Wednesday, March 21, 2007

This is why we do it

If anyone wants to know why I write this is the definitive, joyous, life-affirming, beautiful answer.

I received an e-mail this morning from someone I don't know, from where I have no idea. It reads:

"Hi there :)

I loved your novel and was wondering if I could be placed on the list for a paperback copy?

Kind Regards,

Anna ******"

That's as good as any acceptance letter from any agent, better than a review in the New York Times.

I've found a new reader and made a connection. There is no better feeling in life. It almost makes me want to cry but I'm going to laugh and cheer instead.

98 comments:

  1. See? I've decided that laughing at things is the only way forward.

    Do you have your cottage-on-the-coast booked yet?

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  2. And there are many more out there who haven't written yet--like me. I'll get a mail out this morning...

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  3. Laughing and cheering with you, Pund.

    And I won't hold it against you that you don't want tea and cakes with me ... I'm going to come and gatecrash anyway!

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  4. These are the words that spur us on, that get us back behind the keyboard and keep us there - laughing!

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  5. Anonymous9:02 pm

    Yep, I had a similar experience when I asked Steve how you could buy Sand Storm.

    But I'm on the list for your book, aren't I, Pundy? Is there anything else I have to do, other than wait with bated breath?

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  6. Anonymous4:22 pm

    I'm glad for you, though I may never experience it myself.

    Thanks for leaving the doors open!

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  7. Congratulations, Pundy! :-)
    Let me know your work-in-progress blog link for Mummy's Boy

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  8. that is the best feedback we can ever hope for, pundy! :) milk it and bring more in!

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  9. Oh for goodness sake - haven't you finished that chapter yet?

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  10. Anonymous12:31 am

    Laugh all the way to the bank! Or at least, that's what I'd do. :)

    Also, keep me informed on the progress of "Mummy's boy". I'm an avid reader, if nothing else. :-)

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  11. where are you, Pundy?

    Haven't you learned from bitter-sweet experiece what happens to blogs that appear to have been abandoned?

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  12. Debi is right. Abandoned blogs are just begging for party squatters.
    I think you have abandoned us and you're now living off the proceeds from your ill-gotten business gains. You've bought some silk pajamas, a hot tub made for twenty and a harem of nubile blondes, haven't you?

    Ah well, I'll put the kettle on and wait for the others.......

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  13. I'm here! At last! A triumphant return to the ultimate party venue ...

    Let's round up the party faithful and form a disorderly conga line ...

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  14. Debi, put that conga down and have a look at this. I've just found some holiday brochures for Outer New Pygmy, the billionaires hideaway, do you think he's gone there? Are there many sheep there?

    Oh, a gin, don't mind if I do.

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  15. Anonymous5:30 pm

    The Tone of this party is already going downhill -

    (come on Tone - get it together)

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  16. Downhill? Does that mean a slalom... (cue deadly music from Beeb 2 Ski Sunday programme)

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  17. Well if I can squeeze in a quick congrats to Pundy between the gin and general racket going on here - Congratulations, Pundy!
    Now, shove over the rest of you, there're three big chickens looking to get rowdy!
    Granny just loves doing the conga...

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  18. I have made some punch with added bite and kick. Hope someone has some linament, this could get nasty....

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  19. Anonymous11:22 pm

    We need some music. Where's that Shameless with his piano?

    Is that him under the aspidistra already?

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  20. Make way. Make way. Party organiser's here.

    Set up the table in the corner there. I've brought cake. Yes, cake ...

    And in the opposite corner, you'll see I've organised karaoke 'til Shameless arrives with the live music.

    Any volunteers for a 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' duet?

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  21. That's lovely Debi. I've brought some duelling pistols and a chocolate fountain. I thought we could play 'pin the tail on the ass' once we have found a suitable ass!
    Oh, and did anyone leave a Christopher Walken wandering about outside? Never mind, he likes dancing.

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  22. Hello Mr Pundy
    I just fell into your Blog from another one so I've had a swift look round.
    That's a lovely note from Anna.
    I'll look foward to returning .

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  23. Anonymous4:10 pm

    I'll bring something smooth.

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  24. I'm smooth. Will I do?

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  25. Anonymous8:00 pm

    OK, I won't bring something smooth. I'll take what's on offer.

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  26. Congratulations, Pundy.

    Debi - I'll join you on the 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' duet.

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  27. OK - what's on offer? Let's round this up, shall we?

    Holiday brochures, a ski slalom, gin, chickens (uncooked and dancing), more gin, cake, karaoke, punch, linament, duelling pistols, a chocolate fountain, more gin, Christopher Walken (why? has he brought gin?), human smoothies ...

    Yep. Loks like this is shaping up just fine ...

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  28. Anonymous1:06 pm

    What, no ganja? You said it was a party.

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  29. Smooth John, very smooth.

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  30. Ermm....where do you want the strippers thos time..........

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  31. Confy, you didn't book the Chippendales again - how are we going to fit them all on these skinny little skis!

    Pass the gin please, I brought some sloes to steep in it -make it a bit special... ;)

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  32. Dear Mr Subtle aka John. This is a public blog! Some things are better left assumed but unstated.

    (Pssst - over here behind this empty gin barrel ...Watch out for skiing Chippendales and short bald blokes with stripper fetishes.)

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  33. A public bog, Debi? I thought we were in the highlands - oh you are.
    Mr Baker, are kilts supposed to be worn that high?

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  34. Anonymous8:38 pm

    Debi - Why do I have to watch out for short bald blokes with stripper fetishes? This is not quite what I'm used to. Do you do that in London? Jeez. Hit me again.
    Minx - you don't have to look. On the other hand, this is my first kilt.

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  35. One cannot help but look, Mr Biker, you have a fine pair of.....socks. Now straighten yer sporran and pass the scoobie.

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  36. Normally I just lurk quietly around the edges of the room, but I've brought some more gin, a bit of tonic and loads of lemons for everyone and am stepping out onto the dancefloor this time. Where are you Pundy?

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  37. Anonymous2:56 pm

    Is there a John in the house?

    There's a guy on the doorstep with a bag of something green, he's asking for John. Says his name is Howard Marks.

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  38. Anonymous2:59 pm

    Get off Debi, there's enough for everyone - wait your turn . . . .

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  39. Think I need some more underwear.

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  40. Anonymous7:45 am

    Oooooooooo, dancing. I love that. Swirly, swirly, jump up and down, twizzle, leap . . .

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  41. My name's not Debi, it's John.

    Delighted to meet you Mr Marks. I understand you and your partner, Mr Spencer, have gone all green of late.

    I'd be happy to sample your merchandise. I'm a connoisseur - look I can even spell it. Don't bother with this other lot. They're just playing - they're not the real thing like you and meeeeeee ....

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  42. Nobody mentioned dancing in the invitationssss

    I can do a reel or a jig, if you like, but I generally wait until the first bottle has kicked in...

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  43. This place is a real mess. I hope you know the number for a good carpet cleaner because Pundy is going to hit the roof when he sees all the filth and stains and breakages! :) You lot are TERRIBLE!!!!!!

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  44. Anonymous8:47 pm

    Oh Shameless, don't be such a poop.
    It was John, the dancing windmill who made all the mess, but John will hoover it up with her nose in a mo.
    John and John, the strippers, look as if they could hold a broom, and that other John, the one with her head in the gin pail, has even brought one with her.
    Don't think we'll get any sense out of Skint John, he appears to have fallen in love with Famous John from the emerald city.

    Look out, here comes John the Windmill again. Ouch! I bet that hurt. Ice, Shameless? Or more gin?

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  45. Shame on you, Shameless. Just chill, man. Come over here and lick some of this shamrock. Reel in Cailleach while you're at it.

    Oh - this is Debi BTW. I've stopped being John now that it's caught on and everyone's a John ...

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  46. I've decided to trash the place now; if you can't beat em join em. A guinness would be nice, just back from Ireland you know! Get off! Those are MY shamrocks! Who said they shoud be licked? Get OFF you pervert! John? Who said John? Where is the John, is what I want to know, after all this guinnneeessssssss .... oh dear ... my head ... and that mess is getting worrrrsssssstessssttttttt I shall cleverly muck have shivering beanstalk to political the zebra in polly under region fist gift up the pole mary luton beneath these curtains! Pardon?

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  47. Anonymous4:35 pm

    I could have danced all night . . .

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  48. See? I'm green now! Do you see the change in me? It's the ... I should've stayed at home!

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  49. How did you do that, Shamey? That string of totally unconnected gibberish? That takes some real skill, y'know.

    But ... er ... about the green hue ... do not even THINK about puking in here ... (bloody lightweight!

    C'mon, John, let's you and me round up Senor Marks and show 'em how it's done.

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  50. I have a string of gibberish on me blog at the moment - it's called a post and if anyone is still sober/straight enough, perhaps they would like to add to it.

    Debi, please don't give JB any more, he seems to think he is Ginger Rogers.

    Btw, are we missing a John? Where is that Merkan one what writes the poetry?

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  51. Anonymous6:58 pm

    OK, Debi. He's so good-looking, isn't he? Howard? Kind of edgy-looking. Can you tango?

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  52. Anonymous7:01 pm

    Hey, Minx. Don't cut me off. C'm'on, just one more little one. I won't mention Ginger again. Or roger. Lovely couple, though.

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  53. Oh, did I miss anything? I have been making snacks. You should be getting hungry right about, now.

    Pundy doesn't have a wok so I used the coal scuttle.

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  54. Anonymous11:55 pm

    Debi's nicked all the ganja and is composing a musical with Shameless in the drawing room.

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  55. Isn't there a whisky called JB? And might you not mix it with Ginger ...?

    This is the coolest party I've ever been to. You guys are - like - really deep. Profound. We're sorting out the world here. Awesome. And then we're putting it to music. I mean, how cool is that?

    Now, where's that chocolate fountain ...?

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  56. Anonymous6:36 pm

    Oi!

    You lot!

    Call this a party?

    Oh, hi Howard, got any gear?

    Vindaloo, vindaloo, vindaloo!

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  57. Anonymous8:29 pm

    It's a good party, it's true. I liked the dancing. I met a nice artistic lady but she ran off somewhere when I interrupted her conversation with me. And the couple with the shaved heads were fun until they argued. Not sure about the girl with the big pants or her brother, in fact I don't think he is her brother. And what does he say when he talks? The guy needs subtitles.
    I liked the cake. Home baking's great because you eat a piece of love with the icing and the hundreds and thousands.
    But I feel kind of irritated or rejected . . . don't know which. I had a little weep but it didn't help. Sporrans are useless for mopping up tears.

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  58. Help - John's shot straight to the maudlin stage. Might send him off to the online marathon party at maniacmum's. Pasta and smoothies should sort him out. (And stop him bringing everyone else down ...)

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  59. Anonymous9:21 pm

    John, come sits vith me. Zis is a goot party, full of zis happy drug people. You must vipe zose liddle tears and shtop zis veeping or you vill be looking like zis Yorkshire puddink.
    You half had zis lucky escape from zat artistic lady. She is from zat house of negotiable affection. Ya, ya, I know, looks are deceiving.

    My goodness, vot a short skirt you are trying to wear.

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  60. Anonymous11:44 pm

    I'm sorry. I know it's a good party. I don't wanna go to manicmums again. I don't know why I always have to be the centre of attention. That Dr Ruthie touched me. I think she's a guy.
    I'm going out in the garden and dance there for a while. Quietly. I may be some time.

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  61. It's all going downhill, isn't it? Even with Keith Allen, Howard Marks and Christopher Walken (who's been very quiet ...)

    I suggest getting some girlies in. I'm going to invite Amy Wine-in-the-house, Boadecia and Dawn French.

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  62. Anonymous9:40 pm

    Seriously, where is Bill?
    Lynne

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  63. Not only is Bill not here but it looks like no one else is now either.

    It's all gone Marie Celeste ...

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  64. I have mailed him, but he gone.
    I still think he's sitting in a hot tub somewhere in Outer New Pygmy.

    Crime fiction writers, we need your help. Where is the Pundy? Whodunnit?

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  65. Anonymous9:46 am

    Dawn French? Oh, goody.

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  66. At least John's happy again now. Thank goodness for that.

    I'm organising a search party for Pundy. Volunteers needed please. It's hard to tell what's going on as he hardly ever replies to emails anyway!

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  67. Anonymous11:11 am

    am i missing out on something? or someone? err, hello? make some noise in the house, Host, please?

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  68. Anonymous2:17 pm

    allo allo allo

    Fresh victims - Damien - over here with the formaldehyde.

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  69. Anonymous2:19 pm

    Hang on Keith, it's that Howard Marks - the drugs don't work

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  70. Anonymous9:15 pm

    "I became aware of the old island here that flowered once for Dutch sailors’ eyes — a fresh, green breast of the new world. Its vanished trees, the trees that had made way for Pundy’s house, had once pandered in whispers to the last and greatest of all human dreams; for a transitory enchanted moment man must have held his breath in the presence of this continent, compelled into an aesthetic contemplation he neither understood nor desired, face to face for the last time in history with something commensurate to his capacity for wonder."

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  71. Anonymous1:16 pm

    What's goin on here? Someone said it was a party ... Weirdest party we've ever been to ...

    We were promised chocolate fountains, karaoke and Chippendales ...

    Instead it's all drugged up hippies and literary tossers ...

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  72. Anonymous6:32 pm

    'ere - who you calling a tosser Dee Ranged?

    btw - May Includenuts has just disappeared into the toilet with Keith Allen and Damien Hirst

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  73. Anonymous12:24 am

    Am I the only one who is increasingly worried? (I sent Bill an email quite some time ago. No response.)

    WWofP

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  74. No, Lynne, you are not the only one who is worried. I have also mailed him. I am going to try snail mail next.

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  75. Lynne - we are all concerned. It's hard to know what to do. But I remember how much Pundy said he enjoyed the last party which is why we've carried on with it. What else can we do? Just drop out of sight?

    At least this way he will hopefully know we're all thinking of him and checking - whatever is going on for him.

    I suggest if anyone does hear from him they let everyone else know here.

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  76. I see how it is around here. Bloke runs off to take care of some business and the girls move in and "decorate".

    Take it from me, the guy is not gonna be happy coming back to a place full of drunk and spent Chippendale's.

    Now shoo all that rancid meat off and clean this place up right quick!

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  77. Bill, I've named you for the Thinking Blogger Award.
    Now, belly up.

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  78. This party seems to have petered out. Hope the P man is coming back to us soon!!!

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  79. Anonymous4:45 pm

    one down a few more to go...watch yer backs folks...

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  80. So let me guess, Pundy's been pinched for parading around the island in a dress waving something that looks like a crown?

    I tried to warn to 'im. I did. Really.

    So how many years does a guy get for that?

    -blue

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  81. If no one hears from Pundy (i don't know if anyone already has by now0 and are truly concerned and worried, it should be easy to look up Bill Liversidge in the Scottish directory. if you know his town, that would be better.
    but perhaps other options should be exhausted first.
    Anyway, pundy. I miss you. please come back & let us know how you're getting on with the writing.

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  82. Holiday? Work? Blogging break?

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  83. You bugger. You absolute bugger.

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  84. Because I like ODD numbers I'm leaving a comment-not about the novel because I've only just stumbled across you; about the sheer weight of numbers, the obvious support you have.
    We should all be so lucky.

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  85. Bill! Good to see your face again. I hope the work is going well.

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  86. Where? Where's his face? Minx? John? What do you know that we don't?

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  87. Tracked him down via the blog surf.

    Don't know whether to laugh, cry or be very very cross! Does this mean I have to ditch the draft obituary I was working on? And the plan to publish Half Life ...?

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  88. Guys, I'm not dead and I do appreciate your concern and kindness but right now I'm struggling and blogging isn't the answer.

    Good luck with your own blogs and of course the writing - which is the most important thing.

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  89. All the best with your life, Pundy. Sad that you weren't around. I hope everything works out.

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  90. Sorry to hear you're struggling, Pundy. Thinking of you and sending love. We'll be here ready and waiting for you whenever you need us.

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  91. You know where we are when you need us - love and light, dear Bill.

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  92. Pundy, all best wishes. I was so glad to get your comment recently at Lowebrow.

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  93. Just thinking of you today, Pundy (May 27) & missing you. :)

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  94. very best of luck with writing Pundy, take good care and hope to hear you soon! (31 May 2007)

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  95. Anonymous11:31 am

    for fucks sake get over it - the guys stopped blogging. wot a bunch of fuckwits.

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  96. Just popped in to say hello - 4th June.

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  97. Anonymous2:25 pm

    When a man says "Guys, I'm not dead and I do appreciate your concern and kindness but right now I'm struggling and blogging isn't the answer" why do people continue to come on and pester the poor fellow.

    It's almost akin to stalking.

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