I have a way of forgetting things, even things I really want to do, and completely forgot about Mudcat, which is why I haven't shown up at any of the gathern's. Housecleaning my inbox I came across the original link that my daughter had sent me, and now that I've read down the postings since then and know the shop's address, there is really no excuse for not at least stopping by: I'm only about a ten-minute drive from the Shop!
    My voice is my primary instrument, and I'm pretty good at harmonizing. I'm a fair-to-middlin' basic rhythm guitarist, and also have an old Oscar Schmidt autoharp. I am desperately in need of help finishing a re-stringing project if I can just find the box with the strings!   
    And if anyone is into Celtic tunes, I'm very out of practice but after a week's instruction and practice with Craob Rua's bodhran player back in '95, I was told that I have some talent in that area, as well. (For those who don't know, klutzy and/or insensitive bodhran playing is like fingernails on a chalkboard to good string groups.)
    So why haven't I gotten out to any FOFF events or club events, etc? I have attended some gatherin's and gone to some concerts, but have been forced to leave with severe headaches and/or nausea because the room and its occupants were not smoke and fragrance free. If someone is a cigar smoker with the residue on (most likely his)hair and clothing, I'm history.
    It's not practical to expect public events to ask paying customers not to wear their favorite smelly stuff, but I'm hoping that if I find a small group of musical folks with similar interests, they may be willing to accommodate my hypersensitivity. If this offends any of the established members of the group, please let me know and I'll keep looking elsewhere. I can be reached directly as mmbryan on roadrunner.
    I hope to see y'all next week! M.