Feeling low after the high

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: zonahobo
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 11:52 PM

Say Alice... you've connected with me on a couple of my postings and being a mudcat newbie, it's been appreciated. I still feel a little funny sending a personal note on a forum but I guess when it is a compliment it's fine if it is shared and viewed widely. Good luck with your illustrative work. I don't think there are too many mudcatters here in Arizona but I've started to spread the word to a few friends out here. Guess we'll just have to start a Western chapter!! Dave Smith 'zonahobo'

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: Alice
Date: 22 Jun 00 - 11:59 PM

Thanks, everyone. I've sung "Troubled In Mind" through a few times and put it on tape. (there, I feel better) Maybe I'll send it to Max for the Radio. He was asking for some "blue" notes, and that is about as bluesy as I get.

Alice

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:15 AM

Think of a baby's smile...then you'll notice you're smiling too...

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: Naemanson
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:15 AM

There is an old saying, best expressed by Spider Robinson in his series of books about Callahan's Bar, that describes what is going on here.

Pain shared is halved, joy shared is doubled.

I haven't seen it mentioned by name here yet but it is definitely what is happening.

Alice I got your message and sent a return. Thanks for the welcome.

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:17 AM

Or remember this..."when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping..."

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 08:35 AM

Puppies and kittens, all snuggled together in a heap. Big smile.

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 10:32 AM

("You are so much a part of this community," WOW, dw, I must say that is exactly the validation I was needing.)--said Alice way up there in the postings....

Why is it that we look for validation from without, when all the validation we need comes from within?

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: WyoWoman
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 11:44 AM

Uh, because we're human beans, not green beans, and therefore social animals who need the validation of others because part of who we are is shaped by our relationships to other human beans?

Just a guess...

ww

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 11:49 AM

Guest,

Because we are imperfect creatures cursed or blessed, depending on our circumstance, with the ability to ponder. And how we judge, the tests we apply, are determined by a myriad of influences, not the least of which are our current and near recent experiences. It is helpful when other caring creatures, such as Mudcatters, who care about us enough to empathize and sympathize, reach out with the love and acceptance of community and attempt to help us over the humps. No one is an island. Despite silly rhetoric to the contrary, everyone needs the validation of those around them. Thank God, because that is why we have performers. Sure we have to be comfortable in our own skin, and Alice is all of that. The best among us know when to reach out for it. And every so often that someone is a person like Alice who has demonstrated such admirable qualities, and whom has shared her love and knowledge with us all so many times. Other times people reach out in a negative way, and make unfortunate comments like yours which IMHO are attempts to make themselves feel better at someone elses expense. You see, Alice has not said a word about anyone else. She just reached out to friends who care about her and shared a feeling of hers. You, on the other hand, felt compelled to point out what was wrong with that. I hope I am wrong and only misunderstood, but the fact that you logged in under GUEST leads me to believe that you meant what I read into your comment.

I will ask you one favor, GUEST, and I hope you will honor it. Please do not respond to this. Please. Just let this alone, and let friends chat among themselves. Stay with the music threads. We will all be happy to help you there, and look forward to getting assistance from you.

Thanks,

Big Mick

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 12:11 PM

Fascinating...to plumb the depths of misinterpretation to which this imperfect communicating device is vulnerable.

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: Alice
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 12:14 PM

Hi, GUEST, if you are still here, I think I understand what you meant by your message. My response to dw was in relation to still being a part of this Mudcat community, which I joined in 1997, and from which I more recently took a break. No offense taken by your comment. I have long time forum friends here who know me well through discussions over the years and they know I am strong "internally".

Alice

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: Big Mick
Date: 23 Jun 00 - 12:34 PM

Good. I am relieved that I had misinterpreted that remark and that you really were trying to be supportive and show empathy. I stand corrected and will look forward to other posts by you.

All the best,

Big Mick

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: Alice
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 10:54 AM

Well, now, is anyone feeling the opposite - "high" (glad to have Mudcat back) "after the low" (forum down for over 2 days)?

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: dwditty
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 11:50 AM

Hi Alice,

I guess we now know what utter isolation feels like. You're right. I do feel much better. The 'Cat Came Back.

dw

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 01:00 PM

Suffice it to say it's a relief no offense was taken. None was intended.

Not that it's worth anything, but I hope that after the weekend, things are looking up for you.

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: Alice
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 01:42 PM

Yes, GUEST, I had a better week as I focused on work, and I had a Great session until 11pm last night with the group that meets here. I can't believe they were so shy in front of Bill and Allan. We were Hot last night! Mouth of the Tobique, Caliope House, lots of fast tunes, slow airs, ballads, shantys...two fiddlers, hammered dulcimer, banjo, guitars, flute, drums, accordion, and singers. It was great.

Alice

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 03:50 PM

Alice...the Baxter Hotel. Is that the one downtown with all the heads in the woodwork? Quite a place.

I actually felt quite invigorated by Allan and Bill's visit. I was able to share a hug,a tune and a smile with several new friends, some of whom are local and will continue to be available for music and camaraderie. I also was inspired to get to work on my guitar playing, and I've been busy building up fingertip calluses and downloading guitar tablature. Bigger and better things are still to come, Alice, even Wyo's bus tour is a possibility.

To the Future!!!

LEJ

Subject: RE: Feeling low after the high
From: Alice
Date: 26 Jun 00 - 08:32 PM

Yes, LEJ, that is the one, the multi storied old hotel that was built by Fred Willson, the architect that layed out the town and built many of the mansions, schools, and other buildings (like the Baxter) that are on the register of historic places. The carved wooden heads are the monk's faces reproduced from a place that is in Bavaria (? I think). Anyway, Gary Cooper used to live here, went to high school in Bozeman, and he used to hang out with his pals, Hollywood and locals, at the Robin Bar in the Baxter, which had a cool art deco design. There was a ceiling of blue glass with moon and stars etched in it and backlit above the bar.... the new owners tore the Robin out and remodeled. I didn't think they could get away with that in a historic building. The Baccus Pub with all the monk's heads and painted beams in the ceiling is still preserved.

Alice