A tenth anniversary
 

Poking around in the admin console for statistics, I came upon this: The Sphere's very first member registration--Alex Pepple's, of course--took place on December 15, 1999.

We are ten years old. In Internet terms, that probably makes us an institution.

Thanks, Alex, and happy (slightly belated) birthday, Sphere.

Happy Birthday Sphere!
 

Hear! Hear! In my mind I'm blowing my silly paper tongue thing and eating ice cream and cake!

Lance L.

Anyone In The Mood For A Celebration?
 

Eratosphere is half as old as I am. Which, when I think about it, is kind of weird.

We should have a Poet Laureate to write an occasional verse for this birthday!

Maybe on D&A something could be created? It has to be acknowledged - ten incredible years.

Thank you to Alex and every participant I have read and learned from over the years.

Happy Birthday, Eratosphere!

love,

Cally

Eratosphere is definitely the premier workshop for serious folks, one that is free and in which even experienced poets and writers can learn continually. (I do anyway, and I've been publishing for decades.) The Able Muse is a high class publication. I wish I had discovered them both at the very beginning.

Hats off, Alex, for the tremendous contributions you have made for all of us who love to read and write and discuss poetry. Thank you for your investments of time and money, thank you for your generosity and your hospitality. All of us who frequent here, to post or to lurk, are in your debt.

Best wishes to Alex & Co for the coming holiday season, and may you have many happy returns.

Celebrate, yes! Ten years before the mast!
Gathered poets, at sail in wine dark sea
and ink, asking, "It's good, don't you agree?"
Poor poets, smitten so with the good lash.

Get Dressed
 

I hope no one missed this link while celebrating.
Catch the young woman with the sax at 1:13.


Tuxedo Junction


Back to work for me.

This really is cause to celebrate! My sincere gratitude to Alex for Eratosphere. I would never have been able to improve my art without it.

Happy Birthday, Eratosphere, and many happy returns! ;)

Cathy

Ten years is long enough to make a significant impact on the lives of many writers. I just wish I had discovered Eratosphere earlier. Not only did I improve as a writer here, but I learned an enormous amount from the other participants, and many of their works then stimulated my own ideas for poems. When the Sphere is working well, it is an embodiment of symbiosis. It is unfortunate that periodic personality clashes and disputes have led some to leave (or have led to their expulsion). We all lose when we can't get along. I have seen it happen often enough to think that it is more due to the human condition than to anything that can be readily prevented. But if changes can be made that will improve the situation, it would be good to make them.

Susan