Katlaughing,

I made my first contact to the Mudcat on April 4, 1998. I was just looking for information on how Lead Belly strung his guitar. I eventually found that information.

Now, I visit nearly every day I am near my computer. Sometime early in the AM before I head to work and usually in the early evening after I return from work.

I suppose I average an hour and one-half a day. Sometimes more, seldom less than 1/2 hour. If there are a number of threads to which I can reply it takes longer. If I decide to do a Web search for someone's request, it can take quite a while longer. I curse Joe Offer every time I do that, for he set the example for me.

My housekeeping has suffered (my house looks like a bad dorm room). I suspect my fiancee has figured out what is going on. Sometimes I prioritize time with the 'Cat over time with her. She remains the first in my life, but she is not always first in the moment.

I only half-jokingly talk about a Mudcat addiction. Certainly I sometimes do more than I intend to do. Sometimes I do it before I do other things I should do. Finally, I think it causes some problems for me.

Yet, I don't think I'll stop anytime soon. I have listened to folk-related music for over 35 years and I have acquired some knowledge. I enjoy sharing that knowledge.

I have met several people I feel I can call friends although I have met very few outside of the 'Cat. Big Mick, Bill D., Bseed, and Joe O. come quickly to mind. In addition to a love of the music, I think we share a certain cock-eyed view of the world and of life.

Keep on 'Cattin', I need somebody else to post threads for me to enjoy myself.

Roger in Baltimore