and Geddie, wish all of our friends a wonderful new millenium.

Tom Hargrove


From Marion Owen, Kodiak, AK, USA:

Hello,

I don't know if this fits with your menu...but my name is Marion Owen, a co-editor of the upcoming book ěChicken Soup for the Gardener's Soulî--another in the NY Timesí bestselling series of ěChicken Soupî books. WE ARE CONDUCTING A GLOBAL SEARCH FOR STORIES. Would you please help us contact writers by posting (and passing along) the following set of Writers' Guidelines? Our deadline is March 1, 2000.

Thank you very much!

Marion Owen
Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
* * International Story Search for Bestselling Book Series * *

The creators of the New York Times' bestselling ěChicken Soup for the Soulî book series are conducting a worldwide search for stories from the garden. ěChicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul,î scheduled for publication in 2001, will contain the 101 most heartwarming, inspirational stories about one of the worldís most popular outdoor activity: gardening and growing plants.

The Chicken Soup series of books, created by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen in 1994, has become an international hit. The series has sold over 45 million copies, with 24 titles, and translated into over 30 languages. The term ëChicken Soupí is associated in many languages with something that soothes the spirit. Now, a global story search is on to collect the best personal gardening stories for ěChicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul.î

Those authors chosen will get their work published in a book that is sure to be another bestseller in the series. Selected writers will also get $300 (US) and a one-paragraph biography in the book.

"We're conducting an international search for stories, because kinship with growing things provides the most direct link to the earth,î says co-author Marion Owen. ěPeople around the world respond to plants.î Sources for stories are many: Sowing seeds, plowing fields, growing and sharing food, tending plants and trees, holidays, farmers' markets, local history and lore, a bouquet of flowers, historical accounts, war, and celebrating the harvest. ěWe are looking for gardening, farming and people-plant stories that involve love, generosity, kindness, and life lessons.î

WHAT MAKES A WINNING STORY?
The ideal Chicken Soup story is personal, tender or funny, and no more than 1,200 words. It is touching or inspiring, making readers laugh, cry or sigh. Something really happens; it is not just a description of how gardens make you feel, but a real--and true--story, with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Ideally it also has a special moment or point that really tugs at the heart or surprises the mind.

It is very important to understand the kind of story we are looking for. For sample stories, please go to: http://www.gardeners-soul.com/samplestories.html. A good Chicken Soup story does not preach or philosophize. It is not an essay, a tribute, a reminiscence, a biography or a commentary. It is a personal, true, touching story--something you would share with a friend.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR STORY
If you have a heartwarming, or humorous garden or other people-plant story you would like to share with the world, there are several ways to submit your story. Deadline for submissions is March 1, 2000. All submissions should include the writer's full name, address, phone number, and e-mail address. Stories will be acknowledged within two months.

1) Mail your story to:
Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul
PO Box 1694
Kodiak, AK 99615 USA

2) Fax it to: 907-486-2686

3) E-mail it to: marion@ptialaska.net (no attached files, please).

FOR WRITERSí GUIDELINES AND SAMPLE STORIES: 1) Go to our Web site at http://www.gardeners-soul.com 2) E-mail a request to marion@ptialaska.net 3) Send a self-addressed envelope with the correct number of International Reply Coupons to the address below.

We look forward to reading your story! Thank you.

Contact: Marion Owen
PO Box 1694, Kodiak, AK 99615 USA
Phone: 907-486-5079; Fax: 907-486-2686
E-mail: marion@ptialaska.net
http://www.gardeners-soul.com


From Bonita Q., (No City Provided,) USA:

Dear Rod Amis:

Would you consider printing/posting the following article in your newsletter for writers and authors:

THE PERFECT VALENTINE FOR MEN
by Bonita M Quesinberry

Often we women run out of gift ideas for our men, but not this year. Technology has advanced to Star Trek status with Rocket Readers, a handheld computer much like Star Trek Voyager's Captain Janeway uses. Well, ladies, men 'luv' gadgets, so why not give your man a Rocket Reader for Valentine's Day? Ah, you say, what is he going to read from it?

There are thousands of e-books all over the web and within the space of a few minutes at least ten can be downloaded to the Reader. Although! Since it is Valentine's Day, perhaps we should listen to a man's opinion of a recently released romantic suspense. Oh? Your man won't read romance? Well, listen to Bob Elmatti of Florida!

"As a man and a minister, I've never read romance. But, "Shades of the Rainbow", by Bonita M Quesinberry, was recommended to me. Reluctantly, I downloaded and began reading. I was lifted up to the most wonderful delightful ecstasy, plummeted to the depths of despair and kept in suspense to the end. Most of all, it inspired me to do wonderful things for my wife, Lori. Romance novels? I'll read them again if by this author. Then I discovered that the sales proceeds support Unicorn Haven, a FREE! in-residence teen counseling program for girls. What more could I ask from any book purchased?"

So, ladies, do yourself a favor. Buy a Rocket Reader from most computer stores and then purchase "Shades of the Rainbow", ISBN 1-930364-63-6, with the added bonus of knowing that your purchase is helping our troubled teens. It can be found at Book Mice And, if you'd like to know more about Unicorn Haven, check them out at END

"SHADES OF THE RAINBOW" now available at

Completely rewritten! New publisher! 5-star ratings! Do a good thing!

Purchasing it supports UNICORN HAVEN SYNOPSIS: NEWS:

HELP Alzeihmers AND hear authors read from their books at HELP UnicornHaven- http://kitsap.net/services/unicornhaven MANY BLESSINGS TO

FOR DONATING THE HAVEN'S WEB PAGE BLESSINGS TO THE HAVEN'S NET SERVER: tscnet.com

+++ THE PREVIOUS VOX POPULI +++ THE NEXT VOX POPULI +++

We want your feedback on this stuff. Go to the TALK BACK page and tell us what you think!

via e-mail