From: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org (alloy-digest) To: alloy-digest@smoe.org Subject: alloy-digest V3 #111 Reply-To: alloy@smoe.org Sender: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "alloy-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. alloy-digest Sunday, April 26 1998 Volume 03 : Number 111 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: Alloy: Ramblings.. [Eclipse ] Re: Alloy: An apology. [Eclipse ] Re: Alloy: Fwd: Announcing: lilith-fair-fans list on smoe.org [Chris Crac] Alloy: Dragons don't always ["Stephen M. Tilson" ] Alloy: Zoinks [DAbbitt32 ] Re: Alloy: Zoinks [Keith Dawe ] Re: Alloy: Zoinks (around the world) [Keith Stansell ] Alloy: Dibbs Update (sort of) [Keith Stansell ] Re: Alloy: Dragons don't always [IT Admin - Govt Office North West Subject: Re: Alloy: Ramblings.. IT Admin - Govt Office North West wrote: > Paul Bailey has reminded us on occasion (Christmas and New Year, for > example) that we need to keep a sense of perspective. There are a lot more > important things to get riled about than whether you agree with some critic > about Jewel's guitar prowess. > > While I've been off work for the last few days I've seen more news > broadcasts than I usually do, and am distressed to see that there's another > crisis emerging in a civil-war-torn African country. Food aid is > desperately needed, but the government is restricting the number of aid > flights to some areas, purely for political reasons. Thousands of innocent > people are caught up in this and many will starve, but not because there > isn't the will or skill to do something about it. 'Ethnic cleansing' is > STILL taking place in some parts of former Yugoslavia. I could go on, but > most of you have probably seen these reports, and more. I've been studying geography, history (mostly US, muchly recent), government and some current event sorts of things lately--topics I have previously neglected, as grade school experience rather turned me off to them. (Same for most forms of physical activity.. fortunately, I've come around to both of them) Some of what I've learned has been rather shocking, mostly it's stuff that I knew about but hadn't known was so bad, or knew about but had tried not to think about (there's plenty else to be depressed over).. It has been a constant 'reality check'... not so much as a "I shouldn't complain, I've got a great life" sort of reality check (I knew that already) as a "Well damnit, I'm -going- to get involved and I'm -going- to do something that makes a difference" sort of reality check--I'm thinking about that sort of thing more, lately. Without letting it get to me enough that it really depresses me or hampers my ability to be happy/healthy/productive, since I have so many other things (friends, dreams, books, love, my education..) to keep that in perspective. Even so, it's overwhelming to think about. Or as the bumper sticker says, "If you're not outraged, you haven't been paying attention" > And then last night there was a program about the richest people in Britain, > some worth tens of millions, others a few billion. Most were self made > millionaires, one or two had inherited their wealth. Most had several > houses, many cars, race horses, planes, etc. etc. and have more personal > wealth than they could ever spend. > > I have difficulty reconciling such vast wealth on the one hand, with all the > poverty which still afflicts a very large part of the earth, on the other. > I'm not a communist, but it bothers me that more is not being done with this > 'spare' wealth. Me too. There are some ideas from communism that might be useful/praticable--there are some gaps between democracy and the free market as ideals and as practiced that might go a long way if filled. > This list is fun to belong to, and no disrespect to anyone, but that's > mostly all it is. Having said that, I've made some good friends in parts > of the globe that I would not have done if Alloy didn't exist, and I'd miss > you if I lost access to it. Well, I agree, but then, while it may not be a life-and-death important world-changing sort of thing, it's a medium for friendship and communication, which is at least one of the fundamental starting points for anything that is.. Stephen and Mary met here, friendships have been formed, people from around the globe have worked together on musical creations. It is fun. It might be a small part of something that's more than fun. Maybe not. It won't feed the starving kids in Africa... But we have all enjoyed it. > Reading all this waffle again before posting (as I usually do) I'm not > really sure what point I'm trying to make, other than to remind MYSELF to > keep a sense of perspective in all things. > > [Old fart ramble mode toggling OFF] > > Apologies for sounding off. Ah, well, I'm in a rambling mood tonight.. I think we agreed some weeks ago that sticking to Dolby as a topic wasn't completely necessary... and it's nice that the list has been quite active these past few days, which is much nicer than those weeks of near silence preceding, I think. -- E(lipse ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 01:02:09 -0700 From: Eclipse Subject: Re: Alloy: An apology. A well intentioned "me too" post: Robyn Moore wrote: > > At 11:08 AM 4/24/98 -0400, you wrote: > > >I guess it's a rough week all around (anyone know if the planets are/were in > >some sort of misalignment?). My wife and partner of eight years and I > decided > >(very amicably) to separate and divorce three days ago. It was a difficult > >and painful decision, though it fosters growth in both of us. I guess what > >I'm trying to say is it's a good thing to sometimes take a step back and > >examine how important an issue is before responding to it emotionally, > >especially when reacting to the actions/words of others. > > I'm sorry to hear of your situation, and hope all goes well with you. Same here. My sincere best wishes for both of you. > It has been a very rough week. I've been fighting off a bout of > depression, Brigid was mysteriously sick all last night, and Kevin has to > work all weekend moving his office. (His dept is changing buildings.) In > talking to friends, I've disovered two have lost their jobs and another his > flat. (The landlord wanted to remodel for a more 'upscale' clientele.) > Apparently, this is one of those times when things are tough all over. Apparently so! I'm sorry to hear you & your friends had a bad week too. :( > >Paul, your apology is noted, accepted, forgiven, but unnecessary. We are > > all, after all, only human. > > I agree. :) Me too. :) Group hug! ;) MTCBWY & your Apple II -- E(lipse ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 01:46:57 -0400 (EDT) From: Chris Cracknell Subject: Re: Alloy: Fwd: Announcing: lilith-fair-fans list on smoe.org In article <199804231306.XAA12835@smople.thehub.com.au>, you wrote: >Hi y'all, > >Though I've not seen any messages here on LF, I thought I'd forward this >on behalf of one of Alloy's sister lists in case you're interested. Birds >of a feather'n'all... ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ Speaking of Lilith Fair... Just this past Tuesday I was in Toronto auditioning for an open spot... or to be more accurate I was playing accordion for a girl who was auditioning for an open spot. She didn't get it though. There were two open spots... or one open spot that everyone knew about and went there to compete for and one open spot that mysteriously opened up the night of the audition. The spots went to two Toronto acts. One was a girl who has a show on YTV which lead many people to believe the second open spot was created for her. The other sport went to this fantastic cajun band. They reminded me of the Magnolia Sisters. It was an interesting evening none the less. I ran into a friend of mine there and asked her if she was there to play. As it turned out she didn't even know about the audition. One of her friends was playing and asked her to come take pictures. So she took a picture of me standing up on the stage with a big "Lilith Fair" banner behind me. I joked that when she showed this picture to people they'll say, "Man! K.D. Lang has really let herself go." My friend was then later hit on by one of the lesbian performers and she said "Well, it's good to know that I can at least turn on the lesbians, that might come in handy if I can't start turning on the guys." Today I got another 15 minutes of fame. I played on a "Regis & Kathy Lee" clone TV show here in Hamilton and was interviewed. It never fails, everytime I'm interviewed they always ask me the one question I find more annoying than any other. "How do you write/come up with your songs." I can never answer this without sounding like an idiot. "I dunno... they just pop into my head and then I write them down on paper." Although the last time I was interviewed on a TV show the host asked me ahead of time what questions I wanted her to ask me (I hate this too). I said, "I dunno... ask me where babies come from." Thinking I was being rather flip. So I play a song then the interview starts and she says, "So Crackers, where do babies come from?" I was caught off guard and improved an answer for about 3 minuted using a number of hand motions to simulate the journey of sperm to ovum. It was whacky but it was actually the best interview I've ever had. I was being interviewed by a girl who looked 12 (although she was in her early 20s) and a puppet. Gotta love cable access shows. CRACKERS (burning up my 15 minutes from hell!!!) - -- Accordionist - Wethifl Musician - Atari 2600 Collector | /\/\ *NEW CrAB URL* http://www.hwcn.org/~ad329/crab.html ***| \^^/ Bira Bira Devotee - FES Member - Samurai Pizza Cats Fan| =\/= ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 08:49:22 -0400 From: "Stephen M. Tilson" Subject: Alloy: Dragons don't always But our wings can kick up dust if we're not careful . . . Greetings friends! I was really touched by the outpouring of support from Dave Abbit and E(lipse in defense of my ra-ther opinionated musings about artistry recently. Dave, your post touched me and put a giggle in my heart. Thank you for the acknowledgement and praise. E(lipse, what can I say, O' most exceptional one? Your delineation of recent events has put me in awe of your wisdom and scintillating mind. You are so far *not* off base in your ramblings and ruminations; I can only wonder and marvel at what the future holds for one of your caliber. Please allow me to opine that Turquoise is one very lucky man, as you are a jewel beyond compare. And Paul, dear Paul, after picking my jaw back up off my chest, and suffering a sprained finger by preventing it from stabbing at the "reply" button, I realized that you had understandably mistook the tone and intent of my post, "Defending "Saint" Joan." This is undeniably partly my fault: I have a notable predilection for avoiding, at all costs, emoticons and other informal "mood-flags" such as in my writing. If I weren't such a fuss-budget and old-school fuddy-duddy I wouldn't have this unnecessary obsession with keeping my language "straight." So when I wrote: > I was quite offended by that as I can play rings around that > girl, and yet I totally suck. Maybe I'm just not sucking in the > right places. I was making a joke. My intent was humorous, but it didn't come off that way, eh? I can taste my bitterness about the music business in that `joke', and it took the tone of my message potentially in a direction I could have avoided had I been a little less conservative in my use of e-language. However, my posting was in no way intended as a personal attack, as I am sure you belatedly realized. I regret not including Dabb in my "most respected and admired" categorization of Elaine. (Damn! Wish she were around to see all this.) I certainly meant to, but I was also trying to keep it brief. "Defending "Saint" Joan" was composed over two or three days and withstood many editings with the gracious assistance of our dear Europa. I even had a dream involving elements of the message which prompted me to finish and send it. I was compelled to stand up for Joan, and give her my nod as honest and worthy of the adulation she has received. So, after closing my mouth and bandaging my subluxated digit I realized that this was really a blessed occurrence, and that we would *all* be drawn closer by it. It is ok to bitch out your friends, because with them you are safe. Here I am, further convinced that Alloy is a Very Special Group Of People, and that there is more than mere friendship among us. I bask in it. It makes me laugh, impels me to cry, causes me to become upset, and soothes my aching heart. Alloy, and all that it represents, is a treasure to me. Apology accepted! :-) Gee, I guess there really is A Spirit Here That Won't Be Broken. One last note: Dabb, my heart really goes out to you in the passing of this marriage. It's a place I am quite familiar with, and it is painful no matter how much the parties are in agreement as to the dissolution's appropriateness. May I be supportive in some way? And E(lipse, I've lost so many close pets, many in violent circumstances; I hope your family grieves but briefly. Finally Beth, Mary reminds us that no one has their tombstone engraved, "I wish I spent more time at the office." Colorado is beautiful, and just think: No more Barbra Streisand, ever! With love and cheer, Stephen ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 07:42:02 -0700 (PDT) From: "Charles E. Kemp" Subject: Re: Alloy: Dragons don't always /\/\iles spake unto them saying thusly: > and just think: No more Barbra Streisand, ever! Oh no, here we go again... :) This message powered by Pet Shop Boys' "Can You Forgive Her?" and a sense of relief /\/\iles didn't say Liza Minelli. ****** Charles E. Kemp ****** cekemp@netcom.com ****** (812) 597-5950 ****** Just for the sake of it make sure you're always frowning, it shows the world that you've got substance and depth. - Neil Tennant ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 03:00:51 EDT From: DAbbitt32 Subject: Alloy: Zoinks Truly, you are all too wonderful for words. What an incredible feeling to know that so many are thinking about and caring for you when you need it most, especially considering I've not had the pleasure of meeting any of you face to face. This brings me to my next point... I'm considering a trip abroad sometime in June, perhaps early July. As I've never been outside of the continental U.S. and am desperately in need of some culturing, a trip to Europe is what I'm favoring (or is it 'favouring', for those of you across the pond ;-D). I know that many members of the Alloy list are in England and was wondering if any of you might be interested in a gathering sometime this Summer with one of your American counterparts? Perhaps some of my fellow Ameralloyites might want to join us as well? Now, continuing .... In a message dated 4/24/98 8:57:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time, gt9020a@prism.gatech.edu writes: << So basically, I'vebeen struggling between the possibility of becoming well-known in a small area and seriously wealthy (maybe!) but keeping the marriage somewhat on the back burner -- vs. the probability of being nicely paid with time for Mark and a family in a great place, but living more modestly and anonymously. I know, you're probably thinking, what the heck does THIS have to do with anything? >> Actually, no, I wasn't wondering that at all. You raise a wonderful question and I'm so happy that you're carefully examing your choices. Whatever it is you choose to do, I'm sure it'll be right for you! Good luck! - -Dabbitt ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 12:33:18 -0400 (EDT) From: Keith Dawe Subject: Re: Alloy: Zoinks On Sat, 25 Apr 1998, DAbbitt32 wrote: > culturing, a trip to Europe is what I'm favoring (or is it 'favouring', for > those of you across the pond ;-D). I know that many members of the Alloy list Actually, we also say that up north in Canada. :) Favor is an exclusively 'yankee' spelling. ;) But why travel across the pond when there are fans around this great contintent? And there's always Australia, too! If you get a chance to travel even a short distance be sure to give local fans a buzz. - --Omega ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 15:55:30 -0600 From: Keith Stansell Subject: Re: Alloy: Zoinks (around the world) I must say that this is one of the great things about Alloy. I feel that if I should find myself in one of several locations around the planet, I have friends to visit. My personal experiences have shown that whenever Alloy members get together, a good time will be had. I highly recommend it. Keith Stansell Denver, CO __________________________________________________ http://www.concentric.net/~kasman Keith Dawe wrote: > But why travel across the pond when there are fans around this > great contintent? And there's always Australia, too! If you get a > chance to travel even a short distance be sure to give local fans a buzz. > > --Omega - -- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 16:04:43 -0600 From: Keith Stansell Subject: Alloy: Dibbs Update (sort of) Just wanted everyone to know I've made a significant step toward my contribution to the birthday tape. I just purchased a Midisoft midi keyboard which includes Studio software. Now I must lean to play it. What were the lyrics on "Wreck of the Fairchild" again? Aside to JaMAC: Sorry, I didn't respond to your mail about singing on "Beauty of a Dream". I understand why you'd want to sing it yourself. I was just hoping... ;) I'll gladly contribute any extra vocals you may wish. I'll get in touch with you when/if I am ready for some guitar on my attempt at WOTF. Now time to power down and hook up the cables to my computer. Wish me luck with this new device. Any suggestions or help with working with MIDI gladly accepted. Also, anyone know about release dates for the Windows 98 (thinking ahead) version of the Beatnik Editor. I'd love to try to do my contribution in RMF. Keith Stansell Denver, CO __________________________________________________ http://www.concentric.net/~kasman ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 01:13:48 +0100 (BST) From: IT Admin - Govt Office North West Subject: Re: Alloy: Dragons don't always At 07:42 25/04/98 -0700, Charles wrote: > > >/\/\iles spake unto them saying thusly: > >> and just think: No more Barbra Streisand, ever! > >Oh no, here we go again... :) > Um, I think I need an explanation. WHY can't Ms Streisand be heard in Colorado? Is she public enemy no.1? Slarv ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 01:13:44 +0100 (BST) From: IT Admin - Govt Office North West Subject: Re: Alloy: Dibbs Update (sort of) At 16:04 25/04/98 -0600, Keith wrote: > >Just wanted everyone to know I've made a significant step toward my contribution >to the birthday tape. I just purchased a Midisoft midi keyboard which includes >Studio software. > >Now I must lean to play it. > ^^^^ Wow, is that part of the TECHNIQUE recommended in the User Guide? Weird!! (Sorry, Keith, I just couldn't resist that one.) Slarvibarglean ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 01:13:46 +0100 (BST) From: IT Admin - Govt Office North West Subject: Re: Alloy: Zoinks At 03:00 25/04/98 EDT, DAbbitt32 wrote: > >I'm considering a trip abroad sometime in June, perhaps early July. As I've >never been outside of the continental U.S. and am desperately in need of some >culturing, a trip to Europe is what I'm favoring If you must, but Europe does not necessarily equal culture. We spawned The Spice Girls, remember, and a whole load of unspeakable French singers (according to John Hanson)..... Hmmmmm, but to counter this, we gave you THOMAS DOLBY .... yep, we must be cultured after all. > I know that many members of the Alloy list are in England Not THAT many. There's Lem in London, the_copse somewhere in the midlands, Neil Leacy in Shropshire (but he unsubscribed a while ago because of work pressures), John Hanson is in France, Lissu is in the Scandinavian wastes, and I am in Manchester, of course. So, only four in England, unless there are any lurkers we haven't heard from. >and was wondering if any of you might be interested in a >gathering sometime this Summer with one of your American counterparts? >Perhaps some of my fellow Ameralloyites might want to join us as well? > Could be tricky to arrange. It depends on which bit of our sceptic ... sorry, that should be 'sceptered,' isle you're planning on visiting, and when. But anything's possible. Slarv ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Apr 1998 00:10:48 -0400 From: "Stephen M. Tilson" Subject: Alloy: Streisand the Dragonlady Slarvi, A number of years ago Ms. Streisand boycotted the state of Colorado for having laws that were not "alternate-lifestyle" friendly. Those laws have changed, and so once again the fair people of the mile-high city can be lulled by the yentle strains of Bab's cloying repertoire. >> and just think: No more Barbra Streisand, ever! is also a reference to an episode of a new animated comedy that has become ragingly popular Stateside about four little kids growing up in a small Colorado town, South Park (the name of the show). Ok, I'll try to explain as best my failing memory allows . . . In this episode Barbara Streisand comes to South Park to retrieve a magic amulet that one of our protagonists has discovered in the mountains. Because she is evil (this is TV, ok everybody?) she steals the artifact, completing a quest of years, so she can become MEGA-BABRA a godzilla-like metal clad creature that proceeds to demolish the fair hamlet of South Park. To shorten things up a bit, it turns out Robert Smith (yes, The Cure) comes to South Park where he becomes GAMERA and defeats MEGA-BABRA for the good of all mankind. Yaaay Robert! Robert Smith Saves The World!!! It is at this point, the end of our 30 minute fantasy, that one kid says to another, `Wow, dude! That was cool. No more Barbra Streisand forever!!!" Thus, /\/\. ------------------------------ End of alloy-digest V3 #111 ***************************