I'm a 48-year old music junkie, first and foremost, and my first experiences "surfing the 'net" were, naturally, centered around searches for my favorite artists. I didn't even know discussion lists existed when I got my computer, but I joined the Rust List (Neil Young), Van-L (the Van Morrison Discussion List), the Pat Metheny list (on which jazz, in general, is also discussed) and the JMDL - all on that same first day. I'm far more active on the others than on the JMDL, as they're far more "on topic" in terms of being music-based. Yet, a similar-but-different sense of community pervades each of them, and listers do get together for concerts and fests. In the case of Neil Young's fans, the big one is the annual International Rust Fest at Neil's Bridge School Benefit Concerts in Mountain View, CA. The Rusties camp out (or stay in nearby hotels), play music around the campfires all night ... all the same kinds of things I've read are done at the Joni Fests.
I've left this list and then returned, and I remain subscribed to the JMDL for the JC and the music-related NJC, because I'm interested in the musical tastes of Joni's fan base. As to which lister's birthday it is, and what I believe are the should-be-private posts which are sent to the list so that all can know how ______ the poster is (insert your choice of sensitive, caring, etc.), I gotta say it all gets a little too touchy-feely for me. As a matter of fact, I wish I could find a post I sent to the JMDL at a similar sniping-turned-self-examination point a year or two ago. I think I titled it "The JMDL (a lurker's perspective"). Me and, I think, Julius (?) went a couple of rounds because of it, but I also got a fair amount of off-list mail - some from very surprising quarters - which agreed with me. I remember I wrote that it would be interesting to see a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's "Lifeboat" starring the members of the JMDL. (Murphy laughed, I recall.) :-) My point was that much of the professed "love" between listers is/was delusional and/or insincere, and that it vanishes when the rubber hits the road. So, I say ... save your love for your families and your significant others, and for those JMDLers you really do get to know well in the flesh and come to love. Then, profess that love off-list, where the sentiment really means something, and is not for public show. Instead, let's talk music! If not Joni's all the time, there's a world of other artists' music we can discuss. How 'bout we throw Jewel to the wolves? Best, Jim
