My goodness....the threads that happen when I go outta town.

It's hard to believe that there may be ANYTHING about myself that's a secret anymore....because:

#1. I HAVE used Mudcat as some kind of therapeutic journal during some difficult times over the last four years. I've kept ninety percent of it musical or music-related 'cuz after all it's a music forum.

#2. I really DO believe strongly in many of the things that Quentin Crisp advocated, including being as completely open as possible, even with strangers. It's the best method of dealing with shyness that I've ever seen.

#3. My constant jokes about being thrown out of high school (and Art College) are totally true, but those experiences were humiliating at the time, and I'm sure are responsible for certain current personality quirks. Same thing with being fired from five or six 'straight' jobs before becoming a full time musician.

#4.During the seventies to the mid eighties I often earned as much as forty grand or more per anum as a 'commercial' folk musician. I rarely had a penny left at the end of the year. Since then I rarely earn MORE than twenty grand as a teacher and part time 'non commercial' folk musician. Somehow (thanks to Heather), we actually manage to SAVE a bit each year!

#5. Since getting out of Bars and 'commercial gigs', I've not bought even ONE package of TUMS, and have never ONCE had my prescription for back-pain medication re-filled.

#6. I'm not as constantly pleasant, non-judgemental, and 'laissez-faire' in real life as I am on Mudcat. When I'm in an environment that I don't like, I can be as sarcastic and remote as your average curmudgeon. I have the ability to virtually "go to sleep", while keeping my eyes open and keeping a bit of a smile on my face, if I'm around people who are boring me.

#7. Usually when I get bored it's because people are talking about stuff that I know nuthin' about, and it reminds me of what a hash I made of my schooling!

#8. I'm rarely critical about weak musicians who are trying as hard as they can. Weak musicians with attitude and poor social skills drive me NUTS! (I usually have something to say in EVERY thread on jam and song-circle etiquette)

#9. I sometimes feel like a total alien on planet earth. The CLOSEST I get to feeling like 'I belong' is around folkies.

#10. I swear a lot in real life, when something's REALLY GOOD!. I Use both my favourite swear words "Shit" and "Fuck" in all their possible combinations! It embarrases the hell outta me, but sometimes I can't help myself. I NEVER swear when I'm angry. Go figger.

#11. (I know, I know!) It's a bit hard to admit that Mudcat has had such a profound affect on my life, but it has. What started as a simple hobby (and an alternative to TV watching) has become an integral part of my everyday life. It has really helped me UNDERSTAND other folks so much better. And I'll bet I'm not alone in that area.

Cheers (that was fun)

Rick