I too missed the initial Cinead stuff, mostly due to lack of interest, but today I went back and scanned it (it was too laborious to read 5 pages closely). In light of that, I suppose the spoof made more sense. I guess Lucy did some ‘splainin’ here!
Intriguing… that on a board where most of the members are known by pseudonyms, Porridge found it necessary to post under 2 (or more) names… I suggest he receive serious counseling from some of the arm-chair psychiatrists here on the board…
And please realize that most of the American Board members never heard of Jeffery Archer. Heck, most of us never heard of Bill Clinton!
[ This Message was edited by: curioso on 2001-12-04 17:11 ]
Well, to be clear Pee, since you make reference to one or more of my comments, and since you took a parting shot at me, to which I never replied:
I always got your humour from the start, having having spent much time with English (adult) friends as a youngster, and also being a Python fan etc. However, the fact that you were taking swipes at people anonymously (sniping) was indeed bad form, and that was my first gripe.
More importantly though; I, like you, was well aware that many folks didn’t get your “humour”. Now it’s one thing to say “okay I’m poking fun at you”, but it IS rather sinister, cruel, and childish to mock people when you know that only a few people will get the inside joke, and likely it won’t be the ones you’re slighting. It might not have been so bad if you didn’t have a clue that some of those people didn’t get it, but (as you’ve admitted) you knew. You had to be aware that some of those folks actually thought you were complimenting them, yet you still persisted - That’s cowardly, as is the fact that you now come forward to “Explain”, but won’t fess up to your true identity.
The fact is Pee, you and I agree (in general) on many things, I just find you methods deplorable. If you honestly want people to believe you didn’t mean any harm, and you wish them “all the best”, you can’t offer an anonymous explanation or apology; step-up and be honest about who you really are, otherwise you remain nothing more than a gutless sniper. At least I have the huevos to say that to your face Amigo…
Once you come clean and apologize, we can all shake hands and be friends again.
Loren
P.S. Mark J., don’t look at me man - I am DEFINITELY not the one who owes you the $20!
[ This Message was edited by: Loren on 2001-12-04 17:59 ]
On 2001-12-04 17:38, Loren wrote:
… but it IS rather sinister, cruel, and childish … I just find you methods deplorable. …
Wow. Loren, are you sure you mean that? Those are pretty big words, you know. And if you start using them for a little bit of poor taste on a whistle message board, I think I will be at a loss the next time I am talking about criminals, warmongers, and perverts.
And if you really did “get” Porrige’s humor, why this insulted and pouting tone? 
EDIT: Forgot to say that I agree on “childish”, of course.
[ This Message was edited by: Bloomfield on 2001-12-04 18:25 ]
OK, OK, NOW I get it. I don’t mind being “had” as long as I get a good chuckle out of it, too. To the PFKAP, I have this to say: You can’t really be too surprised that people misunderstood you. And I for one don’t really care who you “really” are–your explanation is sufficient, and your decision to “retire” this personna was certainly the right one. Afterall, I don’t go by “Wyobadger” in the real world, either.
All’s well that ends well…
On 2001-12-04 18:24, Bloomfield wrote:
On 2001-12-04 17:38, Loren wrote:
… but it IS rather sinister, cruel, and childish … I just find you methods deplorable. …Wow. Loren, are you sure you mean that? Those are pretty big words, you know. And if you start using them for a little bit of poor taste on a whistle message board, I think I will be at a loss the next time I am talking about criminals, warmongers, and perverts.
And if you really did “get” Porrige’s humor, why this insulted and pouting tone? >
EDIT: Forgot to say that I agree on “childish”, of course.
[ This Message was edited by: Bloomfield on 2001-12-04 18:25 ]
Big words? Sinister, Cruel and Deplorable, Nah. Plenipotentiary (something Archer certainly is not), now that’s a big word 
I think the words fit, in a certain context. Besides, this message board is full of words, you can only use the same ones so often, before it get’s boring. Variety with vocabularly, as with so many other things, is the spice of life!
More importantly; I suggested a while back that Porridge be gone, he has returned, so now I taunt him a second time!
Regarding you comments on my allegedly "“insulted and pouting tone”… All I have to say to you sir is: We duel at dawn.
“My name is Inaigo Montoya…Prepare to die.”
I actually found Porridge’s stuff funny. It made me laugh. I love the title, Miss Messy Kitten, even though it was supposed to be an insult. I find it somewhat ridiculous that, with all the stuff in the world you COULD get bothered about, you think my posts of pictures are inappropriate and worthy of insults, but whatever…if you want to get bothered by something so harmless, go ahead. Sometimes there are things on the board that I find inappropriate or annoying, but usually I don’t follow threads that don’t interest me. I am just a person, not a vendor, not an instrument maker. I think there are people who are far more self-important than I am. I have real world friends who I met on this board, and I think some of that is because of who I am on the board (what I say, pictures I post, etc.), so I don’t apologize for sharing. I really don’t know if we, on this board, take ourselves too seriously or not seriously enough.
Jessie
“My name is Inaigo Montoya…Prepare to die.”
Pie Yeasu Domine, dona aiis requiem WHACK! (And yes I know the latin is misspelled)
Loosely Translated: Oh god make it stop!
WHACK!
sorry, couldn’t resisted, no offense ment. I just love that line from the Prince’s Bride.
Caryn
Alright, here are my thoughts after reading Porridge’s latest statement.
Porridge, I welcome you back to this board. I’m glad you are here and I’m glad everybody else is here, I simply hope that you will try to act in a way that is kind and helpful instead of malicious and hurtful.
I admit, I often feel that most of what transpires on this board is rather frivolous and that we could all benefit from a bit more focus. I hope that everyone, including myself, will think twice whether they are actually contributing something of value before posting.
That said, there is on this board, as JessieK has pointed out, a familial sense that leaves room for a certain amount of non-whistle related posting.
How do we determine what is appropriate and what is not?
I invite you to try to think of this board as a traditional Irish music session.
When I go to a session for the first time the most important thing I take with me is respect.
When I enter the pub, the first thing I will do is go and sit down at a table or at the bar, near enough to the music that I can listen to how the music is being played, what tunes are being played, how the musicians are interacting among eachother, what they are talking about, and the general atmosphere of the session. I will continue to sit there, sometimes for the entire session, but usually for an hour or so, and just observe, trying to develop and understanding for how the session works. I will try to figure out who the session leaders are, who the better players are, who the newcomers are, who actually owns the place, etc. I will try to figure out how often others besides the session leaders start tunes, and when it is appropriate for them to start. I observe the speed and style with which tunes are played. I listen, I watch and I learn.
When the time has come that I feel as if I have a good understanding of the session I will politely approach the members of the session, introduce myself and ask if it’s alright if I join in. If it’s okay with them I pull up a chair and take out my flute. I’ll sit there quietly, listening, until they play a tune I know. Instead of jumping right in, I’ll listen to the tune one time through to hear how they are playing it, whether it is a version I know. Then, if I know that version, I will play. When I play I will try to blend in as best I can, not overpower the other musicians, maintain the tempo, and try to best match the style of the session leader. Irish music is at its best when the instruments become one.
Generally there will be a pause in the music, during which I will quietly and politely aknowledge the musicians around me. Often they will start conversation with me and I will respond, trying to focus the conversation on them, not me. This way I can learn as much about the members of the session as I can and get an even better sense of how it works.
As the night goes on I may or may not be invited to play a tune. If not, I certainly will not start one myself. If invited, I will start a set, but first I will play the very beginning of each tune just to make sure that everyone else (or at least the majority) know it. If so, I will play the set, with an effort to be as sensitive to the spirit of the session as possible.
At the end of the evening I will thank everyone for the music and ask politely if I might come back some other time. Usually they say yes.
After I have been to a session a number of times I begin to know the musicians and understand the way the session works. Gradually I begin to make friends and gain their respect. Once that happens we begin to talk about tunes, talk about life, tell jokes, drink pints, tease eachother, argue with eachother, maybe I’ll even start a set without being invited, but it’s all okay because we know eachother and like eachother, or at least respect eachother. Eventually I will have become a part of the session, and not just someone playing in the session. My flute, my music, my character, will become an important part of not only the music, but the entire, complex social web that is the session itself. For better or for worse, hopefully for better, I will become a part of the session.
There is something to learn from this.
Porridge, if you have something to contribute, whether it be criticism, encouragement or just humor, please try to do it in a way that ADDS to this community, to this big crazy session. If you disagree with Jessie, just tell her, politely and honestly. If you think Cinead is posting inappropriately address it with him in a gentlemanly way. If you think I lack a sense of humor and misunderstand you, then explain yourself and do so in a constructive and kind manner. Most importantly, whatever you do, do it under your real name, with a profile, and a way to get in touch with you for further discussion. Criticizing, mocking and belittling people is cowardly when it is behind a mask of anonymity.
We earn respect by showing respect.
Peace,
Chris
[ This Message was edited by: ChrisLaughlin on 2001-12-05 10:00 ]
Ahem…Gotta quote a little Jimmy Buffet here…
“If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane!”
Oh, and just thought of this one by Cheap Trick…
“we’re all alright, we’re all alright.”
Never claimed to thoroughly normal,
Mary
da Mouse
squeak.
Well I 've certainly learned a lot on this thread here tonight. Thanks Chris…sorry I chided you way back when about being in such a hurry to learn it all. By golly I think you’ve almost done it. And I mean that in a complimentary way. Gm (think my name is in my profile)
Grannymouse,
Thank you for the kind words. Actually, I feel like my learning is just beginning!
Best,
Chris
On 2001-12-04 18:47, Loren wrote:
Regarding you comments on my allegedly “insulted and pouting tone”… All I have to say to you sir is: We duel at dawn.
“My name is Inaigo Montoya…Prepare to die.”
Pistols, sabres, Generation Bb’s?
And I loved that movie!
this almost makes me miss George’s posts to Jump, Little Children’s discussion list… Those were the days…
sorry, just getting nostalgic.
Every discussion group has its Porridges and Grizspices(that was one of George’s little personas) and such, and you can’t really get around not having one of those kids at least once in a while.
They do serve a purpose, though. They remind (or should remind) people that this is just a message board and that nothing should be taken seriously…
heheheh</a](http://www.winternet.com/~mikelr/flame1.html">heheheh</a)>
[ This Message was edited by: TelegramSam on 2001-12-05 17:08 ]
Telegram Sam,
That link is hella funny and way too accurate. I’m trying to find which one I fall under.
Chris
The more you give the more there is.
[ This Message was edited by: ChrisLaughlin on 2001-12-05 17:28 ]
That’s a great link, Sam. I think Porridge was definitely a victim of the ‘SWARM’.
Cheers
Gerry
Oh yeah, that link is great!
Loren
SWARM?
I think you’re mistaken. First, that criticisms of Porridge were neither irrelevant nor mindless. Second, nor were they in sheer volume, but rather came from a small number of individuals.
However… how about this one?
http://www.winternet.com/~mikelr/flame35.html
Sound familiar?
Peace,
Chris
The more you give the more there is.
[ This Message was edited by: ChrisLaughlin on 2001-12-06 08:19 ]