How to Succeed as a Failing Writer Continues its making of friends and influencing of people with Pavlov’s Poets and the Road More Traveled: It’s a good time to be a poet. So why does that make me uneasy?

Tell your friends. Tell your family.

If you hate me, tell your enemies...

I made a proposal this morning in the F2F thread about retiring the Class Protector awards, and there has been some discussion of the topic since then.

There is a general consensus so far that the Awards should be retired but held in reserve in case we as a board feel someone deserves one. I would love to have more discussion of the topic, to make sure that really is a board consensus.

If you would like to weigh in on the topic, the discussion starts here: Lee "F2F 2: Is there anybody here that hasn't slept together?" Sep 30, 2004 7:25:37 am PDT.

Hey folks:

The Buffista Book Club is about to start discussion on its third book. October 11, to be exact. (See the first Book Club post for details.) Anyone who wants to choose one of the next books, now's the time.

Here's how it works: we'll take volunteers to choose books. Through some as yet undetermined super-seekrit method we'll assign those folks a month. When it's your turn, all the power is in your hands. There's a book nomination list that you are encouraged but not required to choose from.

So come on over to the Book Club and throw your hat into the ring. You know you want to.

corrections or clarifications to this post welcome, if I've misstated anything. Best to bring that to the thread, though.

(pending confirmation...this is still tentative)

Mini-F2F announcement:

As you all know, our dear Australian, Billytea, is heading back Down Under soon. He's touring the country a bit before he (sob) leaves us.

He will be visiting me November 6-7, so I wanted to propose an informal Buffista gathering at my place that Saturday night, the 6th. New England and NYCistas, come gather and say goodbye to William!

My profile addy is good, and I'm also subbed to the F2F thread. I'll remind everyone closer to Halloween, but I thought I'd propose it now so you could put it on your calendars.

Billytea Party!

Life in The Fast Lane with Steve Natt will be starting its new season on the Fine Living Network today (Sunday). It airs a lot of times a week, so if you have this obscure network, it should be easy to catch. My BF is doing production on the show, so anything which looks particularly impressive--well, you know where it comes from!

I'm going to the Chicago area for a business/work visit -- out to St. Charles and Geneva -- today through Tuesday night. I'll be free on Monday night (10/4) if any Chicago-areans would be interested in meeting me for dinner or just hanging out. Unfortunately, I won't have a car, and all I know about the geographical area is that it's about an hour's limo drive from O'Hare, so I don't know if it's laughably impractical, especially on this short notice. My board email address here will get to me.

Hey y'all -- if you're interested in supporting the Kerry campaign non-financially, check this out: They are doing distributed phone banking. You can go to their website and get a script + five people to call in a swing state. You're inviting people who already signed up on the Kerry webpage to do door-to-door canvassing, not cold-calling. It doesn't take much of your time (if you don't want it to), and really helps get the word out. And if you have phone anxiety, it could be good practice for you! ;)

[link]

Discussion on my proposal to start new TV threads is now open in Lightbulbs, starting here:

ita "Voting Discussion: We're Screwing In Light Bulbs AIFG!" Oct 4, 2004 2:23:30 pm PDT

I would love to have more feedback before the final ballot goes up.

An aquaintance of mine wrote Joss Whedon the following email:

Dear Joss,

We’re writing to confirm a possible Apocalypse. End-of-the-world stuff. Because that’s what we might very well be facing if George Bush and his administration are re-appointed (or elected this time) to rule this country. It would make Maggie Walsh look sane in comparison.

As you have taught us through Buffy, Angel, and Firefly, the only way to beat back the darkness is for everyone to become as much of a hero as their talents allow, and to work together so we are all stronger.

Therefore, we are asking you to use your talent, and the respect your talent has engendered, to talk to gatherings of Buffy/Angel/Firefly fans (and potential fans) nationwide about why you are supporting John Kerry for president. We would love it if you could spare 15 to 30 minutes on a conference call to give voters your view on this election, and possibly answer some pre-screened questions from listeners.

You would be a huge draw for these parties, and all proceeds will be used in the Kerry/Edwards election effort. In order to get the money to them as quickly as possible, we’re hoping to hold these parties soon, tentatively on Oct. 10, and we are coordinating the event with the Kerry campaign. Possible title: SlayerFest 2004: Buffy Fans for John Kerry.

If you are open to this possibility, please get back to us as soon as possible with your availability. We are all very much hoping to work with you on this crucial cause.

Janet Kaul

Joss wrote back and loved the idea. There is current planning for a Los Angeles party on October 18th at the home of my co-worker in Pasadena (Janet is her friend - I have only met Janet through email). There is a party in Saratoga the same day.

Anyone who is interested in attending the LA or Saratoga party or even hosting one elsewhere, please email me and let me know and I'll get you in contact with Janet.

Attention Buffistas!

Proposal: A boardwide Vice-Presidential Debate drinking game/post-and-watch.

The place: Natter

The time: 9 - 10:30 EDT (Latecomers welcome. Join us!)

The game: Every time Edwards says "Halliburton" and every time Cheney says some variation of the word "terror", we drink. Those Buffistae who do not imbibe the alcoholic-type beverages should substitute some other random semi-destructive or loud activity, such as screaming out "Boo-ya!" or "Ascend already!"

The reason: Given the fact we did a debate post-n-watch last week, I figured it was likely we'd do it again. Besides, we gotta survive this post-Buffyverse, pre-election time somehow. Also? I've had a really long day. Comic relief is necessary.

I am KristinT, and I approve this message.