My First Forum Anniversary - February 14, 2009 (Page 1 of 2)

And so............ it's been just over a year since I took a deep breath, hit the enter button and dove into the Joe Bonamassa Forum, head first on February 14, 2008 .............. and what a year it was.......

Fifty three weeks ago, I sat at this keyboard ..... trying to get my thoughts together, to describe somehow, to some unknown number of strangers in mysterious places around the globe, just what brought me here.  How could I begin to put into words what Joe Bonamassa, the world of blues rock, or any live music for that matter, had brought to my life?  I doubted that the words would come.  I was scared witless that I would say the wrong thing, post in the wrong place, or communicate with the wrong person. 

This was my first Internet Forum experience, and, to date, I've only participated in a comparatively minor way on one other.  Beyond that, a few weeks ago I peeked in on a third Forum - that of Eric Johnson - the night before we saw him for the first time.  The next day, just before the show began, I struck up a conversation with a woman sitting nearby.  Turns out that she, and the young Brit sitting next to her, were both members of the EJ Forum.  What an interesting perspective that gave me..... hearing them speak about "their guy", and remembering that when I had glanced, even briefly, at their Forum the night before, I had been immediately struck by patterns of incredible similarity.  As unique as I believe some of us are, I think that we could, in many ways, be interchangeable with those folks.  The passions are similar.......the humor, camaraderie, and personalities are similar......and certainly the tech talk is similar.  With all of that in mind, it really was quite like looking at a parallel universe.

What I couldn't see, however, from my quick glance there, nor from my visit with those two fans, was the depth of connection that I know happens here.  I don't KNOW whether or not it DOES happen there, or on any other forums for that matter......... I only know what I've witnessed here. 

I have seen the ordinary and expected happen here, on a daily basis.  I have seen people sing Joe's praises, of course.  I have seen everything that I expected to see - chatter about new songs, old songs, concerts which have been attended, concerts we are anticipating.  I have watched people celebrate one another's enthusiasm for a new guitar, or a new grandchild.  I have seen people argue, fuss, and fight........which is certainly my least favorite thing.  I have watched people behave selflessly, and watched others who seem unable to stop shining the spotlight on themselves.  I have watched people band together over an issue, and watched others tear each other apart.  I have felt incredibly proud at some goings on and have felt deep regret and terrible disappointment at others. 

I'm well aware of the fact that this place is many different things to many different people.  Some people stop in once, after attending their first show perhaps, and are never heard from again.  Some people hang out on the gear pages and are not at all interested in much that goes on outside of that.  Some folks want to talk about the music, and nothing more.  Some want to talk about themselves, and nothing more.  Some want to make us laugh.  Some want to make us think.  Some want to annoy and disrupt and make us crazy.  Some want to improve their debating skills.  Some want to make the world a better place, one Joe Bonamassa CD at a time.  Some want to hear from Joe.  Some want to connect with the rest of us.

I have had so much fun here.  I have learned so much, and continue to do so.  My musical knowledge keeps growing exponentially.  It seems limitless in its potential.  When will there ever be time to take it all in??  I am astounded at all of the technological skills I've acquired (although I could be heard kicking and screaming much of the time).  Before joining the Forum I had never downloaded music, never edited a video, and CERTAINLY NEVER uploaded anything to YouTube......... I know, I know....... several of you thought I never WOULD either!!!  LOL.  By the way, a little bird just told me that my first video, "Spike Driver Blues" just went over 10,000 views.  WOW!!!  I never would have guessed!!!  How fun.....and, how appropriate that it happened during the release week of "The Ballad of John Henry" itself.

Next on the list of things to conquer, I suppose, would be the world of bit torrents.........eeeeeeeeeek....... nevermind, I'm not quite ready to go THERE yet.  My point about all of that is, that if you haven't experienced it yet for yourselves, let me tell you that the membership here is so generous in this respect........ ALWAYS offering everything from gentle encouragement to whatever assistance is necessary to get me up and running in any area that I don't feel comfortable handling myself.  I had a member spend hours on the phone with me one day, helping me to back up my entire data base on an external hard drive.  How fantastic is THAT??  I've had members hold my hand while I set up new accounts....... my Facebook account....... new email accounts....... whatever.  Honestly, I can't think of anything that I might need that someone on this Forum wouldn't be ABLE and, happily WILLING to help me with, if I were only to ask.  Again, how fantastic is THAT?? 

And so, when my friends from the world outside look at me doubtfully when I speak to them about how much this place and many of you have come to mean to me, I look them in the eye and tell them the reality of the situation........ that, no matter what I might have thought would come from chatting with people, from around the world, on an online Forum, the reality has FAR exceeded my expectations, and, at times, has completely boggled my mind with its greatness.  I have kind, generous, warm and loving people in my life outside this place, and, I have the same thing here too.  I have deep connections on many levels with many people outside this place, and have found the same bonds here.  I laugh with my friends outside this place until tears roll down my face and my sides ache, and my friends here make me do the same thing.  For me, it goes SO far beyond a simple sharing of great music, and of Joe's music in particular......  DON'T get me wrong....... those things are FANTASTIC too......... vital and irreplaceable........ but I expected most of that.  It's the "extracurricular" stuff which takes my breath away, continuously.  For me, the REAL magic lies in the REAL relationships that I have witnessed develop right HERE and been so lucky to be a part of. 

The sheer number of friendships that I have made, starting on these pages and rolling right off into "real life" stuns me.  The intensely rich QUALITY and DEPTH of those relationships??  Well, I've talked about it before, but, perhaps I'll give it another go.  There is something very different about getting to know someone initially thru only the written word....... and that is, after all, the only thing that we have here.  I think that it allows us to exclude some of the things that can distract us or even attract us to one another.  As such, it allows us to get to know each other in a very different way.  There is an intensity and immediacy that seems to occur....... a getting right to the heart of the matter, I think, when we aren't sifting thru the other clutter that a face to face conversation might include.  I'm certain that our shared ability to connect with and appreciate the music has something to do with it too....... whatever all the factors are, and I'm still trying to figure it out myself, the end result, for me, is simply magical.   

So, once again, on this occasion, I need to take a moment to express my gratitude, for this place, and all who are responsible (Joe & Co.) for its existence, its daily running and maintenance, and to the great friends I've made here.  Thank you for helping to make this one of the most incredible years of my life.  Thank you for EVERYTHING that you have brought to my life and for everything I know you will bring in the days ahead.  Thank you for trusting me enough to let me into your lives, your heads, and your hearts.  Thank you for all of your gifts, including every tidbit of education shared.  Thank you for stimulating and challenging my mind, tickling my funny bone, sharpening my wit, caring for me so tenderly, supporting me thru adversity, and loving me so well.  It's been a difficult year for many people and I was not immune.  My extraordinary friends here have truly provided some of the most reliable, consistent support imaginable, and will forever have my undying gratitude. 

I am VERY excited, as I'm sure the rest of you are, that Joe, Carmine, Rick and Bogie are about to embark on yet another magnificent tour in just a few days.......  that another fantastic album will be arriving in many of our mailboxes, and that Joe will soon be performing at "the gig of a lifetime" at Royal Albert Hall.  Congratulations Joe, on all of your past successes, and on each new one that awaits you.  I wish only good things for you, and for all of the people who support you and help to make all of this possible for all of us. 

In closing, as way to celebrate my little anniversary, I'm going to direct you all back over to another thread of mine, for a little video treat....... Joe performing a bit of "Blues Deluxe", up close and personal...........I hope you enjoy.  Thanks for being here and adding such beautiful and interesting facets to my life. 

Please see post number 20 here for the link to the video:   
http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtop … 678#p97678

Best,

Libby

P.S.  Please forgive my absence as of late.  I have had a few things on my plate which have required my focus, time and attention...... I see now that I've missed several really important things like saying 'Happy Birthday' to Dave, Jane, Pittsburgh Jeff, Geoff, John, Carmine, and.......geeeez.....who else did I miss??  Also, a very Happy Bonametalhood to my friend Duncan with whom I SHARE this anniversary date.  Happy Anniversary too Duncan.  And..... a Happy Anniversary of sorts to George and Cathy too...... also on February 14th.  A special day, indeed. 

I apologize for anything else I may have missed.

And...... speaking of missing...... not all of my Forum friends are participating anymore.  I want them to know that although they are missed here, I am very glad that they're still in my life.