New M'cat, feels like first time at session

Subject: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Dave Swan
Date: 22 May 99 - 02:28 PM

I was introduced to Mudcat about a month ago by a friend who suggested I reply to a thread which concerned some folks I sing with. Since then, I 've read some extraordinary exchanges and been impressed, amused, and moved by the sense of community found here. So I've joined up, by golly, but I feel a little like I'm sitting at a new session for the first time, not ready to open the case or clear my throat for feel of making a honking noise, or violating a custom I haven't yet figured out. Any tips on custom or protocol? Thanks, D.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Dave Swan
Date: 22 May 99 - 02:29 PM

Sorry, that's fear, not feel, of screwing up. I'm off to a roaring start.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 May 99 - 02:44 PM

Welcome Dave Swan. You'll be happy here - I can tell. Open your case, clear your throat, and don't worry about those honking noises. I've honked so many times I'm thinking of re-naming myself "Canada Goose!"
Custom and protocol seem to change depending on the situation. If you say something totally stupid, just apologize in your next posting. We all get carried away at times 'cause we're an opiniated group - even when just discussing songs.
I see the "mudcat" as very similar to "Lord of the Flies" with all kinds of roles being filled (it seems neccessary to keep a community balanced) but in the evenings we can still gather around the campfire and sing our little hearts out.
rick

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Banjer
Date: 22 May 99 - 02:47 PM

OK, First off Dave, welcome to the Mudcat. As for tips on custom or protocol, just simply use the "Golden Rule", Do onto others as you would have them do onto you. I myself am fairly new around here, about 6 months or so, and it didn't take me long to learn that one is made welcome here as a matter of course. Realize that everybody, and this is a worldwide diverse group, has an opinion on any subject and it may not be the same as yours. They will all read your opinion and then offer a counterpoint, or agree with you. It is a very tightknit community, but a loose enough weave that there is always room for one more! You have no doubt been following the Catspaw's dillema threads. Most of us ahve never met him, except here in the cyber village, yet we all felt like it was one of our own family that was in the hospital, and we all rejoiced with each piece of good news we heard! I can't explain it, neither can a lot of other folks, save to say we are a group with a common bond (music), a common love of humankind, and a strong respect for each other. So, welcome and enjoy the group!

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 22 May 99 - 03:00 PM

Welcome Dave!

All in all, we are a pretty tolerant lot. A suggestion I have is that you voice your opinion as your opinion. Occasionally, the Forum gets a little out of hand and names are called. I dislike it when I read it and it usually fades under its own weight, but I is the most unnecessary act that occurs here.

We have lots of information about songs, especially folk and blues. We help occasionally with a "pop" song or two, but it is not our main area of interest.

The folks here at Mudcat are quite diverse and their interest runs from Kingston Trio to obscure British Ballads, so don't be shy about asking. We also have a few Internet wizards who can man-handle a search enginge with the best of 'em and will often get information we don't know.

So, we appreciate polite, we appreciate your interest, we appreciate your opinion. Keep on 'Cattin'!

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: The Shambles
Date: 22 May 99 - 03:05 PM

Welcome Dave.

What is in your case, I hope it's an instrument and not a machine gun?

We have had a lot of conversation about guns lately.

It's not a tiple, is it?

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 May 99 - 03:07 PM

Welcome Dave...and stop worrying, this is just one helluva' place and the two characters above just gave you some great advice, which totally amazes me since I know what a pair of dimbulbs they actually are!!! Of course since it takes one to know one............

You're probably aware of my recent discussions with the Grim Reaper, but thanks to the power of the Mudcat, we were able to kick his ass. This is undoubtedly the most unique place on the web, and Rick and Banj explained it well....Hell you're already into typos and to quote Arlo, "I'd say you're reasonably there."

One thing you might want to have some fun doing is researching old threads and also picking out some of the characters around this place and seeing what they've posted on various subjects or overall. Keep your 2 cents coming, we want to hear it!!!!!Welcome to the village of Mudcat!

catspaw

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 May 99 - 03:24 PM

Ahh, Catspaw. I'd better explain him to you, as God knows he can't explain himself! He's about 75 years old (tried to pass himself off as 18 in an attempt to explain his devotion to the lyrics of Neil Young) and he lives in an adobe shack somewhere in the mountains of Mexico. Ian Fleming based "Dr. No" on Catspaw. We also believe he has an aluminum nose.(aluminium, if your a Brit)

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Paul G.
Date: 22 May 99 - 03:39 PM

I'm certain that, in keeping up with the metallurgy (?) of the times, 'paw's nose is actually titanium now. Welcome Dave, from an occassional poster, fairly new 'catter, and Floridian.

pg

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: LEJ
Date: 22 May 99 - 03:40 PM

I liked Catspaws comment about "kicking the Grim Reapers ass." I had a momentary image out of an Ingmar Bergman film where the Knight plays chess with Death for his life, and then decided that didn't quite fit for Catspaw. So I pictured Cats beating Death at one-on-one basketball with no fouls called, and Death goes slouching off with a bloody nose and tears in his eyes.

But I digress (what a shock,eh?) Welcome to the warm and wacky world of The Mudcat, Dave! Make yerself at home!

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Alice
Date: 22 May 99 - 04:54 PM

Welcome, Dave. Have you searched the database and found some lyrics? You will notice that some questions about lyrics are answered with, "search the DT" meaning the Digital Tradition database of lyrics, with the blue box in the upper right corner of the page. Or, another answer may be a (link) "blue clicky thing", which Rick apologized for at this blue clicky thing. If you want to see a tiple, you could go here. If you want to read what started the whole "tipple thang", you can find it at this blue clicky thingie. My favorite thread, of course is the memorable one on Where is Spancil Hill?

Glad you can join us.

Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 22 May 99 - 05:22 PM

Welcome Dave! You've found your way to the most amazing place on the web- just remember, it's real life, cyber-style. We're here because we love folk music, but we also offer BS, raw humor, detailed scholarship, support, love, and something amazingly like an ideal community. We also bicker, get into snits, shout a little, but usually we apologize like ladies and gentlemen and get on with the business at hand. In other words, you're right, it's a lot like a session- one with refreshments in the kitchen and a conversation in every corner. Enjoy!

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Margo
Date: 22 May 99 - 05:37 PM

Welcome aboard! You're in for the ride of your life! The Mudcat (unbeknownst to all here, I'm sure) played a major part in my getting off anti-depressants. I am now stable, taking St.John's wort and Kava Kava.

Rick, can I be Piggy? (Lord of the Flies). Only I can't be for long. I'm committed to a walk going nowhere fast every day. (Treadmill)

Glad to have you, Dave.

Margarita

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Llanfair
Date: 22 May 99 - 05:41 PM

Welcome, Dave, I'm new, too, been here about three weeks. I know what you mean about first time at session, what if you do a song that everyone is fed upwith, or someone did before you got there? What if they use more than the four chords you use? Fortunately, everyone here respects each person for their unique skills, wether they show or not!!! again, welcome. Bron PS Warning..........Mudcatting is seriously addictive, and there are no substitutes!!!!!

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Jeri
Date: 22 May 99 - 05:55 PM

Welcome Dave! (hey - I don't know you do I?)

As with any session, the biggest mistake you can make is not taking part. I've only been hanging around in here for a couple of weeks, but it feels like home.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 May 99 - 06:34 PM

Uh, Dave.....let's not pay too much attention to Brother Fielding. The cat's a Canadian, married to a Scot, who considered living in the States. He has 3 brothers all named Reg, and when you meet them it's a mixture of "Sgt. Preston" crossed with "Deliverance." The Big RiB above (Roger in Baltimore) has the official statistics, but I think Rick has owned 2376 guitars of which 872 have been stolen and 1 imploded. Don't ask! His best gig was as a tiple player in a Chilean Gospel troupe and he insists on a proper F chord...no one is sure what that is, with most of us stupidly assuming it's a chord that sounds F !!!

Of course there are plenty of other unsavory types around including myself, so exercise caution. Leej (LEJ) for instance, and Banj, and the Ramblin' Sham who can who can type you 5000 words on any subject and while you still have no idea what he's talking about, and your exasperation level has reached the point where the urge to kill is peaking......will suddenly make his entire point in a beautiful and pointed yet poignant piece of poetry...probably our best poet, or at least in the top group.

Also be very careful of the kind and seemingly innocuous types like Alice. From all reports, our best shower singer, but will then turn on you and chastise you for the condition of YOUR shower.

Ahhhhh Dave.......welcome to Mudcat...you're gonna' love it!!!

catspaw

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 May 99 - 06:53 PM

Hey Dave, welcome to my favourite community. I noticed nobidy told you proper protocol for asking for info on a songs so eher goes:

First : be sure you search the Digitrad Database FIRST (see upper righhand corner of this page.

Second: you can always check the Links off the main page in the same area where it says Your Personal Page, etc.

If all else fails and you really want to get a -good conversation going, which we all love, start a thread, BUT be SURE you put the name of the song or, if you don't know it, some of the lyrics if you do, in teh title of the thread. Usually we are pretty tolerant, but it does burn some Mudders' asses when someone names a thread like "Looking for a song" or some other generic BS**big Grin**

Something else we used to use, but it's kinda dropped off is NOI which means No Offense Intended....usually directed at the those with thinner skin.

Such as, HEY RiB (Dave, he posted above as Roger in Baltimore. Catspaw, whom I nicknamed 'Spaw, nicknamed himRiB), anyway, RiB, since I consider myself a pretty good search engine revver, I just wanted to remind you of my gender; I don't "man"handle anything***BG***

So, now, dave, are you thoroughly confused (as they sued to say on the Tv show "SOAP")? It's okay. As they've all said, don't be afraid to ask, even in a personal message, if you're too embarassed to put it in a thread.

And, it is great fun to look up everybody's postings. Just go to search the forum and type in any of the user names you see on postings and there ya go. For really good advice on CONDOMS be sure to type in Catspaw as the user name.

Welcome, take yer shoes off 'n set a spell.

katlaughing

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Dave Swan
Date: 22 May 99 - 07:22 PM

Wow. Y'all know how to whip a howdy on someone. Thanks for the advice, the welcome, and the suggestions. I may have hurt myself laughing. Don't stop now, I'm beginning to get a handle on who's who in the mud. Dave

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Banjer
Date: 22 May 99 - 07:43 PM

By now Dave you have reached either one of two points. You are ready, when your part comes in the song to start an instrumental solo that will last longer than all fourteen verses of the song itself, or you are ready to throw your instrument to the floor and run screaming from the room. Hopefuly it is the first, displaying the confidence of a true Mudcatter, while the second is that of a normal and sane person! Again welcome, and make yerself ta home....BTW, what IS in the case?

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: bbc
Date: 22 May 99 - 07:48 PM

Hi, Dave--my turn! Rick said something, early on, about all roles being filled. I am not a performer or even an instrumentalist. I've started to think of myself as a kind of housemother. Since a scare we had back at the beginning of April, I've maintained a separate website which lists birthdays & email addresses of those Mudcatters (or Mudcateers) who wish to be listed. You can check it out (& bookmark it!) at bbc's Mudcat Resources. Just send me email or a Mudcat personal message if you'd like to be included. In the past months, we've discussed our ages, locations, professions, personal appearance. Then, there's the oft-mentioned condom thread. There is plenty to read retrospectively & plenty to join or start. Speaking of starts, you're off to a good one just by having asked how to play nice! Welcome!

best from NY,

bbc

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Dave Swan
Date: 22 May 99 - 08:01 PM

Banjer, Maybe not an instrumental solo, what's the line from Bloody Rotten Audience ? " I'll fix them with Bold Robin Hood, that's forty verses long. " In the case is a banjo, though lately a penny whistle and bagpipe have crept in. Be afraid...be very afraid. D.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Helen
Date: 22 May 99 - 08:01 PM

Hi Dave,

I can second most of the opinions above, especially katlaughing's (shortened to katL or various other acronyms for ease of typing) one about "manhandling" search engines. That should read "person-handling".

Don't believe a word that catspaw says about any of us. He's just recovering from a major health scare so he can't be relied on to know what any of us are really like, because we all showed a completely new face during his illness. We stopped being smart-arsed wisecracking phoaks and fell into being caring, sharing, love-and-light-sending kind of phoaks, but we're counting down to the deadline for getting back to *normal*, i.e. lots of B.S. (unless specifically requested to refrain from it in threads) and a lot of creative lateral thinking in answering questions or commenting on things generally. Sometimes, as in this thread, we get so caught up in chatting and wisecracking that we forget to answer serious questions about stuff like protocols, but we get there eventually.

I think the clearest insight here is that it's not getting to the destination which is important, it's the journey along the way.

Come in, enjoy the company, feel free to honk as much as you can, we're all doing it too at some point or other.

And, what *is* in the case. If you were in Australia and you said you were bringing a case everyone would think you had a case of beer.

Welcome, Helen (in Oz)

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Helen
Date: 22 May 99 - 08:08 PM

Hi again,

I started this thread because I was so amazed at how lateral and funny the threads could get while meandering around topics rather than just cutting to the chase, so I issued a challenge to everyone to write a story or poem around the title of
A flea, an orange and a bicycle seat

Also, if you want to know how to do blue clicky thingies

look here

Helen

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Sam Pirt
Date: 22 May 99 - 08:08 PM

Well, if it feels like a sesion you had better get typeinging and join in, welcome I hope to read many an interesting thread from you in the future. You've been Mudcatted!!!

Bye, Sam

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Banjer
Date: 22 May 99 - 08:33 PM

A banjo AND a bagpipe? can ya play 'em both at the same time? (What a thought!) I love hearing pipes played. Nothing makes the eyes well up faster than hearing "Amazing Grace" at distance...being played by a lone piper. Also nothing quite as stirring as "Scotland The Brave" up earwax cracking close! What part of the world may you be found in?

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Dave Swan
Date: 22 May 99 - 08:41 PM

I'm nowhere near ready to play the pipes within earshot of another living being, as the cats and the tortoise wil attest, but soon as I am, I'll fire them up for you. I love those two tunes too. I'm in the San Fransicco Bay area, come on by for a beer.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Banjer
Date: 22 May 99 - 08:49 PM

That would be a hell of hike for just a beer, I live on the west coast of Florida, St. Petersburg...Could ya clarify your last a bit? Soon's you're ready you'll fire them up, the pipes, or the cats and the tortoise?

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Dave Swan
Date: 22 May 99 - 08:53 PM

Yeah, but it's really good beer. About firing them up....can I get back to you on that? D.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: LEJ
Date: 22 May 99 - 09:07 PM

I don't know about Canada, but there's laws in this here country preventin' things like banjos and bagpipes bein' played at the same time. Also tubas and ukeleles, harmonicas and ocarinas, and tambourines and pianos. The last one may just be a misdemeanor, though.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: MichaelM
Date: 22 May 99 - 09:47 PM

My friend Tam Kearney (of The Fiends of Fiddler's Green) has often quoted Frank Muir's remark, to wit:

"The most evocative sound in the world is bagpipes receding into the distance".

Michael

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 22 May 99 - 10:09 PM

Helen and Katlaughing,

I hereby turn in my Sensitive New Age Guy certificate. It is just too damn hard to keep up with the expectations. Certainly NOI when I used manhandle and certainly no intent to exclude any gender, race, sexual orientation, age, eye color, number of teeth still remaining, etc., etc., etc..

Big RiB

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: karen k
Date: 22 May 99 - 11:25 PM

Dave,

Welcome, just be yourself and enjoy Mudcat, the greatest place on the web.

karen k

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: SeanM
Date: 22 May 99 - 11:49 PM

Hiya Dave!

I think I may be the person who got you drug into this mess...

Just so you know... RPFN in Fairfield! You've gotta get Oak, Ash and Thorn out there! In the meantime, if you can't, stop by the Seadogs... Nancy, Steve, me and the rest of the kids would love to see you...

M

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 May 99 - 11:53 PM

Hey Sean, what's all this secret code stuff?

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Susan A-R
Date: 23 May 99 - 12:06 AM

Have fun here. It's almost impossible not to, and as for spelling, well, who gives a ---- Susan the chef on the other coast.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 99 - 12:07 AM

Dear Big RiB:

Aw, shucks, we's jist pulling yer leg; keep the darn New Age Sensitive Guy thing and jist 'member to think HUman whenever talking about us awl in general, thet's awl! However! You were expected to know the green eye bit and, as far as teeth go, well, we'll jist keep thet one under yer hat, okee dokee? Consider yerself garandamnteed recertified, ya hear?**grin**

katlaughing, who thinks she's been a touch testy this last week and dinnae mean ta take it oot on RiB; also grinning with however many gaps you'd like to imagine amongst what teef she's got!

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: harpgirl
Date: 23 May 99 - 12:48 AM

hey swan
would have said hi sooner but I've been out in the woods all night conjuring summer in! Roger, you can manhandle me anytime! (kat thinks PMS means putting up with men's s**t...he he...) the lambent harp

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Helen
Date: 23 May 99 - 12:55 AM

Yeah, RiB, we were only teasing because we knew you'd bite - and you did. Sorry.

(A contrite) Helen

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 23 May 99 - 01:14 AM

Dave, welcome. I was just conversing with Joe Offer (the HTML wizard) who lives up in Sacramento and is some kind of a snoop or something. I'm a bit closer to you--El Cerrito, and Mike Billo is in San Francisco. We've never managed to get together yet, but the Berkeley Pickin' and Fiddlin' potluck (second Sunday of each month, except June's is the first Sunday) is where we're trying to meet. Here's the schedule for this summer:

Summer '99 Schedule

June 6 N.B. 1st Sunday. Marian Gade 136 Highland Blvd, Kensington, 524-9815. Taking the Arlington north. Go rt. on Westminister, rt. on Kenyon, lt. on Willamette, and lt. on Highland. Park rt. side of street. Coordinators: Jean & Jeff Crossley, 530/795-2906. Note: NOT the 2nd Sunday as to not conflict with the Free SF Folk Festival which runs on Sat & Sun, June 12 & 13.

July 11 Alice Green, 2220 Sacramento St. Berkeley [phone] South of University Ave., near Allston Way. Coordinators: Jean & Jeff Crossley, [phone] Special thanks to Ed Hilton & Jean Rosen for switching with Jean & Jeff and coordinating in June!

August 8 Alice Sharp, 1535 Grant, Berkeley [phone] between Cedar & Vine. Coordinators: Mark Berkley, [phone]: Lynn Wilde, [phone].

Sept.12 Marv Sternberg, 1713 Cedar St., Berkeley [phone], between Edith & McGee. Coordinators: Laura Stallone, [phone]; Shelby Sampson, (510) 237-1960.

Hope to see you soon at one of them. --seed

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 99 - 01:28 AM

Harpgirl, I heard an even better one on PHC tonight: PMS is Pre Minstrel Syndrome! Draw yer own conclusions!Hehehe, but I LIKE your's, too!!

kat

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Mudjack
Date: 23 May 99 - 03:55 AM

Dave,..Welcome to Mud place,
If you are in therapy with a shrink, give it up... We're all nuts and won't change for anyone.Glad to have ya on board.
Mj

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 24 May 99 - 02:46 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 24 May 99 - 02:52 AM

Harpgirl,

I think I'm in love!

Big RiB

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Bert
Date: 24 May 99 - 01:56 PM

Welcome aboard Swanee.

Regarding Catspaw and the grim reaper. He didn't KICK his ass he blew up it. He's got a thing about that - with possums you know.

Bert.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 May 99 - 02:13 PM

Hey.....Bert, thanks.......I was gonna' send a note to Barb and ask. In my darkest moments, the idea of blowing up a possum's ass was one of the things which kept me going....that and the collective power of Mudcat!

catspaw

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 24 May 99 - 02:56 PM

Gee, I hope Barbara wasn't jivin'. Last post I read she said she was gonna pack it in styrofoam peanuts and send it off.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Allan C.
Date: 24 May 99 - 03:05 PM

Glad to have you aboard. Seems like we sometimes have more fun trying to figure out clever ways to describe ourselves or each other to new 'Catters than nearly anything else! I, frankly, am amazed and appalled by your candid admission of not only harboring a fugitive banjo (they all are, you know,) but that you are also attempting to tame a wild bagpipe! Heaven only knows what manner of havoc you are creating with the penny whistle! I am currently on hold while the long distance operator attempts to find the number of the local ASPCA so that I can report your evil doings with the local cat population...

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Cara
Date: 24 May 99 - 04:57 PM

WARNING: Mudcatting can cause severe side effects, including insomnia, carpal tunnel syndrome, lethargy and withdrawal from daily activities, and loss of productivity.

But the upside is pretty huge.

Welcome to the Big Mudder. Drink a Red Tail Ale for me. I'm sure they're better so close to the source.

And now that we've met, how do you feel about guns, condoms, Neil Young, and tiples? Just normal ice breaker chit chat.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Bert
Date: 24 May 99 - 05:36 PM

katlaughing,

If he is 'Spaw, by the same logic shouldn't you be 'Phing? Pronounced "fing" of course.

Bert.

P.S. I called him CatsP, but it didn't catch on. I guess everyone was trying to be nice to the old reprobate.

Subject: RE: New M'cat, feels like first time at session
From: Helen
Date: 24 May 99 - 06:04 PM

Bert,

I missed that one, but I like it. CatsP.

I like 'Phing too, but shouldn't it be 'Ghing, pronounced fing? Ain't the English language wonderful?

Helen