Hi All From Seamus

[Marian]

I totally agree John. I too was very reluctant to join in for quite some time after I joined in October of the first year.
I was a Jack Jones fan and didn't feel it was my place to become too involved. Although Peter had been a fan of Matt's for many years, I knew very little about Matt Monro and his music, apart from the popular hits.
However, I soon found that when I did dare to put my toe in the water as it were, people responded and I soon found what friendly and knowledgeable folk inhabit this little corner of the website.
Gradually over time I also found I made many wonderful friends too, and also much to my amazement, that Matt Monro is indeed the best singer in the world!

Marian

[jon]

Hi Seamus

Would just like to add my thoughts to this debate: I'm sure, as others have said, that the real point of the forum is to share our love for and views on Matt Monro and his music and on anything else we want to discuss; there is no competitive element. Indeed, if there were, I'd be on the losing side as I have made perhaps fewer posts than many other regulars! (owing to work and time constraints). We all lead busy lives and some members are able to contribute more time to the forum than others but this doesn't make any one individual's contribution less valuable than others'.

It's true that there was a recent concern that the forum might be terminated and so it does matter that some of us post as often as possible, but this doesn't mean we all have to do this all of the time; any contribution is welcome and valuable, including yours. You've spoken eloquently and candidly about your feelings and experiences, and this is the kind of approach that is valued by all of us on the forum. So, come on, Seamus, let's hear your views on Matt and his music - and on anything in general - we're waiting to hear them!

[mariana44]

Seamus, you are certainly entitled to your own opinion-however, I still do not believe that there is any competitiveness in the amount of postings--the comments are always made by other members-not the actual poster.

And as Michele pointed out-these comments are all in one section of the board only, and make up a very small part of the Forum, and if anyone were to feel uncomfortable about this situation, then it is easy to avoid that section. I just cannot see how any of the postings are intimidating in any way, or why they would stop others from posting. We were all new to this board at one time or another, and gradually, through the postings we get to know our fellow members.

I think we would all love to see more members involved, but if they do not want to, that is their choice--just as it is the choice if some want to be more involved. And if other members wish to congratulate their fellow members on their postings, then again, that is their choice.

It is more important to me that all the postings are done in good spirit--no nastiness, pettiness, childishness, vulgarity, or disrespect, that I have seen elsewhere.

[SEAMUS]

Hi Lena and Harry. Perhaps it is me that is guilty of wording my post incorrectly for which I apologise. It is the impression I was referring to lena, that I found intimidating. It was not what you said. I cannot help how I feel and I was only making a point because I wondered why, with so many members, there are only a small section that actually post and contribute. I'm so sorry but on reflection, I wish I hadn't bothered as the last thing I would wish is to offend anyone. As I've said it is a wonderful site, and you are all a lot of wonderful folk.

I have not forgotten the wonderful welcome I received and the help from Lena and Harry when I first signed up. I'm sorry if my remarks offended. I will withdraw from that subject and promise never to refer to it again.
I don't mind admitting I feel well embarrassed.

Jon, thanks for your thoughts and appreciate your remarks. Like everyone here I love the voice and beautiful songs of Matt. I've been a big fan since my younger years. I can so easily relate to many of his hits which helped me through some terrible times in life. I love and appreciate good artists and have a varied list of favourites but Matt is at the top, as a male, my female favourite being the lovely and gifted Enya. For anyone interested she has a new album out this week, entitled ' And Winter Came".

As long as I'm not hung, drawn and quartered, I sincerely hope to share with everyone here in all our interests.I explained that it was a year ago when I first joined, that I was a novice on this thingamajig. Well I've improved in some areas and there are many other things I need to iron out, like engaging my brain before my gob, so to speak.

John, Robert, Paul, Keith, Mariana44, Marian, Michele, Hilary, Lena and Harry, thanks for your time and patience with me again. Sorry if I offended, that was never the intention.

Kind regards to one and all,
Keep smiling
Seamus

[ANNE & DAVID IOW]

Thoughts from the Island..
I Would think the forum gives a lot of folk a lot of pleasure,the banter twixt the top posters is both amusing and constructive..
To us lesser posters the forum is a wonderful way to pop up now and again with a tip-bit of MMsnr & jnr infomation or to wish members a Happy Birthday , Get well thoughts etc.....
I must say some of the High-Brow inteligenca recently may have left a few of us struggling with verse and spelling !!

FINALLY DONT FORGET TO POST EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS

Love to you all ANNE & DAVID IOW

[Administrator]

Seamus,

I have to point out that there is absolutely no need for any sort of apology, this website, as mentioned is open for any subject, nothing is taboo and that is how I like to run it. I wouldn't want anyone to feel nervous or intimidated about whether they should post on what might be a delicate subject or walk on eggshells. We all have thick skins. But like you, we are merely voicing our feeling on the topic you brought up.

Out of interest if you felt so intimidated why did you come back after such a long absence? Why would the site be more secure if there were more members. We have no undersirables here thanks to the stellar job done by Marian.

Here we encourage freedom of speech and the wonderful thing about our members is that we are all different, we all have a point of view and we are all entitled to vent our niggles, observations and dislikes on this Message Board.

The most important common thread here is the voice of Matt Monro and that I think everyone can agree on - he was the BEST.

Now stop apologizing and lets talk about something else controversial!!!!

[SEAMUS]

HI MICHELE,

MY FIRST POST ON RETURNING ,WAS TO EXPLAIN MY ABSENCE.THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY MATTERS THAT CONCERNED ME AS A MEMBER,AND PLEASE BELEIVE ME,I WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO PINPOINT THE POSSIBLE REASONS A LOT OF NEW MEMBERS DONT POST OR CONTRIBUTE.

ABSOLUTLY NO HARM OR OFFENCE WAS INTENDED,SO WITH EVERY RESPECT TO YOU AND THE VARIOUS MEMBERS HERE,I WILL WITHDRAW FROM THIS SITE,AND WISH YOU ALL WELL IN THE FUTURE.

SORRY ABOUT MY SPELLING AND VERSE,

REGARDS
SEAMUS.

[ROBERT M.]

Seamus, you don't have to go that far I thought you were going to join in with us ?? - Seamus referred to me in his first post, when I was asking were everybody was for a couple of days, but I think it was john who replied, that with it being the summer, that a few had gone away, so maybe Seamus read too much into that ??

Marian, have you decided that Matt is definitely #1 (instead of Jack) (I think you might have made hasty decision, on your part )

[ANNE & DAVID IOW]

SEAMUS ,

COME YOU BACK YOUNG MAN........
The forum needs comments like yours now and again,thats what the Forum is all about. So come on keep posting .....

Anne & David IOW

[Marian]

They are very different Robert, I like them both (being a Libran!! - ha ha)
Marian

[SEAMUS]

Hi Folks
Just to let you all know that i was only leaving the site because i thought it was the fairest thing to do for all concerned.I certainly did not wish to upset anyone.

Robert,perhaps you are correct,while reading tru past posts of members,i did honestly feel their was a point to make,and made it with good intentions.However,ive learned a lesson here,"IF ITS NOT BROKEN,DONT TRY TO FIX IT".
Michele has been kind enough to advise me on some errors i make,like using capitals in my posts.i appreciate that very much.I had no idea of the effect of using capitals,and assure all here i meant no offence.

As i explained,im a novice on this machine,and struggling,but learning more each day,and i am now trying to teach all my fingers to do riverdance with my typing.Not just one ,which has been the case ever since i took up this new love affair.
I say that,cause me mrs says i spend more time with it than her!

Wishing you all the best.

Seamus.

[keithgood838]

Hi Seamus
Now that you are firmly back in this forgiving fold,
I've found a better beveridge served nicely chilled, not cold.
Cheers!

CAFFREY'S ALE

Like a summer sunrise,
the sun-gold glen-of-Antrim antidote
climbs slowly and drives away
massed mist-grey shades from the glass;
then, like clouds from clearing skies,
the night-black mood of the fraught day
begins to pass ...

Keith Good

[SEAMUS]

Hi Keith,
Thanks for your post,wish i had your gift for poetry,but cant complain,guess im gifted in other ways,but i share your fondness of the odd jar,and enjoy my ration of the black stuff ,1 can of draught guinness each night before i go to bed.its great for helping with sleeping.

At this time of year ,winter,i also enjoy the odd cup of coffee with bailys instead of milk!works for me,and keeps the inside warm,

Today im searching everywhere on my pc for a song i typed out to send to Lena&Harry.With my limited experience ,yesterday i spent almost an hour typeing out this funny song,hit the submit button ,and it did a runner,heaven knows where,but it did not make it to these good folk.
Sorry L&H,but if i fail to locate it,i will do it again,extra carefully. ,as i know you both need a good laugh,after that hair raising weekend.

Keith ,keep smiling,and go easy on the caffreys,dont spill any!

Regards Seamus.

I ,wanted you guys to read and enjoy it

[SEAMUS]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for your reply to my query regarding Daniel Evans.I agree with what you say,but for some reason,as soon as i first saw Daniel on x factor,he put me in mind of Matt.He is a good looking man,nice smile,and i found him entertaining,to me,a mans man.

Hope this finds you keeping well.

Regards
Seamus.

[keithgood838]

Thanks, Seamus
It's great to have you back and contributing to our
ephemeral outpourings. I hope you can re-post the humorous
song for Lena and Harry; they would appreciate a morale-boost
that all of could share.
I sent Caffrey's Ale (coals to Newcastle) to the company
in Antrim. They sent me a glowing acknowledgement
and an attempt at reciprocal verse; however the complimentary
crate never materialised - we poets have to suffer for our art.
Keith