BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity

Subject: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 00 - 03:39 PM

Folks,

What are you trying to accomplish in the world? What are your dreams for the world?

How is it going?

What was the last thing you did to bring your dreams to reality? What worked well about it, and what would you do differently, now that you look back?

What is the next action you would like to take to bring these dreams to fruition?

Anything seem to be stopping you? What do you need to remember, so that you act powerfully anyway?

And what does it have to do with music?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 10 May 00 - 03:57 PM

Good questions, Praise, and quite in keeping with the higher aspirations of the Mudcat community. I'm pushing a deadline at the moment, and can't give your questions the time they deserve -- will do so tomorrow. Thanks for your kind words in our last encounter.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 00 - 04:29 PM

} : ~ * ) to Whistle Stop, and } : ~ * ) to the next to post here.

~Susan~

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 00 - 09:15 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 10 May 00 - 09:59 PM

It's difficult to admit how much I dreamed and how little I've accomplished. Sorry Praise. How about you?

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 00 - 10:09 PM

Well, I can honestly say I have never declined an opportunity to climb out of muck into sunlight, flattop, as as for the rest, I'll say more... but not tonight.

No, tonight I am diving deep, deep, and deeper yet, to find the oldest dream of all those I recall dreaming.

But what is your dream? Why not take fresh heart today, for tomorrow's accomplishment?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 10 May 00 - 10:27 PM

If tomorrow doesn't bring accomplishment, it will at least bring new dreams. I have no disagreement with your message Praise. It's just that some days I feel that it would be nice to only leave light footprints in the sand that wash away in the foamy waves.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 00 - 10:36 PM

I saw no disagreement, flattop, I was just speaking for me, in what I felt in that moment.

Step lightly, go gently, and make an impact forever.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 10 May 00 - 10:56 PM

What muck were you in Praise?

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 May 00 - 11:15 PM

flattop, here's a kiss on the cheek for your question...

} : ~ * )

I wish you were a member so we could exchange personal messages.

I'll say more on the topic of the thread, tomorrow.

How about you?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 10 May 00 - 11:29 PM

I'll be at business meetings in Toronto tomorrow, about an hour and a half drive from here.

Don't worry about the muck, Praise. You were going to dredge up old dreams tonight. Remember, if your hand hurts, take it off the stove.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 May 00 - 11:58 AM

Huh, muck! What muck! No muck here!

I'm trying to accomplish a world that is as it was intended to be.

I dream of a world where everyone knows who they really are and acts like it all the time.

It's going well. Those closest to me report much progress.

The last thing I did to bring my dreams to reality was to love two friends outrageously, truthfully, and with some accuracy. What worked well about it was acting on certainty despite lack of evidence of my accuracy. Now that I look back, what I would do differently is listen more first, and do a better job of holding the accumulated memories of listening to them and seeing them clearly, in present time, to be more accurate.

(The thing before it was allowing these same two people to do the same for me.)

The next action I would like to take to bring these dreams to fruition is clearing up a misunderstanding I generated with other friends, while I was looking at muck. Although it seems like this will be impossible to do, it will be quite possible if I remember that the misunderstanding was small compared to the understandings already exchanged, and that the Real Me and the Real Each of Them knows this well.

And what does it have to do with music? Everything!

~S~

Who's next? } : ~ *> ) for you!

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 May 00 - 02:01 PM

I find it easier to forget about my problems { and put them in perspective } when I do something for someone less blessed than myself. Making sandwiches at the Night Shelter works for me. Doing laundry at the Day Shelter works for my Mrs. - Talk about a reality check!

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 May 00 - 02:12 PM

Praise - I forgot to add that your comment from the other thread - "It takes longer if you don't start" is now my new favorite motto. Thanks - I plan to use it at the next outreach board meeting.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 May 00 - 05:39 PM

Wesley S--

Outreach board? OUTREACH BOARD???? Teasing me now, eh? Say more!! What dreams there?

~Susan~

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 May 00 - 05:47 PM

Too close to closing time - send me your e-mail address to [e-mail] and I'll tell you tomorrow.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 May 00 - 05:52 PM

WS--

You're on!

~S~

And for the next to post:

} :~*>)

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 11 May 00 - 11:56 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 May 00 - 12:01 AM

Listen, help, listen help, listnen, listen-------still learning here..........have started. And make where I am a better place, so it will be a better for those here with me.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 00 - 09:09 AM

Did you collect your kiss on the cheek, Sorcha?

Here's the one for the next simple hero...

} : ~ *>)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Allan C.
Date: 12 May 00 - 10:53 AM

Well over a year ago I dreamed of hiking a section of the Appalachian Trail. I have walked in the woods all my life; but hiking was a different concept to me. (And I have to wonder: does walking become hiking when you carry a pack?) I purchased all of the necessary equipment, studied maps, read books, attempted to get into better physical condition and corresponded with other hikers. I planned and planned and then planned some more. And then in June of last year I hiked about 125 miles (or more) in the Shenandoah National Park.

I made all of the common errors of novice backpackers. The mistake I paid dearly for was that I carried far too much weight both in my pack and on my person. But otherwise, I felt and still feel very proud of the accomplishment.

And now you are thinking you know what I mean by the "accomplishment". Possibly so. Sure, it feels pretty cool to have done the physical part of the hike. But what feels even better in some ways is that all of the planning was put to good use and made for a great trip.

While on the hike I was already contemplating what I would do for adventure during the following summer. The hike was during some of the hottest, driest weather Virginia has seen. So I dreamed of water. I dreamed of canoeing. I thought I would spend the following summer canoeing as many of Virginia's rivers as I possibly could.

I told my good friend David C. about this idea and he asked if he could join me. While contemplating Virginia's rivers, I was somehow reminded of a river in Ohio which is listed among the nation's most scenic rivers. I thought about including that on my canoeing tour. Then I thought that since I would be in Ohio, I should consider a visit with Catspaw.

Soon David and I were talking about possibly going up to some of the rivers in Pennsylvania as well. And, as we all know, there are lots of Mudcatters in Pennsylvania.

Well, before long we began considering all of the Mudcatters we knew who lived near canoeable waters and how cool it would be to visit with them. And then, somewhere in mid-thought, we decided to leave the canoe at home and pack up the musical instruments instead.

Thus was born the original David C. and Allan C.'s Wonderful Mudcat Adventure. This idea had hardly been posted before Bill Sables (who had visited with David and me back in January) sent a personal message to me asking if we had room for one more. I got him on the phone almost immediately and asked him if he was serious. He was. Bill, David & Allan's Great Mudcat Trip was born.

I am not generally a very organized person. But all of the planning I did last year for the hike was excellent preparation for organizing this adventure. I have spent an hour or two nearly every day for the past two months studying maps, corresponding with 'Catters, arranging hotel reservations (as well as housing with some very generous Mudcaters), and planning, and planning. I think I will qualify as a certified travel agent by the time this trip is done!

The travel begins only two weeks from the date of this posting. But for me the adventure began on that day on the mountain when I first started thinking about what to do this summer. It has gotten better and better with each passing day since then.

I am certain that this entire venture has been and will be filled with some of the finest moments of my life. I can hardly wait to get on the road and to start meeting you guys!

We want so very much to listen to YOUR music and to discover what is happening where you are that helps to promote folkmusic. (I have written that as one word all my life *G*). If the opportunity arises for us to share a little of our music with you as well, great. We would like to do that too. I just wish we could visit every one of you!

I am not sure that this has covered Praise's original questions, but I just had to share with you a little about how this all came to be and how I feel about it. Hope you don't mind.

Oh, and one final thought:
My mother has always said, "Make your plan. Work your plan." Things seem to turn out nicely when I follow that advice.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 May 00 - 04:29 PM

Allan C--

THANK YOU!!!!

Here's for the next to post--

"Refresh" with a kiss:

} : ~ *>)

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 12 May 00 - 06:21 PM

Praise: What splendid and difficult questions you ask! It seems that I have a tendency to do things the hard way so accomplishing my dreams at times seems like it will never happen. I'm still working at many of my dreams among them, becoming an acomplished and successful writer. I did marry my high school sweetheart 18 years after we broke up. (Also 18 years after i asked her to marry me). I'll have to ponder this question and get back to you. By the way thank you and greg and monica for stopping at Elmira. That was a way cool thing. I apologize for being a bit lethargic. Those battles can be quite exhausting at times. Have a splendid weekend, With best reguards, Neil

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 12 May 00 - 08:47 PM

While we're all pleased that you are not wasting your time on ecoli.com, Praise, I have questions about my dream. You know the one where I'm being held captive by the Uraguay secret police who have read the CIA manual on the 36 points where they can fasten electrodes onto my body and just before I wake up in a cold sweat I start wondering. Will practising the 7 habits of highly effective people help with the police? And did anyone ever survey all the loser to see if they also have positive attitudes? What if publishers simply didn't want to publish their how to manuscripts like Delightful Dumpster Diving, Grinning Your Way to the Gutter, and Chicken Soup from the Soup Kitchen? What if it's the publishers who have negative attitudes? Is there really hope for us, Praise?

(Not Praise, but, all you MAC_heads who love to one-finger the world and all you sex starved banjo bongers, you might like the animation (and e-mails from and to Microsoft) on the bottom of http://www.ebola.com You'll probably need a version 4 or higher Explorer or Netscape. Just don't ask me where I've been wasting my time.)

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Metchosin
Date: 12 May 00 - 11:31 PM

Congratulations on your hike Alan! and we have something in common, although I can't say that this was my dream, it was someone elses. My friend Sandra, decided to hike the West Coast Trail considered by some, to be one of the more gruelling treks in the world, to prove to herself, just because she had hit fifty, didn't mean she was over the hill.

I have never felt the need to prove this sort of thing, but after a couple of months, she was still unable to find someone to hike it with her, so my daughter and I volunteered. To make a long story short, regarding the preparations and training for our "trek", when the day arrived to leave, the following year, Sandra was no longer able to go, She had damaged the cartilage in her knees. She sadly waved goodbye at the boat that Ceilidh and I took across the narrows to the start of our hike and with the loss of my friend's bravado, my trepidation at what I had bitten off, mounted.

I wrote this, with apologies to Robert Service, initially attempting a parody, but it sort of got lost on the way.

THE SONG OF THE WESTCOAST TRAIL
(To Sandra Mills, Vicki Waters and Ceilidh, for their inspiration and resolve)

There are those fools who decide,
To test mettle and their pride
And hike the temperate rainforests western rim,
Where pouring rain and muck
Is the measure of your pluck
And the backpack, of your vigor and your vim.

Over hill, through mired bog,
Over greased and slippery log,
Over tangled roots that trip you on your way,
Just when the slogging's getting tough
And you think you've had enough,
The map reveals there's still another K.

In the campfires smoky heat
When you're too damned tired to eat
And you wonder why you started on this quest,
Just then Pacific breakers roll
And a sunset stirs your soul,
You know by God, today you've earned your rest.

In the realm of breaching whale,
Where muting fog or blowing gale
Cloaks the Sitka spruce and cedars somber edge,
The kelp beds heave and fall
To the gull and ravens call
And waves slap time upon a rocky ledge.

As you eat nut and raison lunch
And do the periwinkle crunch
You make up time on shelves of hardened sand.
Then there's the giant's cobblestone,
A misplaced foot could snap a bone,
Slowly pick your way and wish, for trails inland.

On the Cullites bolted rungs,
As the breath rips through your lungs,
Humbly recall, shipwrecks, in days of yore,
Where a tar, sans boot and gaiter,
From a surf wracked wooden freighter,
Unaided, scaled this treacherous height before.

You'll meet a hiker who'll report
Someone's run this trail as sport,
Racers time in hours and minutes, not by day.
But the runner that's hell bent
Isn't packing your food or tent
And he missed the otter family hard at play.

For the hidden gold you seek,
As you wade the icy swollen creek
Is right there, in each footstep that you take,
It's not just the getting through,
That's the mother lode for you
It's every living, breathing, moment wide-awake.

Salal bush wind clipp'd and bent
By the western wind is rent
Into bonsai gardens of the rain and storm.
Sparkling silver sea and mist
Has constant, held and kissed
This wild topiary landscapes sculpted form.

At the Nitinat's tidal stand
Meet the tenders of this land,
Caretakers of split cedar boarded trail.
For five thousand years or more
They have worked this windswept shore
For the bounty of the salmon and the whale.

Just when you think that it's a lark,
A Sunday stroll out in the park,
Don't dismiss those paw prints in the sand,
For the "cougar warning" on a sign
Will send a tingle down your spine
For you know who really rules this primal land.

And when the journey's through
Pachena Bay comes into view,
Remember in the elation of the day,
Sometimes success is not all luck,
Nor because of stamina and pluck,
But the spirits there, beside you, on the way.

Copyright © S.Grieve 1999

And the wonderful thing about this, is that after two operations on her knees, my friend Sandra hiked the easy half of the trail the following year and last year hiked the difficult south end and still has plans to do the whole thing. Not with me though, once is enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: catspaw49
Date: 12 May 00 - 11:40 PM

Say Allan.....What river was it you had intended to do here anyway?

Nice story and song Mets.......and Allan, a fine story too. Funny how one thing always leads to another isn't it and before you know it, the original thought/intent is long gone. I loved your stories friends, many thanks. Also, without them, I freely admit that I haven't got a clue as to what this thread is about, short of currently 26 posts in length.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Mbo
Date: 12 May 00 - 11:49 PM

It's easy Spaw...THINK about it.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Metchosin
Date: 12 May 00 - 11:58 PM

me neither Spaw, I'm probably guilty of a little thread drift, because I very much doubt there was any altruistic motive in what I recounted.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Metchosin
Date: 13 May 00 - 12:01 AM

"altruistic motive" now that's an oxymoron or maybe......oxymoron....zit cream used by idiots.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 May 00 - 12:23 AM

Folks,

What are you trying to accomplish in the world? What are your dreams for the world?

How is it going?

What was the last thing you did to bring your dreams to reality? What worked well about it, and what would you do differently, now that you look back?

What is the next action you would like to take to bring these dreams to fruition?

Anything seem to be stopping you? What do you need to remember, so that you act powerfully anyway?

And what does it have to do with music?

~S~

A kiss on the cheek for each to post--

} : ~ *>)

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Metchosin
Date: 13 May 00 - 02:03 AM

Huh?

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 May 00 - 03:48 AM

I'm with ya' on that "Suzie Sweet Cheeks."

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Allan C.
Date: 13 May 00 - 07:00 AM

'Spaw, it was the Little Miami river.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 May 00 - 10:28 AM

I ask again.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 May 00 - 10:51 AM

On a very simplistic level, I figure that every day I keep myself happy I'm adding to the happiness of the world. And every day that I'm miserable I'm adding to its misery.Makes my choice easy.

In my own way I'm working on spreading that message. Ebbie

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Amos
Date: 16 May 00 - 02:22 PM

I can't interpret my own dreams, which doesn't say much for their chances! I want to be either a radio evangelist for myself, a successful politician without a past, or build a really successful techology corporation without any problems. Maybe I should opt for being a sunbeam...I dunno. Or may be a sperm cell. That way it would all be my code but someone else's fault...

Seriously, the roughest part of this kind of question is selcting a single dream. I dance among tech startups, refurbishing schooners, inventing gravity deflectors, building an interface for Kirillian field patterns, and retiring on a submarine and cruising the world at thirty fathoms, coming up for the fun spots and occasional sunbathing. Since most of these are kind of unrealistic, I should probably go back to the drawing board and get me an integrated single-module design suitable for fulfillment by a human being.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Mbo
Date: 16 May 00 - 03:44 PM

That's Ok, Amos...I like you just the way you are!

Sorry, I took so long, but here it is...

I am who I am-- I cannot solve the world's degrading environment problems
I am who I am-- I cannot save the billions of sick people in the world, nor can I prevent disease and hunger
I am who I am--
I cannot change the world with politics, nor can I stop war and social injustice
I am who I am--
I cannot prevent the senseless killings that occur every day, nor can I prevent people from ruining their lives with drugs
I am who I am--
But I CAN give my love of music and art to the world, to give enjoyment to the people, to give the world something to find joy in, and ask for no great reward for that which I give to my fellow human beings in our short time upon this Earth.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Wesley S
Date: 16 May 00 - 04:02 PM

Mbo - Of course we CAN help those around us by recycleing, giveing to a food bank, voting , mentoring a child to prevent their drug use and more. If all we do is sit on our butts and sing songs about the plight of the world without taking any action to improve it we are wasting out time. In my opinion

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Amergin
Date: 16 May 00 - 04:12 PM

What did I do for this world, well, lets see... I was born. Oh wait you asked what I did FOR the world not TO the world....Nevermind then....

Amergin

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Mbo
Date: 16 May 00 - 04:12 PM

Wesley, of course we can help...we all can. But I'm not sure I personally can "stop," "save," or "prevent." At least not by my self anyway. Above is merely what I can do...but together we can do anything.

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Wesley S
Date: 16 May 00 - 04:14 PM

My previous post may have sounded a little harsh. The fact is we can do all of those things and more if we just get started. Perhaps not all of it by ourselves but when we get together with others there is an amazing amount of things we can accomplish. And the ripples on the pond will expand further and further.

Albert Schweitzer said " I have always held firmly to the thought that each one of us can do a little to bring some portion of misery to an end"

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Mbo
Date: 16 May 00 - 04:17 PM

Ha ha, well I did write that back in October...Maybe I've changed since then...I think maybe a revisement is in order?

--Mbo

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 May 00 - 04:21 PM

Mbo's right, Wesley. If anyone thinks that by "recycleing, giveing to a food bank, voting , mentoring a child to prevent their drug use and more" they are going to save the world and change it, and that's why they're doing itthey're going to find out it hasn't worked, and maybe they'll give up on what they're doing.

You can't save the world by yourself. You can make it a little bit better than it otherwise might have been, and that little bit matters. And music is one of the ways you can make the world a litle better than it otherwise might be, along with the other good things Wesley mentions. No need to choose one or the other.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Wesley S
Date: 16 May 00 - 04:29 PM

Of course - do both. But get active and try to improve your part of the world. If you wait for the other guy to do it nothing will get done. You are the other guy today. It's all one day at a time and today is the day. As Susan said "It takes longer if you don't start"

The alternative is to do nothing. And then where will we all be??

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: Hollowfox
Date: 17 May 00 - 03:21 PM

I guess I've always worked on things like this on more than one level, usually paying attention to detail when others are looking at the overall picture, and vice versa. On one level, I've always functioned like an attic; I keep track of/take care of things that aren't wanted/needed/fashionable right now, but will be in the future. I count myself lucky, both as a folkie and a librarian, to have figured out that this is what I want (and need) to do. On another level, I try to "clean up messes", that is to make things better in this world, if I can. This covers recycling, working to lessen prejudice, and all that other good stuff. Unfortunately, a lot of my energy at this level has been taken up this past year with sorting box after box of various and sundry that either accumulated over the past twenty years, or suddenly descended on the premises this past winter. But that, as they say, is another story.

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: GUEST,flattop
Date: 17 May 00 - 03:30 PM

A couple of summers past, I was driving by a lake with a weird friend when she said that had recently woken from a dream where she had been drowning in a lake. 'That's an easy dream to interpret,' I told her. 'You're going to have pasta soon. Probably Fettuccine Alfredo.'

(That's Fred's noodle for those among us who are uncultured.)

Subject: RE: BS: Simple Heroes' Brag & Dream Opportunity
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Aug 00 - 01:45 PM

Refresh, with a

} : ~ *) >

for Bartholomew.

~Susan