Matt -May I add some comments. People who know me are often kind of annoyed by me saying 'err' instead of 'yes' or 'no'. I'm not that sure any more... But there are also things I think I can rely on, e.g. the following:
Re. 1) Don't you know yet that you needn't insult somebody to hurt him? 'Si tacuisses philosophus mansisses'. That's only a quote, not my words, so don't feel offended. Singing a song is something different - it would be a catastrophy if I could only sing songs that tell my very opinion.
Don't you know yet that people out there might be different from your little sister? They might even know things your little sister does not and in reverse not know things your little sister knows. (One has to ask what is more important to know.)
If you want to tell things to other people you have to try to do it some way THEY ALSO can understand, rather than some way YOU can understand, regardless how difficult the latter may seem to you. So there's a need tell it more simple, not more complicated. (The most complicated way you can tell something might be simpler than what you mean to tell itself - THAT'S a problem.)
Re. 2) If there's a need to do a 'simple' internet search in order to understand what you want to tell, don't ever complain about people not understanding you.
Re. 3) Refer to 1). If you quote something (without further comments) don't be surprised if people think about what you want to tell by this. You can't quote something without telling something. Be sure it is your own opinion, otherwise you must be aware of being misunderstood.
Re. 4) Refer to 2). There are many, many things people think of rather that thinking of doing a quick search on the Oasis FAQ. Sometimes they even think of things different from the whole internet. Imagine!
Re. 5) and 6) If you intend to leave mudcat for a bit why don't you simply do it? Nobody would have been hurt by this, and nobody will ever be. It always makes me sad when I see people 'burning bridges' without any need, and that's what you pretended to do - and finally did. Why should I set my house on fire when I go out for a beer? Just for the effect? Is it that important for the fire police to know that I'm not at home for some time, and will they thank me for telling them, especially if I do it that way?
You know that is also the way, so-called 'love' is handled. My friend wants to go somewhere. Well, what's the problem? He's free, I would never dare to call him a friend otherwise. But obviously there is a need to first finish everything by insulting me as deeply as ever possible, according to "never step over an enemy if you aren't sure that he's completely dead". So I'm asking myself what kind of friend that was. Shouldn't I?
Fun? - Yes, Matt - for ME. I was enchanted by how they were shocked and finally even strangled each other for motorbikes. Things like these tell me that THERE IS love and people just don't dare to tell. I know that, yet I like being reminded of it as often as ever possible. It gives me courage. And I also think it should encourage you by telling you that at least what you did up to then was good, maybe even precious. Of course I don't know if you are able to see it that way.
So, if you need encouragement why do you give some to me instead of noticing and preserving what you have? I love it but I don't need more of it that urgently. I also need as many friends as possible, of course, but I do have some, not many but sufficient, and I know that I can only keep them by not playing tricks on them, especially no tricks concerning our friendship. It's a matter of confidence. And that's something I will never joke about.
What do you think: Are you going to have more friends after that maneuvre or less?
BTW - to avoid paranoid misunderstandings: Pariah GUEST,Joerg does not have a hidden cookie, I never posted with some different name and as far as I know nobody else ever posted as GUEST,Joerg.
Love to you all (not the so-called kind, the real stuff)
Joerg