A newcomers' thoughts

Subject: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Susie
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 03:31 PM

Its after work and I should be doing some housework/gardening/ironing/cooking BUT the whole family is away and I've been glued to MUDCAT for hours for the first time since I ever found it. It's great. I've even posted a couple of comments today. (Oh no, could they be one of the "thread killers" I just read about? I'm only just getting the hang of this and I know I tend to be rather formal.)

I've read all kinds of threads - some helpful, some amusing, some not so - but every one of them allows Mudcatters and guests to express their opinions - and others to respond. I am not any kind of a musician - I just love singing - and I cannot contribute (or even understand) some of the real music issues that are under discussion at times.

So ... why is this cafe so compelling to a non-musician?

Because - (1) There is a great sense of community from so many different nations and such a wide range of subjects are up for discussion - this isn't only a folk/blues site.

(2) The sense of humour (British spelling - a bit of a give-away?)is equally good. The BS threads made me laugh out loud at times - a bit embarassing while I'm sitting here all on my own (for one night only . . .HURRAH!!) and relating only to a computer screen. But there you go. Sad or happy - guess!?

(3) The help: did I need that when I first found Mudcat (it seems ages ago now, but it was only in March). I posted a "help" message and within no time at all I had replies (thanks to Jon Freeman especially).

(4) I've read quite a lot of threads that seems to upset people and cause them to make quite aggressive responses - in a lot of cases, the first posting seems to be either a "tongue in cheek" message (which seems then taken far too seriously by some but with great hilarity by others) or a topic which was intended to generate polarised views - and why not? My only comment would be that the nasty replies, which often are personal in nature, should not be posted for "public consumption" when there are personal pages for suchlike.

These threads will not diminish the enjoyment of Mudcat by such as myself.

One can choose which threads to read after all.

Susie

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 03:39 PM

Welcome (although if you've been here since March - a bit late) Susie

Much of what you say is right - unfortunately, for some people 'mudcat' seems to have become, or should become something of a nirvana.

It's part of the real world - and nasty people say nasty things.

But generally it's a great place - enjoy!

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: kendall
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 03:45 PM

Why do you draw a distinction between singers and musicians?

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: bbc
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 03:47 PM

Yes, Susie, you've caught a glimpse of the best of Mudcat--an International community of very nice people, available to each other (thanks to time zones) 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. I've been on for about 3 years & can't seem to drag myself away, even w/ all the less-than-desirable stuff that's been on in recent times (And what is considered less-than-desirable is certainly subjective). Mudcat as an entity is subject to the same frailties as individual people since it is, after all, made up of individuals. One failing that I've seen & some are becoming more sensitive to is the tendency to be less kind in online communication than one would tend to be in face-to-face. Live & learn. Welcome to our world.

best,

bbc (Barbara in NY)

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Susie
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 04:07 PM

Wow! It seems like only two minutes ago I submitted my "thought" and already so many welcomes - thank you all.

Kendall - forgive me. To my unmusical-but-highly-willing mind, anyone who can make good music, by voice or instrument is - to me - accomplished. I didn't mean to make any distinction - I admire them all. I personaly live in a world of "if only" . . . if only I could sing in tune, if only I really knew what I was doing with a guitar/banjo/harmonica. Believe me, at my local pub's "music nights" (every second Wednesday) you will find me having a go at anything and everything and - much as I enjoy myself - I must admire the people who do it well (and even more, I admire those who have to listen to me.)

I don't do any of it well, but fortunately for me, in my local environment, people are very forgiving and allow me to enjoy singing/playing what I can. This is an aspect of musical communities I can totally rejoice in. Where else could I do this, apart from my local pub where folks know me?

No one has ever bawled for me to shut up yet.

Such is the enjoyment of sharing songs and singing. Thank heavens, or I wouldn't have a local music night to be able to go to.

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 05:14 PM

Welcome Susie. I hope you find some of the things you're looking for here. Oh, and some of us Canadians also spell "funny".

Rick

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 05:22 PM

Welcome aboard there Susie.......Its a great place even though we go through the occasional burp.......Join us at Mudcat Radio tonight!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 05:27 PM

Rick,

I hope you choose to forgive Michael Kaye one day (soon)

Sorry if this is thread creep

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Pseudolus
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 06:11 PM

More like Thread Leap!! In any case Welcome Susie! Ha! Look at me, I've been here for only weeks and I'm welcoming people like I own the place!! But that's the kinda place it is!!

Enjoy, Frank

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Morticia
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 07:49 PM

Uncle Pat, your internal eructations are entirely your own affair, and none of ours!! Welcome, Susie, I hope you enjoy this forum as much as I do.

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: DougR
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 08:28 PM

Gee whiz, Kendall, who's Mr. Sensitive? Give Suzie abit of slack! Of course I've been told New Englanders can be a bit blunt at times. :>)

DougR

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Biskit
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 08:29 PM

Internal eructations??????you just made that up huh??!! Welcome Susie....bbc!!!!darlin' we've missed you so, when did you get back?? I've been out`a touch for a while but found a new provider I can use from the truckstop parkin' lots. I've been searchin' the threads for praise has anybody heard from her??? LOve,-Biskit-

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: rangeroger
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 08:33 PM

Biskit,
Praise responded to one of your posts in another thread. She asked about her bloomers.
rr

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Biskit
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 09:07 PM

Thanx Rangeroger, I just saw that'un and sent `er a personal GEEEZUS it's good to be back on the mudcat! -Biskit-

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: death by whisky
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 09:22 PM

I've been here since....June.Good is'nt it?

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Gary T
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 09:24 PM

Susie, I like your attitude. Welcome.

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 09:37 PM

Welcome Suzie!! And don't apologize for the British spelling. Even though I am American born raised and educated, I lapse in to "British" spelling frequently and just so you know, there was only one way of spelling untill the late 1800s, the British spelling. I've seen documents and letter from our Civil War that back my statement. Welcome, Welcome, Welcome!!! Kindest reguards, Neil AKA Irish Sergeant PS I have a fairly good sense of humour myself.

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Rosebrook
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 10:54 PM

Welcome Susie! I enjoyed your insightful comments.

You asked the question, "Where else could I do this, apart from my local pub where folks know me?" Another place would be here on HearMe, where we come to know each other. You've probably seen those threads about HearMe, and know what that's about. If you haven't yet been, it truly is a place where you can have a go at singing and playing, and really enjoy yourself.

Again, welcome!

Rose

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: JedMarum
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 11:15 PM

nice to have you here, Susie - good thoughts. Ilook forward to more.

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Alice
Date: 19 Jul 00 - 11:49 PM

Hello, Susie. Watch out for that Mudcat addiction... your family will be trying to drag you away from the computer any day now! Welcome to the Mudcat.

Alice

Subject: RE: A newcomers' thoughts
From: Hollowfox
Date: 20 Jul 00 - 11:40 AM

Susie, I hope you enjoyed your evening off (you lucky duck!) As for your voice, don't worry about it. as you say, nobody's told you to stop yet. Think of Florence Foster-Jenkins (see the "Most Embarrassing Records" thread a couple of days ago for more about her). I'm told that her epitaph reads something like "They may have said that I could not sing, but they never said that I DID not sing." Enjoy.