John.  I'm a great admirer of a feller named Christopher Hitchens.  Perhaps you're familiar with his work and debating style.  He too gets roundly pummled (tho the blows never seem to land) for simply trying to "stay on topic" and have an objective discussion regarding whatever idea that's been posited.  And he gets castigated for "calling them as he sees them" (as I have, myownself, on many occasions).  And he can be whithering in his choice of words and repostes.  So, I understand, I believe, just how difficult it can be to simply try to establish a premise and convince others of its merits or its faults.  Especially in the face of water-muddiers like friendship, loyalty, dogmatism and, all too often, chasms of misunderstanding. 

All that said, don't you think your use of the word "apalling" was actually self-evidently hyperbolic and was also meant to hurt...to sting...to wound?  That's what I thought when I read it.  And, don't you think it actually weakened your argument.  Maybe even destroyed it completely.  Whatever the merits of your suppositions regarding Mike and by extension...his music...are, I don't think you'll get very far advancing them using those kind of words and tactics. 

Self deprecation and good humor (much like you display in your last post above) are better weapons I think.  But those are also tools you can't use unless you actually possess them.  And when you start out with nothing more than purposeful hurtful speech it's hard to imagine you do. 

Rock on, ol pal.  Rock on.

 

John T


I don't have anything on-line. So let's cut to the chase and assume that I am completely incompetent, and that I make absolutely the worst, most amateur music of anyone on the forums.

 
 
Come on John, that's just being childish - you're above that.
 

John T
 

I do get paid to make it, but that, of course, doesn't necessarily mean very much. There's plenty of crap music getting paid for, I'll happily grant that, and mine might well be some of it.

 
 
So why all the secrecy? Most of the 'bedroom' hobbyists (myself included) would give their eye teeth to be getting paid for 'making' music. And as long as it doesn't compromise any client confidentiality or similar, why not share some of your work, or at least just talk about it maybe? I'd be so brimming with pride if I was a pro musician you'd have to tie me down to stop me talking about it and trying to help others.
 
Take a look at some of Danny Danzi's posts. He's a guitar virtuoso who also runs his own pro studio yet if he can help out someone he'll nigh on write them a thesis on the subject, and there's no edge on the guy whatsoever - just top advice from one of the nice guys around here.
 

John T


So, I suck. What now?

 
 
I dunno, why don't you just loosen up a bit, go with the flow and join in with the fun down here for a while?