What do you REALLY get out of this site?

[Larry Simonson]

Great cause, good people, super site! Hope you exceed your goal!

[lmartnla]

My check is coming. I wish it could be $5 for each item on the list and I wish I were eligible for the camp.

[journeybear]

Have you ever:

- Made a new friend here? - - No. Made some Café friends -I think - but haven't met anyone in real life whom I met at the Café ... and know just one person from the real world whom I've since encountered at the Café.
- Read something that made you laugh? - - Yes, Oh, yes! Nearly every time I visit.
- Learned about a new artist you now dig? - - Yes, plenty. That's one good reason for participating in this kind of networking.
- Had someone share a piece of written music with you? - - No.
- Been warned about a fraudulent eBay or Craig's List auction you were interested in? - - Yes. Not many, but yes.
- Received a kind word from someone that made your day? - - Yes. When these things happen, they are wonderful. Sometimes you put your heart on the line here, and kind words can be so reassuring.
- Killed some time while at work when you most needed it? (be honest...) Yes, though it wasn't really killing time. More like redirecting mental activity from a place of dull underuse to an area of enlightenment.
- Marry someone you met online here (yes, we have one couple we know of!) - - Nope. Wasn't me.
- Discover something interesting about instrument history? - - Yes. And also, about how some issues are still unresolved. When's that dang time machine gonna be finished so we can settle these differences of opinion?
- Hear about a festival, jam session or concert you attended? - - No, just ones I wish I could go to.
- Looked at the Girls with Mandolins thread multiple times a day? - - Yes, but I'm a frequent contributor.
- Drool over someone else's new purchase? - - Um, no - - that would require surfing with my mouth open - - though I will admit to some salivation on occasion.
- Make a wise purchase based on someone's recommendation? - - Yes.
- Sell something on the Cafe's Classifieds? - - No.
- Learn a cool new theory trick from one of our many pros? - - Yes. Offered a few, too.
- Enjoyed the haiku thread? - -
Sometimes I do, though
I have wondered, how many
Understand the form?
- Dreamed of a BRW? - - Not until now, and still can't say I do, not knowing what that is. BMW, however ...
- Shown off your new purchase? - Not really, though I have posted pics and vids including my most recent purchase.
- Purchase a set of strings based on a recommendation and they're now your favorite? - - Nope, still using D'Addario J-74s.
- Find out some history about an old mandolin you own? - - Yes. And many thanks to those who took the time on these occasions.
- Receive a building or repair tip from an expert? - - No, though I have learned A LOT from others' situations.
- Traded posts with someone you thought was famous? - - Well, kind of famous. There's famous, then there's mandolin-famous ...
- Gain an appreciation for a type of music you normally hadn't paid attention to? - - Yes.
- See an event promoted that you are hosting or are helping with? - - No.
- Spit your coffee or coke onto the keyboard over something you read? - - No, but almost!
- Read a good joke? - - Yes, and plenty bad ones too.
- Learned how to navigate the web a little better by using this forum? - - Yes. Always learning these skills.
- Participated in a social group? - - Yes, a little.
- Caught up on the latest events on the calendar? - - Yes, though not often.
- Uploaded multiple avatars until you got just the right one? - - No, but changed a few times.
- Had your opinion on an instrument altered as a result of what you read here? - - Yes.
- Talked to a luthier or representative of a company that manufactures mandolin products? - - Yes.
- Enjoyed introducing yourself to others here? - - - Yes.
- Asked for advice about something troubling you? - - Yes.
- Had someone critique your playing and it helped? - - No. I keep getting encouragement. How much fun is that?
- Made fun of Mike Edgerton (checking if he reads this) - - Probably. There's a fair amount of joshing and tweaking around here. I had to pay him a compliment recently to tip the balance.
- Got to show off your new YouTube video? - - Yes.
- Learned a new tune here? - - Yes.
- Decided to learn how to read music from encouragement of others? - - No, already knew how.

Oh jeez - these were rhetorical questions, not a questionnaire? Oh well ... hate to feel I've wasted all this time ...

All kidding aside - this is a great site, of inestimable worth to me, especially when a list like this brings all it provides to a conscious level, and I've got no problem expressing this financially as well.

PS: Feel free to contribute on behalf of catmandu2, but do not send money directly to him! Rumors abound about the repercussions of certain occurrences that transpired the last time he had some spending money ...

[MikeEdgerton]

Compliment? Are you trying to ruin my image?

[journeybear]

Sorry - it won't happen again ...




It was true though ...

[sgarrity]

Great cause. Donation happily made!

[Joe F]

I'm in. I've been hanging around this site for a number of years. In that time, I've made a number of new friends, learned a lot of things from some very talented people, and even purchased mandolins from two luthiers that I would never have known about otherwise. Thanks, Scott, for all your efforts in providing this cozy little corner of the internet.

[Don Grieser]

I'm in. Thanks, Scott.

[Tone Monster]

Our great internation comunaction, our love for this this group with passion and respect.The knowledge that this cafe gives us. A thanks to a man from Lawarence Kansas as William S. Buroughs came from there also and so many great writers and artists.

[Matt DeBlass]

I'm pretty darn broke myself, being an unemployed journalist, but I think I can scrape up $5 for a worthy cause.
Honestly, since I got laid off this spring, learning the mandolin has helped me shake off my economy-induced blues more than just about anything else (and playing music provides a much-needed trickle of income), and the Cafe has been the source of a lot of inspiration, information and entertainment. Plus, there is the Women with Mandolins thread.

[delsbrother]

- Found an instrument you've been searching for years for in an ad titled, "Lots of old mandos for sale"? Check.

- Bought a Gibson x9 from Guitar Center? Check.

- Donation? Check.

[billkilpatrick]

i see that every page on the discussion board - regardless of discussion - is topped with this posting - which indicates that you really want to know ...

scott - many of those who post here can exit their houses to find a whole host of mandolin related activities: local jams ... concerts ... guitar playing next door neighbors who are glad to see you - none of which - unfortunately - are available to me.

what i REALLY get out of this site is a world-wide connection to those of us who may or may not choose to stay at home; whose connection to the mandolin - for better or worse - is intensely personal.

... plus a mandolin related baseball cap (that i have yet to collect) and an XXX-large sized mandolin.cafe t-shirt that i sometimes sleep in.

you done good - bill

[Jill McAuley]

Donation made - this site is my favourite destination on the internet, it's educational, entertaining, and inspirational, in other words - it rocks!

Cheers,
Jill

[Cayenne]

I dig it here.......learned a bunch, enjoyed a bunch. I couldn't be the player that I've become without it.

[Gene Korte]

Count me in for a ten spot.

[JAK]

Around 1/3 of the things on the list have affected me. I sent out $50 today.

[jake4mando]

I have read this forum far longer than I have been posting on it. I am glad to donate my little bit! I spend more time here than anywhere else when I am on the internet.

[Richard Sanabia]

A little thanks coming to you from from Tennessee......Richard

[instrumentality]

I counted 17 things on the list that applied to me; pretty much everything I know about the mandolin, and pretty much everyone I know who plays, I learned or know because of this board. I joined about 6 months ago and as a result have learned a ton - instruments, new tunes, mandolin camp, strings, you name it - I can't imagine what else I'll know six months from now. I also believe it's important to support opportunities for others to participate in music-making and musical education. I'm happy to be able to donate a little bit toward that cause. Thanks for a great site!

[Mercier]

My story? Nothing great but here it is. I've been willing to play an instruments for years, it havn't always been the mandolin but in any cases i never did. Not enough time, money, the stars weren't aligned or whatever reason i had. I realized a bit over a year ago that it would never happen if i didn't start somewhere. Looking for what instrument i really wanted to learn took a few months, the triangle wasn't an option and the guitar way too popular I fell in love with the sound of the mandolin and started to read the board. I fit in the description "killed some time while at work when you most needed it" when you're working 24/7 for 7 months in the middle of the ocean, you need something to keep you busy Magnus got my attention with his beautiful creation and i purchased one of his mandolin.(being built at the moment). Mandolorius helped me finding a teacher in my area and i should be starting lessons this thursday. Considering the time it took me to get started i've learned a lot about mandolin and music in general on mandolin cafe. Hopefully i'll stick to it without being affected by the MAS, it seems to be more contagious than H1N1.

Conclusion, this forum is a complete brain wash! I can't stop reading the board, I rented a mandolin until the purchased one gets here, my neighbors are going to hate me for the next 5 years for playing that bad! I also got a few musical book to keep me busy, picks (ya i know even though they come in all color they're still cheaper than skittles), lessons and now mandolin camps! The only problem is that i love it

Donation made, thanks Scott for the site, thanks to everybody else who share their knowledge

-Mercier-

[Eric Hanson]

Donation Made. Sounds cool for the kids.

- Made a new friend here? - Got connected to Jim Richter and had a couple of lessons that have REALLY helped me to improve my playing.

- Read something that made you laugh? - Often
- Learned about a new artist you now dig? - Sierra Hull

- Had someone share a piece of written music with you? - Still looking for someone to tab out "Crusher and Hoss" by Bush and Grisman from their "Hold On I'm Strummin'" CD. Any takers?
- Been warned about a fraudulent eBay or Craig's List auction you were interested in? - Thank you Scott for all your work on the latest.

- Killed some time while at work when you most needed it? (be honest...) OY! I resemble that remark. How many times have I been late for an appointment because I stayed here too long in the morning (Mandolin Cafe is my internet homepage. Addiction? Uh, well, not really. I only come here to sooth my nerves, or just to get away from things for a while. Drat. I guess I am.)

- Discover something interesting about instrument history? - Often. I love to learn about this wonderful instrument!
- Hear about a festival, jam session or concert you attended? - International Newgrass Festival. Boy, what a show!!!!!!! Also. I was able to attend the Mike Compton Workshop in Bloomington last March. Met some great folks and learned a bit of technique helps.

- Drool over someone else's new purchase? - Yep.

- Make a wise purchase based on someone's recommendation? - Yes. Thanks to all the info on pick choice.

- Purchase a set of strings based on a recommendation and they're now your favorite? - J74's Just seem to be right.
- Find out some history about an old mandolin you own? - Not that I own, but I can now ID other mandolins I see while out and about.

- Receive a building or repair tip from an expert? - Yes. I look forward to building a kit and then one day build from scratch with locally harvested wood.
Anyone want some Indiana Black Walnut?? I go to look it over this weekend. I will likely split it and see how it looks. PM me and I will let you know what I find out.
- Traded posts with someone you thought was famous? - Isn't every who plays a mandolin famous?

- Spit your coffee or coke onto the keyboard over something you read? No. Just laughed pretty hard reading that others have done so. :-)


- Had your opinion on an instrument altered as a result of what you read here? - Yes. In a conversation today I knew what to tell a man when asked about a certain brand of mandolin. Interesting enough. The conversation started due to a MandolinCafe sticker on the back of my truck.
- Enjoyed introducing yourself to others here? - Met a fellow MC member at the NewGrass Festival. Kinda cool.

- Asked for advice about something troubling you? - Pick question. Great feedback!!

- Made fun of Mike Edgerton (checking if he reads this) - If you can't say nuthin nice don't say nuthin at all. (Unless of course it is about a banjo or it's player. :-p)

- Got to show off your new YouTube video? - I hope to soon when I get a new PC with a web cam. More importantly, when I learn a song well enough to make me feel confident that I will not look like Mr. Fumble Fingers.
- Learned a new tune here? - Got links to the site where I now can get tab. VERY cool.

Thanks to all the moderators and Scott for building and overseeing a great place to wind down after a long day.

[Shane Halloran]

I try at least once a day to browse through here, and while a beginner I keep looking for ideas and always check for tips and tricks that may help me. I put my hand in pocket and gave a few bucks too

[jimkend]

Jeez, I've bought and sold mandolins, researched and learned tons of stuff. I've found help in making buying decisions, like what pickup to get. Playing tips. Listening tips. New tunes to learn tips. It's my #1 mando porn site! Keep up the great work.

[MikeEdgerton]

Mike does play the banjo now and then, don't tell anyone

[Bertram Henze]

Yes to several of the questions, glad to give.