TheBanyanTree: Editor needed & Raising Hand

[Jim Miller]

Hello boys and girls sitting here in the shade of this giant tree. I swear
to you that no matter how many times I proof something before I send it,
there is a missed typo. I desperately need a personal editor to review
everything I write before it goes public. I never fail to be embarrassed by
the most obvious goofs like the last one right there in the subject line.
Even if no one reads the massage, they can take one look and think ‘what a
dork’. It’s a curse and a cross I bear.

 

So now on to raising my hand. I’M PRESENT!!!

 

I’ve been here since 1996 when I joined The Spoon. I believe it was
February. I had been writing a few short stories and emailing them at the
time. Linda came home one day and told me about The Spoon. I don’t recall
who told her about the list and I doubt that she will recall. The café had
been recently opened and the list membership was small. A large percentage
of those friends are still present, but like myself only pop up
occasionally. I lurked briefly and then jumped in with both feet. I remember
in March 96 howling at the moon. While we learned about each other, the
focus was stories, and I enjoyed every one of them. We had a few ripping
parties before it seemed like the group was large enough that the partying
would be non-stop and get out of hand. After all, The Spoon was a place to
tell stories. I liked that The Spoon was a safe place; a courtesy that has
been extended to the Tree. I liked the theme ideas. This challenged
creativity. Before The Spoon closed, I coordinated the last Hot Potato
story. I think that I still have it in a word file someplace. I should do a
search and dig it out. Hot Potato story fun came from the unexpected
direction it took. I think that if I read it today, I might still recognize
the story teller for each segment. The joy of reading each other’s story
segment was experiencing the different styles. I confess to borrowing an
occasional phrase myself.

 

I cherish every friend I’ve made here. I’ve met a couple of them in person
and would like to meet others. I’ve dreamed of going to Australia since I
was 20, and now I have people to see. It’s still in my dreams, and maybe
someday . . . . . still alive and able. I deeply miss the friends we’ve
lost. One of the most genuine persons; always prompt with a response and I
believe the first to welcome me into The Spoon was Youngblood, Stargazr,
Nancy. Her larger than life persona and kindness, are burned into my
memories for eternity. I shall never forget her. I shall never forget her
triumph and grist on that last road trip. When the words wouldn’t come, she
still wrote and laughed at her dilemma. Now that’s class.

 

Like several who have spoken in the past few days, I’ve let life get in the
way of posting. I lament that I’ve failed to tell a story or two. They’re in
me. I need to vent them. It’s about time for a new resolution to write more
and get it out there. I have a couple of books ready to write. I MUST WRITE!

 

Jim Miller