Paul, much of the real magic of Mudcat takes place in PMs, offthread. I am sure that you will hear from likeminded folks both in threads (and via PMs, if they prefer to keep their real names private).

Me, I could tell ya mine, but you would not know it-- I was no one. Just a pudgy, introverted kid behind a big ole mug of cappuccino, trying so hard to be an adult. My big sister lived around the corner, then, and I stayed with her when I went broke and homeless. One night on the way back from work, coming off the El, the music drew me in. A new world, to me. I do not think I had ever gone anywhere socially before in my life, after the usual HS pack activities (McDonald's parking lots in suburbia). I was VERY shy in those years. But I had my first adult crush there.

I followed the music to the Barbarossa, and damn if I didn't make some actual friends there! My next housing foray included a roomie I'd met at the Barbarossa-- who tried to kill me and burn up my dog, one night. She had.... issues. :~) (You could take those risks back then, and mostly get away with them in the folk world at least.)

I'm still looking for a painting I saw behind the No Exit performers that I wish I had been able to buy, then. A large canvas, with an intense boy about to thrust his bird into a cockfight. I still can't afford to BUY it, but I would sure love to SEE it again, even if only via JPEG. The tension, the color, the execution, the loveliness in that setting of all settings-- it made quite an impression. Those eyes!

Aw, Memory Lane is a sweet road to amble on a rainy night. Almost like I could turn the corner, right here up in these PA mountains, and the No Exit door would still be invitingly, musically open. (You really DO never exit.)

:~) Will the Youtube videos open with a coffee hiss racket? Man, I miss that just as much.

A link here to the videos would be great for some of our more technologically challenged folks.

~Susan