Hi Byz! Nice to see you again!
Zette 
welcome home! missed ya.
God its good to see a familiar face!
WHERE THE HELL YA BEEN???
I think we’ve all missed that Byzantine* mind of yours…welcome back!
- [sub]Main Entry: 1Byz·an·tine
Pronunciation: 'bi-z&n-"tEn, ‘bI-, -“tIn; b&-'zan-”, bI-’
Function: adjective
Date: 1794
1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of the ancient city of Byzantium
2 : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of architecture developed in the Byzantine Empire especially in the 5th and 6th centuries featuring the dome carried on pendentives over a square and incrustation with marble veneering and with colored mosaics on grounds of gold
3 : of or relating to the churches using a traditional Greek rite and subject to Eastern canon law[/sub]
**4 often not capitalized a : of, relating to, or characterized by a devious and usually surreptitious manner of operation <a Byzantine power struggle> b : intricately involved : LABYRINTHINE <rules of Byzantine complexity> **
Byz, you think we could forget, we’ve barely been limping along here without you!
Good to see you back again!
BYZ!!! How ya’ doing?
I still have chat room trout scales stuck in my ears!
Welcome back.
Nice to have another 99er back. How long have you been gone, anyhow?
So, essentially, this was just a cruel joke designed to make us think Byz had deigned to grace the SDMB with her presence.
Bitch. 
Howdy all! (Kisses, hugs and fresh panties all around!) (Oh, and this is long, forgive me, I have diarrhea of the keyboard after such a long absence!)
Honestly, it’s been so long that I really didn’t think any of the “regs” would still be around! And as for what I was up to or what the OP means: Um… hello… Moby? His CD called Play? And the song (that has ALMOST saturated the airwaves: South Side?) Now, if you too lived in Utah I might excuse this musical anomaly of not knowing but you folks (the bulk of you anyway) live in states that are NOT forty years behind the times! Or am I hopelessly about a year out of hip? Is Moby passe now? Hey, if so, forgive me, I STILL live in Utah! (Don’t you just love how I can turn a personal affliction into a rationalization?!)
Just a note but I love that CD of Moby. “Honey” is good, “Find my Baby” rocks, “Everloving” is magically sweet and my all time favorite is “Porcelain”. I had never heard of him but on my PBS station they kept playing this snippet of music; a friend said, “Hey, that’s Moby!” and I was off and running to get his CD. Just a plug, I guess! And that should explain the rather surreal nature of my OP. That and the fact that I always smoke a big bowl of crack before I post… just kidding! I actually smoke three joints before posting. Oh, yeah, and I shoot up a bunch of meth too!
Now, down to brass tacks: I left due to a personal problem. ‘Nuf said. As far as I know the problem has been dealt with and is over and it shall trouble me no longer.
What have I been doing? Well, good and grand things! I’ve been doing a lot of work with the Utah Food Bank and that has been very rewarding. I’ve also been giving a lot of time and all to our local Women’s shelter. It has really opened my eyes about why women stay in abusive relationships. When I went to volunteer they did this thing, to make me understand where these women are coming from (just a note but this is pretty common and I’m sure you’ve heard of it)
They made me stand in the center of the room and person after person heafeted a blanket onto my head. After about thirty I dropped to my knees with the weight of them; yet, they still heaped more onto me. After about fifty I was stuck flat to the floor. It was then I heard someone yell, “That is what these women feel like!” I could barely hear her shout this! As these women pulled the blankets off I felt… well… reborn.
It was a grand, total and painful epiphany. I never really understood how a woman could stay with a man that treated her so badly… after that it makes more sense; he heaps blanket after blanket on you, slowly enough that at first you don’t notice the weight and then when you find yourself smashed flat you really don’t know HOW it started. It’s only when you are suffocating under all that weight that you start to look for a way out.
It opened my eyes, and my heart. I am a strong and vibrant propionate of women’s rights (I always have been) but now, after that experience, I have a TON more empathy to these women’s plights.
Other things on my table? Two new book contracts. Yeah, the writing thing is working for me. My career is taking off and I am happy with that! I also have other wonderful things going on in my personal life… rather than just spew all over let me sum up with, “Life is good! Life is very, very good!”
My life is very good and I am supremely happy. I hope and pray all of you are the same!
Now, down to individual posts; feel free to surf!
AudreyK – Oh PLEASE! You had a reputation LONG before I came along! You lusty, wanton wench!
SPOOFE – yeah, I’ll just BET you saved me a seat… is it on your lap? Is there a sharp point I must navigate?
ultress – shouldn’t your name be “temptress”? I think so! (You yummy wench!) As far as “getting things back to normal” does this mean I should just rip my pants down now in the PIT and let my butt hang to all those I dislike? Give them the look of my “one big brown eye”?
poohpah chalupa – Honey bear! Sugar pants! I see you still have a crush on AudreyK… I can’t say I blame you… I do too! But I see some have the same crush on YOU! I feel I must stand in line… I’ve got number 69… giggle… can I move “ahead”?
Persephone – my Goddess, but your post count has risen! You have been very verbal… I’ll have to do some back reading to see what you’ve been espousing… I’ll do a HELL of a lot more than tickle you pink… I’ll make your very flesh rise with wont that cannot be quenched with mere kisses… ah, woman, I will tame your very heart with my lips… ahhhhh! And if the world holds right, yeah, I’m back to stay… Flirting shamelessly with you if you will hold me tight!
Odieman – my very heart! You are still here! I am very glad! I really thought you would have been one of those that turned away… hon, I’m glad you are still here! I hope to flirt and fight shamelessly with you again in the future! And after my big dumping post: how are YOU doing? What’s the haps? Give me names, dates and all!
CanadianSue – you were the person I hated leaving behind the most. It broke my heart to do so but I had to let my name, my e-mail, my phone number go… I had no choice and I am truly sorry if you were hurt. In order to end the personal nightmare I had to let all go… I am so sorry. I am told that my old e-mail address still lets mail in but I never see it. I’ve moved everything… I will write to you when I am able. Just trust me that things got so very ugly I had to change everything… I hate the very thought that I hurt you… for that I am truly sorry but I had no choice… I had to put an end to the “old” and open to the “new”. I’m sure with that you understand. Please, please don’t hate me. It was so hard to do but I really had no choice. I had to put a stop to the harassment and I did… I’m so sorry you got caught up in it. Please forgive me! Give me a bit more time… I am again, with this post and others, again testing the waters… I hope it’s over (you know what I mean) and if I slip under the radar I can again open my life… if not… I go back away… I am sorry, hon… but that is the way it stands. Please, even though we can only talk here, PLEASE still be my friend… I honor you, your care, your friendship… TWPM!
beatle – hey hon! Did you get flooded out by Allison? I hope not! I hope you and your home were spared from the ravages of that storm… I heard that it hit Houston very badly… are YOU okay? I mean, I’m fine hon, thanks for asking but how in the hell are YOU!!! I really hope you are okay; you are a very fine man and I am very glad that I got to meet you… please be okay and know that I care much for you!
Tansu – ah, you think I have no memory? Well, you are right… I honestly don’t remember you… did we fight? Did we love? You must remind me as I am an OLD WOMAN now… I think, if memory serves… I considered you with kindness… you must remind me. If I hated or reviled you for one thing or another I do not remember it now… (this is your chance to tell the old broad whatever you wish – take it!) Truly, hon, I am sorry that I don’t remember but I’ll bet if you gave me the gist of it, I would… sorry.
Rasa – I don’t know what giggle you got from my sig but I got a haliaetus one from yours! I had heard that Jesus saves and Moses invests but I never knew that Buddha made incremental backups! And to have all that brought to you by the letter K? That just kills me! You rock my tickle boat! Have I hit on you yet?
iampunha – you ignorant slut! Just read my long winded post… that SHOULD make sense… but you won’t get it… I know, you want me to detail it in private to you, you pervert! So, I’m expecting you at about nine, Friday? I’ll have the warm baby oil ready… oh, yeah and those plastic sheets! (Like I’m SO disappointed that I have to give visual aids here, folks!)
casdave – my very Goddess, you are STILL here! I just never thought you would be! Surely, you must have been keeping the PIT hot for me… right? Man, hey, really, what the HELL have you been up to?! Sugar coated fig lumps just doesn’t count on you… damn boy… I am really in awe that you hung tough enough to get to almost 2200 posts… you… you… post whore!
Anti Pro – dear Goddess, woman! Not only are you still here but you still remember me! WOW! Fuck my shit, how the hell are YOU?! Damn it all but I’ve missed you! I’m so happy to find that you are STILL here! That is really great! I honestly can’t believe that you are really still here! I don’t believe it but I’m happy as hell about it!
pepperlandgirl – oh, man, I hold out my hands so wide just to sweep you up in them! And then I give you a big, sharp kiss on the forehead… you are so sweet… you are so kind… I hated leaving you behind too… ah hon… you are so sweet and nice… thank you. Your welcome means more to me than anything… you really understand that you are so sweet you are addictive? Do you GET that?! You are like the very heart of candy addiction… peppercandy, sugarsweet… NOW I know where you get your name!
vanilla – Oh, my ice-cream girl! You really don’t know what I WANT to do to you…
tiggeril – (!) I’m hoping that’s a tiggeril tail… I know if I saw your ass, that’s what I’d think!
evilbeth – AH! And where is that eraser?! Your count is very high too… damn, what the hell have you all been chatting about without me?!
Zette – oh, yum, yum… Zette… let me not linger on you, your form, your face… I would just make a silly mess of myself… but let me just say… YUM!
rocking chair – hi there!
kellibelli – OH MY GODDESS!!! How the hell are YOU?! You were here and gone during the time I was here and gone… I’m so glad to see that you are still really here… wow! I hope work is okay… how are the kids? How are you, really?
TroubleAgain – just in case they didn’t know, now they do! And hey, I’ve tried to tell folks that about my name… thanks!
Medea’s Child – limping along? No, no, they had you! What you been up to?
Smeghead – Ah, he who spouts off from “Red Dwarf” and “Hitchhikers’s Guide”… how could I EVER smoke enough crack to forget YOU?!
AETBOND417 – I’ve been gone about… um… 6 months or more… I don’t remember you but perhaps you could remind me!
Ah, memories… times… love, hate… feeling… I missed it all! Talk to me, folks! Love you so much…
Byzantine
evilbeth – you call me bitch and my nipples twitch… how DARE you do that to me?! My nips are dancing all over my shirt because of you… and you call ME bitch… sheesh!
At least I don’t torment your nips!
Ahh…but you do!
Well, Good Golly, Miss Molly!!!
There’s no Byz like yo, Byz!!!
Damn glad to see ya!!!
I’ve been through a lot myself: drunken relapse, gf breakup, car wrecks, DUI, jail, treatment…
and now I’m 9 months sober and resident manager of an A&D recovery house in Nashville. The insanity continues…
Welcome back, gal. Now lay some mixed metaphors on me!
hugs&kisses…
Oh Byz, it’s so nice to hear others say
and know they mean it. Congratulations on everything that is going well in your life!
::mad blush::
I’m a lusty, wanton wench!
evilbeth – I only torment them because you WANT me to… now, be honest… you do… you want that lusty torment… I know I do… (sigh)… now HOW far away from me are you?
AudreyK – how could ANYONE not have a crush on you?! They must be silly or insane…
But now, to get down to a heart felt post that kills me with tears… I must say:
TN*hippie – my dear, sweet, holy GODDESS!!! IT IS MY TNHPY! Oh, my, it sounds like your life has been as twisted as mine own… oh, my, love… tell me true that some how, through it all you have found peace… I did… I hope you did too… if not let my love, my very heart flow over you… let it like the most harsh river wash over you and cover you in joy… for that is my life… oh, my best fully loved … my life has been joy… I have dreamed high and seen long… and I want to clasp you tight to it… let yourself be wrapped up in my joy… please… let me take you high against it all… there is pain and joy and with my joy I can fly you above it all… There is so much to share! I will share it all with you!
I can briefly see your pain but I hope you can more than see my joy. And catch hold… fly with me… take a hold of my wing… I will carry you… I am so happy! My life so grand… my heart so full that I can take you with me! Each day, as the sun rises, I see my heart filled with light… surely you understand this? Can’t you see the sun rise and see it fill you too? Let it. Just let it… Fill you… let the very sun sweep you up and fill you with joy for the very fact that you are ALIVE!
Oh, TNH… just open yourself up. Feel this… you know you can… I know you can. I hate to see your words so filled with pain. Yes, I know that is there but how easy would it be to let you allow me to lift you up? How easy? Put your life, your arms, out flung in my hands… and I propel you up… lift… go… high… let go… be… you are… you just ARE…
Do this. I see you standing hard and proud, the sunlight rippling off you. I see and feel your pain… just open up and let in this light… this light that is all over in the world… you have a part of this light in you… you open this light to others… TNH you ARE a part of this light… and with what you do now, you open light to others… you ARE the light.
I admire you. I could never do what you do. You open up light to others. You are a… doorway… you are. You can dispute me but you are. And I admire you for it. Just open it up… If you stumble and fall I swear I will be there to catch you… I will be the doorway to you as best as I can. As best as others have been the doorway to me. I am in tears… I hope I can reach you… I know how hard and painful it is…
Please, just take the very bit I offer and be happy with that.
Much love,
byz
And no, I don’t expect anyone to make a damn bit of this but for TNHP… he’ll get it. He just will.
You silly wench, I’m just happy that you are back and healthy and working your way to happiness! The blanket ceremony is oh so true and very deep. Get in touch when you are able.
Not only did I get it…it got me. Got me good. Thank you, my precious Byz for the dizzying reminder of what I already know but sometimes forget. I feel it…I am there, as you are, as anyone can be if only they allow themselves to be aware of it.
Fret not about my pain. All growth is painful. I am incredibly alive and the evolution continues…
I love you.
CanadianSue – (Blanket ceremony was scary and true… thanks!) I will be in touch, soon, but I’ve just been handed a wonderful opportunity to run the Grand Canyon! I’m off soon and I won’t be back for quite a while… it pays to know folks who run a lot and can lay their hands on the scarce permits that are offered and I just happen to know someone who knows someone who knows someone and they need one more to fill out their group! Lucky me! Since I know how to cook and other basic essentials (like CPR and first aid) I’m getting asked! AND grandest of all, I get to take my beloved dog! WHOOOO!!! I really wouldn’t have considered that long of a trip without her… but they said she’s more than welcome (protection for the group at camp?) Or just because no one can resist her cute, furry face? Hell, I know I can’t! And yes, folks, she has a custom fitted life jacket… I’m a safety baby and so is my pup!
As you can tell, I’m thrilled to the pink! I’ve done the Grand only once before but not the whole thing… this is the long trip… three weeks or so… wow! I’m almost frightened! They want me to help with the neophytes that will be going and I almost feel like I’m one myself! Truly, I am. But I guess I’ve got enough of the river under my belt (ha ha ha) to be deemed more “ready” than most. I almost laughed myself sick with worry or hysteria (I’m not really sure which) when they said that. I guess I’m afraid of too much demand being put on me but then again, I am open to the challenge. Funny how I vacillate, isn’t it? Strong and sure but a bit set aside too… I think I’ll do fine if I keep my head.
I’m so filled with anticipation and fear all at the same time – it’s maddening in it’s way… I “think” that I know what to do but I’m terrified of “fucking up”!
And, just a moment here, where are all these folks who should be writing back to me? Did you all suddenly DIE or something? Sheesh!
TN*hippie – you know, honestly, after I posted that I thought you and all sundry might find me almost whacked… but there was this little kernel of “heart” in me that I knew you would just get…
And I hope you know I love you too.
Sadly… Pain is often the deliverer of knowledge.
There was a wise man who once said that, “There are those who learn with laughter and joy and those that learn with pain and tears.”
I guess the point is that we all LEARN. Just in different ways. I must say that for the most part, I have learned a lot through laughter and joy… I hope you find yourself in this situation soon… But take heart in the learning. For that is key.
All my love,
Byz
Indeed.
And, yes, most of my learning has been of the joyous laughter variety…but when my ego insists upon taking a spiritually unhealthy detour, The Cosmos has no choice but to kick my ass to get my attention. I’m pretty stubborn, so I’ve been kicked hard and often.
No regrets. Every experience I’ve had, positive and negative, has brought me to where I am today. And I like where I am today.
Have fun on your trip. I just went rafting for the first time in my life a few weeks ago: on the Ocoee, just downstream from where they had the Olympic kayaking. I had a blast and can’t wait to do it again!
hugs&kisses…
Hey! I remember you! 
Be safe and have a great time hon! I shall await hearing from you.
I wondered where you were. Please hang around, Byz, and check out the UnaBoard if you have the time to.