The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)

Subject: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Max
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:07 PM

Well, I know everything is OK now because I actually got some sleep last night. The move is 99.9% complete. Got 9 computers running on one circuit in my dining room on our new DSL line with no blown fuses and a minimum of errors. My muscles are sore, my mind is clearing up, and my dining room is a mess.

Our new address: The Mudcat Café, PO Box 3006, West Chester, PA 19381

The move was tough, cause I didn't have enough help. Without Emily, I would have been toast, and may likely be dead by now, or in a sanitarium wearing Kleenex boxes for shoes. Elf Greg-with-a-pickup-truck was essential too. Thanks guys.

The move was tough, cause its the end of another era for me. I loved that office. Those who visited me here know that it was a great place, great view, great location, it was home to the Mudcat for almost 3 years.

The move was tough, cause I had a lot of fun there, professionally, and personally. A lot of great times and memories, and a lot of bad. I left my wife right around the time we moved in. Went through a lot of pain that first year, hiding in my office wishing there was a better way, wondering if what I was doing was right. I met Emily right below the window of my office on the sidewalk cafe of the Brewery below. She came up to the studio that night, with all my best friends in town, and listened to us sing and play deep into the night, and deep into a drunken fervor. The fact that my behavior did not scare her away, that very night I met her, still amazes me.

The move was tough, cause I should have done it months ago. I had trouble letting go, and it took me a little deeper than I needed to go. I seem to do that a lot.

The move was tough, but its over now, and office was just a place. The Mudcat is really in my heart… and my dining room.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: DougR
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:10 PM

Right on Max! Sorry it's been such a pain-in-the-ass, but we are all grateful for what you have done.

DougR

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Kim C
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:11 PM

Go Max! Go Max! Go Max!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:12 PM

And you like I now seem blessed with a wonderful woman. Now cheer up mortarforker or I'll give you a swift kick in the nads. You know how we all feel for you here and you are right....up to a point. Mudcat may have been your baby and you may put in the most work, but it's not only in your heart, it's in our hearts as well.

Much Love to You Blind Waxin' Max..........

Spaw

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:15 PM

Max,
Letting go is hard. Setting up all that crap in your dining room is harder. Where are you serving Thanksgiving dinner?
Thank you,
Mary

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:24 PM

Hey ... Why not have it at some 'Catter's place.....like here? Or probably any of a hundred others?

Spaw

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: DougR
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:24 PM

He told me he's having Thanksgiving dinner with you, Mary!

DougR

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Kim C
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:30 PM

Mortarforker!!!! Heeheehee! :-D

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Jeri
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:35 PM

Max, Mudcat is in all of our hearts...and our living rooms, home offices, basements, etc. For us, Mudcat HQ is wherever YOU are, and the memories also belong to you and not the office. I understand how it can feel to leave a place with so many memories, but we carry those places inside us.

And now that Mudcat is fine, my ISP is acting all wonky...hope I can send this before I get disconnected AGAIN. Love you!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Max
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:35 PM

Well, Buck (Antlered White Tail Deer) Season starts the Monday after Thanksgiving, so we always go up to Clearfield County where my folks have a house and a hunting cabin. My family really knows how to have a good time on holidays, so I wouldn't miss it for the world. I have a good Polish mother who cooks up a delectable fancy feast. No need to worry about me for Thanksgiving. No need to worry about my lack of a dining room either, cause my idea of dining is the Greek joint across the street, The Brewery, or the Chinese Delivery here in town.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:43 PM

Hey Jeri..............

NYAH - NA-NA - NYAH - NA !!!!!!!!!

I got a cable modem yesterday and it is the most wonderful damn thing!!!!!!!!!! No more pissant local yokels and bad phone lines!!!! Time-Warner brought in Roadrunner on the 15th of last month and I had signed up for it a month earlier and YESTERDAY was as soon as they could get to me!!! They're killing the locals. I'm all for small, local, businesses, but this is such a dramatic difference you can't believe it!

Spaw

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Jeri
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 02:48 PM

Spaw, bite me.

I'm too broke for cable. (Blues song?) If you can guess WHY I'm too broke, you win ...er, something special from my basement. I spent a shitload of money on something today. PM for details - don't wanna hijcack Max's thread.

Max, you'll probably feel a lot better after you drink a case of beer and go out and kill something! ;-)

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Alice
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:08 PM

Max, thank you again for all you have done to create this site and keep it going. Yeah, I know you probably don't want another long thread with people just saying "thank you", but I have a feeling you're going to get it. Hang in there, it will all get better, or at least not seem so bad in retrospect.

Alice

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:16 PM

^5's Max!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:18 PM

There's a song in this somewhere!;-)

Cats on the rooftops,
Cats on the tiles...

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:30 PM

I guess Emily is just gonna have to cook at her house. Poor Max--no more free pizza.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Amos
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:30 PM

Cat's in a pickup, moving ten miles....
Cat's in the parlor, finding its files,
As it wallows in the throes of relocaaaaation....

Regards,

A

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:30 PM

Thanx, Max and Emily and Greg-wtih-the-pickup-truck!

I think we should all send in a donation specifically for the three of you to go out and have a nice dinner and evening somewhere special. If I had your street addy I'd surprise you with a bouquet!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Hollowfox
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:40 PM

Venison, yum! Honey, if you're ever in this neighborhood at the right time of year, I have about twenty acres just waiting for you. In non-hunting season, the deer come within twenty yards of my house. If you lived closer, I'd make whining hints about helping you get rid of any unwanted hides, bones, meat, etc. (Pheasant, two kinds of squirrel, and rabbit also available. and crash space, of course.) (Now I'm all hungry.) Anyway, congratulations on the move going as well as it did, Mary

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: jeffp
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:46 PM

As a former computer room manager, I'm very impressed with how Max pulled off the move with only a few problems. Murphy showed up, of course, but Max had his number. As far as I'm concerned, Max, you are the man! Thanks also to Jon Freeman for having a space where Max could communicate with us outside of Mudcat when the problems did crop up.

jeffp

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 03:53 PM

Well I, for another of many, am seriously thrilled that the Cat is up and running with no problems! I think that the moving was a great moment for you Max - probably the defining moment in both relationships - but not the only one. And after going through the same thing more times than I care to count I have found that I go just as deep as I need to go. Most others also -

I was commenting on the beautiful partner I now have to one of my dear old friends and, he knows a couple of my ex's, and I was curious as to why I finally found such a great partner - he believes that when folks are as cranky as I was, and can be, that when we finally figure it out we get what we really deserve. Bunch of psychobabblish BS really - life is a process :-)

I too would like to make a contribution to the moving company for a night out - I'll send cash to the new PO - hope that is acceptable.

Love - Steve

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 04:06 PM

Max: Now we can say thank you. THANK YOU! and Thank Emily too. Looks like you've found your match! hold on to her.

JAB.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Cappuccino
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 05:17 PM

Yup, sounds great.

Best wishes, - Ian B

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 06:06 PM

Damn it, I know you hate sycophancy....but thanks.

Rick

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: CarolC
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 07:02 PM

Thanks again, Max. Give Emily a big hug for me, ok?

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Cllr
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 08:25 PM

I used to use folk newsgroups and to paraphrase an english TV ad "If Smirnoff did news groups we would have Mudcat" Max its the best. Cllr

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 08:43 PM

ditto.

art

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Ferret
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 09:13 PM

Good luck Max and many Thanks. it's the crap in life that makes us apprecite all the good. all the best ferret

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Big Mick
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 09:43 PM

Forget all the thanks, how about some praise. Listen, buddy, I have a little knowledge based on our conversations on that same sidewalk. May I compliment you on how you are handling all this? Pretty amazing that one so young would have so much savvy. You handle the obligation that Mudcat brings so well. Divorces, even when desired, suck. They hurt, they make you confused and conflicted, and they are emotional roller coasters. Through it all, you have kept an even keel. And most importantly, you have maintained your relationship with your daughter........bravo. On top of that, a wonderful lady and partner. Yep, well done on all fronts. For whatever it is worth, I am proud of you, for you, and to have you for a friend.

Mick

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: InOBU
Date: 07 Nov 01 - 10:19 PM

HEY MAX! I worked with Bill Kunsler, and knew a bunch of folks who do a lot for a lot, so it is rare I use this term, but YOU are a real HERO, no kidding no sh-t sherlock, you really are. Cheers Larry

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Chip2447
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:05 AM

Thanx and Kudos...

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: nutty
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:58 AM

Max if you every feel the need for a really "cheap" (in English ,that means it'll cost you nothing)holiday, get yourself over here and we will all thank you in person.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 03:29 AM

Max,I hope the retrenchment is short-lived, you've brought so much pleasure to so many people world-wide with this creation you deserve all the luck we can wish you. As I'm about to move on to new pastures after a pretty miserable couple of years at work I hope there's a turnaround for you too, soon.
RTs ("white boy lost in the blues" but just a tad older!)

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: mooman
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 04:12 AM

Many thanks Max for all your hard work and dedication and for creating Mudcat and helping it become the wonderful place it is.

With all my appreciation and thanks

mooman

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Greyeyes
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 04:15 AM

"The move was tough, but it's over now, and the office was just a place."

Been there, carry the scars, know how you feel. Your memories are the most important things, nothing can take those from you.

Respect & gratitude.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 10:58 AM

Well Max, you've been held in prayer by a good number of us throughout it all, looking to strength, wisdom, and provision as you sorted out all the things that needed to be sorted out, since the day you asked how come no one prays for YOU. (It's not likely to stop, either, unless you ask. *G*) During every one of those "it was tough" things, the care of the universe has been aimed your way.

And the practical help that's been discussed is still available. Maybe now that things are trimmed down these can be of some assistance. I'll be in touch on those once you've had a bit of time to catch your breath on all the changes.

love,

~Susan

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: GUEST,53
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 07:37 PM

congrats, max and you'll have our support. BOB

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: GUEST,Nancy King at work
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:39 PM

A friend of mine once commented philosophically, "You know, divorce is like an enema -- there's a certain amount of pain involved, but also a lot of relief." How true...

Moving is sometimes like that too.

Anyhow, Max, I hope you are beginning to experience more relief than pain. Thanks so much for keeping us all in touch.

Cheers, Nancy

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:12 PM

truly inspirational, Nancy!...I am moved ...ummmm...heartened by the sentiments!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Melani
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 12:46 AM

Thanks, Max & Co. You never know, sometimes change is good, even if it doesn't seem like it at first.

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Banjer
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 06:34 AM

.....or in a sanitarium wearing Kleenex boxes for shoes.....

Don't know where you find that, but here at the Neil Young Center the standard footgear is a bedpan for each foot. Kind of a good solution because one size fits all, and any asshole can wear them!! Thanks Max!!!

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: CarolC
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 06:52 AM

(plus, you can hear them coming a mile away ;-)

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 06:52 AM

Ya' know Banj, now that Skiff is retiring and all, I'm looking for someone to takeover as Chief Administrator and Bedpan Cleaner at the NYCFTTS. I'll be starting the search soon.....Be sure to apply.....Your experience with the Center will put you high on the list......or low, depending on your perspective.

Spaw

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: Anonymous Helper
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 07:02 AM

I like Neil Young. I reckon you're mean on him Catspaw49

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: harpgirl
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 07:07 AM

...as keeper of the "Treasure Trove of Bizarre Habits of Loveable and Famous Psychotics" for the NYCFTTS, I can tell you that the most famous wearer of Kleenex boxes for shoes was the late Howard Hughes. He also watched "Ice Station Zebra" over and over and ate valiums like M&M's....For all you pedantic academics, this is an example of obsessive compulsive disorder taken to it's max...

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 07:19 AM

Hey harpy......I knew that about Hughes and it always cracked me up. Of all the movies that Howie could haveOC'ed on, Ice Station Zebra??? Maybe it was the spy end or something (he was working on the Glomar Explorer at the time) but when you think of his past life and all the Hollywood "starlets" he had and used in his movies............Ice Station Zebra?

Say harp.ou may also want to apply for the Admin/Bedpan job at the NYCFTTS. I'll post my classified soon.

Spaw

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: harpgirl
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 07:51 AM

...you say the Bedpan/Soupmaker job is coming open? I'll send my vita. It couldn't be worse than my current job...

Subject: RE: The Mudcat is NOT Shutting Down (III)
From: DougR
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 05:15 PM

Maybe Huges was stuck on Rock Hudson! He was in that movie, wasn't he?

DougR