Recently I’ve been thinking about this website and message-board, and I realized–especially after reading “It’s All About You” (shudder)–that, on the surface,there is a pretty big contradiction here.
Think about it: This entire site is dedicated to whistle music, (more or less) right? So the casual observer would assume that most of us are extremely knowledgeable musicians who talk about the technicalities of whistling.
But that is obviously not the case. A good third of this site and board is strictly humorous, and most of it does not deal with the highly technical aspects of music. Some of us may even spend more time posting messages than actually playing.
So what’s the deal?
My opinion is, for many of us, whistling is not just a musical obsession. That’s included, of course, but it’s much more than that. Whistling is an integral part of our identities, even our personalities.
When I want information about the whistle, I might go to, for instance, SteviesJ’s website. (highly recommended.)
But I come to Chiff and Fippe mainly for fun and companionship, and to talk to others whom I feel can understand that part of me.
Which makes all this talk about off-topic posts and amateurs seem to miss the point.
Sarah,
I agree, I think the community aspects, sharing among folks with simular passions regardless of skill, resource, or standing is one of the foundations of C&F.
A sense of the obsurd supports our humor. Who else could get all worked up about a 3 dollar piece of brass tubing and plastic?
And were else might you find, some one else to laugh with about it?
I think of this board much like a session. You’re gonna get some music, you’re gonna get some advice, and you’re gonna have some fun hanging out with friends and swapping stories.
Sometimes the craic is great..sometimes, not so much. Sometimes, it goes better with beer.
I use this site as a chillout room when work or life (or a pantomime cow) gets on top of me. But that’s a me story so I can’t tell it here.
Other people in my office go for a cigarette. This is healthier.
I’d sit on the stairs and have a 5 minute practise, but it’d end up being 1/2 hour, and I’d be missed.
I can always be sure of a laugh on this site, and that’s the best medicine (taken internally, Ceesi!).
And yes, it’s a community, a family even, including the auntie who always gets drunk on sweet sherry at Christmas, the mad uncle from the lunatic asylum who has been released into the community, and the cousin who just got out of prison. And in the long run, though we have a few spats now and then, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Humour always wins through!
Now guess who’s the mad uncle and the ex-convict!
Whistle is My Weapon of Choice
[ This Message was edited by: Martin Milner on 2002-07-03 10:49 ]
Hear hear! Only my family keeps inviting me to weddings. You guys wouldn’t that to me, would you? I hate weddings. Weddings always make me cringe. Ooh, I wanna try a smiley.
That reminds me of a guy years ago who told me there were some heavy drinkers in his extended family. There would be inevitable brawls at big get-togethers. Nothing funny about that, but, he said one time, a Thanksgiving turkey ended up on the front lawn. My imagination reels at picturing what led up to that situation. (I didn’t ask about the details.)
Tony
Oooooooh…Can I be the auntie with the sweet sherry? Pleeeeease? I’ll just sit in the corner and nod and smile and watch everyone else do their thing, and I won’t get in the way until it’s time for someone to pour me into a car and take me home.
On 2002-07-03 13:05, WhistlerWannaBe wrote:
mad uncle? ex-con? Gee, one of 'em would hafta be Bloomfield, right? >
Actually, I had Bloomy down for the sherry, but now you say…
Here’s mud in your eye, Auntie Bloomy! I haven’t drowned yet! Coming up for the third time though, and could you possibly take your boot off my head? Love ya!
