MC Fat in Germany next week

Subject: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 11:31 AM

I'm in Cologne from Wed 22nd Sep next week but I don't have acces all the time to the internet could those who said they were interested in providing me with accommodation plus ideas of sessions post on here or PM Red and White Rabbitt will look to-morrow

Jim

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Sep 04 - 04:13 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: alanabit
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 04:48 AM

I am afraid I can't offer accommodation to everyone I'd like to, because I share a small flat with my girlfriend and two young children. It isn't just my decision! It would be different if I lived on my own.
I can invite people over for a meal and show them a bit of the city though. I spent a very enjoyable evening on Wednesday with Michael R and his wife Patti. Jim is welcome to guest at my gig next Sunday (26th) when I play the Folk Cafe´in Kalk - which is one of Köln's more "ethnic" areas. Please get in touch so I can give you my phone number.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 06:47 AM

Cheers Alan would like to make your gig but I'm not going to bring a guitar can I borrow ? Am still trying to get a home e-mail sorted out so will try to contact you perhaps you can advise some good (and cheapish) accomodation and some places (bars) and music to visit.ta Jim

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: alanabit
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 07:25 AM

No problem. See you next week.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Wolfgang
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 08:43 AM

I'm living two hours (by train) from Cologne. Too far, I guess, but if not, PM me and I'll send you all my telephone numbers.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 09:44 AM

Wolgang can you e-mail me (and other folk too) on my new e-mail [e-mail]    Looking forward to next week.
Ta much

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Les from Hull
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 11:45 AM

I'm glad you'll be spending a bit of time in Cologne, Jim. I didn't like to say but you were getting a bit whiffy.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 17 Sep 04 - 01:45 PM

he'll come back smelling like a tart - which one is the question?

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 18 Sep 04 - 07:04 AM

a dolewallah tart fresh from Netto

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 06:32 AM

It's tomorrow !!!!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: vectis
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 06:01 PM

Bon Voyage Jim.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 06:53 PM

Ta much will need to talk to you about coming down in December is that still a poss /

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 02:17 AM

bye

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: alanabit
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 03:26 AM

Hope to see you later today Jim. Call me up when you get here.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 05:58 AM

No probs alan arrive 5-6 ish find a hotel then give you a ring

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 07:17 AM

Dont mention the war!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Wolfgang
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 07:47 AM

Depends on which war. The last war (Iraq) really is not popular in Germany.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,Big ears
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 11:24 AM

World War 2 he means of course! Fawlty towers and all that.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 04:40 PM

He said not to mention the war

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Les from Hull
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 05:02 PM

I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Wolfgang
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 06:57 AM

Unless you meet a really old German (I mean even much older that the oldest German Mudcatter you can meet) you can safely mention WWII. The times when all Nazi angles were dubbed out of films like Casablanca (made it into a completely different film) are long gone.

But be careful with remarks about German football (2/3 of all Germans would agree with you, but the remaining 1/3 can get nasty). So never mention a certain lack of technical abilities and proper ball control and of all what make you applaud spontaneously from an aesthetic point of view, without adding a praise.

So if your true feeling is wanting to say that with the exception perhaps of Ballack, any third league Brasilain team would send German players home to exercise the basic of ball control, you may consider saying something like "I admire the continuous physical effort the German players put into their game" or "It is amazing how the Germans have always tried anew to control the ball".

Those who understand you don't mind what you mean and those who would mind won't understand.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 07:00 AM

You started it!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 07:58 AM

Wot ! Ball Control?

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 08:27 AM

I have a family of weasels nesting in my moustache.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 08:41 AM

Is this a five minute or half hour argument?

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: alanabit
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 09:00 AM

I met Jim for a chat and a coffee this morning after giving an English lesson (not to Jim, I might add). He has found a cheap, comfortable hotel in the centre and is finding his feet in the city. When I left him a couple of hours back, he was settling into his first Guiness of the day. I will see him on Sunday evening at my gig at the Folk Cafe´.
I am not usually so abrupt with visitors, but I have to finish a two thousand line translation at the weekend, prepare for a gig and try to stay on speaking terms with my family. Hope you'll understand.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 24 Sep 04 - 02:19 AM

That sounds like you met the real MCFAT 'cheap comfortable hotel' drinking though I am surprised a coffee passed his lips!! It will dilute his alcohol stream

RAggy dat is no weasel and is not a siberian hamster either dat is a RAT!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Wolfgang
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 07:29 AM

Jim and I had a lovely evening last night. We went first to an African restaurant (Sierra Leone style) for food and then went to a Scottish pub to have a German beer (him) and Scottish whiskies (I).
Yes, and this morning we both had some cups of coffee to dilute what was left fom last night.

We both learned a lot. I learned for instance the cultural background to 'don't mention the war' etc and I learned what to expect when I shall order 'a half and a half' in Glasgow in two weeks.

I told him how in Northern Germany half and a half would be drunk (both at the same time with using only one hand).

Now he's on his own in my flat for the weekend and I'm with my family.

Cheers, Jim, when you read this. (There is a computer in my flat, but without internet access. Maybe I should have told you, but you'll find out)

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 10:20 AM

Wolfgang Jim phoned me this morning - bet your ears burned as he sang your praises - hope you told him where the hoover was and hid any banjos if you are leaving him alone in a flat!
You will also have learned that he's not a true Scot - doesnt drink whisky and supports Dumbarton!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Wolfgang
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 06:24 PM

I left him alone with 6 tin whistles, a damaged bodhran, a difficult to find guitar, an etching of Robert Burns and a big vinyl and songbooks collection. Should I hurry back?

Yes, he was in a strange way unscottish when not drinking whisky with me. I had a mineral water, a white wine, a beer, a Glenmorangie, a Lagavulin, a rose wine and a slight headache (in this order), Jim had a beer, a beer, a beer,..., a beer.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Les from Hull
Date: 25 Sep 04 - 06:34 PM

Well that sounds like the Jim we all love and ... well, tolerate really!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 03:34 AM

oh no! looks like he will return a closet bodrhan player - if the whistles are any good they might need to find a new home in England - not that he would Know but if he was thinking of bringing me home a pressie you never know one or two could join my collection - guitar should be okay nothing will replace his beloved epiphone and stella tenor - you will possibly find a shrine to Mr Burns on your return - the closest thing to a god for Jim. Dont worry about the books - he was a librarian - doesnt read but you might find them dewy classified - vinyl - well he doesnt have a deck so that should be safe! Hope you werent too attached to that bodhran thats definitely the biggest worry!!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: alanabit
Date: 26 Sep 04 - 04:24 AM

Well, tonight is Jim's European premiere in the modest setting of the Folk Cafe´in Köln. I am looking forward to it. I hope Jim has been drinking tea, practising scales and reading improving literature to prepare himself for it. (I am not holding my breath though).
For myself, I will do the best I can with a finger the size of a thumb, a dodgy voice and an unpractised set. I haven't been able to touch a guitar since Monday, because I have been grappling with a two thousand line translation of a marketing survey, in between my other commitments. It is not how I usually prepare!
You will have to play a blinder Jim, we are counting on you!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 02:20 AM

well tell all how did the premiere go? waas Jim at his fighting weight? Did he float like a butterfly and sing sing like a bee - buzzzzz!! Did he suffer for his art and only drink tea or has his passion for drinking german beer meant there mean there is now an alcohol drought in the country that gave us Oktoberfest in the completely wrong month!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 04:09 AM

Float like a butterfly? I was reminded more of a walrus... He sang and played beautifully though and the crowd loved him. I really enjoyed hearing Alan Taylor's "Land of the North Wind" and the traditional "Twa Corbies" for the first time in years.
You don't need to worry that he's failing to drink enough beer. He was in good shape when he set off last night. He was feeling particularly chuffed about seeing the Schwebebahn in Wuppertal. If I have a car next time he's here, I shall take him up to one of Sabine's sessions in Solingen, which is near Wuppertal.
We will probably meet up for for prayer, meditation and carrot juice tomorrow evening. Meanwhile, I am trying to regain control of all my faculties following the aftermath of last night's gig. It was nice to spend a couple of hours doing something different after a week of translating people's opinions on the exciting subject of stain removers! I may have stayed out for too long.
You should get Jim back safe, well and perhaps with a little Kölsch inside him at sometime on Wednesday.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Grosse Fat Schottishe Bastard
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 04:29 AM

Thanks for the kind words Alan & Wolfgang. Last night was good although I was a bit worried by the slow handclap (apparantly that's what audiences do when they want more here !!). Enjoyed singing and the night was good apart from the political singer prat !!! He gave Bernadette (Alan' freiend) a good excuse to start smoking again !! Beer is wonderful as are the brauhauses and Kolsch beer is fab. Yes it's true I was caught drinking coffee !! The nice and cheap hotel has become a not so nice and very expensive hotel because of some big convention so I've booked into the backpackers hotel for tonight and to-morrow which has free internet access so R & W rabbitt how do I access AOL remotely to check e-mails and send you one ?
Auf weidersehn pets

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 02:29 PM

jim you need to type in the address www.aol.co.uk and then when your screen appears type in your screen name and password that should allow you to read e-mails etc.

ROwly says the slow handclap happens just before they start to throw bottles thats another sign they really appreciate you

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: John Routledge
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 03:54 PM

Slight drift

Jim - Just seen programme for Sheffield festival. Well done to all concerned!!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 04:34 PM

I think you were right about the audience response, Jim. Still, I guess it could yet happen to me one day that some kind German will take me aside after the gig, to explain to me that "Zugabe", is, in fact, the German word for a particularly malodorous type of fertiliser...

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Grosse Schottische Bastard
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 07:21 PM

As long as the tomatoes are not in tins I suppose !! Tried to send e-mails but for some reason they no want to go.

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 01:30 PM

probably wrote them in scottish!

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: MudGuard
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 01:44 PM

The tomatoes don't need to be in cans to hurt - it is enough if they come straight from the freezer ;-)

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Grossen Schottishce Bastard
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 07:03 PM

Freezer... Freezer   you were lucky to have freezer

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 02:32 AM

lead box would have hurt more

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: GUEST,MC Grosse Schottische Bastard
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 04:32 AM

Had an enjoyable evening with Alan last night. We past by two #youths# who asked Alan where they could get laid, so Alan ever the gentleman directed them to the two nearest brothels !! We didn't follow but passed through the seedier end of town to a very nice pub. Will post some piccies when I get back but for now as I leave Cologne at 2.15 pm it's Auf Weidersehn Pet for the last time as I revert back to good old MC Fat

Subject: RE: MC Fat in Germany next week
From: alanabit
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 04:27 PM

It struck me as quite funny that the first bloke these two German youths asked (they were not from Köln), was a young man from Chicago, who spoke excellent German. Not many locals would normally go to the Altstadt - especially when there's a trade fair on. Jim and I walked out of it, through one of Köln's less salubrious areas (Eigelstein), and on to a more typical part of "real" Cologne. Mind you, the Kölsch there was so abysmal ("Dom") that we opted for Weizenbier.
Hope we see and hear Jim here again and maybe some more of you other Mudcatters.