No, my reason for checking out is much more mundane than all that. Quite simply, it doesn't make sense for me to be on-line a whole lot anymore.
To elaborate (on the unfounded assumption that you care): I'm moving out of my apartment next week. It looks like I'll be living in a trailor on my property until my house is done.
I'm going to be switching to cell phone, since it's much cheaper outside city limits. This, combined with the fact that my time would be much better spent planting trees, nuking invasive weeds, and giving private guitar lessons to pay for this place, has convinced me, after careful consideration, that I'll be better off without internet access at home. At least for now.
Of course, I'll still have it at school. But the students will be showing up next week, I'm going to be joyfully, frantically busy, and I have a VERY hard time logging on to the message board for "just a minute or two."
So, to summarize: Goodbye.
Mind if I make a few observations before I go?
In the few years I've been a member of this community, I've seen a lot of people come and go for various reasons. I've made a lot of friendly aquaintences, a few true friends, and no enemies that I know of. Even those whom I've opposed at times have given me much to think about, and I thank you all.
You've given me a tremendous amount of knowledge and insight about the whistle and other subjects, and I'm sure all the laughing I've done as a result of your posts has extended my life at least a couple of days.
I've been amazed at how easy it is to spend more time on here discussing whistles than I spend PLAYING the darn things! (I think that's why the good players aren't here a lot--it's simple natural selection!
)I've made a lot of really dumb, pointless comments, most of which struck me as outrageously funny at the time. Thank you all for merely ignoring me rather than pelting me with rocks and garbage as I deserved.
I'd like to think I've helped a few people out along the way, too. Thanks for the opportunity to share the few things I really do know.
The few of you I've met have given me my first real-life exposure to true Irish music. What fun--recordings (even of professional sessions
) can't compare with the real thing!I've taken part in a few truly beautiful things (remember the around-the-world Amazing Grace last september?), and I've been amazed at how cruelly some people can verbally beat each other up over a perforated metal pipe.
I've been led on a merry (in retrospect)wild goose chase my some twit named "Porridge." If you're still out there: God will get you for that.
I've seen Loren and Brian make nice. All this the same year Russia joins NATO, and I find a good woman. Man, ANYTHING is possible. Now if Loren and Bloomfield start agreeing, watch your back or those four funny-looking guys on horses might just run you over. (by the way, Loren, I'll be in Ft. Lauderdale next summer. Wanna jam?)
Rocky Mountain Boys (including Lee, who is most certainly a RMB at heart, and the several non-boys among us): What can I say? This isn't over. Cyber life draws to a close, but real life goes on. You are all part of my "real" world now, so don't think you're getting rid of me this easily!
Dale, thank you for what you've started here. It is monumental that through all the storm and stress we can still be united in our love of music and, by extension, of life. What you have here is a part of what life is supposed to be.
I know it's considered bad form to give one's real whereabouts on-line, but there are enough of you I want to keep in touch with that I'll take the chance. Before I do, let me point out that I'm poor, obscure, straight, boring, politically uninvolved, and I own an ENORMOUS dog.
Tom Wilson
11 Pinto Lane
Lander, WY 82520
I'll still be able to get e-mail here at school, WyoBadger@yahoo.com. I'll e-mail my phone number to anyone who wants it as soon as I get one.
It's time to go. I'd like to leave you with some amazing thought, some grand, profound final insight,but nothing's coming to me at the moment. Just goodbye. Keep in touch. Floss.
With deep appreciation,
Tom
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: wyobadger on 2002-08-23 16:07 ]</font>
