Scott
This is SO beautiful. It's truly amazing to me how one minute there are
flames licking at us and the next we get such eloquent heartfelt posts from
the likes of you and Cassy today. I was really sad at some of the recent
posts and angered that they get twisted into such an evil way. I can only
echo your hopes and pleas and pray that my dear friend heals from this and
return at least to the ones who really appreciate her friendship and love
her so much. I also pray that everyone learn to respect each other and
rejoice in our differences instead of locking and loading. Just this past
week Kakki offered me her apartment to stay in if I went to attend my friend
Trisha's memorial. When she found out where the memorial was gonna be held
(very near her folks house) she offered me that option as well. Unfortunatly
finances and my obligation to family (Mikey's Birthday tomorrow), I decided
to resist my heart and not go. I have seen Kakki offer this hospitality to
lots of folks passing thru LA, without hesitation and is a wonderful hostess
to all JMDL folk passing by. This is so sad. I think maybe Les was right, we
all should just unplug these damn computers for the weekend.
Love
Paz
NP-If You Could Only See-Tonic(the acoustic version)
on 3/24/01 5:44 PM, Scott Price at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> It starts with a web search. "Joni Mitchell." You sift through the hits and
> before long find the Mecca. Joni-Mitchell-dot-com and JMDL-dot-com. You
> have followed her career, every step and every song, for decades. It's a
> glorious discovery...there are others out there who truly appreciate her
> art. Kindred spirits who "get her."
>
> You lurk for a while and one day take the plunge. You wonder how you will
> be received after that first post, and check your e-mail constantly for a
> while, hoping that response(s) will be positive.
>
> A few exchanges begin, on-list and off. Friendships are born. Siquomb is
> spoken. Life is good!
>
> You develop relationships. With the list, with individual listers. Checking
> for "new mail" becomes fun and important to you. You open up more, and in
> so doing, find that not everyone is nice. You learn that this "community"
> has its share of dysfunction, and if you're a contributor to the list,
> eventually you're going to take some heat.
>
> But your love of Joni's craft is unwavering and you are by nature an open
> and generous person. You couldn't change these personality traits even if
> you wanted. You could lurk, or you could toss it in, but you have so much
> to give, so you stay. And you become a very visible and revered member of
> the community.
>
> Years pass. Concerts, fests large and small, tapings, exhibits. Fate is
> kind. You share the experiences. By default you become a ringleader. And
> you're damn good at it. Serendipity puts you in the right places at the
> right times, and you warmly and skillfully report back to the community so
> that we who are interested may live vicariously through your "real life"
> Joni encounters.
>
> Despite all your contributions, skirmishes develop. Unwarranted personal
> attacks lead to despair. You put so much into the group and would go
> forever without so much as a "thank you" but it's worse than that...a lack
> of acknowledgement would be OK, but the skewering...for what reason? What
> did you do to deserve this?
>
> I don't blame you for leaving. I've gone away before myself a time or two.
> But each time I return it's with a more jaded view. Nobody would lament
> that for me, but for you...ahh...you're different. You represented so much.
> You were the ideal JMDLer. And now you're gone, perhaps never to return.
>
> It is with much sadness that I announce to the list that Kakki has left
> this "community." She departed with her customary grace and without
> fanfare. She's not pining, she's not sulking, and she doesn't know I'm
> writing this. In fact she is spending the weekend taking care of her
> elderly father. But she's withdrawn from the JMDL, and I thought the list
> should know that. I want you to consider, prior to the next time you
> exercise your right to "free speech" and post away with insulting and
> insensitive words, that if we really want this discussion group to be a
> place we're proud of, we've got to consider how our posts can impact
> others. Please use temperance the next time you put a name or a label on
> someone. That isn't preaching, BTW...it's a plea.
>
> What does a particular Joni song or album mean to you? A question for the
> ages. Tonight I'll put on her favorite, "For The Roses." I'll listen to the
> music and I'll think of what we've lost. I'll hope that her memories of
> time spent here will be of the good times, not the bad. I'll remember how
> much she has enriched my own experience, and give thanks. A martini glass
> will be raised, the ice cold elixir savored, with one simple thought: baby,
> this one's for you.
>
> Scott
