Good grief! You people have made me go back and relive my first Getaway! Nobody could have been more of a mass of jelly when we had a massive singaround that first morning. As my turn approached I became more and more nervous. I hadn't sung in front of anyone other than family for decades! And now I was going to have to sing before a room filled with only about a dozen people whose names I sorta knew - as well as some eighty or so folks I didn't know at all! As each person did their bit, I began feeling more and more outclassed. I seriously began to consider backing out the door.

Finally, my turn came. I started to play and sing "Two Brothers" but quickly reached a place where I flubbed the chords and couldn't figure out how to resume the song. Instead, I switched to "Curimao." Somehow, I didn't screw up that one. I can't say the applause was anything more than polite. But then, I was still too shook up to be objective.

Actually, I didn't have any idea at all how it was received until I got a PM a few days later that said:

"I could feel the feeling you put into that first song I heard you play." to which was added, "... That session was a special time, and it probably will never be repeated in the same way. I really enjoyed making your acquaintance. We will be friends a long time. But do me a favor, don't tell anyone that I am a big marshmallow. It will screw up my tough guy rep."

So, I won't tell you who it was. I can only say that over the years I have continued to receive encouragement from this same person. I can't begin to tell you how much that has meant.

It was from that small bit of encouragement that a much more outgoing me began to grow. I still have bouts of shyness at times and still wonder from time to time if I really have anything to contribute. But somehow I have acquired enough confidence to be able to stand up at the Getaway's open mikes for each of the succeeding years, even though that has often been my only performance of the year.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is that shy folks, if they listen carefully, are likely to hear enough encouragement to justify whatever it might take for them to "put on their game face," to come to the Getaway, and to make part in all it has to offer. Friends - or even the potential for new friends abound at the Getaway. Every year I make it a point to approach someone I don't know and to strike up a conversation. This year I did that with Marynf and her companion, (sorry, I am horrible at remembering names and hers is no exception, I have an empty file folder in my brain marked wth the letter "D" but am not sure that's even right,) and Amiel Shotz. Both encounters were greatly rewarding.

If you are reading this and have waffled about whether to come to the Getaway, please consider how many people have come from as far away as Guam and Iceland knowing almost nobody there. I'm sure they would tell you that even if they hadn't known a single soul, they would have become well acquainted with a heck of a lot of them by the end of the weekend if they had made even the slightest effort.

End of ramble