I've really enjoyed my visits to Paltalk. Most of the time I don't know who is a mudcatter and who isn't, many people have had to change their usual Mudcat name, and I can't get there often enough to recognise all the regulars. I don't always understand all the in jokes and banter in the text, but I go to hear the music, so who cares. Very occasionally an admin, usually Dave or Jon, has coaxed me to sing. I'm not a musician, or a singer, I'm just a bloke, who when sufficiently tanked up, can sometimes be talked into grinding out an old favourite. Someone has already mentioned that it is often easier to sing in front of strangers than friends, and I can only concur. People have been very kind, and not left in droves.

Once, a few months ago, when I was particularly tired and emotional, Dave (The Ancient Mariner) sang a song so beautiful I was left speechless. I think I typed something fatuous in the text like "You've just made my weekend Dave", and I remember Jon commenting "Greyeyes has said it for all of us". But that doesn't even begin to express what I actually felt at the time. It was a fleeting moment in my life, but one I shall carry with me forever. Dave, thank you so much for that fleeting moment, I hope we are able to share many more in the future.