Experiences meeting 'catters ?

Subject: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: MARINER
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 04:41 AM

I have often seen threads here looking for meetings with Mudcatters from various parts of the world. That got me to wondering, Has anyone who met a 'catter via a request on MudCat ever regretted, for any reason, meeting that person ?

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 05:19 AM

If I had I would not report it on here!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 05:20 AM

Yes.

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: greg stephens
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 05:22 AM

No (that I know of)

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 05:24 AM

Yup

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: treewind
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 05:34 AM

If that ever happened, would they post to Mudcat about it with details?

Sorry, but I can't see a thread on this subject being very constructive, or as grandmother put it: "If you can't find anything nice to say, don't say anything"

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 05:42 AM

I can count 25 or so people I've met via Mudcat and in each case the experience has been positive, constructive and life-affirming - at least it has for me. I have had the occasional '...you're nothing like your on-line persona...' but I don't come here for social chit-chat, rather to expound polemically on weighty concerns of mutual concern which is something I tend not to do in real life, not much anyway, prefering to eat, drink and be merry - and talk about stuff that really matters (such recent developments on EastEnders, the delights of The Trafford Centre, AVP, and the new Sherlock Holmes) than the finer points of the Green Man, the Folk Process and the 1954 Definition. On Mudcat these things matter (at least they used to!) but in real life they don't amount to a hill of beans. People are the most important thing; in Folk it's the Folk that make it real which is one of the benefits of Mudcat.

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Allan C.
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 05:56 AM

The Mudcat is made up of people. As they say: people are people. It is just as illogical to imagine that all Mudcatters are fabulous as it is to imagine that they are all bad. Therefore it makes sense to consider that they may cover the entire range in varying percentages. I think it may still be safe to say that Bill Sables and I have probably met more Mudcatters than anyone else. I am sure he will agree that most of them were quite pleasant encounters. Many turned out to be exactly as they appeared to be online. Some were even nicer. But in light of what was said above, it would be unrealistic to say that none of them were, at least at times, disagreeable. But to answer your question I would have to say, no. I am not sorry in the least to have met any 'Catter. By doing so I have learned much more about them, some good; some bad. I learned enough to get a sense of who I would like to hang out with and who to avoid. This is really no different than the way in which most people process acquaintances.

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 06:39 AM

No - but I know a man who has
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: kendall
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 07:16 AM

If you have nothing good to say about a person, come, sit by me.

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 07:18 AM

This thread is a bit like a ticking bomb...

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: The Sandman
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 09:54 AM

no.

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Bobert
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 10:20 AM

Nope... Love all ones I've met... Some more than others, mind you...

B~

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 10:36 AM

I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting every Mudcatter whom I've met in the "real world" (but that "real world" is a folk music world, so we've already got interests in common). And there are a lot I'd still like to meet. Some have made more of an impression and become more a part of my life than others, some I'd like to meet in person more often rather than communicating almost solely online (on this forum and Facebook, as well as in email, etc.). A substantial number of these I'd not have connected with except via Mudcat.

Truly wish a lot of the people I've met lived closer so we could get together more often for good music, good food, good drink and, maybe most importantly, good conversation.

Linn

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Bill D
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 10:47 AM

The question is sort of like asking if there was ever a member of your own family you had problems with.

But the answer is: Meeting someone is how you decide whether you would want to go out of your way to meet them again. Most of *my* meetings ....maybe 150?... have been positive.

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: frogprince
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 10:50 AM

I've met a handful now, and so far the plain answer is no. And I also don't see any worthwhile point to this thread. Say that I had met someone and we didn't really get along; I could say "yes" to the question, and cast just that little shadow over the the idea of getting together with others in person. But the problem might have been my fault, rather than the other persons, and if I tried to spell out details, I might not be at all fair in what I said. The chance of your learning anything worthwhile from a "no" answer here is negligible.

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Amos
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 11:05 AM

Nope. Wish I could meet more and more often.


A

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 11:15 AM

Pass me your coffee cup Amos :)

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 11:37 AM

Emphatically no ... but I've had several near misses where I ended up being sorry I didn't meet a Catter.

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: frogprince
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 12:10 PM

I meant to say that the chance of your learning anything worthwhile from a "yes" answer is negligible.

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 12:13 PM

No. It's been delightful.

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: artbrooks
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 12:15 PM

Nope

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 12:32 PM

2 out of 22 so fr - confirms my theory that people are good - mostly
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: gnu
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 12:46 PM

Ahhhh... isn't this a BSer type thread?

Subject: RE: ever sorry you met a 'catter ?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 02:01 PM

Oh, I suppose the thread does belong on the non-music side, although we usually have threads about Mudcat gatherings in the music section. Threads like this make me nervous, so I'm going to change the title to remove the invitation to denigration.
I'd much rather talk about the wonderful experiences I've had meeting Mudcatters. I met Martin Ryan in Ireland, lots of Mudcatters all over England, and even more on the east and west coasts of the U.S., and Harpgirl and Troll in Florida. I haven't met any in the central part of the U.S., probably because I spend my Midwest time visiting family and old friends.

Almost all of my Mudcat encounters have been wonderful....and the others have been "learning experiences."

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: gnu
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 02:16 PM

Joe Offer... ""learning experiences.""

Hahahahaa!

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 02:31 PM

I've met a lot of Catters and they have all been wonderful in person.

It may be that we blow off all our antisocial steam on the website, ;-)

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: gnu
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 02:55 PM

jTs... bet I know who your favourite 'catter is. >;-)

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 03:08 PM

I have used Mudcat to find people to play music with and to go looking at Banjos with and to help me find sessions around places I don't know .. I have so many thank you notes to write to all my Mudcat friends . A spare bed , a tune at an airport between flights .. Like anything else this place is what you make of it .. How dose the saying go : Peace to men of good will .. Good will is sometimes a job but always has its benefits ..Making peace is an activity . All the best to all here ..

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 03:24 PM

Well Joe your arbitrary change of title renders my post, and several others redundant.
But then I suppose we should be grateful you didn't close the thread. Mind you there's still time for that to happen!

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 03:57 PM

Hmmmm. I don't know exactly how one would define "arbitrary," I guess. I think that "arbitrary" in this case means anything the poster disagrees with. I thought I had good, precedented reason. We don't allow personal attacks, and the thread title was an open invitation to personal attacks - and I'm grateful that people did not respond to the invitation. The original title remains in the the earlier messages.
And yeah, if this thread turns to a string of personal attacks, I will close it. That's my job, arbitrary or not. So get the bee out of your bonnet.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 04:15 PM

Joe is very very nice in person. Not as nice as CarolC, but then? Who is?

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 06:07 PM

Then again, there are some I'd love to meet; for various reasons!

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: gnu
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 07:18 PM

Well, Joe, I agree with John. Seems odd to me to change the title. It makes the thread disjointed. As far as possible personal attacks in future, conjecture has always seemed a waste of time to me.

If I am wrong, edify me. And, I know you have a difficult job and so on and so on. It's a tough one.

On that happy note, I will say I have met a few 'Catters in person and was thrilled to do so. Beer was a standout as we are like minded. The consumate gentleman, well spoken, funny, great guitarist... I will stop before I embarrass him and myself.

Fortunately, I have avoided a few 3D meetings with 'Catters who actively sought meeting up. Thank goodness the bells and whistles were so loud that I simply said no... and even, once, NO! As said above, it is a public forum and, as such, there are bound to be a few... you know.

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: GUEST,riverboat annie
Date: 31 Jul 10 - 08:27 PM

Every mudcat guy I've met has been sexy, interesting, and good at singing and/or playing.

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Janie
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 01:34 AM

I can't say I have ever regretted meeting any person, Mudcatter or no'.

Mind you, I have met people that I don't care to meet again;^)

Now, I have had a bit of a topsy turvy experience regarding Mudcatters. I joined Mudcat after having met a big bunch of them at my first Getaway. Some have since become steadfast friends. Most have not, simply because I am a steadfast introvert, a lousy conversationalist, don't talk easily on the telephone, am serious as a heart attack, and as socially awkward in 3-D as I am on Mudcat. Has much more to do with who I am than who anyone else is.

I will say that there are one or two Mudcatters that I met first in 3-D and liked well enough, but later avoided contact or conversation at 3-D encounters because I was so turned off by the personally vitriolic nature of their responses on Mudcat when their views were disagreed with.   Actually, what sealed the deal on my determined efforts to avoid them in 3-D, and for the most part on the forum, was the primitive way they projected their own on-line vitriolic personal attacks onto those who disagreed with them but who expressed that disagreement appropriately.



John, you are such a valued and esteemed member of this community, and with good reason. I wish so much that you were able to keep your personal antipathy toward Joe and the clones private, and were able to express your disagreement with editoral policies in objective terms with greater frequency, and were able to keep your personal antipathy toward Joe and the clones more private, i.e. I wish you were able to do less personal sniping about your issue on the public forum.

Gnu-zer, Good on you! From what you post it appears that you have done a good job screening those of us you might want to meet from those of us you don't. I take it, then, you are among those of us who can assert we have never regretted a 3-D meeting with a Mudcatter?

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Janie
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 01:38 AM

Geez! I even proof-read the above. does that make me doubly redundant?

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Fossil
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 01:56 AM

I hadn't met many 'cats until I wasinvolved with the Mudcat EuroGather in Brussels '02. Had a great time, wonderful group of people.

And I met up with *the* definitive 'cat, the man himself, Bill Sables, on his recent visit to NZ (he brought me a couple of T-shirts as well, thanks Bill). And a wonderful afternoon of conversation to boot.

All I can say is - try it, you'll probably like it!

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 04:18 AM

Can't say I have ever regretted meeting a mudcatter. I've mostly had good experiences and as Joe said, others have been learning experiences! Some have become good friends and I value their presence and influence in my life.

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 04:48 AM

Sorry Janie, but you're wrong, firstly in your inclusion of ALL clones, and I know a few. Secondly, if someone receives criticism in private, then they don't have to tell anybody about it.
Thus giving the impression, that all is hunky dory, when in reality, it may not be so.
This removes your right to disagree with my thoughts, AND gnu's right to agree.
It typifies what to my mind is wrong with many organisations; lack of accountability.
Criticism is inevitable in this life, no matter how hard we try to avoid it.
To paraphrase one of you great Americans, you can't please all of the people all of the time

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Amergin
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 05:18 AM

I have met several mudcatters in my short time....and all have been good people....one time I will never forget is Amos and Mousethief singing doowop together.....

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: olddude
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 08:27 AM

I never met anything made with Jello that I liked
and I never met a cup of coffee and a donut that I didn't like

and I hope Little Hawk gets to meet Winona Ryder someday

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Bobert
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 08:39 AM

Well, one thing I'll add is that at my first Getaway there was a gardening workshop... That's where I met Janie, who BTW ain't the social klutz she says she is, and like all gardeners that meant we were gonna be friends, which we are... Somethin' about gardeners... Hard to explian to folks who don't see the pleasure of gettin' yer hands in the dirt and watchin' stuff grow...

Maybe we need another gardeners workshop??? I got a backlog of azaleas that need new mommies and/or daddies... lol...

B~

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 09:59 AM

Oldude.. I reckon you nailed it... LH has met Winona.... hence his non-appearance here.. I guess he's too busy!!!!

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Joe_F
Date: 01 Aug 10 - 07:43 PM

I have never knowingly met a Mudcatter in the flesh. That seems odd, in that the Boston area has a concentration of folkie types, and I have met a fair number of them. More often than not, I mention the existence of the Mudcat, and it is news to them.

Perhaps there are no Boston Mudcatters, or perhaps they have nothing in common with me, or perhaps, by my well-advertised weirdness, I have driven them away in advance.

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: open mike
Date: 02 Aug 10 - 12:57 AM

I have found the mud cats I have met to be gracious, generous and friendly. I am glad this thread took a turn for the positive, so
we could describe the positive experiences of meeting fellow mudcats,
and not dwell on the negative. Many of the "Cats" I have met have gone out of their way to welcome me, to offer hospitality, to share food, lodging , music and friendship!! I am so glad to have these folks for friends! No regrets! Thank you Max and all for the opportunity to get together here in this unique community!!

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 02 Aug 10 - 02:05 AM

I've not met one I didn't like, and there are many I would like to meet.

There are also some I would actively avoid: those who relieve themselves of cruel and vitriolic abuse, and those who come across as narcissistic (not, I hasten to add, people gently drawing attention to their musical activities).

Valmai (Lewes)

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 02 Aug 10 - 06:52 AM

What I draw the line at: people who conceal their identity.

I can relate to people with any shade of opinion but I cannot deal with that level of paranoic mistrust.

On this thread that means "gnu", who has said he or she will never reveal who they are. Given that, I can't imagine how it's ever managed to meet anybody else here in real life, but if it comes across me in a public place, just go away, please. You can assume that if you do introduce yourself, I will tell everybody I know how to identify you. I will not be complicit in that kind of secretiveness.

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 02 Aug 10 - 07:01 AM

With regard of all humanity, 'catters especially, in the face of some of the emerging sentiments above...

Rudyard Kipling - A Pilgrim's Way

I do not look for holy saints to guide me on my way,
Or male and female devilkins to lead my feet astray.
If these are added, I rejoice - if not, I shall not mind,
So long as I have leave and choice to meet my fellow-kind.
For as we come and as we go (and deadly-soon go we!)
The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me!

Thus I will honour pious men whose virtue shines so bright
(Though none are more amazed than I when I by chance do right),
And I will pity foolish men for woe their sins have bred
(Though ninety-nine per cent. of mine I brought on my own head).
And, Amorite or Eremite, or General Averagee,
The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me!

And when they bore me overmuch, I will not shake mine ears,
Recalling many thousand such whom I have bored to tears.
And when they labour to impress, I will not doubt nor scoff;
Since I myself have done no less and sometimes pulled it off.
Yea, as we are and we are not, and we pretend to be,
The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me!

And when they work me random wrong, as oftentimes hath been,
I will not cherish hate too long (my hands are none too clean).
And when they do me random good I will not feign surprise.
No more than those whom I have cheered with wayside charities.
But, as we give and as we take - whate'er our takings be -
The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me!

But when I meet with frantic folk who sinfully declare
There is no pardon for their sin, the same I will not spare
Till I have proved that Heaven and Hell which in our hearts we have
Show nothing irredeemable on either side of the grave.
For as we live and as we die - if utter Death there be -
The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me!

Deliver me from every pride - the Middle, High, and Low -
That bars me from a brother's side, whatever pride he show.
And purge me from all heresies of thought and speech and pen
That bid me judge him otherwise than I am judged. Amen!
That I may sing of Crowd or King or road-borne company,
That I may labour in my day, vocation and degree,
To prove the same in deed and name, and hold unshakenly
(Where'er I go, whate'er I know, whoe'er my neighbor be)
This single faith in Life and Death and to Eternity:
The people, Lord, Thy people, are good enough for me!

Subject: RE: Experiences meeting 'catters ?
From: kendall
Date: 02 Aug 10 - 07:18 AM

People are people and being a catter has nothing to do with anything.
Someone once said, "We are all assholes to someone."