SoC Does The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus

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Vortexfugue

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Nov 28, 2012, 6:56:31 PM11/28/12
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The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus

(1)
In Baltimore there lived a boy.
He wasn't anybody's joy.
Although his name was Jabez Dawes,
His character was full of flaws.


(2)
In school he never led his classes,
He hid old ladies' reading glasses,
His mouth was open when he chewed,
And elbows to the table glued.


(3)
He stole the milk of hungry kittens,
And walked through doors marked 'no admittance'.
He said he acted thus because
There wasn't any Santa Claus.


(4)
Another trick that tickled Jabez
Was crying 'Boo' at little babies.
He brushed his teeth, they said in town,
Sideways instead of up and down.


(5)
Yet people pardoned every sin,
And viewed his antics with a grin,
Till they were told by Jabez Dawes,
'There isn't any Santa Claus!'


(6)
Deploring how he did behave,
His parents swiftly sought their grave.
They hurried through the portals pearly,
And Jabez left the funeral early.

(7)
Like whooping cough, from child to child,
He sped to spread the rumor wild:
'Sure as my name is Jabez Dawes
There isn't any Santa Claus!'


(8)
Slunk like a weasel of a marten
Through nursery and kindergarten,
Whispering low to every tot,
'There isn't any, no there's not!'


(9)
The children wept all Christmas eve
And Jabez chortled up his sleeve.
No infant dared hang up his stocking
For fear of Jabez' ribald mocking.


(10)
He sprawled on his untidy bed,
Fresh malice dancing in his head,
When presently with scalp-a-tingling,
Jabez heard a distant jingling;


(11)
He heard the crunch of sleigh and hoof
Crisply alighting on the roof.
What good to rise and bar the door?
A shower of soot was on the floor.


(12)
What was beheld by Jabez Dawes?
The fireplace full of Santa Claus!
Then Jabez fell upon his knees
With cries of 'Don't,' and 'Pretty Please.'
He howled, 'I don't know where you read it,
But anyhow, I never said it!'


(13)
'Jabez' replied the angry saint,
'It isn't I, it's you that ain't.
Although there is a Santa Claus,
There isn't any Jabez Dawes!'


(14)
Said Jabez then with impudent vim,
'Oh, yes there is, and I am him!
Your magic don't scare me, it doesn't'
And suddenly he found he wasn't!


(15)
From grimy feet to grimy locks,
Jabez became a Jack-in-the-box,
An ugly toy with springs unsprung,
Forever sticking out his tongue.

(16)
The neighbors heard his mournful squeal;
They searched for him, but not with zeal.
No trace was found of Jabez Dawes,
Which led to thunderous applause,
And people drank a loving cup
And went and hung their stockings up.


(17)
All you who sneer at Santa Claus,
Beware the fate of Jabez Dawes,
The saucy boy who mocked the saint.
Donner and Blitzen licked off his paint.


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We are making yet another SoC collaborative video of Ogden Nash's poem, The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus. All we need are 17 people. :) Here's all you need to do:

1) Pick one of the 17 stanzas you would like to read aloud (you do not have to read the entire poem) and post the part number in this thread. First come, first served.

2) Read the stanza you have chosen aloud into your microphone and save the recording.

3) Email your recording to me at Vortexfugue at gmail.com along with a picture of yourself or something to go with your stanza that you'd like to have included in the video.

That's it! When all 17 slots are filled and I have all 17 recordings I will start making the video. This is the thirty-fifth installment of "SoC Reads Aloud in Turn" and our 2012 Christmas Reading. The deadline for turning in your reading is Monday, 24 December.  [Note: suggest we all pronounce Jabez as in 'jab' (short a) for consistency]

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GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
MumZau has reserved a slot.
Stargazer902 has reserved a slot.
Soliloguy has reserved a slot.
Twinpikes has reserved a slot.


Vortexfugue

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Nov 28, 2012, 7:07:50 PM11/28/12
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Status so far:

CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.

GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
MumZau has reserved a slot.
Stargazer902 has reserved a slot.
Soliloguy has reserved a slot.
Twinpikes has reserved a slot.

Hurry, there are just 10 stanzas left.

twinpikes

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Nov 28, 2012, 7:13:06 PM11/28/12
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I'll have #17, if you please.

Vortexfugue

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Nov 28, 2012, 7:16:23 PM11/28/12
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Cool.. Status so far:


CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.

MumZau has reserved a slot.
Stargazer902 has reserved a slot.
Soliloguy has reserved a slot.

Hurry, there are just 10 stanzas left.


Vortexfugue

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Nov 28, 2012, 7:22:50 PM11/28/12
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Status so far:

CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.

Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.
MumZau has reserved a slot.
Stargazer902 has reserved a slot.
Soliloguy has reserved a slot.

Hurry, there are just 9 stanzas left.

Vortexfugue

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Nov 28, 2012, 7:37:09 PM11/28/12
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Status so far:

CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.
MumZau has reserved a slot.
Stargazer902 has reserved a slot.
Soliloguy has reserved a slot.

Hurry, there are just 8 stanzas left.

Vortexfugue

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Nov 28, 2012, 8:55:32 PM11/28/12
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Status so far:

CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.
MumZau has reserved a slot.
Stargazer902 has reserved a slot.

Vortexfugue

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Nov 28, 2012, 9:03:00 PM11/28/12
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Status so far:

Chryssanthemum has chosen stanza 2.

CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.
MumZau has reserved a slot.
Stargazer902 has reserved a slot.
PiratePirog has reserved a slot.

Hurry, there are just 6 stanzas left.

Vortexfugue

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Nov 28, 2012, 9:18:20 PM11/28/12
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Status so far:

Chryssanthemum has chosen stanza 2.

CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.

Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.
MumZau has reserved a slot.
Stargazer902 has reserved a slot.

Hurry, there are just 6 stanzas left. (#'s 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14 may still be chosen)

stargazer902

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Nov 28, 2012, 11:45:00 PM11/28/12
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May I read verse 14 please?  Thanks Joe! I love Ogden Nash.

Vortexfugue

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Nov 28, 2012, 11:58:58 PM11/28/12
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Cool.. Status so far:

Chryssanthemum has chosen stanza 2.
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.
MumZau has reserved a slot.

Hurry, there are just 6 stanzas left. (#'s 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12 may still be chosen)

MumZau

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Nov 29, 2012, 2:08:48 AM11/29/12
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12 please, Joe. :)

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Ridleygirl

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Nov 29, 2012, 4:49:02 AM11/29/12
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ID like number 1 please,.

Vortexfugue

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Nov 29, 2012, 7:08:32 AM11/29/12
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Status so far:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
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has chosen stanza 2.
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.

Hurry, there are just 5 stanzas left. (#'s 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 may still be chosen)

Vortexfugue

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Nov 30, 2012, 5:08:27 PM11/30/12
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Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
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CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
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Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.

Hurry, there are just 4 stanzas left. (#'s 4, 6, 7, 9 may still be chosen)

Vortexfugue

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Nov 30, 2012, 8:12:02 PM11/30/12
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Status so far:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
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Bildo has chosen stanza 8.

Vortexfugue

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Dec 1, 2012, 9:46:50 AM12/1/12
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Status so far:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
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CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.

Hurry, there are just 3 stanzas left. (#'s 4, 6, 7 may still be chosen)

Vortexfugue

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Dec 1, 2012, 5:29:07 PM12/1/12
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Status so far:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
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has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.
Fairydost has reserved a slot.

Hurry, there are just 2 stanzas left. (#'s 4, 6, 7 may still be chosen)

Vortexfugue

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Dec 2, 2012, 8:56:45 AM12/2/12
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Status so far:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
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CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4.
Field-Daisy
has chosen stanza 5.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.

Hurry, there are just 2 stanzas left. (#'s 6, 7 may still be chosen)

Vortexfugue

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Dec 3, 2012, 11:48:41 AM12/3/12
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Status so far:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).

Field-Daisy
has chosen stanza 5.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.

Vortexfugue

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Dec 4, 2012, 8:20:47 AM12/4/12
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Status so far:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.

Hurry, there is just 1 stanza left. (# 6 may still be chosen)

GreenTeaBlend

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Dec 5, 2012, 10:39:20 AM12/5/12
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Which syllable in "Jabez" is stressed? The first, as in "Mark SAN-chez"? or the second, as in "Cha-VEZ Ravine"?

Vortexfugue

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Dec 5, 2012, 10:45:53 AM12/5/12
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Heh, Mark, I think we'll go with the first syllable stressed, an actual J, and short vowels.

Vortexfugue

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Dec 5, 2012, 11:34:03 PM12/5/12
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Status so update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5.
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17.

All parts have now been filled, but we're still looking for alternates.

Vortexfugue

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Dec 6, 2012, 5:59:55 PM12/6/12
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Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5.
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8.
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

Vortexfugue

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Dec 14, 2012, 7:44:39 PM12/14/12
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Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5.
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:12).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

All parts have now been filled, but we're still looking for alternates.

The deadline is 24 December, everyone, that's just 10 days away. :)

Vortexfugue

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Dec 15, 2012, 8:34:29 PM12/15/12
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Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:11).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:12).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13.
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

All parts have now been filled, but we're still looking for alternates.

The deadline is 24 December, everyone, that's just 9 days away. :)

Vortexfugue

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Dec 16, 2012, 9:18:05 AM12/16/12
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Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:11).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7.
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:12).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:12).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

All parts have now been filled, but we're still looking for alternates.

The deadline is 24 December, everyone, that's just 8 days away. :)

Vortexfugue

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Dec 16, 2012, 12:13:10 PM12/16/12
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Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:11).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:12).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:12).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

All parts have now been filled, but we're still looking for alternates.

Vortexfugue

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Dec 19, 2012, 10:49:18 AM12/19/12
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Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:11).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:12).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11.
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:12).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:11).

Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

All parts have been filled, but we're still looking for alternates.

The deadline is 24 December, everyone, that's just 5 days away! :)

Vortexfugue

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Dec 19, 2012, 9:48:48 PM12/19/12
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Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:11).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:12).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:12).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:11).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

All parts have been filled, but we're still looking for alternates.

YA

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Dec 20, 2012, 3:35:35 AM12/20/12
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Hey! Great! You're doing another poem together ... like in days of old ... gives me the good smiles ... wish all of you just only well and that everything turns out the way you want it to be! YA ♥


On Thursday, 29 November 2012 00:56:31 UTC+1, Vortexfugue wrote:
The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus

(1)
In Baltimore there lived a boy.
He wasn't anybody's joy.
Although his name was Jabez Dawes,
His character was full of flaws.


(2)
In school he never led his classes,
He hid old ladies' reading glasses,
His mouth was open when he chewed,
And elbows to the table glued.


(3)
He stole the milk of hungry kittens,
And walked through doors marked 'no admittance'.
He said he acted thus because
There wasn't any Santa Claus.


(4)
Another trick that tickled Jabez
Was crying 'Boo' at little babies.
He brushed his teeth, they said in town,
Sideways instead of up and down.


(5)
Yet people pardoned every sin,
And viewed his antics with a grin,
Till they were told by Jabez Dawes,
'There isn't any Santa Claus!'


(6)
Deploring how he did behave,
His parents swiftly sought their grave.
They hurried through the portals pearly,
And Jabez left the funeral early.

(7)
Like whooping cough, from child to child,
He sped to spread the rumor wild:
'Sure as my name is Jabez Dawes
There isn't any Santa Claus!'


(8)
Slunk like a weasel of a marten
Through nursery and kindergarten,
Whispering low to every tot,
'There isn't any, no there's not!'


(9)
The children wept all Christmas eve
And Jabez chortled up his sleeve.
No infant dared hang up his stocking
For fear of Jabez' ribald mocking.


(10)
He sprawled on his untidy bed,
Fresh malice dancing in his head,
When presently with scalp-a-tingling,
Jabez heard a distant jingling;


(11)
He heard the crunch of sleigh and hoof
Crisply alighting on the roof.
What good to rise and bar the door?
A shower of soot was on the floor.


(12)
What was beheld by Jabez Dawes?
The fireplace full of Santa Claus!
Then Jabez fell upon his knees
With cries of 'Don't,' and 'Pretty Please.'
He howled, 'I don't know where you read it,
But anyhow, I never said it!'


(13)
'Jabez' replied the angry saint,
'It isn't I, it's you that ain't.
Although there is a Santa Claus,
There isn't any Jabez Dawes!'


(14)
Said Jabez then with impudent vim,
'Oh, yes there is, and I am him!
Your magic don't scare me, it doesn't'
And suddenly he found he wasn't!


(15)
From grimy feet to grimy locks,
Jabez became a Jack-in-the-box,
An ugly toy with springs unsprung,
Forever sticking out his tongue.

(16)
The neighbors heard his mournful squeal;
They searched for him, but not with zeal.
No trace was found of Jabez Dawes,
Which led to thunderous applause,
And people drank a loving cup
And went and hung their stockings up.


(17)
All you who sneer at Santa Claus,
Beware the fate of Jabez Dawes,
The saucy boy who mocked the saint.
Donner and Blitzen licked off his paint.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are making yet another SoC collaborative video of Ogden Nash's poem, The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus. All we need are 17 people. :) Here's all you need to do:

1) Pick one of the 17 stanzas you would like to read aloud (you do not have to read the entire poem) and post the part number in this thread. First come, first served.

2) Read the stanza you have chosen aloud into your microphone and save the recording.

3) Email your recording to me at Vortexfugue at gmail.com along with a picture of yourself or something to go with your stanza that you'd like to have included in the video.

That's it! When all 17 slots are filled and I have all 17 recordings I will start making the video. This is the thirty-fifth installment of "SoC Reads Aloud in Turn" and our 2012 Christmas Reading. The deadline for turning in your reading is Monday, 24 December.  [Note: suggest we all pronounce Jabez as in 'jab' (short a) for consistency]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15.
MumZau has reserved a slot.
Stargazer902 has reserved a slot.
Soliloguy has reserved a slot.
Twinpikes has reserved a slot.


Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 22, 2012, 8:20:22 AM12/22/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
Thanks, Ya! :)

Everyone, I am still missing EIGHT readings (that's HALF of them!) which are due on Monday, just two days from now! We're going way down to the wire again. Please, readers, can we turn them in as soon as possible? It's looking to me like we're going to need quite a few alternates. Any takers?

Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:11).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:12).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:12).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:11).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

All parts have been filled, but we're looking for alternates. Who all would like to an alternate, please?

The deadline is 24 December, everyone, that's just 2 days away! :)

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 22, 2012, 10:06:45 AM12/22/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
I am still missing EIGHT readings (that's HALF of them!) which are due on Monday, just two days from now! We're going way down to the wire again. Please, readers, can we turn them in as soon as possible? It's looking to me like we're going to need quite a few alternates. Any takers?

Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:11).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:11).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:11).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:12).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:12).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:11).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16.
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

Ferretsgames is a short notice alternate.
Shell42970 is a short notice alternate.
Twinpikes is also a dupe short notice alternate.

All parts have been filled, but we're still looking for alternates. Who all would like to an alternate, please?

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 22, 2012, 4:49:21 PM12/22/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
I am still missing SEVEN readings (that's nearly HALF of them!) which are due on Monday, just two days from now! We're going way down to the wire again. Please, readers, can we turn them in as soon as possible? It's looking to me like we're going to need quite a few alternates. Any more takers?

Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:12).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:13).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:12).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:13).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10.
GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:14).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:13).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16. Reading complete (:20).
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

Ferretsgames is a short notice alternate.
Shell42970 is a short notice alternate.
Twinpikes is also a dupe short notice alternate.

All parts have been filled, but we're still looking for alternates. Who all would like to an alternate, please?

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 22, 2012, 8:39:41 PM12/22/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
I am still missing SIX readings which are due on Monday, just two days from now! We're going way down to the wire again. Please, readers, can we turn them in as soon as possible? It's looking to me like we're going to need quite a few alternates. Any more takers?

Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:12).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:13).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:12).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:13).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10. Reading complete (:14).

GreenTeaBlend
has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:14).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:13).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16. Reading complete (:20).
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

Ferretsgames is a short notice alternate.
Shell42970 is a short notice alternate.
Twinpikes is also a dupe short notice alternate.

All parts have been filled, but we're still looking for alternates. Who all would like to an alternate, please?

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 23, 2012, 7:31:52 AM12/23/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
I am still missing SIX readings (more than a THIRD of them!) which are due TOMORROW! We're going way down to the wire again. Please, readers, can we turn them NOW? It's looking to me like we're going to need quite a few alternates. Any more takers?

Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:12).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:13).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:12).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:13).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10. Reading complete (:14).
GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12.
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:14).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:13).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16. Reading complete (:20).
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

Ferretsgames is a short notice alternate.
Shell42970 is a short notice alternate.
Twinpikes is also a dupe short notice alternate.

All parts have been filled, but we're still looking for alternates. Who all would like to an alternate, please?

The deadline is 24 December, everyone, that's tomorrow! .. Let's get them turned in NOW please!

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 23, 2012, 9:14:55 AM12/23/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
I am still missing FIVE readings (nearly a THIRD of them!) which are due TOMORROW! We're going way down to the wire again. Please, readers, can we turn them NOW? It's looking to me like we're going to need quite a few alternates. Any more takers?

Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:12).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3.
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:13).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:12).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:13).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10. Reading complete (:14).
GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12. Reading complete (:26).
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:14).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:13).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16. Reading complete (:20).
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

Ferretsgames is a short notice alternate.
Shell42970 is a short notice alternate.
Twinpikes is also a dupe short notice alternate.

All parts have been filled, but we're still looking for alternates. Who all would like to an alternate, please?

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 23, 2012, 3:57:52 PM12/23/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
I am still missing FOUR readings (nearly a QUARTER of them!) which are due TOMORROW! We're going way down to the wire again. Please, readers, can we turn them NOW? It's looking to me like we're going to need quite a few alternates. Any more takers?

Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1.
Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:12).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3. Reading complete (:12).
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:13).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:12).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:13).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10. Reading complete (:14).
GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12. Reading complete (:26).
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:14).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:13).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16. Reading complete (:20).
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

Ferretsgames is a short notice alternate.
Shell42970 is a short notice alternate.
Twinpikes is also a dupe short notice alternate.

All parts have been filled, but we're still looking for alternates. Who all would like to an alternate, please?

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 23, 2012, 6:21:35 PM12/23/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
I am still missing THREE readings which are due TOMORROW! We're going right down to the wire again. Please, readers, can we turn them in NOW?

Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1. Reading complete (:10).

Chryssanthemum
has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:12).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3. Reading complete (:12).
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:13).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:12).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6.
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:13).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10. Reading complete (:14).
GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12. Reading complete (:26).
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:14).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:13).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16. Reading complete (:20).
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

Ferretsgames is a short notice alternate.
Shell42970 is a short notice alternate.
Twinpikes is also a dupe short notice alternate.

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 23, 2012, 6:50:35 PM12/23/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
I am still missing TWO readings which are due TOMORROW! We're coming right down to the wire again. Please, readers, can we turn them in NOW?

Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1. Reading complete (:10).
Chryssanthemum has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:12).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3. Reading complete (:12).
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:13).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:12).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6. Reading complete (:12).
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:13).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9.
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10. Reading complete (:14).
GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12. Reading complete (:26).
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:14).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:13).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16. Reading complete (:20).
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

Ferretsgames
is a short notice alternate.
Shell42970 is a short notice alternate.

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 23, 2012, 9:27:50 PM12/23/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
Status update:

Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1. Reading complete (:10).
Chryssanthemum has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:12).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3. Reading complete (:12).
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:13).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:12).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6. Reading complete (:12).
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:13).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9. Reading complete (:11).
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10. Reading complete (:14).
GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12. Reading complete (:26).
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:14).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14.
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:13).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16. Reading complete (:20).
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

Ferretsgames
is a short notice alternate.
Shell42970 is a short notice alternate.
The deadline is 24 December, that's tomorrow!

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 24, 2012, 12:09:59 PM12/24/12
to the-stream-of...@googlegroups.com
Final Status:


Ridleygirl has chosen stanza 1. Reading complete (:10).
Chryssanthemum has chosen stanza 2. Reading complete (:12).
CassandraX has chosen stanza 3. Reading complete (:12).
Fairydost has chosen stanza 4. Reading complete (:13).
Field-Daisy has chosen stanza 5. Reading complete (:12).
Gu1tar has chosen stanza 6. Reading complete (:12).
Abhaa has chosen stanza 7. Reading complete (:13).
Bildo has chosen stanza 8. Reading complete (:13).
Iamev1l2 has chosen stanza 9. Reading complete (:11).
Penman2 has chosen stanza 10. Reading complete (:14).
GreenTeaBlend has chosen stanza 11. Reading complete (:12).
MumZau has chosen stanza 12. Reading complete (:26).
PiratePirog has chosen stanza 13. Reading complete (:14).
Stargazer902 has chosen stanza 14. Reading complete (:13).
Vortexfugue has chosen stanza 15. Reading complete (:13).
Soliloguy has chosen stanza 16. Reading complete (:20).
Twinpikes has chosen stanza 17. Reading complete (:10).

All readings have now been turned in. I'll start making the video shortly, it'll be a few hours. :)

Vortexfugue

unread,
Dec 24, 2012, 5:56:34 PM12/24/12
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