Look what the cat dragged in, that fuzzy rascal. Ol' Gats found his way back home! Good God, how I missed you people. It was, and I'm not kidding, a very tangible ache being away.

In my life I have occasionally been observed to have "a way with words". Whether or not that was ever true I won't say but, right now, I surely don't have anything close to the right words. Your letters, cards and posts made me feel so connected, so part of something almost dizzyingly excellent. There was no way I wasn't going to make it back. I can't imagine an event of any stature that would cause such a challenge as to prevent me from getting here to the place that's been in my head constantly for weeks. Like it or not , there's a 'we of me' and all of you are it. It's a blessing to say so. I've had this bouncing about in my head for days so I'll say it, too (yikes, so much to say): "You all are my friends, my family, my motion and my map." This, I humbly say and know, makes me a better man. I couldn't possibly ask for more than that.

As for those complimentary threads --- I read them wondering who on Earth you folks were talking about? Very nice to read indeed but I don't think I deserved all that. But I bow to the community nonetheless.

P.S. If I owe anybody postage please let me know. I tell ya. It just ain't right not being able to look things up on the Net! I guessed on stamps, though. I've been guessing on just about everything for weeks !

*I'll be sending PMs to the lot of ya. It may take me until 2009, but it shall happen!*

A most enthusiastic welcome back!

It was quite depressing when we heard that you might not be making it back here, but then things seemed to change for the better. We all missed you Gats, I'm sure some more than others. I'm sure they'll be some smiling faces when people visit the funtrivia forums.

YIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! YOUR HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like dozens of others have missed your wit and charm and wisdom and sense of humour.
I know of two people who will be in tears when they see you're Home!
I am so happy I might just turn Pink instead of PURPLE!
Welcome Home Gatsby!
PF

<<<<< That's how I felt when I saw your name on the starter thread Gats!! Welcome home, back where you belong!You've been badly missed!

I can't begin to tell you how glad I was to see your post. As I waited for the thread to open, I wondered "Is it just an old post somebody has resurrected?" and I feared I would be disappointed. But no, the Great Gatsby IS back! As Jane said, you have been sorely missed.

What a great start to the week!

Great to see you back, Gats!!! I let out a whoop when I saw your name back on the screen.

Now promise not to do that again!

I don't often shed tears. But I am. I could not be happier to see you back dear boy. As we keep telling you , you are invaluable around here and the place was a shadow of its former self without you.
So many,many welcomes. I have just one thing to say (well lots actually but one thing for now...)
"Sit!!!" " Stay!!"

When my 'phone rang this morning when I was tucked up in the warm with a good book I cursed. Whoever it was calling me on a Sunday morning wasn't the most popular person in the world! I love my bed, especially on a cold Sunday morning.

Imagine my surprise to hear Sara (Ren33) calling me from Hong Kong, my first thought was that something terrible had happened - last time she phoned me was when I was in hospital last year. Then she said it "GATSBY IS BACK! Get up and go and log on, he is REALLY back!"

Wham, down went the 'phone, I didn't even thank her - I leapt out of bed and here I am, still in my night clothes. It is true, it's true, you ARE back.

We don't do parties at Funtrivia, haven't for many years BUT today it is party time - so let's get to it, a huge party to welcome our Gatsby back.

Hang on, I just went to post in another thread and it isn't Sunday at all, it is Monday. Now see what you have done to me, I don't even know what day of the week it is!

just want to smile again

I will supply the champagne, the rest of you can supply the other essentials to make the party go with a swing!

Jillian I know how you feel, I am all excited and bubbly, just like I was alst week when I got his letter. Sort of manic!

Hello Gatsby
Well, Hello Gatsby
It's so nice to have you back where you belong
You're looking swell, Gatsby
We can tell, Gatsby
You're still glowin', you're still crowin'
You're still goin' strong.
We feel the room swayin'
For the band's playin'
One of your old fav'rite songs from 'way back when
Promise you'll never go away
Promise you'll never go away
Promise you'll never go away again.

Sung by Ren,Sue and PF

Just so long as Sue doesnt recite "The Boy Stood on the Burning Deck" again...

See, I knew you'd get back before I could get around to sending you a letter! And I couldn't be grinning more broadly, my oh-so-terribly Gatsy friend!

If you've been catching up on your reading you'll see that things haven't been so great for me lately, but this really helps.

Consarnit, Ren, now you've gone and got me all teared-up too!

And a big old welcome back from King Phil, too (he's getting all the crown jewels together as I type, but I'm not to tell you he's hiding them under the bed...doh!)

Oh Please I beg of her dont do it or he will leave us again.
Maybe she could do a Pole dance or two for him?
That will make him know for sure he was missed.
PF

OK, now this is STRICTLY against our rules - we ask that people don't post images, just link to them, but today is VERY special so to heck with the rules! Just don't post any copyright images - OK? Oh, and no direct linking to other sites, use www.photobucket.com or something similar. So post away folks, this offer doesn't come very often!

My party piece will make him stay
Wearing my showgirl soldier's outfit in red satin with epaulettes and black frogging, black fishnets and a twirling baton, red shiny tap shoes, I sing and tap dance to the song
The Soldiers of the Queen
Oh the Soldiers of the Queen my lads, we've been my lads,
We've seen , my lads.
In the fight for England's glory lads
Of the world-wide story let us sing.
And when they ask us how 'tis done,
and when they ask us how we won,
We'll proudly point to everyone of Englands soldiers of the Queen Tarararata!
Now , top that you lot!!

I'm going to have to ban myself at this rate!

I hear a recitation coming on...

The boy stood on the burning deck
Whence all but he had fled;
The flame that lit the battle's wreck
Shone round him o'er the dead.

Yet beautiful and bright he stood,
As born to rule the storm;
A creature of heroic blood,
A proud, though childlike form.

The flames roll'd on...he would not go
Without his father's word;
That father, faint in death below,
His voice no longer heard.

He call'd aloud..."Say, father,say
If yet my task is done!"
He knew not that the chieftain lay
Unconscious of his son.

"Speak, father!" once again her cried
"If I may yet be gone!"
And but the booming shots replied,
And fast the flames roll'd on.

Upon his brow he felt their breath,
And in his waving hair,
And looked from that lone post of death,
In still yet brave despair;

And shouted but one more aloud,
"My father, must I stay?"
While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud
The wreathing fires made way,

They wrapt the ship in splendour wild,
They caught the flag on high,
And stream'd above the gallant child,
Like banners in the sky.

There came a burst of thunder sound...
The boy-oh! where was he?
Ask of the winds that far around
With fragments strewed the sea.

With mast, and helm, and pennon fair,
That well had borne their part;
But the noblest thing which perished there
Was that young faithful heart.

Author: Mrs. Hemans

Boom, boom!

hahhahaa! Can you tell we're happy, Gats? I KNEW you'd find a way to get back to us!

Exclusive Just for Gatsby I have secured a Picture of Sue warming up to dance for you.
PF

Wow Sue, you're much smaller than I thought...and so much more transparent!