Three days I go I made what I thought was a simple and noncontroversial request. I said that this thread was becoming more and more obscure, and I asked that people should put some effort into making the messages more understandable to the wider audience. I didn't make any accusations. I didn't flame anyone. I didn't put anyone down.

For my simple request I have been patronised ("The Place to look for information regarding NEFFA would be the NEFFA website."), infantilised ("John should grow up and just accept it."), told to butt out ("Would you walk up to a group at a party who are discussing a concert you are interested in and demand they stick to the subject because you bought a ticket to the concert and they are discussing where they are going to eat afterwards?"), and finally ridiculed ("Lord spare us from paranoid whiners. They wont play with me...boo hoo.")

Basta ya, amigos!

(Sorry, but the upside down exclamation mark before Basta is not printing out.)

Fortunately, not everyone acted in the manner I describe above. Barry Finn, SINSULL, Barbara, and Animaterra, in particular, responded positively to my request and to the other people who expressed concerns.

So this is what I have learned. For official information go to the NEFFA website. (I already knew that.) For additional insight on such matters as where to stay, what to expect in the workshops and concerts, which Morris teams to watch, what you can and cannot drink, and who should be afraid of whom, stay here on Mudcat. But wear your flame-retardant suit!