Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000

Subject: A Rant (Pondering Aloud)
From: Max
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 01:28 PM

Max's Mudcat Job Description: To make sure the Mudcat works, technically. To continue to upgrade and enhance to compensate for increased volume. To add and edit features to make the Mudcat more usable and just plain better. To work with those who support the Mudcat and provide a resource to Mudcat users and the folk world in general such as Folk Legacy and Camsco Records. To help users with technical problems and login issues.

Do you see what is missing? Well it's not missing at all.

I AM NOT A THERAPIST. I AM NOT A BABYSITTER. I AM NOT A PROFESIONAL MODERATOR. I DON'T SETTLE ARGUMENTS. I DON'T CARE.

I created a Web site, a discussion forum, a community about and for music. This is what I do care about. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy and am proud of the personal nature of our little forum here. I don't mean to discourage such activity, I hope it continues. However, I am not Dad in the front seat of the car trying to settle a dispute between the children in the back seat.

I remember during the Congressional hearings about Clinton and Lewinski each Congress Person had a chance to address the Congress with a statement. One of our Congress Women used her allotted time to talk about her grandchildren. You see, everything said in the Congress is a permanent historical record. So in protest of the insane and pointless use of our powerful government's resources, she used the time, she used her reserved little spot in American History, to say Hi to her grandchildren and their grandchildren and so on.

I also believe that the Mudcat is a historical record, and I am equally certain that it will last forever. A record of Song and Story and Life. A record of me, a record of us. A record that will exist forever. One that our grandchildren will see, and their grandchildren. My thoughts and feelings and silliness and actions are all on display here… for good. When I post a message, I might stop and think that about that. Good ol' Tom Jefferson always believed that you should judge your every action as if the whole world was watching. Well they are folks… and they will be forever.

The first reason for everything I do is always the same.

THE POINT OF THIS WEB SITE IS HAPPINESS

If I can't get it or deliver it, there is no point, and POOF it's gone.

Keep it light, take it easy, relax, enjoy your stay, and just be happy.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 01:34 PM

Ouch!!

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: GUEST,Mrrzy-sans-cookie-again
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 01:37 PM

Max - thanks for the cogent explanation. I especially like you not being Dad settling disputes between children in the back seat... what a PERFECT metaphor! Hope I'm not one of those children...

-Mrr

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 01:42 PM

Bless you, Max.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Sean Belt
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 01:51 PM

Max,

Thanks for all that you do for Mudcat. It is one of the many things that does, in fact, make me happy on a daily basis.

- Sean

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: GUEST,Sailor Dan at work
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 01:51 PM

""THE POINT OF THIS WEBSITE IS HAPPINESS""

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!!!

Max, I raise my glass in salute to your eloquence and subtleness. Here's to the cat forever.

Sailor DAn

And be asssured the glass is filled with a pint of that delicious brew called "Guinnness"

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From:
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 01:54 PM

Thanks, Max!

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 02:01 PM

Max thanks for expressing your feelings and stating your role around here on the Mudcat.
I find your statement is timely and important and I hope it is clear to all of us.
This place does bring me much happiness and I would like to see it continue to prosper.

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: GUEST,Giac, not at home
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 02:01 PM

Are we there yet? ~;o)

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: KathWestra
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 02:11 PM

Thank you, Max. For everything, including this thread. But especially for making and keeping this place. I'm not here a lot, but when I am, it sure makes me happy.

By the way, why not make THIS a "Perma Thread". We kids in the back seat sometimes need reminding....

Here's to ya,
Kathy

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 02:42 PM

Max, thanks for laying out your role and goals. I heartily concur. I like to see the interaction that happens here and love the musical threads. The knowledge base represented on the 'cat is awesome but it would be useless if everyone kept it to themselves. the second most awesome thing about the 'cat is the willingness to share with each other.

Thanks for all your hard work, Max, and also to the rest of the crew that works on the 'cat.

Brett

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 03:11 PM

Thanks, Max. We appreciate what you do and admire how well you do it. Honest.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 03:36 PM

Go bpleasca maorlathai mithrocaireach do chuid caloga arbhair.

....and I really mean that Max. (Damn, but I love that site)

Each week brings a few new twists to look for, like the phony but close name thing, but the 'Cat is still the finest place on the net and I know Max has much time, effort, and money in it. For that, I too am thankful. You're a pissant Max, but a lovable little pissant.

This is a community of many friends, old and new. As it grows and changes, its good to keep in mind what Max has said and also to remember that a few assholes cannot take away friendships that are built over time. It makes no sense to me at least, to believe and/or become so angered by what some gutless wanker says that we would give up on the friends we have. Unless you believe what they say, it cannot hurt.

I would urge everyone to take Max's advice and to also consider the source when you are angry. The in-fighting that occasionally goes on only proves the true existence of community here and in most cases, that too will pass. We either work it out or agree to disagree or just avoid the situation. Never let the trolling and flaming drive you off though. Its soon found to be what it is......just go on and enjoy the rest. Enjoy the music, the fun, the arguments, the personal tales of joys and sorrows. Support the 'Cat, but support each other and the community that has been built here.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 03:36 PM

AMEN, Brother Max!

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Kim C
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 03:46 PM

I bow to you, sir. :)

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Melani
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 03:49 PM

Thanks, Max. I'm happy.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Áine
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 03:56 PM

Dear Max and the Mudcat Minions,

Thanks to all of you for the hard work you put in here. And thanks for putting up with all the crap that always goes along with anything involving human beings.

I don't know what has been causing all the brouhaha this time, but please remember that along with all the 'squeaky wheels', there are alot of us that are happily rolling along, ignoring the occassional pile of rubbish, and we are very happy with the Mudcat the way it is.

So please don't let a few loud voices drown out the more numerous quiet ones that also appreciate a wonderful place like this, where we can visit and interact with all the great folks here.

Keep up the good work, Áine (who used to be a lot louder, but took Max's advice a long time ago to let most of the stupid stuff roll off my back -- and who is a lot happier now)

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: kendall
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 03:59 PM

Max, you continually surprise me. Such maturity and eloquence is rare in someone your age. (especially a male) My annual contribution is in the mail. Thanks for the note on my health.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: MMario
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 04:10 PM

3874-378=3499 to go at last count.

Max - you and yours do far more then we can expect. Ditto for Dick, Susan and associates.

Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: reggie miles
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 04:13 PM

Max, benevolent creator, thankyou for smiling down from cyber space and establishing a place where all us folk-n-blues types can drop in and hang out. There's no doubt this place will endure and continue to be one of the great destinations on the information super highway.

This kind of reminds me of a song my friend Robert Oneman Johnson wrote.

Song About Life

She's a rough one,
first it's there and then it's gone.
It's a tough one,
but you've got to keep on keepin' on.
Life's a treat if you don't weaken,
and let the bastards beat you down.
She's a rough one,
but she's the only one around.

I've got a secret,
I want to share it here with you.
Have no regrets,
just keep on doin' what you do.
If you're doin' what you want to,
when they finally lower you down,
it might have been a rough one,
but she's the only one around.

Life is short,
it's seldom sweet
and it sometimes makes you sad,
but when it's gone,
you're gonna realize,
it was the only chance you had.

So just enjoy it,
and hope that the others like theirs too.
Don't destroy it,
cuz nothin's gained by feelin' blue.

If you're laughin' and you're gigglin',
about the way the world went round.
If you're doin' what you want to,
when they finally lower you down.
And if you grin while all those bastards,
try their best to beat you down.
It might have been a rough one,
but it the only one around.
Yes it might've been a tough one,
but she's the only game in town.


and here's to the only game in town.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Jed at Work
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 04:23 PM

Good thoughts Max.

I've seen a few nasty comments aimed at you from the same old malcontent/s who seems to have nasty comments for anybody. I hope you don't take 'em seriously. I know no one else does.

We appreciate your efforts, your talents and your opinions - and we thank you for keeping this place going!

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 04:41 PM

Thank you, Max and thanks, Spaw, for putting it so well.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: CarolC
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 05:47 PM

Max-

I really hope you read this. I'm posting it to the Max appreciation page just in case you miss this one.

This is how you contribute to my happiness:

I have a ruptured disk in my neck that presses on my spinal cord and causes all kinds of physical problems for me.

Consequently, I am not able to get out and be among people anywhere near as much as I would like.

You have brought a whole world of (mostly) like-minded people to me, and for that I am grateful.

Very, very, sincerely, Carol

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Ferrara
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 12:08 AM

Max... Well said.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 12:55 AM

Yep, the little fella sure knows how to nail it. I love the place and I love this man. I sure wish I had read that before I got a little pissy a few minutes ago. Thanks for manning the helm, skipper. I had better get back to the holystone.

Mick

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Callie
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 01:14 AM

Hear hear Aine! And thanks Max for your inspiration.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 01:15 AM

This is a special community. The sense of community here is strong and welcoming. The combined musical knowledge of members and guests is great. Thanks, Max, for making this happen. We'll deal with whatever garbage blows by now and then.

-chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 03:59 AM

Well said, Max.
Yours in the blues
RtS

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Peg
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 12:53 PM

Max, you rule!

I thank you heartily for the time you have taken to address little piddly complaints and problems from people (myself included) and I guess I cannot thank you enough for creating this warm fuzzy beast for our education, enjoyment, edification, pleasure, frustration and myriad ways for people to connect, through music, art, love and tears, shouts and laughter.

long live the Mudcat!

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Wesley S
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 01:11 PM

Max - Many thanks for all you do here. This is a great site. I loved the children in the back seat analogy. That must be exactly how we sound somedays. DAD - MAKE HER STOP - SHES BREATHING ON ME. WAAAAAA....

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 02:38 PM

Yes,Wesley, I can visualize Max,one hand on the wheel, the other pointing right at us saying "Settle down,damn it! Don't make me pull this website over!!!"

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: DougR
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 05:28 PM

All points well taken, and well said, Max. DougR

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: reggie miles
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 08:01 PM

Wesley, a friend refers to that complaining tone as the waaaambulance.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: WyoWoman
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 09:38 PM

Thanks, Max. Clarity rools.

I'm working way too much right now, so I don't have much time to post. I do still check in as often as I can and lurk at least (yes, you're right: Someone IS watching you ... ) even if I don't have time to say anything (because I often, though not always, actually DO take a little time to think about what my fingers are typing here). It's just always such a treat to "visit" my hometown. Crackpots there are aplenty, but mostly benign, and who gives a rat's patootie about the ones who aren't?

Some people are just unhappiness looking for a place to happen. They be unhappy here for a while, then they go find some other parade to rain on. Heaven help their families, if they inflict themselves on actual, physical humans this way.

But the 'Cat brings more happiness than un' so I think you're getting the job done. (WAIT!!! I hear a song ....)

But now, I really, really have to tinkle. Can we pull over, puh-leeze?

WW

p.s. -- My sister, who single-parented four children, used to drive down the highway and when the whining and crying and pissiness finally made her last good nerve go sproing, she would reach back and just start waving her hand around until she'd come in contact with a good bit of kid flesh and then tell 'em she was going to stop the car and finish the job individually if they didn't shush up right NOW. I don't believe in smacking children, but some virtual smacking troubles my morals less than others. I consider that what you've just done, so maybe it will serve the porpoise.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 09:57 PM

Oh DaddyMax...Daaaaaaadeeeeeeeee...

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 09:59 PM

WE WUV U!

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: GUEST,Jeff Emmett
Date: 08 Aug 00 - 10:21 PM

Thank you Max for creating and maintaining such a fantastic resource and community.

M'hat's off to ya!

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Willie-O
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 08:36 AM

Good man yerself Max. Anybody that tried to manage both the technical things and the content-and-tone of the forum would go starkers in short order.

I don't know why anyone bothers with stupid threads, starting them or continuing them, summer's too short to be wasted on a computer as it is.

Seeing as its that season, the best threads in my humble opinion are the ones that say "this is where the good music is" and "this is the place where the mudcatters gather..." The real-world music and personal connections do wonders for strengthening our community--we shouldn't mistake the Forum for the community.

Best
Willie-O

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Crowhugger
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 01:59 PM

Gee, did I miss something while away on vacation? Or, [I]'Plus ça change, plus c'est la mème chose.'[/I]? Daddy, I'm thirsty. P'raps a Kilkenny to solve both our woes.

BG, big thanks, and a hug, Max.[BR]~CH.

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Banjer
Date: 09 Aug 00 - 04:05 PM

Kewl....Hey DAD, can I borrow the car tonight....?

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: GUEST,seamus kennedy
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 12:31 AM

Max, I'm sorry my Mac blew up. Now can I come back? Please? Seamus

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 12:48 AM

Seamus, if you have two Macs, is that a Max? And if you've got Max, you can get right back in.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Max's Thought for the Day - Aug 7, 2000
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 03:29 AM

Still trying to figure out who took over 'Spaw's cookie...seriously, Pat, that was a wonderful statement, and I heartily concur, except for the Irish part, on which I'll reserve judgement since I can't read it.

Strong work, Max, please keep it up.

Aloha nui loa,
Mark