Mudcat: In Appreciation

Subject: RE: Mudcat: In Appreciation
From: Joe_F
Date: 14 Feb 10 - 07:58 PM

I am very marginal on the Mudcat, as elsewhere, but I have mentioned its existence to dozens of people, and I hope that is compensation for your putting up with me. And yes, Spaw, it is a Web site.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Tinker
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 11:35 PM

Dang! Reading over your post I find myself recalling the myriad of ways Mudcat has found it's way into my life..... Mad, sad, and just plain laugh out loud amazing.
There are websites that "network" people and then there is the 'cat. Seems to me to be more of an amazing web of complexity and color and harmony ( even the discord echos in a rhythm of sorts)
Thanks for a moment to remember.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 09:35 PM

Same back to you, Allan! It's great to *see* you here. The carved cat you sent me sits to my right as I am typing. My Siamese likes it and rubs his head against its ears.:-)

luvya'llkat

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 09:25 PM

Holy cow. I was just telling someone the other day the tale of the Mudcat, and of the Adventure you and Bill went on, coming through our little town. Has it really been that long?!

What a lot has changed since then.....

What a lot has not : )

Dani

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 09:16 PM

Getting to know you Allan has been one of my great pleasures. You represent that which I see so often here at the 'Cat...........passion. Janie there has it. I know..........

When I got here in '98 I would never have believed how a website would change my life.   But the 'Cat isn't a website is it?

Thanks for the refresh Allan. Ya' know there are still quite a few of the previous posters around................Stop by anytime for cow tipping................

AND...Don't patronize Wendy's. They support Mountaintop Removal.


Spaw

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Janie
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 09:04 PM

Thanks for refreshing this, Allan.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 05:05 PM

Allan,

You echo my sentiments entirely!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Allan C.
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 04:53 PM

It is approaching ten years since I started this thread. I stumbled upon it today and read again what I wrote. While it is true now that I don't post to the Mudcat as often as I once did and there aren't but a small handful of 'Catters with whom I correspond. But I find that I do still feel very much the same about the Mudcat after all this time. I continue to learn from it not only in terms of music, but also with regard to the folks who post here with the variety of viewpoints and the huge amount of information they proffer.

Much has happened in all of our lives since December of 2000. I can scarcely believe all that I have done since then! I won't attempt to list any of it here, but I am proud to say that much of it had to do with music. I feel indebted to the Mudcat for the inspiration that has led me toward those accomplishments.

Thank you, one and all.

Allan

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Noreen
Date: 15 Dec 00 - 11:03 AM

Hear, hear.

Lovely words, Allan.

Noreen

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: paddymac
Date: 14 Dec 00 - 01:25 AM

Amen, Amen. Perfectly spoken Allen. Thanks for giving voice to thoughts most of us share.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 05:37 PM

Yes, Allan, very well put. I think you've captured the essence of Mudcatdom. Many different kinds of interesting and fine people make up our community and contribute to it in their own ways.

Special thanks to the coolest 'Cat of them all, Max, whom I only get to see once a year but who's company I enjoy immensely, to the ever-present Bert, guardian angel Joe Offer and, on the DT side, Dick Greenhaus and Susan. The rest of us are just characters.

The only time I ever get annoyed is when a stranger runs through throwing buckets of rose petals inscribed with his or her name, picture, e-mail address and a thumbnail of the latest CD.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Jimmy C
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 02:16 PM

Alan, Very nicely worded, it mirrors the thoughts of many about this site.
CarolC - Loved the photos. My last name starts with C also but I am not from W.Virginia, been there though and loved the place. It reminds me of Donegal with trees.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 11:52 AM

Alan,

Right on !!! I'm glad you and Bill were able to stop by here for a visit.

Art

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: annamill
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 11:35 AM

Me too!! Thank you Allan.

Love, annamill

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From:
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 11:19 AM

Alan, Hallmark Cards couldn't have said it better.

This sort of thing bears repeating now and again.

Thank you, Max and Mudcat Denizens
for all the help, and encouragement and knowledge.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 10:53 AM

Yes Allan. And thank you Max. Guess this is a good a place as ever to post an apology for "The Bird In A Gilded Cage". TEE HEE

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: CamiSu
Date: 13 Dec 00 - 10:13 AM

Thanks Allan, I too appreciate what I find here, though sometimes I do wish I could give a real-face hug! (Sorcha,I understand bad years, though mine was I think not so trying as yours has been. But it will pass, and you will be stronger for it. Now you know why there are Mothers!--to stand beside their children when the world would try to harm them.)

I just wish I'd come on sooner when Jessica told me about it! (shy I guess)

CamiSu

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Burke
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 06:50 PM

Allan you started in on the forum on your third visit? I used the lyrics search for years (bookmark says Oct 1996) before checking out the forum (last summer)! Great place, sorry I waited so long.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 09:54 AM

Thank you, Allan. Of course, you are also part of why this is such a great place. It's my favorite "functional dys-family" on the web. The true friendships, the musical knowledge I've gained, the laughter and tears make it Real the way many of my daily 3D contacts aren't.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Mark Clark
Date: 12 Dec 00 - 12:43 AM

All those kind words of appreciation go for me as well.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Melani
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 10:46 PM

Let's hear it for Max!

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: jaze
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 10:40 PM

While I'm not a performer ,singer or writer, I have to say I've learned so much about folk music, music in general and a lot about being human from you guys. Mudcat was down for me for two days recently and I think I went through withdrawal! I enjoy your wit, humor and knowlege and most of all the good and kind spirit that's abroad here. Thanks to all of you. And thanks, Alan for saying it so well. James

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: GUEST,Matt_R
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 10:11 AM

:-)

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Mrrzy
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 10:04 AM

Reminds me somewhat of something I managed to forget while reading the rest of this thread! Oh yes. Where you say about Max having big dreams but this might not have been one of them - that great quote from Lily Tomlin, about having always been sure she'd grow up to be somebody - she just thought it would be somebody ELSE! Yeah, Max! And love to all of Mudcat!

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 10:00 AM

Sorry, Greyeyes, I meant no offense, either, it seemed sort of flippant coming on the heels of Sorcha's remark. When in doubt as to intent, I will endeavour to shut my trap.*bg* And, welcome back, BTW, 10 days without the Mudcat, huh? THAT must've been tough. I thought I was going to fade away into a figment of my own imagination just going without it for 2 days as we moved!

All the best,

kat

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: MMario
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 09:19 AM

what Allan said up above. yup. I agree.

and what is even stranger, is I find connections beyond just the 'cat. I am often amazed at the number of 'catters with whom I have mutual acquantainces.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Luke
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 08:12 AM

Well um, I'm new around here but, I'm not new on this earth. I can tell only from what I've seen of things on this old pile of clay that this place is about the best use of water and clay you can find with silicon. I salute the makers and the shakers here. I count myself one of the lucky ones to even know about this place. I eat when I'm hungry I drink when I'm dry, get to feelin' much better gonna sprout wings and fly.

I admit to crying,

Luke

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: mkebenn
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 07:48 AM

Very nice. I, like many, sadley, have had a rough year. How wonderfull to have a whole world of shoulders to cry on. Thanks and Happy Holidays to all. Mike Bennett

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: GUEST,Greyeyes (at work)
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 07:30 AM

Kat, I wasn't trying to trivialise Sorcha's bad day. It was a quote from Hamlet that sometimes helps me when I'm having a rough time. No offense meant.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 07:23 AM

Well, I think all the (relevant!) stuff above goes for me too, Allan.

Steve

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: CarolC
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 07:02 AM

Yes, troll, you can be Head Grape Peeler. Freddie can take over for you if you get tired.

There are a couple of fine looking gents in those pictures, I think. Ladies, take note.

Carol

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: GUEST,Fibula Mattock
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 06:48 AM

Nice one, Allan C. I knew was addicted to Mudcat when even in my sleep I started dreaming about people I'd never met.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: P05139
Date: 11 Dec 00 - 06:43 AM

I've had loads of help, reassurance and hugs from Mudcat. I didn't think I'd end up with mates all over the world.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: GUEST,troll (lost my password)
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 11:30 PM

Hey CarolC. Took a look at the Waffle House photos.
Who's the fox with the accordion? Kin I peel HER a grape? Hubba, Hubba!
Sorcha, things WILL be better next year. I guarantee it! Angie and Freddie agree.So does everyone else. We are not often unanamous.

troll

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 11:14 PM

Those look great, CarolC, ya did good!

Greyeyes, no offence, but, Sorcha has had a very rotten day and thinking it wasn't bad would not undo the sorrow she is experiencing. There is no way to call this one except bad and to try to move on.

Respectfully,

kat

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: CarolC
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 10:58 PM

In appreciation of Allan C. who does such a fine job of spreading the spirit of the Mudcat wherever he goes...

Allan provided me with my first (and so far, only) experience of meeting other Mudcatters.

To celebrate that experience, and to say thanks to Allan, I'm posting some of the pictures from that fine day at the Waffle House in Winchester Virginia. They are: David C., Allan C. and CarolC, and CarolC. (Why does everyone in West Virginia have a last name that starts with C?)

Mudcat West Virginia (first ever?) Waffle House get together

Carol (keeping my fingers crossed that this works)

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Cobble
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 07:04 PM

What a smashing thread, very true, Allan I havent been a Mudcater long but Ifeel like one of the family and Mrs Cobble would say the same. Love you all.

COBBLE.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Jeri
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 07:03 PM

If somebody told me a couple of years ago that I'd have good friends spread all over this and other countries, that I'd be singing with people in said countries, or that I would go to gatherings all over, stay in the houses of people I'd never met because of a forum on the intenet...?!?!?

This place is not like anywhere else on the web.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Greyeyes
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 06:53 PM

There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 06:48 PM

I just hope next year is better for all of us.......including Max and Onstage. Mine couldn't be much worse than this one has been. Well, it could, I suppose, but let's not think about that. That which we think about too much shall come to pass..........(sorry, bad day here in wyoland)

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: catspaw49
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 06:47 PM

Not much to do over there in the sticks of West By Gawd Virginia huh? Yeah, I know what you mean............same here in the hinterlands of Ohio.

Seriously, that was well stated and I couldn't have said it better myself........whatever it was you said. Boredom makes you crazy don't it? Wanna' go tip a few cows?

Spaw

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: nutty
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 06:29 PM

Thanks Allan - for expressing my thoughts on Mudcat but so much more eloquently than I could have done

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Peter T.
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 06:28 PM

Amen, brother, amen. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 06:10 PM

What a great thread to end the old year on! Each new year is my favorite time of the year- I love the image of everyone one by one stepping over an invisible line- (Never mind that we do that each and every day!) and the emotion Allan's post evokes is the kind of thing I like to reflect on, especially at this time of year.

Thanks, Allan C. And long live Mudcat!

Ebbie

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Greyeyes
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 05:49 PM

An amazing place, amazing people.

2 weeks ago my phone line went down and took 10 days to sort out (British Telecom, God bless them), 10 days without Mudcat. It was hell. Good to have it back.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 05:48 PM

Thank you Allan, for your beautiful message, and thank you Max, for providing this beautiful place........

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Morticia
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 05:44 PM

Wow,Alan, that is so nice and exactly what I would have put myself if I had half your facility with words.I have met so many amazing people here, come to know and care passionately about them , their families, their lives....some I've met and , like you could not believe how talented, clever and kind they were, some I guess I will never meet in person but it matters not at all, they,you are still people I'm proud to call my friends.

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 05:40 PM

HIP, HIP HOORAY
for the MUDCAT!!

Alan, thank you for putting it so well. I'll write more later, but suffice it to say, the feelings are the same here. What a wonderful, wonderful world - of Mudcat.

Catrin, it is a rare day that something on the Mudcat does not bring tears to my eyes. I think what is overwhelming sometimes is the humanity which is so quietly displayed here.

Ah, and Alan, whaddya mean some were much nicer and talented???!!! **BG** I wanna retake, I was sick that day, c'mon...git'cher self back out here and give me another chance!!

luvyadarlin'....katlaughing

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: Catrin
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 05:17 PM

Wonderful - I feel that too - even though I have not been around very long. The people I have met and the support I have got when I asked for it is overwhelming.

I have, in the past, posted requests for lyrics, started a few matty groves discussions, poured my heart out about work problems and, yesterday, asked for support with webpage design. The response in every case has been overwhelming. In just over twenty-four hours, my website help thread has generated 29 responses and a couple of PMs - it brought tears to my eyes (yes, I know that sounds corny, but its true. I can't get my head round the fact that people so willingly and generously share their expertise and thoughts.

I've met some wonderful people, some of whom are becoming good friends.

Mudcat is WONDERFUL!

Thanks for starting this thread Alan

Cheers,

Catrin

Subject: RE: In Appreciation
From: GUEST,Kernow Jon
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 05:09 PM

Alan
A beautifull posting
KJ

Subject: In Appreciation
From: Allan C.
Date: 10 Dec 00 - 04:59 PM

Some 'Catters check the threads once every week or so and might even post a thought or two. Others put their mark on almost every new thread as well as send Personal Messages to others in continuation of their posts. Many of us check the Mudcat from work as well as from home. A few more keep the Mudcat on their screens at home during nearly all of their waking hours.

Some posters' remarks are so very funny that we laugh out loud. Some are so thought-provoking as to cause us to examine the very depths of our souls. Many posters, sometime unwittingly, say things through which others get glimpses of a culture about which they might have otherwise been ignorant. Some discuss topics that others of us had never before examined but are glad for the opportunity become better informed. There are also those, I am sure, who enjoy dropping by only long enough to post some sorry samples of the full extent of their wit without regard to the feelings of those who might read them. There are some who, although they are members, never post to the discussion threads at all.

Every single one of these is a part of what makes up the Mudcat community. It is a community of whom I am proud to be a member.

For those of you who have never spoken directly with Max, I can assure you (or at least my sense is) that he had no idea that the Mudcat would - or even could - become what it is. Oh, he had big dreams. He just wasn't quite sure what they were at the time. Sometimes I think he looks at the Mudcat now and is overwhelmed. I know that this is true for me.

Like so many others, I found the Mudcat by way of a search for lyrics. It seems so long ago. When I found this place I was instantly excited about it. I was amazed at how many song lyrics were available. I remember how much I enjoyed reading the article about Robert Johnson. It wasn't until my third visit that I decided to click the link that led to the discussion forum. I have been coming back nearly every day since then.

I can well imagine that there are some among us for whom the Mudcat means very little. For me that is not the case. The Mudcat is an extremely important part of my life. The wonderful things that have changed in my life because of the Mudcat are difficult to express. There is no way I could even begin to list the many things I have learned here. I have no words to describe how very much I have discovered about the concerns of people who live in countries other than my own. In fact, I have gleaned quite a bit of information about my own country that heretofore had been unknown to me. It was through the Mudcat that I learned of such events as the FGSW Getaway.

The people here; oh, where can I begin? For me it has been a real adventure to read the written thoughts of so many people and to create images in my mind of each of them. Those images flash before me as I read their posts. Some have remained as images. But there are others whom I have had the good fortune to meet in the real world. Now I envision the real person before me when I see their names in the threads. Some of these people have become good friends. (By the way, I have to say that not one of the 'Catters I have met in person was a disappointment. Most were much nicer and far more talented than I had inferred from their posts.)

But one of the best things about the Mudcat is what all of this has caused me to feel inside. When I first came here I had not learned a new song in a long time. When I first came I had not performed in front of an audience in years. My level of self-confidence was so awfully undermined at that time I had doubts that anyone would ever again want to hear my music.

It was at my first meeting of other 'Catters that I attended my very first sing-around. It was because of the reassurance of many of the people here that I was at last able to work up the courage to get up on a stage again. It was because of the Mudcat that I found the confidence to travel far and wide and to be accepted into the homes of people who would have probably otherwise have been strangers forever.

It was here at the Mudcat that I met YOU.