Cocktail Party

[Ashton Gray]

With hundreds of members here now, I feel like a stranger to most, and I'd very much like to get to know you.

It seems that the forum discussions, for whatever reason, tend to be dominated by a relative few members, and the various Groups have special interests, so I thought I'd start a thread where everybody can wander in and out without pressure or demands. Just drop in, have a drink, and say hello.

I'd like to hear about who you are and where you come from. I'd like to know what drew you to writing in general and to The Writer's Box in particular. I'd like to hear about your hopes and dreams and aspirations, or, really, anything you'd like to say.

Some say, "Show me a writer, and I'll show you somebody with two jobs." Well, if that describes you, tell us what your "other job" is. Or let's hear some local color, or about your family or pets, or about whatever is important to you or merely strikes your fancy.

Won't you please pop in and say hi? I'm really looking forward to meeting you.

Ashton

[Ashton Gray]

Namaskar, Anand. It's a great pleasure to meet you, and to welcome you to this little informal get-together. No one is ever late here—although somehow I keep managing to be.

My knowledge of microbiology is rivaled only by my knowledge of the authors you cited and their works, and could fairly be described as "none." I believe cricket also could be added to the list of things I know almost nothing about. (In fact, I'm beginning to suspect that I just don't know much at all about anything.)

I hope you will write about your rich culture and heritage, and write more about your journey through the many lives that led you to Oxford, Ohio. I'm thoroughly looking forward to it.

Ashton

[Beth Ketterer]

Crystal Dawn said:

____

Yes, Beth! And put a log on the fire. I love sitting fireside while reading.

There is something soothing about the pop and crack of a log, or the smell of pine branches.

[Clark Isaacs]

The world is full of writers and I are one! Hi to all and thank you for the warm welcome, but I am still looking for that cold martini! Where did you all say the bar was? After I get a snort or two I can mosey on up to the conversations, being a bit reticent with strangers, it takes an ounce or two of false courage.

Ashton Gray said:

Blindogg said:

Just watch out for Tony Walker - he's English ya know!

There are no disparaging words about any members at the cocktail party. (And I hope you realize that you've now laid on foreshadowing with a spatula, practically rolling out a red carpet to allow Mr. Walker to make a grand entrance at the beginning of the Second Act, fashionably late, with all eyes and paparazzi on him. Tcht!)

Just kidding, Tony! Hope you get a chance to drop by!

[Ashton Gray]

Clark Isaacs said:

The world is full of writers and I are one! Hi to all and thank you for the warm welcome, but I am still looking for that cold martini! Where did you all say the bar was? After I get a snort or two I can mosey on up to the conversations, being a bit reticent with strangers, it takes an ounce or two of false courage.

Come'on in, Clark! Nobody around here bites. (A nibble, maybe, if you're lucky.) And I have it on impeccable authority that the local specialty just happens to be a very dirty martini—and of course I mean that in the cleanest possible way. Some people are proponents of a little spritz of vermouth from a spray bottle, but personally, I think it's enough to whisper "vermouth" over the top of the glass and call it a martini.

Make yourself very much at home among friends and good writer neighbors!

Ashton

[Judah Mahay]

Thank you for your comments, Ashton and everyone else. I left for a few days and I've missed half the fun.

I agree with you Ashton, there are a lot of wonderful writers here and I look forward to seeing this community grow. I'll pop in when I can. Till then, thank you all for your thoughts and responses.

Judah

[Ashton Gray]

Melissa, I'm so glad to see you here! You have no idea what kinds of distractions are being thrust forward around this place, just busting out all over, so some talk of poetry over gin and lemonade would be a very civilizing influence for me at the moment.

Melissa Bickel said:

Cocktail party, is it formal?

No, no, no. It's as informal as a sports bra. No: what I mean is, this is just a very relaxed sort of "let it all hang out" affair. No, that wasn't very well put, either. W-W-What I'm trying to say— Won't you tell me all about your writing interests?

I love the journey words can take you on. I like to see what I read, meaning, imagery is important. I literally like to see what I read in my minds eye. I want to see it unfold. So in a sense I taste and see what I read.

Oh. Dear me. Well, now, since you put it that way, I think I should mention that there's this dear, dear woman here, Crystal Dawn, and may I just suggest mildly that while you certainly will want to make her close acquaintance, you might not want to swing— I mean drop— I mean to say stop by her page right now, because some of the unfolding taking place there at the moment is quite a handful. Why are you looking at me that way?

Okay anyway, I've been a member for a bit, but haven't really reached out so much, but I am hoping to start interacting with some of the forums and expanding my knowledge regarding writing in general as I have much to learn yet.

Melissa, please allow me to reach out to you—I only mean figuratively! Wait: what I mean is in a strictly metaphorical sense!—and sincerely welcome you warmly to this extraordinary group of talented and clever people, who all will be enriched exponentially by your invaluable contributions.

Ashton

[Rianna]

My goodness I do believe Crystal and Ashton have completely lost it. And please take note that I am not speaking of bras. At least, I don't believe they have lost their bras. Although I think with all Crystal's giggling, she probably has wiggled right out of hers. And as for Ashton--well last time I saw him he was testing out a pretty lavender lacy number. Oops. I wasn't supposed to tell.

But err, anyway, the point I was trying to make: it's nice to meet you Melissa. I'm sure you've noticed formality at this little party is quite non-existent.

[Rianna]

Good Lord woman! For a second you had me believing I had gone plum crazy. You're evil. Truly, wickedly, evil.

[Ashton Gray]

Rianna said:

For a second you had me believing I had gone plum crazy.

If you had believed you had gone plumb crazy, I could sympathize. But if you started to believe you had gone plum crazy, it surely was entirely attributable to that lavender bra comment, and therefore richly deserved.

Ashton

[Rianna]

I do apologize for the misspelling. Images of you in various shades of purple lace have invaded my mind, rendering most of my brain power temporarily obsolete.

Ashton Gray said:

Rianna said:

For a second you had me believing I had gone plum crazy.

If you had believed you had gone plumb crazy, I could sympathize. But if you started to believe you had gone plum crazy, it surely was entirely attributable to that lavender bra comment, and therefore richly deserved.

Ashton

[Johnell McLean]

I have come back to join in the fun and games. I will have a double, if you don't mind. A double of anything after my week long adventures with mother nature. I have been camping for so long I think a stiff drink and good company are called for.
I wish to be the one with the lampshade on her head dancing to whatever music is playing and having a good time. I don't want to have to worry for a while. I do believe Ike wishes to pay a visit this way, but I hope he doesn't stop by.
Hello there all! I hope I was missed, but if I wasn't then be assured you all were.

So let's dance and be merry and enjoy these muffins. I just got electricity the other day and I hope the oven is working correctly.

[Ashton Gray]

Rianna said:

Images of you in various shades of purple lace have invaded my mind, rendering most of my brain power temporarily obsolete.

Jumping Jehosophat! That would turn any brain to jelly! Think virgin wool herringbone, girl, and be quick about it, or they'll be carting you away on a gurney!

Ashton