Spaw, I just about split my side laughing at that last post. Those are Sewage pipes you've been playin', right? So what style do you use ABS, fiberglass or the traditional cast iron pipes.

Back on the off topic question.... If you mean to say that you feel that the threads about music, as in the technical execution of playing, building, caring for, or obtaining instruments, or some understanding related to those subjects, should be favored over the ponderings bantered about here in seemingly unrelated threads, some of which have been the inspirations for stories and songs, I think you're wasting you're time. Because, as some have already stated, one never knows how and when certain inspirations will arise.

I remember reading an off topic thread a while back about pickles and those posts sparked a brain cell or two (I only have a couple of 'em left roamin' about up? there) about an incident that happened to me with a particularly nasty jar of dills. I ended up writing a post to the thread that turned into, (you guessed it) a song.

I say keep your options open. Inspirational opportunities can sometimes arrive via unusual or unintended means. Be prepared, as best you can, so that when they do poke their way into your brain cells you can recognize them and make the best use of them.

In short (Now there's a concept I should try to grab hold of.) are nonmusical posts and threads less important than the study of musical posts and threads? Should musical threads be given priority at the forum? Given that through these exchanges of nonmusical ideas we can find illumination to express our own experiences in stories, poetry and songs, I say that these posts and threads are just as valuable as those discussing music. Will everyone reap the same benefits from each thread and post musical or not? Of course not. We each have our own unique perspective reflecting our own personal level of understanding about all things. I think the best advice is to stay open to all possibilities and probabilities. Because, hey, it could happen, and it's all good.