Sad news...

[Rip Rokken]

I think the lack of attendance is just a statement about how busy our society is in general....just too much going on coupled with not taking time to take care of oneself. people find money for things they value and for things they believe they deserve. I could think of 100 reasons NOT to go but bottom line was I'll spend my money on some kind of entertainment and this kind of thing is the number one thing I enjoy. and I deserve it. I do sacrifice other things--I don't shop, I don't go to movies I don't decorate my house or have membership at sports clubs I drive a 9year old car etc..I use my $$ to do what I love--traveling, to see family and rock and roll.

^^^^^ Ditto for me!!! Except my car is 7 years old, does that count?

I just made my last car payment on the Ripmobile a few days ago... whew! I totally agree with Debbie... there are some people back home that think I blow scads of money on all these trips, but the truth is I don't spend much on anything else. Both my plane tickets this year were paid for with frequent flyer miles I earned from rewards cards, and I still have another ticket's worth left. I used to think I didn't have time to travel, so I never took vacations. When I was growing up I thought trips were a waste of money because afterwards the money was gone and all you had to show for it was a few memories and maybe a t-shirt. I've learned in the past couple of years that there is no price you can put on good memories, and I'm making up for lost time.

[Since 78]

That makes it simple, revoke our posting privileges for every one that didn't attend and see how things go for a month here. If things are going great here after 30 days, don't let us back in unless we pay. I'm cool with that.

don't turn this around smart ass. It's nit about paying to have privilages. It's about all the people who enjoy this place , supporting this place with some $$ instead of just post counts

as far as paying members , I think a $100 lifetime membership to this place is fair and it'll weed out all the susies and jasond's

I'm not turning it around. How many people post there (I'm talking post, not lurk)? Three dozen, four dozen tops? I'm being realistic about this. You obviously can't go by the member count, how many of them are active? I'm saying the place can start fresh by culling the member's list and then Andrew can see what he actually has here as far as active accounts and decide how much to charge based on how many people here are really participating in the site.

I think a poll is needed. Who would pay? and how much? One of you guys has to do it though, cause I can never get them right.

[WOLFMAN07]

I agree with Since 78, lets make a poll, decide what to do as far as amount and such. We all need to do something to keep this site up and have some more concerts and first and for most help Andrew period. I read this site on a daily basis and go through withdrawals when there are no updates.
Anyway, i think an annual fee would be the best idea.

[stevew2]

I think the lack of attendance is just a statement about how busy our society is in general....just too much going on coupled with not taking time to take care of oneself. people find money for things they value and for things they believe they deserve. I could think of 100 reasons NOT to go but bottom line was I'll spend my money on some kind of entertainment and this kind of thing is the number one thing I enjoy. and I deserve it. I do sacrifice other things--I don't shop, I don't go to movies I don't decorate my house or have membership at sports clubs I drive a 9year old car etc..I use my $$ to do what I love--traveling, to see family and rock and roll.

^^^^^ Ditto for me!!! Except my car is 7 years old, does that count?

I just made my last car payment on the Ripmobile a few days ago... whew! I totally agree with Debbie... there are some people back home that think I blow scads of money on all these trips, but the truth is I don't spend much on anything else. Both my plane tickets this year were paid for with frequent flyer miles I earned from rewards cards, and I still have another ticket's worth left. I used to think I didn't have time to travel, so I never took vacations. When I was growing up I thought trips were a waste of money because afterwards the money was gone and all you had to show for it was a few memories and maybe a t-shirt. I've learned in the past couple of years that there is no price you can put on good memories, and I'm making up for lost time.

how did you manage to get your block in the Rip mobile?

[Andrew]

I agree with Since 78, lets make a poll, decide what to do as far as amount and such. We all need to do something to keep this site up and have some more concerts and first and for most help Andrew period. I read this site on a daily basis and go through withdrawals when there are no updates.
Anyway, i think an annual fee would be the best idea.

Thanks for the support

[strangegrey]

Hard for me to comment on this. I was one that 'sat on my couch' so to speak.

The fact of the matter is that it's hard financial times for everyone out there right now. Your lying politicians will tell you we are in a recovery.....but the fact of the matter is that we're not. We're still in a depression. Those are facts....people will try to say that we're not, and even cite the GDP to claim we're not. I can and will destroy anyone who's willing to debate the actual financials of our fiscal health, as a nation or a world....but that's for another thread and another time.

I was hurting last weekend. I spent it wishing I was watching my one of my best friends and the best damn bassist I ever had the pleasure of playing and writing with, rock down with Ted Poley.....I wished I saw a great lineup that Andrew put together....and I wished I had the opportunity to meet so many great friends that I have made here....

Financially, it would have been very difficult for me to spend the money to get on a plane, let alone spend it on anything else. I really had to make a hard decision between going to MRFII or putting food on the table.

For some of us, it's that hard. These are hard times.....seriously.

I hope there is a MRFIII...and I hope that i can make it there......if and when it happens.


Im not sure it's fair to blame the scene.....it's bad all around. No matter what the scene....no matter what the music.

People are making choices between wants and needs....and those of us that made the hard decisions to sacrifice the wants in favor of the needs.......did so with a heavy heart.

If I lived in the windy city...I'd be there. I dont....and I couldn't afford a trip out of town this year....as much as I might need it, mentally and physically.



Let's hope there's a next time. I'm always with you in spirit Andrew.

[G.I.Jim]

Hard for me to comment on this. I was one that 'sat on my couch' so to speak.

The fact of the matter is that it's hard financial times for everyone out there right now. Your lying politicians will tell you we are in a recovery.....but the fact of the matter is that we're not. We're still in a depression. Those are facts....people will try to say that we're not, and even cite the GDP to claim we're not. I can and will destroy anyone who's willing to debate the actual financials of our fiscal health, as a nation or a world....but that's for another thread and another time.

I was hurting last weekend. I spent it wishing I was watching my one of my best friends and the best damn bassist I ever had the pleasure of playing and writing with, rock down with Ted Poley.....I wished I saw a great lineup that Andrew put together....and I wished I had the opportunity to meet so many great friends that I have made here....

Financially, it would have been very difficult for me to spend the money to get on a plane, let alone spend it on anything else. I really had to make a hard decision between going to MRFII or putting food on the table.

For some of us, it's that hard. These are hard times.....seriously.

I hope there is a MRFIII...and I hope that i can make it there......if and when it happens.


Im not sure it's fair to blame the scene.....it's bad all around. No matter what the scene....no matter what the music.

People are making choices between wants and needs....and those of us that made the hard decisions to sacrifice the wants in favor of the needs.......did so with a heavy heart.

If I lived in the windy city...I'd be there. I dont....and I couldn't afford a trip out of town this year....as much as I might need it, mentally and physically.



Let's hope there's a next time. I'm always with you in spirit Andrew.

That was a great post Frank. I wish things were going better for you. I couldn't make it due to work. If there ever IS a next time, I will gladly be in attendance! I hated not being able to make it, but duty called. Andrew, I wish you would have had a better turn out, but like Frank said... times are tough for a lot of people right now. I'd HATE to be in the civillian job market trying to find a job right now.

Anyway, best of luck with this site. I hope it sticks around... I kinda like it in here. I'll donate next paycheck and I try to help when I can.

[Behshad]

Hey Frankie.

You were missed my friend. There WILL BE an MRF III and YOU'LL BE THERE. So will Jim-balaya

[Andrew]

Let's hope there's a next time. I'm always with you in spirit Andrew.

Appreciated Frank. It's not easy for many of us right now. All around the world...