The Session has been a cranky place lately! Now that it seems like things are (hopefully) calming down, I'd just like to extend a warm Internet hug to you all... most of the time I find this corner of cyberspace a lovely place. Let's not let quick-tempered typing change that.
Thanks, alison kate. I like this board too, want to keep it around. Could I add something, for those of us who might be too macho for hugs?
Life is short, and it is often a bit of a struggle. If you spend time and energy on negative things, you have that much less time for positive things. The happiest, most successful people in most walks of life are the ones who don't waste their time complaining or running other people down. They make it a habit to always move in a positive direction. It doesn't make them Pollyannas who see everything through rose-colored spectacles--it makes them more efficient in their search for excellence. There's nothing sappy about thinking like a winner.
At least that's what a wise old man once told me, and I think he is right.
I waded through the big "discush" yesterday and it made me quite sad. As a newbie on the site, I've found so much useful info, and generally interesting discussions here that I thought I'd found a real treasure. "At last a place where folks who just love to play ITM can feel at home"
Throughout the years of my music playing i've never taken the trouble to really master an instrument, (singing was my thing) and now at this late stage I've set my heart on doing just that.
I'm sure if I really took notice of the self centred cr*p that made me sad last night, I'd lob my new found "lover" in the bin! Hopefully that would be a loss, as would the demise of many new musicians and novices.
Has no one here ever considered that without beginners with their inherent lack of knowledge and/or technique, speed etc ITM or any other trad genre for that matter would wither away and die!
It seems to me too, that the terrible afflictions brought about by incest are raising their head in some strange places! I detect a faint odour of Stuart Prebble's "Grumpy old men/women" syndrome here. Could that be? Or could it be Gulliver's Travels, and Jonathan Swift's "pointed or blunt end of the egg"?
Anyway enough of anymore cr*p, I'm just happy to have been privileged to have met, played and sung with some fine musicians (and some rubbish ones), and to have been able to have so much fun with music and people over the years.
As for all the newbies out there, terrified of the elitist session situations they will meet on their way (and the WAY is the goal), I say go for it. Be polite, listen, learn, make friends and enjoy. One day you too will be able to welcome a newbie into your session and keep tradition alive and kicking.
Lastly to all those "grumpies" out there, stop being so selfish and allow others to live the happy times you have experienced, one of these days there will be no-one around to pick up your toy you've thrown from the pram!
May ITM continue to give the pleasure to all, and thanks again Alison for that ray of light and the hug.
Well done Alison,
I just had a glance a what must have been the post in question! I'm an elder Lemon who has been messing with a Mandolin since I bought my first in Pettycoat Lane in the Swinging Sixties. I played well enough for my own entertainment (and drove others mad). Like tctelboy I've just decided to make an effort fo improve for my own benefit mainly but hopefully to spread the good news about the lifelong value of music and learning to play an instrument.
Un abrazo niña! A great Big Bear Hug from a former Prop forward.
Good idea. Here's what one of our researchers has to say about bullying:
Bullying involves repeated hurtful actions between individuals where an imbalance of power exists so that it is difficult for the ones being bullied to defend themselves. These types of social interactions are frequent among school-aged children. Evidence indicates that the experience of being bullied is associated with elevated anxiety, depression, social isolation and suicidal thoughts. However, it remains unclear whether the experience of bullying uniquely contributes to those problems. Moreover, no study has yet investigated whether being bullied has an environmentally-mediated effect on children’s adjustment problems. In the present study, we used a genetically-informative longitudinal design to test whether bullying victimization is an environmentally-mediated contributing factor to children’s adjustment problems. Evidence that bullying contributes to children’s adjustment problems would indicate a greater need for bullying prevention, as well as for services for children who suffer because of bullying.
Bullying here at this site requires that the "victim" maintain contact, and or respond to the bully.
Greater minds here than mine have already said, in one way or another, "Just turn the thing off."
So I make the effort to recognize when I am receiving naught but venom, instead of courteuous positive sharing, and I simply tune out that portion which benefits no one but the bully's sense of power and importance.
I do not bother with the entries or comments of certain "core" members of this group, because whatever we do in one area of our lives will affect the others. A mean-spirited person cannot simply turn it on and off like a switch. When we judge and abuse, we poison everything we touch, including the music and cameraderie we purport to value so much.
More twaddle, I suspect, but it is my humble opinion.
You know Rook, you're right about just switching off and ignoring it, but how would you feel if someone here wrote in one of the discussions "I've been to one or two sessions with Rook and I don't think much of their singing voice. Also I think Rook does not know what they are talking about and shouldn't post what they do on this site. They should come back in 20 years when they know enough to talk about the music". Look me in the eye, Rook, and tell me you wouldn't respond to that in some way, like "hey, actually I'd like to continue posting here in the way that I do and I don't think I'm doing too badly considering I haven't been playing long - please be kind and give me a break"...
Dunno, if Rook had been picked on instead of me, maybe there would have been a reasonable response, Benhall. Unfortunately, I was the one who was picked on, and I'm not the sort of person to sit back and be nicey nicey. If someone picks on me online, as in real life, I'll rip their **** heads off. Group hug my ****.
Dow,
since I think it's likely that portnabpucai will either never go to this website again or be a lurker from here on out, I thought that I would extend an olive branch to all of us who are left. I completely understand the way you responded to his or her comments about you. Anonymously criticizing someone's playing in the manner port did is cowardly and mean-spirited--there's no excuse.
"So yeah, you can count me out of the group hug. I got an apology but I judge it not to have been genuine, and so I reject it."
You say this like portnabpucai is the one suggesting the group hug. I didn't actually consider portnabpucai even participating. What's the point of holding a grudge against the rest of us? Do I owe you an apology?
I've been an on and off participant here for a few years, and until this point I've thought that generally, people were pretty respectful of one another on this forum. I didn't want that to change because of a cyberbully, thus the group hug idea.
No, Alison, you misunderstood me - I was talking about when Port "apologised" to me and a bunch of others in another thread. I don't hold a grudge against anyone else.
There's a cracker called Danzig Willie's Mazurka that I play but can't remember much about its come-froms. Sadly, I'd have to come to Australia probably to find backers who don't think that mazurkas are fast waltzes.
So was any consensus reached on the issue of "just intonation"? I think I've discovered the reason why all those older players played the way they did; nothing at all to do with scales, style or tradition.
About 2 min 45 secs in:
Dow, I didn't misunderstand you... but much of what you said, especially the "Group hug my ****" has made me think that you're taking your anger out on the rest of us, which I think is uncalled for. Most of the people on here (including me) have said nothing to purposely offend you. If you don't want a hug--don't hug. But there's no need to continue talking about why you're angry.
"I'll go home to me parents, confess what I done.
And pray that they pardon their prodigal son.
And then they'll caress me as oft times before,
And I never will play the Wild Rover no more!"
Dow! Get a grip. You, of all people, should know that these loose cannons show up on schedule every few months. They spread their havoc, and then their tiny, tiny attention spans flicker out and they go elsewhere. Like my mom says, "You'll only encourage them if you pay attention to them." And my mom is nearly always right.
Hug a possum, you must be kiddin'... What's to say where you've had that overstuffed ratty body of yours... Worse than a sticky batlady or Vegemite anyday... Yuck! & Puw!
I think I hear my wife calling... I'll leave you to your hugging and go have a long hot shower and then a few tunes, and a bit of the true pure drop, a gentle nudge worth of poteen or something equally warming...
You hear your wife calling...so you have a long shower, a few tunes, a drop of the pure, a spot of poteen...? My man, she will not be awake! Get thee up there now! You can always nip down for the tunes and the booze later!
Group Hug?
Group Hug?
The Session has been a cranky place lately! Now that it seems like things are (hopefully) calming down, I'd just like to extend a warm Internet hug to you all... most of the time I find this corner of cyberspace a lovely place. Let's not let quick-tempered typing change that.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by alison kale
Re: Group Hug?
Can I be the first one for a cyberhug?
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Donough
Re: Group Hug?
Thanks, alison kate. I like this board too, want to keep it around. Could I add something, for those of us who might be too macho for hugs?
Life is short, and it is often a bit of a struggle. If you spend time and energy on negative things, you have that much less time for positive things. The happiest, most successful people in most walks of life are the ones who don't waste their time complaining or running other people down. They make it a habit to always move in a positive direction. It doesn't make them Pollyannas who see everything through rose-colored spectacles--it makes them more efficient in their search for excellence. There's nothing sappy about thinking like a winner.
At least that's what a wise old man once told me, and I think he is right.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by mickray
Re: Group Hug?
Hey everyone! We cheer up ourselves and those around us with our music. May we always have many opportunities for this!
Cheers
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by morning star
Re: Group Hug?
Aaaaaaagh, I better send Donough those NFF photos I forgot to send him or it'll be a cyberthwack instead of a cyberhug.
(Sorry Donough, it's been bedlam!)
Ahem, we now return you to your regularly scheduled programming ...
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Tish
Re: Group Hug?
Thanks Tish - another cyberhug on its way.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Donough
Re: Group Hug? - I second that!
Greaty stuff Alison, and one back to you.
I waded through the big "discush" yesterday and it made me quite sad. As a newbie on the site, I've found so much useful info, and generally interesting discussions here that I thought I'd found a real treasure. "At last a place where folks who just love to play ITM can feel at home"
Throughout the years of my music playing i've never taken the trouble to really master an instrument, (singing was my thing) and now at this late stage I've set my heart on doing just that.
I'm sure if I really took notice of the self centred cr*p that made me sad last night, I'd lob my new found "lover" in the bin! Hopefully that would be a loss, as would the demise of many new musicians and novices.
Has no one here ever considered that without beginners with their inherent lack of knowledge and/or technique, speed etc ITM or any other trad genre for that matter would wither away and die!
It seems to me too, that the terrible afflictions brought about by incest are raising their head in some strange places! I detect a faint odour of Stuart Prebble's "Grumpy old men/women" syndrome here. Could that be? Or could it be Gulliver's Travels, and Jonathan Swift's "pointed or blunt end of the egg"?
Anyway enough of anymore cr*p, I'm just happy to have been privileged to have met, played and sung with some fine musicians (and some rubbish ones), and to have been able to have so much fun with music and people over the years.
As for all the newbies out there, terrified of the elitist session situations they will meet on their way (and the WAY is the goal), I say go for it. Be polite, listen, learn, make friends and enjoy. One day you too will be able to welcome a newbie into your session and keep tradition alive and kicking.
Lastly to all those "grumpies" out there, stop being so selfish and allow others to live the happy times you have experienced, one of these days there will be no-one around to pick up your toy you've thrown from the pram!
May ITM continue to give the pleasure to all, and thanks again Alison for that ray of light and the hug.
Phew........ ok, now for the sh*te.........
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by tctelboy
Re: Group Hug?
Well done Alison,
I just had a glance a what must have been the post in question! I'm an elder Lemon who has been messing with a Mandolin since I bought my first in Pettycoat Lane in the Swinging Sixties. I played well enough for my own entertainment (and drove others mad). Like tctelboy I've just decided to make an effort fo improve for my own benefit mainly but hopefully to spread the good news about the lifelong value of music and learning to play an instrument.
Un abrazo niña! A great Big Bear Hug from a former Prop forward.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by John B
Re: Group Hug?
Good idea. Here's what one of our researchers has to say about bullying:
Bullying involves repeated hurtful actions between individuals where an imbalance of power exists so that it is difficult for the ones being bullied to defend themselves. These types of social interactions are frequent among school-aged children. Evidence indicates that the experience of being bullied is associated with elevated anxiety, depression, social isolation and suicidal thoughts. However, it remains unclear whether the experience of bullying uniquely contributes to those problems. Moreover, no study has yet investigated whether being bullied has an environmentally-mediated effect on children’s adjustment problems. In the present study, we used a genetically-informative longitudinal design to test whether bullying victimization is an environmentally-mediated contributing factor to children’s adjustment problems. Evidence that bullying contributes to children’s adjustment problems would indicate a greater need for bullying prevention, as well as for services for children who suffer because of bullying.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Alf Tupper
Re: Group Hug?
Good idea, yes. I am REALLY looking forward to our session tonight.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Group Hug?
If I could post a photo of me you'd change your mind about the hug.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Group Hug?
Bullying here at this site requires that the "victim" maintain contact, and or respond to the bully.
Greater minds here than mine have already said, in one way or another, "Just turn the thing off."
So I make the effort to recognize when I am receiving naught but venom, instead of courteuous positive sharing, and I simply tune out that portion which benefits no one but the bully's sense of power and importance.
I do not bother with the entries or comments of certain "core" members of this group, because whatever we do in one area of our lives will affect the others. A mean-spirited person cannot simply turn it on and off like a switch. When we judge and abuse, we poison everything we touch, including the music and cameraderie we purport to value so much.
More twaddle, I suspect, but it is my humble opinion.
Good luck, all, and let's be kind.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Rook
Re: Group Hug?
You know Rook, you're right about just switching off and ignoring it, but how would you feel if someone here wrote in one of the discussions "I've been to one or two sessions with Rook and I don't think much of their singing voice. Also I think Rook does not know what they are talking about and shouldn't post what they do on this site. They should come back in 20 years when they know enough to talk about the music". Look me in the eye, Rook, and tell me you wouldn't respond to that in some way, like "hey, actually I'd like to continue posting here in the way that I do and I don't think I'm doing too badly considering I haven't been playing long - please be kind and give me a break"...
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Dow
Re: Group Hug?
So yeah, you can count me out of the group hug. I got an apology but I judge it not to have been genuine, and so I reject it.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Dow
Re: Group Hug?
And wouldn't it be great if, in that case, the person affected did respond in the reasonable way you now suggest, Dow?
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by benhall.1
Re: Group Hug?
Cross-post. I was referring to the last post but one.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by benhall.1
Re: Group Hug?
Dunno, if Rook had been picked on instead of me, maybe there would have been a reasonable response, Benhall. Unfortunately, I was the one who was picked on, and I'm not the sort of person to sit back and be nicey nicey. If someone picks on me online, as in real life, I'll rip their **** heads off. Group hug my ****.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Dow
Re: Group Hug?
Give it a rest now, Dow old chap. He's gone and your reputation is utterly untarnished. Hands up all those who think Dow's reputation is tarnished...
...see? No-one. And he's gone as well. Normal service can be resumed. I'm thinking of starting a thread about learning from dots.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Group Hug?
Nice thought, Alison, but it doesn't work with some of these lot. It's probably best just to leave them all be to cool off.
I remember a "group hug" we had in 2003 which just turned into an even worse ding dong,,,thanks mainly to a certain Tanya Lee Terohoshi !!!
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Johannes J
Re: Group Hug?
Are you inviting the group to hug your arse?
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Group Hug?
how do you group hug an a ***?
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by TOMMYB
Re: Group Hug?
Dow,
since I think it's likely that portnabpucai will either never go to this website again or be a lurker from here on out, I thought that I would extend an olive branch to all of us who are left. I completely understand the way you responded to his or her comments about you. Anonymously criticizing someone's playing in the manner port did is cowardly and mean-spirited--there's no excuse.
"So yeah, you can count me out of the group hug. I got an apology but I judge it not to have been genuine, and so I reject it."
You say this like portnabpucai is the one suggesting the group hug. I didn't actually consider portnabpucai even participating. What's the point of holding a grudge against the rest of us? Do I owe you an apology?
I've been an on and off participant here for a few years, and until this point I've thought that generally, people were pretty respectful of one another on this forum. I didn't want that to change because of a cyberbully, thus the group hug idea.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by alison kale
Re: Group Hug?
what happened?post the thread
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by TOMMYB
Re: Group Hug?
No, Alison, you misunderstood me - I was talking about when Port "apologised" to me and a bunch of others in another thread. I don't hold a grudge against anyone else.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Dow
Re: Group Hug?
In fact I don't hold a grudge full stop. Actually I'm much more interested in learning some mazurkas so I can play them in my session on Tuesday.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Dow
Re: Group Hug?
There's a cracker called Danzig Willie's Mazurka that I play but can't remember much about its come-froms. Sadly, I'd have to come to Australia probably to find backers who don't think that mazurkas are fast waltzes.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Group Hug?
Tell me when you're coming over, Steve, and I'll book the time off work.
So I can go abroad
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Dow
Re: Group Hug?
You're already abroad. The trouble with where you are now is that it's full of foreigners.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Group Hug?
Anyway, you can't be away when I'm there, as everyone in your session will think my harmonicas are your concertina and they won't let you back in.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Group Hug?
So was any consensus reached on the issue of "just intonation"? I think I've discovered the reason why all those older players played the way they did; nothing at all to do with scales, style or tradition.
About 2 min 45 secs in:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaPlRJ9EySI&mode=related&search=
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Group Hug?
"Well when you've got the music, you've got friends for life, thats why I'm never lonely. Remember that."
- The Boys & Girls from County Clare
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Group Hug?
Dow, I didn't misunderstand you... but much of what you said, especially the "Group hug my ****" has made me think that you're taking your anger out on the rest of us, which I think is uncalled for. Most of the people on here (including me) have said nothing to purposely offend you. If you don't want a hug--don't hug. But there's no need to continue talking about why you're angry.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by alison kale
Re: Group Hug?
You can all hug me any time you like.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Group Hug?
"I'll go home to me parents, confess what I done.
And pray that they pardon their prodigal son.
And then they'll caress me as oft times before,
And I never will play the Wild Rover no more!"
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by AlBrown
Re: Group Hug?
Well, thank god for THAT, Al!
Dow! Get a grip. You, of all people, should know that these loose cannons show up on schedule every few months. They spread their havoc, and then their tiny, tiny attention spans flicker out and they go elsewhere. Like my mom says, "You'll only encourage them if you pay attention to them." And my mom is nearly always right.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Batlady
Re: Group Hug?
Yeah but you know me. I like to encourage them because I like a good fight. Not really - only joking!
Or am I?
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Dow
Re: Group Hug?
Damn, you were right benhall. Come back portnabpucai, the treacle is filling my wellies...
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Group Hug?
WELL OH YEAH?!? STEP OUTSIDE!
>
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Batlady
Re: Group Hug?
Wait. My emoticon didn't work.
>:(
There.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Batlady
Re: Group Hug?
Al, like I really believe that...
Steve, you've got to put that harmonica down first and use a strong mouthwash, you smell like a well used Honer...
Con, it's just intonation, don't loose sleep over it...
Now to see if the survival techniques for quicksand work with treacle... Great, it does, it wasn't treacle after all, it was Vegemite...
http://www.vegemite.com.au/
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Group Hug?
Alright, I give up, seeing as it is you Batlady, gi' us a 'ug!
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Group Hug?
Okay, but I'm all sticky.....
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Batlady
Re: Group Hug?
That's alright, I've been swimming in Vegemite...
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Group Hug?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Group Hug?
**S.C.O.Ne**
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Batlady
Re: Group Hug?
HUGS ALL AROUND!!!!
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by possumawesome
Re: Group Hug?
Hug a possum, you must be kiddin'... What's to say where you've had that overstuffed ratty body of yours... Worse than a sticky batlady or Vegemite anyday... Yuck! & Puw!
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Group Hug?
Possums are North America’s only extant native marsupial. The male’s generative organ is y-shaped, with matching female bits. Just so you know.
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by fidkid
Re: Group Hug?
Now you're scaring me...
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Group Hug?
I think I hear my wife calling... I'll leave you to your hugging and go have a long hot shower and then a few tunes, and a bit of the true pure drop, a gentle nudge worth of poteen or something equally warming...
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Group Hug?
You hear your wife calling...so you have a long shower, a few tunes, a drop of the pure, a spot of poteen...? My man, she will not be awake! Get thee up there now! You can always nip down for the tunes and the booze later!
# Posted on April 30th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Group Hug?
Wise words!!!
# Posted on May 1st 2007 by ceolachan