BS: Not So Funny Anymore

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: gnu
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 03:38 PM

I saw this thread shortly after it was posted and I have followed it because I share your grief in such a loss, having been a victim of similar circumstances. Immediately, I spent five minutes typing a vehement spate upon the vileness of such lowly scum. I didn't post because, after proofing it, it didn't offer anything positive. I'm glad I didn't post right away. I'm glad you are healing. Attitude indeed ! Thanks. You made my day too.

Hran on !

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: chip a
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 03:24 PM

Thanks for the update, pj. Just reading your post has made my day. What an attitude.
What a picture. Some lonely soul finding music in your silver whistle and in him/herself.
Thank you.
Chip

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: p.j.
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 03:04 PM

Well it's been an eventful weekend, filled with generous offers, kind friends, lots of reflection, a few wonderful surprises, but no word on my old buddies.

Pawn shops, music stores and on-line sites haven't turned up anything matching the descriptions of any of my instruments. Same with talking to folks on the street. I decided not to do flyers or anything with contact information on it, since I had a bad experience a few years back with an anonymous caller who tracked me down from one of the television promos I do periodically for the Museum where I work.

It was somewhat limiting not to give out a way for people to call or e-mail me with info, but I remember having to essentially dismantle my life back then, setting up all new phone, post office box, and e-mail address both at home and work to get rid of this person. I decided it wasn't worth going thru all that now even if I got back the stuff. Since this event was connected to a crime to begin with, I thought the chances for weird calls were already pretty good.

Anyway, you guys have been amazing this week. In addition to the good thoughts and wishes on this thread (which are truly a boost!) many 'Catters sent me wonderful PMs and calls offering a variety of ideas and suggestions.   

I have even officially commissioned the creation of an original Bill D. tipper, which I'm very excited about. I'll keep you posted on that.

Here's another really sweet thing... no fewer than NINE people have approached me this week offering to lend or even give me a drum! Some from the Mudcat, some from the Starry Plough (my session local) and one from an Irish cop who bought our CD! (gotta love it)

I've been explaining to folks that, while their offers mean the world to me, I'm getting by okay with the other instruments I have for now. I feel very lucky that I have the resources to replace the items I've lost, when there are so many folks who can't afford an instrument to begin with.

This has now led to a whole other branch of this story...

I began searching for a place I could recommend that people donate instruments to kids in schools if they had something to offer. In the end I've hooked up with a wonderful organization called MUST, which stands for Music in Schools Today. They run a program called Adopt an Instrument, which matches up donors with schools who can't afford instruments.

Here's a link to their N. California MUST Program

You can follow the link for "Excess Access" to donate instruments from anywhere in the country or around the world, they'll match you up with somebody who needs it.

Their director told me this morning that in the past 6 months in the Bay Area they have had more instruments STOLEN FROM SCHOOLS than ever before. The schools couldn't afford to buy the instruments in the first place, and they certainly can't afford to replace them.

Shira & I did quite a few school programs last year, many in inner-city areas that were clearly on a limited (or non-existant) music budget. But the interest and excitement for music was very high among students of all ages. As a (very lucky) musician, I'm feeling a sense of responsibility about getting more instruments into these kids' hands through the school.

SOOOO.....

You're officially on notice, 'Catters! All you wonderful people with big hearts and extra instruments, you'll be hearing me talk about this program from time to time. I'll do my best not to sound like an Amway salesman but between concerts, festivals, our website, and buckets full of dear friends who are musicians, I feel like I have the chance to let a lot of folks know about this who are in a position to help.

And I've decided this morning to change my official fantasy about the instruments I lost. Rather than picturing them on some dusty pawn shop shelf or some theif's pile of crap, never to be played again by me, I am officially hoping they find their way somehow into the hands of somebody that never had the chance to make music before.

Maybe someplace under one of those dirty blankets in the park is my little silver whistle among the prized posessions of a person who has been giving it a tentative try. My little free-reed keyboard isn't hard to play, maybe whoever bought it from my theif could be trying to pick out tunes on it right now. My old faithful bodhran deserves better treatment than it's probably getting, but at least it may live out it's later years as a drum somebody wanted enough to steal.

Maybe not realistic, but who knows? That's my fantasy and I'm sticking to it. This morning I decided to officially stop trying to get back my instruments, let them be wherever they are, and move on. I've ordered replacements for everything I lost, and I'm putting a few things in a box to take to the local MUST Program instrument drop-off site.

Life goes on, and so does the music.

I love you all for helping me through this.

xoxo

pj

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 03 Feb 03 - 04:50 AM

Any news PJ?

Ella

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 02:51 PM

Please report back.

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: leprechaun
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 12:16 PM

Me too.

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 31 Jan 03 - 11:47 AM

Just a quick note to say good luck with the search today, p.j. -- I will be among the many others visualizing your bodhran coming home.

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 Jan 03 - 09:18 PM

Hi PJ, So sorry to hear about your drum, that was a nice one & I know how you feel about percussion instruments & you Swans are such nice people. You might want to go to the Bodhran site I think they've got some kind of spot where you can post. Do you have any identifing marks that that might help to single it out. I do know that some Bodhran maker's have web sites (try Mance Grady, real nice guy & runs across alot of drums) you may want to post a some info to them just in case, long shot but.._ You might try bring some flyers to folk music events & clubs, never hurts. Hope it come home.

Good Luck, Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 30 Jan 03 - 07:31 AM

I've said this before on another thread...

Go and check the pawn shops/junk shops/money for goods shops.

A friend of mine had his Ormiston flute stolen - and found it the same day, in the window of a second hand shop, for sale for £20. Fortunately, the shop keeper had written down the mans name, and address and the police were called.

My sympathies P.J, I know I'd be distraught too, I play bodhran, and teach it too, my bodhran is well broken in, and very much valued too.

Best of luck

Ella

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: leprechaun
Date: 30 Jan 03 - 01:45 AM

A friend of mine had some of his equipment stolen out of a van after a gig a few years ago. He put up posters asking for their return. A fine young criminal called him and offered to return his equipment for a reward. This was scary enough that my friend called the cops, and an undercover cop accompanied him for the meeting, posing as a band member. At the first meeting, the thief had a sawed off shotgun in his coat. So the undercover officer postponed the meeting for later, when he showed up without the real musician.

When the cop identified himself, the criminal tried to get the sawed-off shotgun out. Bad-guy got shot several times for his trouble, and then he got a trip to the hospital, and later, the calaboose.

Few stories end so happily.

By now, pj's drum is in a pawn shop, and twenty dollars worth of heroin has long since filtered through some junkie's veins.

In our town, some second-hand stores specialize in musical instruments. I suggest making a police report, complete with those photos, and then going to the second hand stores. Visualize finding your drum on a shelf in the pawn shop. Then, with the report and the photos, you can prove it's your drum. Don't give them any money for it. The pawn shop owner will be sh*t out of luck. Then the pawn shop owner can visualize telling the cops who sold him the drum.

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Cluin
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 10:00 PM

Sorry about your loss. That really stinks. I'm lucky. Never lost so much as a capo myself.

But this brings up an interesting question: How many of us have our working instruments insured against loss or damage?

I know I don't. But I was talking to a buddy of mine here who I've been forming a trio with lately. He plays bass mostly. But he was doing a freebee promo thing for a paid theatrical gig and while he was on break, his stand-up bass fell over and the headstock busted off. It's in Raymond Schryer's shop now being repaired and the bill will be about $4500. He told me that he wasn't sure why, but he finally put insurance on the thing a couple of months back so that will pay for the majority of the bill.

Right now, I sure couldn't afford a new working guitar. Maybe I should insure it.

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 09:28 PM

I'd say Dave is right, even if it's a nuisance.

The Musicians Union over here have a spot on their website for stolen instruments. Maybe there's anything similar where you are. I don't imagine the thief would be likely to see it, but maybe an honest musician who'd been offered it or bought it might.

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: stevetheORC
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 09:48 AM

I should point out that I was saying that not all people are nice and not that *Folk* was bad :)

ORC'S are nice if yous disagre we *&^%$ you!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: BusbitterfraeScotland
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 07:55 AM

I would feel the same if my drum was taken away from me or any of my musical instruments.
I have had my drum for 20 years and I'm that scared that some might take it away from me that I brought with me to Australia on holiday.
So sorry about your loss pj.
Tam

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 03:16 AM

Careful, p.j., I think Dave is right. If you absolutely have to do something, maybe work on getting flyers ready to distribute/hang up and/or leave at pawn shops.

If you get into visualisation, you could do what I do when a pet is missing: get a clear picture of your house and you in a bubble of light. Then do the same with your instruments. Then, see your light reaching out to them and the two bubbles of light merging. In the case of a pet, I usually see a "leash" of light going out from mine and "reeling" them in, to home. I never try to figure out how this will happen, I just do the picture, try to feel the joy I will feel if successful, then I let it go with a "I give thanks for this or something better, for the highest good of all concerned." This has always worked for the pets, most of them not my own!:-)

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: p.j.
Date: 29 Jan 03 - 01:26 AM

Nothing new to report yet, except what a boost it has been to hear your stories and encouragement while I'm sorting it all out...

Bill, the picture you posted is indeed the drum in question. I didn't know you had taken that! Folks have actually been sending me some very sweet pics of my instruments they had taken at concerts, sessions, workshops, camps, etc. I posted them here along with your FSGW photo. Some show the purple heartwood stick from the ship, some show Steve Forman's handmade stick and there's one with the low whistle. It's nice to get a last look at my old stuff. By the way Bill, I've seen your woodwork and it's gorgeous! I would love to buy a stick made by you. I'll PM you for details.

Guest, you wanted to know how the street search was going... Dave called from work to check on me yesterday. I told him about the thread and my plans to go downtown and talk to folks, but he had a bad feeling about the idea and asked me to wait until he got off duty so he could go with me. Unfortunately, that won't be until Friday, and I'm really worried that's going to be too late.

It's really frustrating to feel like I'm losing time-- the advice to move quickly makes sense, and I'd really like to get out there. I want to be doing SOMETHING. If I wind up going between now and then I'll let you know what happens.

Meanwhile, thank you all for your support and kind words. I knew I came to the right place...

p.j.

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 08:57 AM

"there be some bad folk out there"

A very strange kind of Orc there...

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 07:05 AM

Actually Dave's story there is very encouraging. It's an indication that people can look after each other a lot of the time.

The sad truth about cars is that it's a mistake to leave anything lying in view, even when it's not worth stealing.

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: stevetheORC
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 06:47 AM

P.J. So sorry to hear of this, hope you have luck in your quest to find the drum again, but please take Guest's advice to heart the person is talking sense there be some bad folk out there.

As for Dave he looks spisios :0)))


Orc

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 05:42 AM

I quite frequently walk into pubs with my guitar and just start singing - sometimes you can have a good session - other times you get told to stop. Anyway I walked into an interesting looking pub one summers evening and realised that they had a band (folk-ish) booked already - it was during the interval. I bought a pint, and as it was warm and the pub was quite packed, I walked out into the garden carrying my guitar. I barely got out of the door, when I was grabbed by a couple of guys who thought that I was stealing one of the group's instruments. The landlady was called, and a member of the group confirmed that my old yamaha didn't belong to them. "Can you play it ?" asked the landlady. I did a couple of songs before the group went back on, and got a gig for the following week. I've played there many times since.

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Mudlark
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 01:50 AM

Really sorry to hear about this...gad, I would be devastated! And theft is so invasive, it makes one's whole world feel unsafe. I hope that somehow your bodhran comes back to you.

Thanks for the clicky, Bill D...so I could put a face to this thread. P.j., you look so happy playing...

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 07:46 PM

and, I assume this IS that drum that came with you 2½ years ago.. (if not, I apologize!)

It is a truly sad thing when you lose a part of yourself like that...never give up, for as you say, window breakers are not likely to keep and old "drum".....and, if I can help with new sticks (I have made several)(and I know, you need to 'feel' the balance & weight)...( I can even do even purple...though not from that special wood...)

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Kim C
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 05:13 PM

That really sucks, pj, but you know what? Maybe your drum left to make room for something better! Good luck. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 05:05 PM

p.j., so sorry to hear about this. I cannot imagine how sad and devastated I would feel if I'd had this happen.

I think you should be careful passing out your phone number and/or carrying cash to pay someone with. I'd do a lost poster with pictures as close a possible to the things you lost, if you don't have any piccies of themselves, and post those all over the area. Then use something besides your home phone. Do you have a cell phone or business phone you could use? Or, an answering service? I also wouldn't let anyone know you are bringing cash with you, not until you see the goods. I would also take the poster to the pawn shops, if possible. I know it's a big place, but Clinton's probably right. The cretin probably dumped them as soon as possible for whatever they could get.

Good luck and here's a big hug for ya, {{{{{{{{p.j.}}}}}}}}}

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 05:05 PM

Tell people you'll meet them at a local diner or the steps of city hall. Let them tell you when. Leave your purse at home but keep your i.d. in your pocket. Don't give money to anyone up front. When they tell you they need money to get your stuff back freom the guy that has it, don't believe it. Even if it's true, you'll never see the money or the stuff. Tell them to bring the stuff and you'll pay then. Only then. Don't be talked into following anyone to an unsafe area but do be willing to do what you can SAFELY do to show them that you're not setting them up. Be honest and straight forward. If you want to take someone else with you, do so but don't make it look threatening.
If there is a phone number at work or some kind of neutral place you might give that out. I don't dare tell you to give out your home number. You might have to make several trips to the area.
I hope this works out.
Post again and let us know what's happening, okay?
Now, go give yourself a big smile and be happy that you're not the guy(or girl) in the street.
:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 04:36 PM

"Did your friend ever get his guitar back?"

Three months after this happend, he moved to the other end of the province, so the search basially stopped then...

I do still keep an eye out for it when I'm out and about though...

He has since replaced it and when he's into his cups a bit, will say that the theft was ALMOST a good thing in the long run...

almost...

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Tinker
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 04:34 PM

PJ what you describe are things that over time have taken on the resonance of the people and places they have traveled to and with... They had truly become touchstones and are fully deserving of a moments mourning...Blessings to Soothe and a Bit of Butt Kicking to relieve the bureaucratic stress...

Tinker

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: p.j.
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 04:32 PM

Thanks Clinton, I don't quite feel like kneecaping anybody yet-- I'll probably feel angry later but right now it's only sadenss that I won't ever play THAT drum again, you know? Did your friend ever get his guitar back?

Amos, thanks for the hug and the reassurance, it would be nice to think there's a chance of seeing the things again, but the police didn't sound very hopeful (or interested.) It's nice to have you guys to talk to about this anyway.

Guest, I have to tell you, your message meant a lot to me-- thank you very much for saying what you did. I am absolutely going to take your advice. I'm looking for pictures of similar instruments right now that I can take with me on the bus to the City this afternoon. I'll give people a couple of bucks for their help, show them the pictures, and I guess then give them a number to call if they come across any of my stuff. I'll tell them that I'll pay for it, no questions asked.

Here's something I'm trying to figure out– "no questions asked" understandably leaves the police out of it, but it seems kinda weird for a woman to go running up to people on the street and handing out her phone number... should I just go down to that part of town every day and ask around, or give them my number and take a chance on getting weird calls, or what?

And how much money should I carry with me for a "reward" if somebody's got the stuff on the spot?

p.j.

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:52 PM

A chummer of mine, playing for the first time in a pub where I work a lot, finished up his show (that went really well), put his guitar down, paused at the bar to get the barman to start him a pint o Guinness, made a quick pit-stop in the upstairs head, and came back down to see his guitar patch chord spetched out across the floor, pointing towards the door, with no guitar attached to it... Some right bollox had the nerve to simply pick it up and carry it out on their way out the door...

A fecker like that (And yers) aughta have nails driven into their kneecaps...

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:46 PM

There was a time when I was the guy breaking the windows........ I'm really sorry this has happened to you. Get word out quickly everywhere around because some or all this stuff will have already been dumped on the first guy with a few bucks. Your thief isn't going to hoard this stuff in his "stash of stolen crap" he's gonna unload it for any amount he can get at the very first chance. Go to the area and tell every "street" looking person what you've lost and tell them you'll pay to get it back, no questions asked. You might be surprised.
I hope your friends come home to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: Amos
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:33 PM

p.j.:

Aw, honey, I am weeping for you. I dunno what to say.

Barky had a similar trauma with her instruments, and they finally nailed the asshole who did it. Bless her little heart she went to court and stood up and told the judge she was there so that he could see there was a human being at the other end of his senseless action. But she was crushed with loss for a while. Thank god we had a good detective on this case, but even so a lot of what was stolen never came back home, although some did.

Aw, this is just effin' awful, goddamit. All I can say is, here's a hug and keep breathin' doll. Take care of yourself and eat and sleep right while the shock tremors subside, okay?

Eyes open. Breathe in, breathe out. Notice that there are a lot of people around here who love you deeply.

There will also be a sunrise in the very near future, y'know, useless though it may seem at the moment. One foot forward at a time.

Love ya,


A

Subject: BS: Not So Funny Anymore
From: p.j.
Date: 27 Jan 03 - 03:22 PM

Okay, so one of my favorite bodhran jokes is the one that goes "What happens if you leave a bodhran in your car in the wrong neighborhood?   Somebody might break in and leave another one beside it..."

Yesterday I had my favorite drum stolen from my car, and I have to admit I'm really, really sad about it. The car was locked, it was broad daylight, right in front of City Hall in San Francisco. I was at a concert across the street at the Herbst Theater and when I came back the window was smashed and my old friend was gone.

That drum had been with me through years of sessions, concerts, camps, workshops and great evenings with friends in my livingroom. It was the one I played on Rick's CD, at festivals with Alasdair, and with Shira on Wild Wood. It's worn in all the right places and I know every little tone on it's skin. One of the sticks in my drum
bag was hand-made for me by a friend, and the other was a gift from Dave, made from a piece of purple heartwood from an old ship.

They also got a silver whistle (another prezzy from El Swanno) and a sweet little free-reed keyboard that I loved learning tunes on at sessions. They were just things, but they were MY things... ya know?

And somebody out there has it all, and it means nothing to them. I'm sure they threw the stuff in a dumpster when they realized there was no money in the bag, or tried to pawn them, or whatever. They were expensive instruments, but I doubt if they'll be worth much to anybody.   And my old buddies are out there somewhere this morning in a dusty pawn shop, or a pile of garbage, or some creep's stash of stolen crap in his house, and I'm just sick about it.

Oh yeah, they also got a box of 10 Wild Wood CDs! A reporter for the Irish Herald was walking me out to my car when I discovered the break-in, and he says he's going to put an item in his column this week about it... something like "If anybody tries to sell you a Kammen & Swan CD on the street report them to the police!"   Cracked me up... THAT ought to be good for our image!   Better yet, maybe Shira or I will get arrested trying to sell one of our own discs...

I keep thinking, there are folks out there who have nothing... they laid down in the street to sleep last night, and woke up this morning with nothing to eat. I have a dear husband, a safe happy life and a job that allows me to replace things I lose. I really shouldn't be whining about this.

But if you'll forgive a little BS rant, after a morning full of talking to police ("WHAT kind of drum??") insurance adjustors ("Fill this out in triplicate and wait three weeks.") car repairmen ("By the way, you'll also be riding the bus for a while.") and drum shops ("We can't possibly have anything ready for you in time for your next gig.") I just needed to come to the Mudcat and commiserate with folks who could understand the true nature of losing instruments that were old friends.

*sigh*
p.j.