Hmmm, rather quiet this morning...

...so I feel it's time for one of our little chats. I'd
tell you of my exciting weekend if only I'd had one. Sadly,
it held nothing of note - or at least nothing in which
you'd be interested. So instead I've given some thought to
'why I'm here'.

It's never really bothered me, though I know it's a source
of frustration to some. After, oh, at least ten minutes
considered thought, the best reason I can come up with for
my participation on rec.running is that it makes me feel
like I'm a character in a Tim Robbins film. If you're
familiar with his work this will need no further
explanation, and if you aren't then pop along to the local
video rental and prepare for a treat.

Damn, I'll give you the explanation anyway. Y'see the
diverse range of posters on rec.running - together with the
larger-than-life character attributes we all display -
contribute to a tale that kinda flows in a series of random
but linked (by the subject of running) stories that have no
beginning, end or purpose, other than their very existence.
These stories are, at the same time, both bizarre yet
grounded in reality. They teach real lessons, yet are acted
out by characters that display only a fraction of their real
personalities - indeed, some may be completely fictional.

The fact that most of you probably aren't *anything* like
the people you pretend to be only reinforces the theatrical
nature of Usenet. We volunteer to come on stage, play a
part, interact with the other characters, and leave the
floor when we feel we've 'done our bit'. We want the
audience to like us, yet we want to be true to our
character.

I love Usenet. I can take what I feel to be the best and
worst bits of 'me', place them into a persona and see where
'he' works and where 'he' fails. I can tell stories from
different parts of my life and have (horribly) honest
feedback. I'm told when I'm being boring, self-centred,
hypocritical, dull, repetetive, etc., without any of the
pain that would accompany such honesty in real life. And I
can do the same for/to others.

Like I said, being on Usenet is like being in a film that is
both real and imaginary. A film that has important things to
say and real lessons to teach, yet a film that's also pure
entertainment and can be viewed as such. Who was it who said
we're all actors on a stage...?

"np426z" <np426z@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:ccbffs$gok$1@titan.btinternet.com...
> the best reason I can come up with for my participation
> on rec.running is that it makes me feel like I'm a
> character in a Tim Robbins film. If you're familiar with
> his work this will need no further explanation, and if
> you aren't then pop along to the local video rental and
> prepare for a treat.

I think I do need further explanation--are we talking Andy
Dufresne, or Erik the Viking?

> So instead I've given some thought to 'why I'm here'.

You were feeling whimsical.

> After, oh, at least ten minutes considered thought, the
> best reason I can come up with for my participation on
> rec.running is that it makes me feel like I'm a character
> in a Tim Robbins film.

" ... how often do you look at a man's shoes?"

<snipped fanciful imaginings of capricious Usenet
addict ... >

Unqualified twaddle, except for the bits about bizarre
fiction and horrible honesty.

> Who was it who said we're all actors on a stage...?

Some guy name Bill or Willy I believe.

Also, arguably the most profound Canadian rock band (yet
they still managed to encourage mullets in the 80's), Rush.

Limelight:

Living on a lighted stage approaches the unreal For those
who think and feel In touch with some reality beyond the
gilded cage Cast in this unlikely role, ill-equipped to act
With insufficient tact One must put up barriers to keep
oneself intact

Living in the limelight, the universal dream For those who
wish to seem Those who wish to be must put aside the
alienation Get on with the fascination The real relation,
the underlying theme

Living in a fisheye lens, caught in the camera eye I have
no heart to lie I can't pretend a stranger is a long-
awaited friend

All the world's indeed a stage, and we are merely players
Performers and portrayers Each another's audience outside
the gilded cage

Living in the limelight, the universal dream For those who
wish to seem Those who wish to be must put aside the
alienation Get on with the fascination The real relation,
the underlying theme

Who farted?

On Mon, 5 Jul 2004 11:53:33 +0000 (UTC), "np426z"
<np426z@btinternet.com> wrote:

>The fact that most of you probably aren't *anything* like
>the people you pretend to be only reinforces the theatrical
>nature of Usenet.

Fat lot you know. I am *exactly* like the person I pretend
to be on Usenet.

Karen

"np426z" <np426z@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:ccbffs$gok$1@titan.btinternet.com...
> Who was it who said we're all actors on a stage...?

Sir William of Shakespeare but I'm sure a well rounded
person like you would know this. You have to admit, to
having numerous entrances and exits. You seem comfortably
mellow this trip, almost sincere, got your meds mixture
correct.

"All the world's a stage,And all the men and women merely
players.They have their exits and their entrances,And one
man in his time plays many parts,His acts being seven ages."
--From As You Like It (II, vii, 139-143)

-DougF

"Surf McBrowse" <zoom@whoosh.org> wrote in message
news:0JhGc.9432$WM5.548256@news20.bellglobal.com...

> Unqualified twaddle, except for the bits about bizarre
> fiction and
horrible
> honesty.

Damn, sussed again...

> Also, arguably the most profound Canadian rock band (yet
> they still
managed
> to encourage mullets in the 80's), Rush.

I'm not a fan of rock, per se, being rather more a dance
music/folk/indie person (I know, strange mix but I can't
help my taste) but I saw 'Evanescence' recently and was
mighty impressed. I only went 'cause big son whined and
whined until I agreed to take him, but now I'm besotted by
Amy Lee. She's a bit tubby for a normal run-of-the-mill
infatuation, but the girl can sing and looks mighty cute for
a daughter of the Stars and Stripes.

I believe they're touring in your neck of the woods. You
could do worse than spend an evening in their company. If
you see Amy - hang around backstage for about an hour and a
half after the concert and they usually come and speak to
any sad fans still there - tell her the old man with the
ginger haired kid who blushed like an idiot when he met her
sends his regards.

BTW, you comin' over to do the LG in '05? If you are, the
cabin at Loch Insh is still on. I shall expect similar
hospitality when I'm next in your backyard.

In article <0JhGc.9432$WM5.548256@news20.bellglobal.com>,
"Surf McBrowse" <zoom@whoosh.org> wrote:

> > So instead I've given some thought to 'why I'm here'.
>
> You were feeling whimsical.
>
> > After, oh, at least ten minutes considered thought, the
> > best reason I can come up with for my participation on
> > rec.running is that it makes me feel like I'm a
> > character in a Tim Robbins film.
>
> " ... how often do you look at a man's shoes?"
>
> <snipped fanciful imaginings of capricious Usenet
> addict ... >
>
> Unqualified twaddle, except for the bits about bizarre
> fiction and horrible honesty.
>
> > Who was it who said we're all actors on a stage...?
>
> Some guy name Bill or Willy I believe.
>
> Also, arguably the most profound Canadian rock band
> (yet they still managed to encourage mullets in the
> 80's), Rush.

hey, a fellow Rush fan. i believe David (SwStudio) is a bit
of a fan, too.

ALL runners should check out Rush's song "Marathon". I used
to listen to that lots back when I was doing the long, long
runs for my own marathon.

Great new CD, eh? (with emphasis on the "eh")

Cam of the Great White North

PS. Rush didn't start the mullet thing, man! But for some
reason, a lot of Rush fans happened to wear their hair
that way back then. Go figure.

"onemarathon" <cam_wilson@NOSPAMsympatico.ca> wrote in
message

> hey, a fellow Rush fan. i believe David (SwStudio) is a
> bit of a fan, too.

I was a huge Rush fan for years - one of the best
bands ever.

> Great new CD, eh? (with emphasis on the "eh")

Here's where I disagree with you. ;-) I think Signals was
the last good Rush album, and it wasn't incredibly good,
either. To me, Rush is Fly By Night, Caress Of Steel, 2112,
A Farewell To Kings, Hemispheres, and Permanent Waves. Those
six albums made them the best prog rock band. Period.

cheers,
--
David (in Hamilton, ON) www.allfalldown.org
www.absolutelyaccurate.com

> ALL runners should check out Rush's song "Marathon". I
> used to listen to that lots back when I was doing the
> long, long runs for my own marathon.

A good tune, a bit of social commentary the pace of modern
life. A good running song nonetheless.

> Great new CD, eh? (with emphasis on the "eh")

I haven't had the time to really explore it (and I call
myself a Rush fan, ha). Have you seen the Rush in Rio DVD?
Wicked eh, just wicked.

> PS. Rush didn't start the mullet thing, man!

I like, didn't say they did dude! Just that they
encouraged it.

See http://www.ratemymullet.com/show.php?id=7

Surf

onemarathon <cam_wilson@NOSPAMsympatico.ca> wrote in message news:<cam_wilson-E6670A.18015005072004@news.bellglobal.com>...
> > hey, a fellow Rush fan. i believe David (SwStudio) is a
> > bit of a fan,
> too.
>
> ALL runners should check out Rush's song "Marathon". I
> used to listen to that lots back when I was doing the
> long, long runs for my own marathon.
>
> Great new CD, eh? (with emphasis on the "eh")
>
>
> Cam of the Great White North
>
>
> PS. Rush didn't start the mullet thing, man! But for some
> reason, a lot of Rush fans happened to wear their hair
> that way back then. Go figure.

This figures, only a real arsehole could like that fatass
jerkoff, and only a real **** could liten to marathon songs
by a fat slob.

Rush sucks ****, and if you like him, you do too!

> I believe they're touring in your neck of the woods. You
> could do worse than spend an evening in their company.

Noted.

> BTW, you comin' over to do the LG in '05? If you are, the
> cabin at Loch Insh is still on. I shall expect similar
> hospitality when I'm next in
your
> backyard.

Still looking for an invite to Casa-del-Surf? I don't blame
you, it is the closest thing to paradise on earth. If you're
lucky I may in fact be in the old world in the early part of
next year. I will, in all likelihood, have my rambunctious
brethren in tow, so careful what you wish for.

Good to see you back Roger, me fond old tureen.

Surf

"SwStudio" <shhhh_secrets@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1lnGc.34651$XY6.2624076@read2.cgocable.net...
> "onemarathon" <cam_wilson@NOSPAMsympatico.ca> wrote
> in message
>
> > hey, a fellow Rush fan. i believe David (SwStudio) is a
> > bit of a
fan,
> > too.
>
> I was a huge Rush fan for years - one of the best
> bands ever.
>
>
>
> > Great new CD, eh? (with emphasis on the "eh")
>
> Here's where I disagree with you. ;-) I think Signals was
> the last good Rush album, and it wasn't incredibly good,
> either. To me, Rush is Fly By Night, Caress Of Steel,
> 2112, A Farewell To Kings, Hemispheres, and Permanent
> Waves. Those six albums made them the best prog rock
> band. Period.

And to add to it the best songs are Limelight and Closer to
the Heart. Second all time favorite next to Zeplin.

You did have me confused for a second as I thought you were
talking about Rush Limbaugh.

>
> cheers,
> --
> David (in Hamilton, ON) www.allfalldown.org
> www.absolutelyaccurate.com

In article <IQmGc.12679$WM5.684313@news20.bellglobal.com>,
"Surf McBrowse" <zoom@whoosh.org> wrote:

> > ALL runners should check out Rush's song "Marathon". I
> > used to listen to that lots back when I was doing the
> > long, long runs for my own marathon.
>
> A good tune, a bit of social commentary the pace of modern
> life. A good running song nonetheless.
>
> > Great new CD, eh? (with emphasis on the "eh")
>
> I haven't had the time to really explore it (and I call
> myself a Rush fan, ha). Have you seen the Rush in Rio DVD?
> Wicked eh, just wicked.

i just watched it... borrowed from a friend.... and i call
myself a Rush fan, ha! but i'll buy it eventually... yes,
very wicked. love the '75 footage!

> > PS. Rush didn't start the mullet thing, man!
>
> I like, didn't say they did dude! Just that they
> encouraged it.

i wouldn't even say that.... i think Neil was the only one
who had a bit of one back in his mustachio days.

> See http://www.ratemymullet.com/show.php?id=7

i'll take a look, just for laffs,

Cam