Self-indulgent? Me? Never!
That's what I said when I realized that my cam's  birthday was coming up. So I sent out a little note (read: spam) to all my faithful viewers.

I asked a simple question, "How has J-blend changed your life?"  And what a big bunch of hooey I got back!  Good hooey. No -- make that
great hooey. Here's a few responses that I'll keep in my memory for those times when I feel "not so fresh." Enjoy...
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j-blend,
do i even fucking know you? who the hell are you, bitch?
-chkn babe
[Okay. It didn't start out so well, but it got better soon enough.]
Dear Jeffrey,
I'm very pleased to get the opportunity to wish jblend a very happy first birthday! I've enjoyed very much watching you take your first tentative, hesitant steps toward world domination...and a very benevolent and civilized totalitarian state it will be some day, I'm sure!

Your site always brings a smile to my face, and its been really nice to getto know you in the last several months. You're a kindred spirit and a heckof a nice guy! Thanks for both the chuckles and the occasional thoughtfulness too. Best wishes to both you and your site - I'll continue to be your fan for as long as you're up and running, you can count on it!
Andy Barrett
Andy in New Orleans.
Jblend,
You're at it again cheapskate, using the anniversary of your blender (BTW, when's the warranty up?) site to publicise your self. Have you no shame? I think you have. You're unwilling to grace those exquisite boxer patterns with your unwieldy body! I talk a lot of real s**t, Jeffrey. I think you already know that. BTW, you never told me how the marathon went, I mean the race on St. Paddy's Day :-)
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Happy whatsit, anyway.
Gerry O'Flynn
Heya, Hmm, my chance to write something nice about Jblend's 1 year anniversary?
Where to start, besides saying I am so thankful that this charming, handsome student in Louisiana decided to start a cam/website. A website is a super way to meet people you would never have the chance to meet otherwise. It's making the world a more intersting less "boring" place to live..and we know you don't like BORING. :)

I remember browsing through Camarades back in mid January, and I saw you on your cam asleep. What a handsome guy, thought I. But, he must be a straight married man, who loves sports, drinks beer alot, and has a job as a brainless grocery gtore sacker. Huh? Can it be? This handsome gent is a Grad Student, he taught English in Japan for 3 years to little eager Japanese children. He loves languages, and has an affinity for words and the intricate part they play in daily life.

Further on in the page, I saw he was gay...and was very close with his family...That showed this through his loving dedication to his family on the photos he placed intricately to tell the story of his growing up. This guy was definitely friend material. A sweet guy I would love to get to know.

Nervously, I wrote my first dorky email...I think I still have it in my archives. I think I will ask this guy how to setup my webcam, as I was just switching over to Camarades from my every 20 second modem around then.... Lame-o I know...but hey it worked... He wrote back to me, and that made my day. :) Didn't realize at that point, but that communication would be the start of something very special. A neat guy far away, yet near and dear in my heart. A guy I would pay airfare to go meet, to enjoy his company, and learn about a culture I have never visited before. A guy I hope to keep in my life for many years to come.

Sappy email, I know...but spilling my guts to ya Jeffrey because YOU ASKED!!! :) You are great, and your website hooked me and reeled me in. Thank you for taking the incentive to set up your site, and thank you for reaching out to this KC guy and accepting my friendship when I reached out for it. Means alot...
Jason at some rainbow party or on an acid trip or something.
Best to you on the Big Birthday Bash!!!!
Jason [My sweet friend from Kansas City, MO. Jason is a great guy that I'm happy to call an e-friend. ]
HEY J-BLEND! ! ! ! !
Return home.
CONGRATULATIONS  and  HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! !
This is Jezebel in Memphis, Tennessee. THANK YOU For letting me know about the site one year. I hope I can stay on that long.

And thank you for keeping me on your drag queen du jour A-list.

You may remember me as the one that sent all the Junk mail. I am just glad i did not upset you enough for you to take me off your list. Once again KISSES and Congratulations!!!!!!
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Love,
JEZEBEL  [Evil drag queen that stalks me sometimes. But I'm not really afraid. No, Really, I'm not.]
Hi, happy anniversary to the site.
Yes, your site did have an effect on me. It was such a nice thought to be reminded of being watched over when asleep, the feeling of security that engendered.

It was also very kind of you to share and invite people to your place in such a way.
Thanks,
Max  [He and I had a marvelous conversation about how it feels to be watched as I sleep. I explained that my viewers are beneficent and sweet, like angels.]
Happy Birthday JBlend boy.
Congratulations on a year in the public gaze. Who needs Big Brother when we have the JCam? Although with BB you do get the house infighting, tension and high quality bitchiness. Maybe more Drama (with a definite capital D could be added over the coming year.) The subtle blend of culture and kitsch is quite fantastic my sweet. But it's all very well paying homage to Doraemon, but where are Edina and Patsy?
Had a great time in Rome and Florence. Spent time at the Colloseum imagining that hunk of a man Russell leaping around in his toga. I'm sure people noticed the disgusting grin on my face as i took in the scene. Have to say that there were more Americans than Romans in the vicinity which was disturbing, but i guess it was 4th July weekend and I only have myself to blame.
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Anyway daaaaaarling, keep the ego on the screen and keep that underwear clean. LOL.
Cathy  [A.k.a. "Cashii," this woman and I spent a glorious year in Japan together. I credit her with introducing me to Patsy and Edina, her AbFab friends.]
How J-Blend has enriched my life
(or "I want a prize")
By Stephen Marshal "Handsome Boy" Jones
In the past few months of correspondence with Mr. Jeffrey Blender, my life has improved immeasurably. I'm stronger, happier and more energetic than I was before I started emailing Jeffrey or watching him on his web cam. I feel enormous pride knowing I'm a member of the J-Blend viewing community.
I have taken the few spare moments of my busy college student life of slacking off and partying to tune into Jeffrey's daily activities. Watching Jeffrey sleep like a little baby has brought out the paternal side of my personality. Seeing Jeffrey sit behind his computer has aroused my curiosity on more than one occasion as to just what the heck he's doing. Watching Jeffrey prepare a meal for his out of town friend reminded me I needed to clean my kitchen. These are just a few things I've learned from the J-Blend phenomena. Words cannot properly express the happiness I have felt being a part of the J-Blend 2000 experience.
Steve showing off his special academy-honed smile.
I often brag to my friends that I'm a blender head and keep a personal correspondence with Jeffrey Blender himself. I only wish I could see the expression on his face when he reads this e-mail. Perhaps I'll make an all night vigil to watch his cam....
Ok, approximately 203 words on the J Blend experience. Keep me in mind for the prize! PS.. This e-mail was written for entertainment purposes only. Do not fear, for Handsome Boy Steve isn't a stalker. He just wants a crack at a free prize.  :)
Steve [A graduate of Handsome Boy Modeling School, Steve is a musical theater type that contributes regularly to the Jeffrey Ego Gratification Charity  Project. Please join him and make a generous contribution today!]
wow, happy birthday to you !!!
Jeffrey, it is so hard to maintain and build new contents for sites and you have managed to do so. And, your efforts and twisted (joke) humor brings people closer (i think).
I will be waiting for your next suprise :)
Daniel   
Dear Jeffrey,

I watched you sleep for the first time at 12 midnight here in san francisco. happy 1st anniversary.  i'll try to watch you from time to time and perhaps chat a bit.  good luck to you. 
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steve b.  [This guy's obviously a squirrel agent, so I wouldn't believe a word he wrote. Damn squirrel mafia!]
Jeffrey---you rock my world!
Happy Birthday to your site.  I hope all is well and I am going to print out vocbujefferyfor my friends; I'm spreading the love!
Xoxoxoxoxoxox
Amy  [My former classmate, Amy and I spent hundreds of hours struggling to stay awake during boring archives classes. *Yawn!*]
Amy being fruity the last time I saw her.
Dear J-blender,
In Irish mythology there is a story that goes something like this:

The story of Laobhra Loinseach who always wore a great hood on his head. Details are a bit sketchy, but it seems that somehow or another, someone else found out that he had horse's ears instead of human ears, and they couldn't keep it secret, so they told something inanimate(possibly a tree).

And then, somehow or another, this was made into a harpwhich the king's harpist played, and as soon as he struck a note, the harp started singing "Laobhra Loinseach has two horse's ears", at which point Laobhra was forced out of the closet, so to speak.

I guess the story loses something in the telling but instead of a tree, I told my story to a blender, hardly the equivalent but these days, but  you take what you can get... along the way I made a friend.

Thanks, J-Blender.
(Will that do Jeffrey, not Nobel literature but nevertheless a good analogy?)
Gerry  [This is my Irish connection. Gerry always fills me in on Irish folklore and history. I'm glad to have him as my e-contact to the land where this color green is actually common.]
www.lucanvillage.net
Dear Jeffrey,
Although (or because?) my English is not so good I spent quite a long time on your homepage and had lots of fun on it... Seems that you spent a lot of time by working on this page - and that�s worth - congratulations!
As the pictures show you have been to the Oktoberfest - well I was born in Munich and live very close to the alps and the Austrian frontier. Maybe you have seen castle "Neuschwanstein" that's 30 km from my home. My profession is to sell swiss cheese - I do that for 15 years now. If you like to know more about me, have a look at my little homepage on http:\\www.carpediem1.de - I just added a short English version and some English words at the pics - or send me an e-mail Have a nice day and hold on working on your fascinating page - I�ll have another stop there!!
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Bye from Bavaria/Germany,
Peter
Dear J-blend,

There are days and there are days.
Then there are Saturdays. I remember a certain Saturday I spent with my lovely man, Jeffrey (JBlend to you simpletons). He watched SIfl and Olly with me for a while after we had our landmark dance in his room on the cam. Ten viewers were listed as watching, and of course that means there was more and more and more than that. Very cool. Strangely enough we didn't get a postcard, or a comment on it. Ahh, well, such is life. well, on this Saturday, we watched Sifl and Olly and he seemed to enjoy it. he thought Chester was a bit annoying, but he grew on him as he does with everyone. we had our legs up on the couch, covered in blankets. we were staying warm from the persistent chill of the AC. he would laugh and i would look at him and smile. He really enjoyed the Precious Roy's squirrel zappers "sketch."
Gavin and me cutting up on cam. Oh, the memories...
For those of you who know him, you know why. Anywhoozle, we were sitting there and he calls his roommate Jim into the room to watch. Jim thought it was cute. Jeffrey suggested they take a soundbyte and make it into the answering machine message. somehow this idea was vetoed, or as Jim later said, "gone from pure absentmindedness." that was the last Sifl and Olly we viewed together that weekend. i didn't feel it left a huge impression on Jeffrey, but he seemed to enjoy it. we went out later to play miniature golf. we were very comfortable in a public setting as a couple, i felt. we were in line getting our clubs and balls. i paid and we were on our way. we were both alternately really good and really awful golf players. i think on one hole i got a 12, or something. it was ridiculous. but, i did get the only hole in one that night....wait, no, there was more than one.
some hooligans were running around playing marathon mini golf. i thought i heard them busting up some lights, but they were hopping from hole to hole playing randomly and playing the game akin to hockey. we laughed at them and Jeffrey said he was going to call the cops. he he, that cracked me up because although he is 27 he has this wonderful non-adult attitude about things. it was incongruous, to say the least. the girls ahead of us were playing at a comfortable pace and didn't want to be rushed. i would set my ball on the "tee", ready to play the next hole. i hadn't played mini golf in at least 5 years. this was a nice way to refresh the game in my life. his name on the scorecard is Poofty, and mine is This Dude. we never did figure out who won, but we both kept saying, "at the end of the night, everybody wins."
it was very sweet and slyly romantic. Jeffrey kept making references to Sifl and Olly. he even created a triad of themes for the show: Monkeys, Whores...and something else, i can't remember. ask him. well, at one point i said, "Jeffrey, why are you on such a Sifl and Olly binge? you keep making references." what he said had me feel so happy to be in that moment with this man. he felt the same way, i could tell. we were in this moment together. he said, "i just want to make you happy." and then he makes his little puppy dog face.
i melt as i always do when that face makes an expressive turn. Jeffrey makes me happy, and he could continue to do so for many years. He says people change and grow apart, but I would love to change with him. And, I know we could do it very nicely. What he considers his flaws, I must caress. He touches my hair, I must kiss his hand. JBlend hasn't changed me in any way, but Jeffrey has. our dance in his room made me realize i could really be a wild, uncontrollable force with this man. while watching La Femme Nikita on his couch in the dark with him, i realized nothing relaxes me more than Jeffrey.
Return home.
when i arrived in Baton Rouge i was wearing sunglasses. i saw him leave a water fountain he had just taken a font from. he couldn't see my eyes, but i could see his. we gave each other a hug and a peck on the lips. i wondered in that moment if that was the only kiss i was going to be allowed the whole weekend. he had so much power and energy and beauty emitting from him. as we walked along the sun bleached airport we talked through our sunglasses, hiding what we might be feeling. we were witty, we were awkward, but we were not defiant.
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for a second i thought, when are we gonna get Krispy Kreme donuts? it was a Hitchcockian spiral to madness what i was feeling. i even thought, what if this guy is just going to kill me with hosting and kindness? what if I'm too abrasive for him? what if I'm not huggable? he he, nah, i didn't think that. when we got back to his apartment we sat on the couch and had some water and maybe a snack or something. we talked, with those brief lulls in the conversation that someday turn to pleasant pauses. i was talking about the plane ride, or my job this summer, or something. i was talking, but i could not look at him. i could not stare into those beautiful blue eyes and know what was even more beautiful behind them. i could not see the indentation on his upper lip. i couldn't dare talk and look at his lovely chin.
surprisingly he said, "Gavin, look at me when you're talking to me." and i said, "Jeffrey, you emit so much. i can't look--" and he kissed me. i wanted to lay down and hold him right there. i knew from then on that i wanted to spend the week with him somewhere with my body close to his. i wanted to continue smelling the unique fragrance coming off him. he has a wonderful mixture of himself and a tea body cologne. mixed with the warmth of his body, i wouldn't have given up those moments for the world. i even found that he loved to hold me too. he loved to touch my hair. he had never touched long hair like mine. he loved to see me smile, and see my eyes. he always wanted my face a bit of distance away so he could see all of it. he said i was handsome, he wondered how i ever thought i wasn't beautiful. now that i found Jeffrey, i have to wonder myself. i really feel a special bond with Jeffrey that i would say was love if i were in the same town as him.
No, I will say it is love.
I know we've talked online, I know we've talked on the phone countless times and hours, I know the first day was awkward, I know the book club was social atrophy for me, and I know that I am thousands of miles away. BUT, I feel a love for Jeffrey that I've never felt for any man or person. I've gotten close with many straight male friends. I've never felt love for a gay man even though I've been friends and known thousands from being in the arts all my life.
i feel love for Jeffrey like no other, but it's not a love greater than anything or more intense. it is simply a different love, a love that goes beyond lust or friendship. a love that has nothing to do with everything. a love that is about Jeffrey and me. not Jeffrey, me, and a mortgage. it's about a person, and experiences. it's about what i know, and what i feel. and i feel like myself when I'm around Jeffrey. i feel like a great halve of a mean team. and, i don't put him up on a pedestal, he's not perfect.
Return home.
he's perfect for me.
i hope i am more to him now than 3 hours on the phone. happy birthday, JBlend.
love and sockpuppets,
Gavin R.
[What a great tribute from Gavin. I appreciate it so much. Gavin is such a dear man to me. What more can I say? I think "love and sockpuppets" says it all.]
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Hi J-blend,
Hey, cool page, you've done an awesome job!
(Visit my home! Slovakia is just the middle).
Your site is great. I had a really nice time. I loved the picture of the month and your plan to visit Eastern Europe
Peter
Hi J-blend,
I liked your site and I'm sure all you dreams well come true! Happy birthday to you and your cam.
It's 02.14 in London and I'm off to bed!
Have a good day.
David.
Hello and Happy Birthday Jeffery,
My name is Angelia. I was looking through the many, many webcams when I came across this gentleman sleeping and was intrigued.....I read your page. What a wonderful life you have had, it sound like anyway.
I too love writing and books. I also enjoy the Japanese culture. So I just had to write. I am not as interesting myself but would not mind hearing some of your experiences. I am 32, happily married to my soulmate and Mom of four.
I freelance write when I can find a minute and am taking some time now in my life to learn more about the gay community so I can understand my younger brother better.
I practice Buddhism, which I think is where my love of Japan comes from. Hmmm I have no clue what else to say. Looking forward to finding your webcam up and running from a "safe" place.
Angelia
Return home.
Five Stars, Jblend! Happy birthday.
I really enjoyed reading your home page...It have been one of the most
complete and orginezed self-descriptions, sincere and simple.....I wish
you to complete your goals in the near future, I will pray God for
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that...I am not sure yet but I am thinking to enter in this "Camarades"
adventure...If I do that I'll let you know....
I had the opportunity to travel 20 days (first time in my life) to
Israel, Egypt, Italy, and the San Marino Republic. It was just a wonderful
experience. We follow step by step the life of Jesus...and I hope to be
celebrating Christmas in Bethlem this year....Talk to you later.
Call me Paulo...
Hi, Jeffrey... Happy birthday!
I happened upon your site today via camarades.  A
friend of mine has a site on there, but wasn't online.  I'd never really
poked through the thumbnails until this morning, but I'm glad I found yours. 
I spent a bit of time reading your website, as requested ;). 
I was astounded to see that you spent three years in Japan teaching English. 
I've been very seriously considering this.  Seeing your page has actually made
realize that this is something I want to experience in life. I will contact my
the local consulate for Japan soon. Thanks for being an inspiration for me!
Holli
Jeffrey:
God Jeffrey, it was great to hear from you even though it was a bulk
mailing.  I apologize for not being a good friend and writing to you.  I
have been soooooooo busy and really haven't been on line much. 
Also, I lost your cam resource number and haven't been able to watch.  But, you came
through buddy.  I got this message with your homepage addy and away I
went!!! Right back to heaven watching you.  I must say, you look damn
good in your boxers!!  What were you doing tonight?  Minding your trousers?  As I
Return home.
said...you look damn good in your boxers and probably better out of them! 
Fat chance, right?  I just had to throw that in!
Hey gotta run.  Hope to hear back from you soon and look forward to watching
again!
Jayse
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Dear Jeffrey:
Happy belated b'day,  O Site for Sore Eyes--
Paula [my supervisor and pal]
Happy Birthday, Jeffrey,
Jeffrey....I enjoyed my visit to your page very much. I found it to be very relaxing and informative! I especially enjoyed the photos from Japan. I plan to come back again and again. I am glad we have young people like you in our world. It makes us 'older' people feel the future of our beautiful planet is in safe hands!!!
I am a 47 year old happy gay man.  My lover and I have been together for ten years.  We have just bought a home in the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee.  David is 43 years old. 
I usually do not send e-mails to people I do not know, but your cam and homepage was very refreshing!  We only have a few 'good' friends and if we lived closer to each other, I'm sure you would be one of them.
Take care and reach for the stars!
Dan
Dear Jeffrey,
Happy birthday!
I just had to drop you a note to say what an inspiration your page was to me.  I work at Evans Library at Texas A&M and found so many similarities in our views and interests that I said to myself... "Man... you gotta e-mail this guy."  I'm in a very good relationship (the first of my life if the truth be known) so I'm not trying to be a virtual stalker. 
Just want to let you know that there is another vegetarian, music composing, language loving (Russian in my case... from my Army days), Prairie Home Companion listening, Mystery Science Theater 3000 watching, bread baking fellow spirit out there.
While my page is very different from yours, you might give it a peek.  Just for laughs...  http://pages.tca.net/nazad/
Nice to know there are others out there who share some of the same global head space with me.  Looking forward to your future web efforts.  
Best wishes,
Tommy
Dear Jeffrey,

Happy birthday, Jblend! I wish you many happy years of e-prosperity.

My only regret is that I cannot bear your child. Sadly, I do not have the necessary orifices. We'll just have to see what we can do about that. *wink, wink*

Yours,

Lyle Smith
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[My former co-worker, now in Germany on a year of study abroad.]
Got anything to add to that? Just drop me a line and tell me how you like my setup. You'll be glad you did. And you might just escape shame and guilt of non-participation.
Go home.
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