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Post by howard lee on Oct 4, 2023 5:14:23 GMT -5
Good morning. I woke up about an hour ago and tried to sleep some more. No dice. I will be off from work all this week for the holiday, so I thought it would be a good time to take a brief trip and meet another friend I hadn't met previously.
Yesterday I arrived in the small North Carolina town of Elkin, where I am visiting luthier Ken Hooper, who is doing some work on my Hooper D-28. The guitar was built in 2013, and I am the third owner. Ken is replacing a chipped pickguard and giving the guitar its 50,000-mile checkup. He seems pleased with the condition and setup of the guitar, which is dialed-in perfectly for me. Ken is a super nice fellow with a small but quite efficient workshop out behind the house. His wife came down to say hello, and you won't meet a friendlier, nicer person—except maybe for LJ's wife.
Photograph by Robin Hooper
Not too many interesting food choices in the area, but I have been promised a trip to a good barbecue place this evening. Since Waffle House never made it as far north as New York, and there's one right across the road, my daughter insisted I go there for breakfast today and "take selfies and send them to me." Always up for a culinary adventure. And it's still summer here.
Have a good day, everyone.
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Post by millring on Oct 4, 2023 5:35:58 GMT -5
Land of Mayberry RFD.
Social media makes for puzzling interpersonal navigation. We "meet" people and even form something similar to friendships. It's not really friendship. We're not there for them, nor they for us. If we have a flat out on the road or a leaky pipe or a family needs a meal or two, social media isn't where you go. And, ironically, if the principle/only friendships you're cultivating are on line, there's a chance you're neglecting the very relationships with whom you should be building such social capital.
But I perhaps feel the awkwardness the most when facing the tragedies that befall media friends. It's then that I feel the inadequacies of an emoji, or a "best wishes" response to life-changing events (I can't help but notice that the inadequacies of such responses is made ever moreso by the fact that we don't even write our offerings of sympathy in full sentences. Would it be that much harder to say "I am thinking of you at this difficult time." than the usual "thinking of you"?)
But I get it. The truncated response is a tacit acknowledgement of the depth of the friendship. We save our full sentences for our full friends. We write "thinking of you" to our social media friends. To do more would be presumptuous (if you're a Midwesterner) or all that you deserve (if you're an East Coaster). Writing more to someone who you don't really know is awkward.
And so we settle for "thinking of you". It's the merest mosquito bite of a sentiment, but we can't say nothing. That would be wrong too.
It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world.
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Post by howard lee on Oct 4, 2023 5:59:09 GMT -5
I agree with your point, John. I also believe that it is quite possible to entertain long-distance friendships despite the fact that we can't "be there" for those people. And yes—it IS awkward to write something like "thinking of you" to a social media friend far away when there isn't much more we can do. But under the circumstances, that's all we can do, and I think most people understand—at least—that the kindness is intended, in the age of the Internet (well, a lot of us, anyway).
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Post by John B on Oct 4, 2023 6:54:07 GMT -5
Land of Mayberry RFD. Social media makes for puzzling interpersonal navigation. We "meet" people and even form something similar to friendships. It's not really friendship. We're not there for them, nor they for us. If we have a flat out on the road or a leaky pipe or a family needs a meal or two, social media isn't where you go. Social media relationships are LITERALLY where I turn for car repair. (I actually totally agree with your post, John, but I thought it was funny that this is a photo of the first time we met in person)
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Post by Cornflake on Oct 4, 2023 7:35:55 GMT -5
Good morning, folks. As I mentioned yesterday, I'm back from my reunion of old friends in Oregon. I didn't need to recover from the reunion, which was terrific, but I did need to recover from the travel. Airplanes are spiffed-up sardine cans. A good night's sleep probably put it behind me.
John's post is thought-provoking, particularly since I just spent several days with "real-life" friends. Two of the people I was with have medical problems that keep them in constant pain. Three of them have lost spouses, which results in a different kind of pain. There's nothing adequate to say about such things even with long-time, real-life friends. At least I couldn't find adequate words. As Howard suggests, you let them know you care. That's all that you can do.
I was also conscious of the fact that there's a lot I don't know about the people I've known longest and best. There's a lot about me that they don't know. That's as it should be. I don't think any of us want to be an open book to those around us.
Mainly, though, the Diamondbacks won. Enjoy your day.
Wordle 837 3/6
🟩⬜⬜🟩⬜ 🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Post by drlj on Oct 4, 2023 7:55:12 GMT -5
Up & ready for breakfast. I will comment(that’s probably not true) on all that “friendship/discovery that someone isn’t a friend” stuff after a cup of coffee and something to eat. Well, I will have some coffee anyway.
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Post by Marshall on Oct 4, 2023 7:58:31 GMT -5
Since Waffle House never made it as far north as New York, and there's one right across the road, my daughter insisted I go there for breakfast today and "take selfies and send them to me." A musical friend of mine wrote a song "D'Lila." The opening lines are: "I met her in a Waffle House. She was wearing a see-through blouse."
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Post by Marshall on Oct 4, 2023 8:10:18 GMT -5
Land of Mayberry RFD. Social media makes for puzzling interpersonal navigation. We "meet" people and even form something similar to friendships. It's not really friendship. We're not there for them, nor they for us. Yes and no. In online friendships we share more of our personal thoughts than we do with most people we physically meet. Yes, the lack of proximity makes it hard to lend a helping hand in difficult times. But the depth of sharing enriches our lives in ways that normal interaction doesn't seem to do. Maybe by drilling down in areas of common interest, we form bonds with people that we wouldn't form in real time face-to-face. Is it better than real time? No. But it's very worth while. I remember getting together at a concert with Chicago Bob and Robbie Joe with our spouses after we had taken our first trip together to Kansas City. Sue was amazed at how much we knew about each other and how close we were. She said it was like we grew up together, instead of spent a weekend together. Of course there was a "real" component to our relationship. And I suppose that's an important component to this whole thing. I know for a fact that I "hear" your voices in my head, for those I have met, when I read your words.
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Post by Marty on Oct 4, 2023 8:26:27 GMT -5
Good morning
56F-68F partly cloudy.
Our little park across the street, since 1886, is has a dozen raised garden plots that people can apply for every Spring, he girls got one once and planted flowers. There is a large shed for the water hose and tools that go with a plot. A Keeper who has the keys and unlocks the shed on certain days. The park also has some very large trees and several are ready to come down. One for certain will crush the shed if it falls. So yesterday 3 trucks, 2 cranes and 7 guys show up to take down those dead trees. They start by topping the trees upper limbs and right off the bat drop the thing on the shed, new roof time. They got the topping done with just the main trunk still standing but not before dropping another limb on the poor shed. They will be back today to finish that tree and start on an even larger one. That one overhangs the garage of the house next to the park. I think I'll have my lunch on the front porch and watch the show from a safe distance.
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Post by Hobson on Oct 4, 2023 8:27:02 GMT -5
I don't know, I can't be there for my real life friends even if they're only a hundred miles away. And I do have some who are that close and going through serious health problems. At the Soundhole we're all musicians, which gives us not just that in common, but probably some other traits too.
I had my third eye injection yesterday. The damage from AMD won't go away, but there is some improvement. I still have floaters this morning from the injection, but can probably drive myself to the orthodontist later this morning. By this afternoon I'll be able to drive Mr. H to his ENT appointment, which is halfway across town in bad traffic, which is not the kind of driving that he does anymore. Meanwhile, the roofing guy is supposed to be showing up at 7:00 AM to finally replace the skylight in our atrium. We have been waiting for 2 1/2 months with various excuses and postponements. Is it real this time? Not until he's on the roof making some noise.
Starting out at 60F this morning. I may be wearing long pants when we do our walk, whenever we can manage to squeeze that in.
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Post by Hobson on Oct 4, 2023 10:02:51 GMT -5
Wonder of wonders. The old experienced roofing guy and his young helper showed up at 7:10 AM.
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Oct 4, 2023 10:04:13 GMT -5
Up at em. The wife is coming down with a cold. We think. She has tested twice and so far she is negative for Covid. No fever, just congestion. So far. Fingers crossed.
I’m still nursing my wounded knee, it’s slooooooly getting better, I think. New tires on the truck tomorrow, Costco has Michelins on sale.
Played Cocaine blues on the Collings with dead strings last night, guitar still sounds good though I really should change them.
Mike Wordle 837 4/6
🟩🟨⬜🟩⬜ 🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩 🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Post by Hobson on Oct 4, 2023 10:10:27 GMT -5
Forgot to mention that younger daughter and her family are all positive for COVID for what I think is the third time.
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Post by theevan on Oct 4, 2023 10:13:39 GMT -5
And we are fully recovered from our New England journey. Got a super fare to Portland ME. Rented a car and met my dear friend Bruce in Oakland ME. Bruce lives in Grand Lake CO but his dad and others live in ME, where he partly grew up. Anyway we followed him out to the cabin on the "pond". (1200 acre lake!!) Stayed 2 glorious days there. Looked exactly like On Golden Pond.
We bid Bruce adieu and drove into New Hampshire and navigated the Kankamangus Hwy, one of America's great drives. I'll have to say NH was the prettiest of the 4 places. And northern NH is deeeep MAGA country.
On into Quebec, stayed in our fave BnB of all time: Ranch St. Hubert in Sant-Hermenegilde QC. What an incredibly gorgeous area. Reminded us of Switzerland's Emmental Valley.
Next day drove into Vermont and met a church friend for lunch above Stowe at the Trapp Family Lodge. (Nice property!)
After a look-see in Woodstock VT, it was back into NH for an overnight in the Sunapee area.
Last day we moseyed back to Portland.
Took a few days to recover.
Lobster rolls are garbage. Overpriced bland garbage.
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Post by Shannon on Oct 4, 2023 10:38:47 GMT -5
Hi, everyone. I haven't been around much lately due to the busy schedule at work. Not much to report, but I am well.
Honestly, I consider most of y'all as real friends, even if we haven't physically met yet. There are limitations to our interactions, sure, but the affection I feel for you is real. Just my 2 cents.
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Post by Village Idiot on Oct 4, 2023 11:03:43 GMT -5
I have to agree with Shannon. On the friendship part, and also the been busy part.
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Post by coachdoc on Oct 4, 2023 11:29:52 GMT -5
Up at em. The wife is coming down with a cold. We think. She has tested twice and so far she is negative for Covid. No fever, just congestion. So far. Fingers crossed. I’m still nursing my wounded knee, it’s slooooooly getting better, I think. New tires on the truck tomorrow, Costco has Michelins on sale. Played Cocaine blues on the Collings with dead strings last night, guitar still sounds good though I really should change them. Mike Wordle 837 4/6 🟩🟨⬜🟩⬜ 🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩 🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 The Van Ronk or Clapton?
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Oct 4, 2023 11:32:43 GMT -5
Van Ronk.
Mike
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Post by theevan on Oct 4, 2023 11:40:59 GMT -5
I have to agree with Shannon. On the friendship part, and also the been busy part. Some folks 'round these parts would say "I been bein' busy"
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Post by billhammond on Oct 4, 2023 12:40:13 GMT -5
And we are fully recovered from our New England journey. Got a super fare to Portland ME. Rented a car and met my dear friend Bruce in Oakland ME. Bruce lives in Grand Lake CO but his dad and others live in ME, where he partly grew up. Anyway we followed him out to the cabin on the "pond". (1200 acre lake!!) Stayed 2 glorious days there. Looked exactly like On Golden Pond. We bid Bruce adieu and drove into New Hampshire and navigated the Kankamangus Hwy, one of America's great drives. I'll have to say NH was the prettiest of the 4 places. And northern NH is deeeep MAGA country. On into Quebec, stayed in our fave BnB of all time: Ranch St. Hubert in Sant-Hermenegilde QC. What an incredibly gorgeous area. Reminded us of Switzerland's Emmental Valley. Next day drove into Vermont and met a church friend for lunch above Stowe at the Trapp Family Lodge. (Nice property!) After a look-see in Woodstock VT, it was back into NH for an overnight in the Sunapee area. Last day we moseyed back to Portland. Took a few days to recover. Lobster rolls are garbage. Overpriced bland garbage. Sounds like a fantastic trip, Evan! I love that part of the country. And I'm no fan of lobster rolls, either -- why cover up that wonderful, delicate flavor with mayo and dump it into a loaf of bread? I think a lot of Asian dishes do right by lobster. When I was stationed in Newport, R.I., I would occasionally make a payday splurge and order shrimp in lobster sauce at a downtown Chinese place. Man, was that great, and I've never seen anything like its brown sauce, studded with lobster bits, anywhere else.
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