Our Guests

[lizzytysh]

~ An Open Letter To Our Guests ~

I'd simply like to comment that whenever I come in here, I notice how many Guests are perusing the Forum. Recently, I've come in and seen that there were 8 one time, and last night, there were 10. I was delighted to see both numbers. Everyone has their own reasons for joining, not joining, or waiting for awhile before they join. However, I think it's wonderful that, whatever their reasons or category, our Guests do come here and read, and I would guess return, as well.

Jim was one in the Guest category, apparently for some time, and I can't help but wonder how many others of his calibre [or not ~ it doesn't really matter] are out there. I've never quite understood the phenomena of "the older ranks are always 'better' " ~ I say that, to make a distinction on what I consider to be an artificial hierarchy of importance. This is not to say that they are "worse" [whatever that would mean in this context, as there are some truly incredible amongst the "older ranks" around these sites], but rather that I feel all are equal and important, regardless of how long you've been around. Being the new kid on the block does not diminish what you have to offer, or how involved and integral you may end up becoming in any endeavour related to Leonard.

When Leonard came into writing, songwriting, and performing, he was the new kid on the block. Enough said.

Personally, I want to welcome all those who come here, have not yet surfaced, and may never surface. However, regardless of the number, I notice you without fail, every time I come into, or return to, the main page, and wonder who you are. I hope we meet one day. Jim commented to Tom that "you [all] have built a nice community here." I believe it will be an even better one if and when you walk through the door. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy your time here .

As Jarkko has emphasized, with Leonard's words:

"Welcome, welcome, cries a voice
Let all my guests come in"

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

[George.Wright]

Yes, it would be nice to see more of the perusers jump into the Forum rather than skirt the sidelines. With some of the arguments going on i can understand why they are reluctant, however a warm welcome to join the Beautiful Losers is given.
Georges

[lizzytysh]

The reasons for not joining in vary, I think. Some people simply prefer to and enjoy only reading. Others feel everything that could be said, already has been said, and they have nothing to add [though, I feel and have found, this has always proved to be wrong]. Others feel intimidated with the idea and prospect of putting their words, for everyone to see, on a screen. Some may feel they don't express themselves well enough to join in [also something I've found to be unwarranted]. Still others are afraid of all the rules that come with joining [this was actually expressed to me in the Chatroom this past weekend and I was really surprized by it, as it was something I had never considered]. Some people, yes, would be put off by some of the things that actually occur in here. Others may just feel a certain, nebulous kind of pressure from the act of joining. It remains a personal choice.

The last reason reminds me of when I lived in downtown Atlanta.....and after a night of dancing at a club that closed at 3 AM, I would walk home [it was located within one long block from me at the end of my street] ~ and stop at the Hare Krishna temple that was in between. They were already up and, at that time, involved in a movement/dance ritual. Their front windows [it was a renovated old house] were large and I would stand on their front porch and just watch them through the windows. I could hear the music from inside, and listening and watching was a very peaceful ending to my night. I would hope that those who only read are at least truly enjoying coming here and looking in through the windows.

~ Elizabeth

[John the Shorts]

Of course it could be that many people see the incessant back biting that goes on and decide not to bother (although some "newcomers" seem to join in)

A far more scary point for me (I was on-line when there were 10 guests was that there were also 3 hidden - why hide your presence on a message board, after all if you post your name goes alongide the post and if you don't why hide? )

JTS

[lizzytysh]

Hi John ~

We must have been on at the same time, by the sounds of it ......of course, I was one of the Hidden ! I'm not sure exactly when I started doing that or why, but I know it's a nice, restful feeling of privacy until I've finished reading or pressed Submit. However, I think your points are valid, too, so maybe I'll just go ahead and let my name emerge again. What the hey...... .

~ Elizabeth

Well, shoot, it's been so long I've forgotten how to do it! Just went to the View Profile and the Memberlist, and couldn't find out how there. Then Logged Out and back in, and that didn't work! Guidance please, John? I know it's something really simple, too .

[John the Shorts]

Lizzytysh

If you go into Profile at the top of the screen and then go down about half way down the page you will see an option "Always Hide my profile" I believe that if you say no to that you will then be announced as a member.

JTS (There's nothing wrong with proclaiming yourself)

[lizzytysh]

I know that , John......I certainly have no problem with that , anyway; and I can't imagine that my member status got removed when I went into Hidden status, did it?!? However, I did go to Profile and looked for anything that resembled what I was going for, to no avail. However, I will go again! I'll be back if it doesn't work. Thanks!

[lizzytysh]

AHA! I'd gone to Profile, via what's at the bottom of my posting, rather than from the top! Thanks!!! Now, there I am, right next to Iubita [how perfect and appropriate is that ! ~ "Hiiiii, Iubiiiiitaaa ], in the Registered Users' list [where I used to show up every time]! Thanks, John !

~ Lizzytysh

[Moonlight]

I think most of the guests are members. I never log in unless I'm going to post.

[lizzytysh]

Hmmm, Moonlight. You may be right in accounting for at least some, if not many. I wasn't thinking in terms of that being an option. I only recalled that at one point, it was determined that in order to post, you must become a Member. Otherwise, you remained a Guest and could read, but would not be able to post. Hence, whenever I see a "Guest," I presume that they are readers [Guests] vs. posters [Members].

However, what you're saying would account for the high membership vs. the number of posters, and would suggest that there are some posters and many readers [the majority of all being Members]. Many of the Members have never posted even once. So, it makes sense that they might be amongst those who are reading only, and simply haven't logged in.

Thanks for that perspective. I still hope they'll feel welcome and decide to post .

[Vesuvius]

Ciao,

But Lizzy, If all the members posted you would never get any rest. Members please do not all post! Lizzytysh needs to sleep sometime.

Arrivederci,
Vesuvius

[lizzytysh]

John ~

Yes, you may be right. I was just trying to avoid the blame game, while looking at other possibilities.

~ Lizzytysh

[lizzytysh]

Vesuvius ~



~ Lizzytysh

[Bilbao]

Well, I must confess that I've been a loooong time lurker. I enjoyed enormously reading your posts and some scholar contributions (Tom Sakic's knowledge on Cohen's work is really stunning! ) and I do miss Mr. Ed's humour.
Since Lyzzitysh was curious about the reasons some of us have had for not to join the forum, I can explain my own one. The reasons she pointed out were right and could probably explain most cases. But, for me, the main one is my poor knowledge of English. Amazing, isn't it? But there are still some human beings that doesn't speak/read/write English. And I know for certain that there are a lot of cohenites that aren't fluent in English.
I, for one, started listening to LC when I was a teen, and I couldn't understand a word. It was the sound of his voice and his music that hooked me first. Later on, I started trying to find out what the hell he was saying, and I had to search almost every word in a dictionary. I know, that's not the best way to get started in Cohen's poetry, but there was no choice! On the other hand, I have to admit that I learned quite a lot of errr...unusual... English words and expressions. That one in "Chelsea hotel #2" puzzled me for a while!
Now I can appreciate his work more accurately, but my broken English prevents me from being even a "little lousy poet". So, there's nothing to fear from me. I'll never post even a haiku on the Poetry section, I promise.

[lizzytysh]

~~ Welcome to the Forum, Bilbao ~~

I'm so glad to see you come through the door, even though I was hiding behind it here recently ~ now I'm down there with the rest of the Registereds, but for some reason in a vibrant green. I remember someone mentioning this about themselves awhile back, but can't remember what the deal was with it.

It really fascinates me how people whose native tongue is not English make it through Leonard's lyrics. What a challenge you took on with your dictionary! It sounds like you're pretty well out of your teens now. I'm glad you've stuck with it! I have all I can do, already knowing the words ~ add not being literate in the many fields he uses in his works [biblical, literature, other religions, etc.], and there you end up with a big WoW! Yes, , not all the phrases and expressions you'll learn through Leonard can be found in a language primer .

I think you may have seen where I commented to Iubita [in the member's poetry section], how charming it has always seemed to me that people, who were not born into the English language, express themselves in English. [You were included in my fourth reason, the fear of not being able to express yourself well enough.] The meaning almost always comes through, while at the same time a rare flavour with it. Please don't be shy about expressing yourself in English. Even if you weren't doing as well as you are right now, it would still have a charm all its own ~ that I and many others wouldn't have a clue how to duplicate. It's just a lovely, natural thing that occurs on its own, and it's often priceless! Any meaning that doesn't make it through will get picked up with follow-up questions, so nothing to fear. You're right that there are many people who love Leonard, but are not necessarily knowledgeable, much less fluent, in English. This is a great way to learn it better, though, I think. Learning how to talk more about something you love will help you retain it better.

Yes, I like Mr. Ed's humour, too. I typically like all humour that's not intentionally damaging to another person, though I gotta tell ya, I've laughed at some of the things that have been said regarding me. I couldn't help it. They were just funny. I still don't encourage that kind of thing, though, about me or anyone else, and do my best to avoid it.

Yes, Tom Sakic's input on Leonard reflects very serious, committed, and thorough study, and it's wonderful !

I feel a Haiku from you would be lovely. The rigid structure it offers is about the only way I feel comfortable attempting poetry myself~! And, if you care to be a "lousy little poet," there are plenty of others [including me !] around to appreciate your efforts ! So, please take back your promise, and save it for another day and better reason. What a shame to waste it on never attempting poetry in English .

Thank you so much for joining in and responding, Bilbao .

Sincerely,
Elizabeth