I miss those who have moved away, too. My list of folks I wish were still here goes back many years. I think there are still interesting people here and there are some newer folks we can enjoy getting to know. I know that doesn't fill the gap left by certain folks, but we can't do anything about that.
Hopefully, everyone here can enjoy themselves, make a few friends and relax. For our newcomers, I hope you feel welcome to join in as much as you'd like. If the silliness and buffoonery are not to your liking, then post some of your own stuff. Chances are pretty good that others who share your sensibilities will respond. I hope no one is put off by all of the in-jokes and obscure references. Some of these go back more than a decade and many of them are not worth the time required to explain them. Just because some like to refer to these old jokes does not mean that they are attempting to exclude anyone. Instead, they would happily explain the joke and welcome you into the group.
From time to time, coffee is spilled and feathers are ruffled. Most of the time, tempers flare for a moment and then settle down. Conversations resume, someone starts playing an old song in the corner, and somebody does something weird. There's plenty of room for all kinds of folk. We've got old timers who try to nibble on the checkers and gripe about the fact that the best music was played by beating on live dinosaurs. There are young guys who wonder how anyone can call themselves a musician without cybernetic implants. We've got a rock guitarist playing jazz in a van down by the river. There are strange creatures who lurk in the darkness, shred like madmen, and love their pets. People with a wide range of skills, interests and backgrounds find their way down here. Some are looking for asylum. Some have spent time in an asylum. Others are just taking a break before heading back into the studio to crank out some tracks.
The point is, whatever the Coffee House was in the past, it morphs and flexes to fit the people who makes themselves at home within it. We are the Coffee House.