Thanks, Jack and Ted, for the names of books and authors.

Thanks, F'troupe for the observations. For example, that's a good tip about speaking more slowly.

I'm sure no rock-group roadie was involved. What we have here are well-meaning amateurs.

The first day of amplification, a man set an amp on the floor, then walked up to it, grabbed a dial, and turned it all the way to the right, thus unleashing a howl of high-pitched feedback. Honest to God, it was something a little kid would do. "I wonder what happens if I spin this?"

Fortunately, that amp is gone, replaced by the speakers mounted on the church walls years ago. Now when we're supposed to be playing the prelude to calm people and focus them, guys are scooting around saying "Testing one! two!" over and over. I feel like a Cub Scout troupe has invaded my church.

The tradtition of my church has always been that the time before the service is for prayer and contemplation. I now realize that the prelude is also a signal that T is about zero, and everybody should get in place.

But I'm just venting. It's so nice to have the Mudcat, where people understand what I'm talking about. I'm going to look for those two books.