What do you REALLY get out of this site?

[Scott Tichenor]

I wrote down this list below to see if any of you have ever experienced at least one of these during a visit here:

Have you ever:

- Made a new friend here?
- Read something that made you laugh?
- Learned about a new artist you now dig?
- Had someone share a piece of written music with you?
- Been warned about a fraudulent eBay or Craig's List auction you were interested in?
- Received a kind word from someone that made your day?
- Killed some time while at work when you most needed it? (be honest...)
- Marry someone you met online here (yes, we have one couple we know of!)
- Discover something interesting about instrument history?
- Hear about a festival, jam session or concert you attended?
- Looked at the Girls with Mandolins thread multiple times a day?
- Drool over someone else's new purchase?
- Make a wise purchase based on someone's recommendation?
- Sell something on the Cafe's Classifieds?
- Learn a cool new theory trick from one of our many pros?
- Enjoyed the haiku thread?
- Dreamed of a BRW?
- Show off your new purchase?
- Purchase a set of strings based on a recommendation and they're now your favorite?
- Find out some history about an old mandolin you own?
- Receive a building or repair tip from an expert?
- Traded posts with someone you thought was famous?
- Gain an appreciation for a type of music you normally hadn't paid attention to?
- See an event promoted that you are hosting or are helping with?
- Spit your coffee or coke onto the keyboard over something you read?
- Read a good joke?
- Learned how to navigate the web a little better by using this forum?
- Participated in a social group?
- Caught up on the latest events on the calendar?
- Uploaded multiple avatars until you got just the right one?
- Had your opinion on an instrument altered as a result of what you read here?
- Talked to a luthier or representative of a company that manufactures mandolin products?
- Enjoyed introducing yourself to others here?
- Asked for advice about something troubling you?
- Had someone critique your playing and it helped?
- Made fun of Mike Edgerton (checking if he reads this)
- Got to show off your new YouTube video?
- Learned a new tune here?
- Decided to learn how to read music from encouragement of others?

This is provided to you free of charge. We rarely ask for anything in return but civility, but today I'm making an exception by asking for a modest donation to a good cause - the California Bluegrass Association Scholarship Fund (go ahead, click the link and donate--it won't hurt a bit and you'll actually feel better when you do).

We have a goal of raising $1,500 for this fund, the monies will go to low income kids wishing to attend the mandolin portion of CBA's winter camp. There's a waiting list right now. They'll get to rub shoulders with Roland White, John Reischman and Dix Bruce. How cool is that? We're almost half way, and 150 people donating $5 would get us there and we'd be done.

$5 represents less than 2 cups of designer coffee, most sets of mandolin strings, and probably less than what many of you spent on lunch today if you dined out.

I hope you'll stop and read that list above and ask yourself if it's worth rewarding others--in ways you've been rewarded yourself--with a modest contribution towards this scholarship fund. Any amount is appreciated, and it will all end up supporting something we all agree is a great way to spent your time.

[Bill James]

Hmm..nope, I can't say I've ever shared any of those experiences. Especially not this one:

"Looked at the Girls with Mandolins thread multiple times a day?"


Oh well...can I still donate?

[MikeEdgerton]

[catmandu2]

Umm...no, not really. None of the above.



But a little more seriously...being a poor musician (no, really...I only have a dime if my wife gives me one), I'm unable to donate at this time. But this site certainly has value. For example, it allows me to idle away my time that could otherwise be spent doing chores -- (a passive-aggressive response toward my wife's financial controlling...I didn't see this one on the list? )

[Skip Kelley]

I've had a lot of laughs, learned alot, sold some stuff, mandolins, bought some stuff and most importantly of all, made some friends! There is alot of really great people here!

[farmerjones]

i say we try to break the record for the last time Scott posted like this.
Did you set your timer T?

always always glad to give back

[Barb Friedland]

I am happy to be able to help with this effort. And what I get out of this site? Friends, help, inspiration and much more...

[dj coffey]

I donated. I can't calculate how much value I've received from this site and all the fine people inhabiting it over the four years I've been a mandolinist!

[Randolph]

Feeble geezer here, living on fixed income while attending graduate school. I have enjoyed this site for years and years. Sent in a donation and kicked in $5.00 for catmandu2 (in honor of his marriage, been there done that) as well.

[Gentleman Jim]

I think I hit on all of the items except get married. I'm doing my part.

I do not hang out anywhere else because I love it here. Thanks Scott and all who make this work.

[Mike Bromley]

Three hundred smackeroos to match yer opening bid, Poobah.

I've gotten TONS out, time to put some back in.

[Manfred Hacker]

Just sent my very modest contribution.

Scott, you forgot the following question:
'Have you ever submitted a post you are still embarrassed about?'

Yes, I have, but I have apologized through a personal message.

Thanks MC! Everything I know about the mandolin and playing I owe to the Cafe members. Being part of this has greatly enhanced my life over the past 3 years or so.

Manfred

[Denny Gies]

Two things, information and entertainment

[mandomonium]

You mean this isn't the Banjo Hangout.
No wonder I am so confused.

Scott,
Thanks for the great website and I hope my modest contribution will help some deserving kid.

[Charlieshafer]

Just donated. I love the site for ALL the reasons (save the marriage thing, already have that under control, or at least my wife's control) but more importantly, I love what the donation's for. We had Bearfoot run a bluegrass camp for kids at the concert series I run, and am thrilled with the number of kids who have kept playing. I also know what a stressful thing it can be raising the money to pull something like that off. Good job!

[catmandu2]

Originally Posted by Randolph

Sent in a donation and kicked in $5.00 for catmandu2 (in honor of his marriage, been there done that) as well.

Thank you, Randy! (My name happens to be Randolph, also..)

[CES]

Oooooh, Scott, you're killing me. My wife has a strict no solicitation policy...we say no, and in return we don't ask anyone to participate in the any of our kids' school fundraisers (we typically just buy whatever tickets they bring home and give them away, and then there's the wrapping paper, and Scouts, and sports teams). I may have to figure out something covert here...

[Scott Tichenor]

I'm updating that page as best I can. You'll be glad to know I have other responsibilities in life, like, it's my night to cook dinner. Lots of small donations rolling in, and a few large ones. That's the way I like it! You folks are the greatest.

[Magnus Geijer]

I'm in for a couple, which is nothing in perspective of what I get from the board.

If it wasn't for the the cafe I wouldn't be playing or building any more.

/Magnus

[Rob Gerety]

I'm in for a couple. I'm new around here but this is the best forum I have had the pleasure being involved with, bar none. Great job Scott.

[Dave Weiss]

I'm in.
Scott, thanks for a great site.

[Steve-o]

Count me in too. It's a good cause, and I appreciate all you've done for us Scott.

[BlueMt.]

Great site and a worthy cause, count me in.

[wadeyankey]

I threw a couple in the hat, though as much time as I spend hanging around here it should probably be more. Got a couple gigs this weekend, I'll try to make a second contribution. Thanks to everyone who keeps it going.

[Philphool]

Me too. Thanks Scott.