See you all again in 2008 ...

[Mark]

Members with signatures enabled will have seen that after this Friday, I'm going to be taking a break from GMG. Not because I've had a fight with another member, or become bored, or found somewhere better to go (hint: there is nowhere better to go ), but because as well as wanting to avoid for a few months the temptation to buy still more CDs while my self-enforced 'purchase fast' takes hold, I also need to spend fewer hours pouring over threads here, and more time in front of my CD collection, deciding which of my 300+ as-yet-unheard discs I should devote some serious listening time to.

In short, I'm ready for less chat, more listening.

When I return - probably around March or April 2008 - I hope to start a new series of threads where I'll be sharing my thoughts on works of which I own a fair few copies: Brahms' A German Requiem, Saint-Saens' Third Symphony ... and yes, Rachmaninov's All-night Vigil being just three likely candidates for my planned 'Comparative Listening' project. But don't expect me to be doing these in quick succession: hearing 22 versions of a work, writing my thoughts on each and preparing/uploading samples to illustrate my points will be time-consuming, what with me being a new-ish dad and all.

So, this (my 150th thread ) is just a chance for me wish everyone here well over the festive holidays, and to thank everyone for making the last eight months since this new incarnation of the forum began such a great place to hang out. Hell, looking at my stats, I've spent well over two-thirds of a month here - so that must say something positive about GMG and its friendly, knowledgeable membership. My CD collection thanks you for the many, many new additions. My bank balance curses you.

My PM inbox will remain operational during my absence (email notifications are enabled, so I'll respond to any PMs if I see an email letting me know a member has got in touch), but I won't be monitoring any of the threads in which I've been particularly active. So, if you've a specific question about anything I've posted on up to now, drop me a PM and I'll reply as soon as I can. And yes, I will be silently lurking from time to time (usually, during those periods when I'm working on something dull ).

Anyway, enough from me. You're all great. Don't change.

[Solitary Wanderer]

Respect your decision and look forward to your return 

I like the idea of some comparative listening threads Bravo!

Happy listening 

[Mark]

Thanks, Chris.

[BachQ]

Please don't leave us, Mark ........

[bhodges]

In short, I'm ready for less chat, more listening.

Hard to argue with that mantra!  Enjoy, and return refreshed.

--Bruce

[Mark]

Please don't leave us, Mark ........

You don't mean that, D. Especially as I'm sure I've been a pain in your ass at times these past few months.

But I'll pretend you care because it's the season of goodwill and so on ...

[Mark]

Hard to argue with that mantra!  Enjoy, and return refreshed.

--Bruce

Thanks, Bruce. That's the plan.

[greg]

see ya later, man 

[Mark]

Bye ... dammit, Greg, I don't have those characters on my keyboard. Or do I?

[greg]

Bye ... dammit, Greg, I don't have those characters on my keyboard. Or do I?

it's a simple process.... if you're using Windows XP, at least. Just some simple setting configurations.

this is what you wanna message me: 再见！

[Mark]

it's a simple process.... if you're using Windows XP, at least. Just some simple setting configurations.

this is what you wanna message me: 再见！

In which case: 再见！. I think?

[Keemun]

Mark, happy listening and lurking.    I will be looking forward to your return in the Spring.  Of course, you can always come back early if you run out of CDs to listen to. 

Maybe by the time you return, I will have figured out how Greg manages to type using letters from another language.  That is, if it doesn't require actual knowledge of the language, in which case I'm screwed.

[Mark]

Mark, happy listening and lurking.    I will be looking forward to your return in the Spring.  Of course, you can always come back early if you run out of CDs to listen to. 

Maybe by the time you return, I will have figured out how Greg manages to type using letters from another language.  That is, if it doesn't require actual knowledge of the language, in which case I'm screwed.

Thanks, man. I'll no doubt keep in touch with you about downloads if (and it's a big 'if' right now) eMusic's customer service fools ever get my faulty tracks sorted out. If they don't, I'll either suspend my account for up to 90 days or quit the service altogether. Either way, I'm not exactly short of stuff to hear.

[Bonehelm]

Mark, you've been a peaceful and kind member around here. All the best to you. Hope the vibrational fields get out of the way and won't obstruct your listening/enjoyment.

[Bogey]

Even in your absence Mark I got you on radar.

[George]

In short, I'm ready for less chat, more listening.

So am I. However, I am not going to go to the extreme that you are going to. I'm gonna continue to check in here just once or twice a day and continue to try to increase my dedicated listening time. Plus I got your email so you won't be far, right?

Your ideas and gentle demeanor will be missed here, Mark and I look forward to your return. 

[PerfectWagnerite]

All right buddy. Take care and Merry Christmas.

[head-case]

it's a simple process.... if you're using Windows XP, at least. Just some simple setting configurations.

this is what you wanna message me: 再见！

Well, your strange characters, whatever they are, just show up as question marks on my screen and I have no curiosity as to what else they might be.

[head-case]

Members with signatures enabled will have seen that after this Friday, I'm going to be taking a break from GMG. Not because I've had a fight with another member, or become bored, or found somewhere better to go (hint: there is nowhere better to go ), but because as well as wanting to avoid for a few months the temptation to buy still more CDs while my self-enforced 'purchase fast' takes hold, I also need to spend fewer hours pouring over threads here, and more time in front of my CD collection, deciding which of my 300+ as-yet-unheard discs I should devote some serious listening time to.

In short, I'm ready for less chat, more listening.

When I return - probably around March or April 2008 - I hope to start a new series of threads where I'll be sharing my thoughts on works of which I own a fair few copies: Brahms' A German Requiem, Saint-Saens' Third Symphony ... and yes, Rachmaninov's All-night Vigil being just three likely candidates for my planned 'Comparative Listening' project. But don't expect me to be doing these in quick succession: hearing 22 versions of a work, writing my thoughts on each and preparing/uploading samples to illustrate my points will be time-consuming, what with me being a new-ish dad and all.

So, this (my 150th thread ) is just a chance for me wish everyone here well over the festive holidays, and to thank everyone for making the last eight months since this new incarnation of the forum began such a great place to hang out. Hell, looking at my stats, I've spent almost a whole day here - so that must say something positive about GMG and its friendly, knowledgeable membership. My CD collection thanks you for the many, many new additions. My bank balance curses you.

My PM inbox will remain operational during my absence (email notifications are enabled, so I'll respond to any PMs if I see an email letting me know a member has got in touch), but I won't be monitoring any of the threads in which I've been particularly active. So, if you've a specific question about anything I've posted on up to now, drop me a PM and I'll reply as soon as I can. And yes, I will be silently lurking from time to time (usually, during those periods when I'm working on something dull ).

Anyway, enough from me. You're all great. Don't change.

But who will explain British slang to us in the state.  For instance, what is a plonker?

[Brian]

This is bad news to return to! Have a great holiday from the forum, Mark, and many happy hours of listening. We will miss your presence, though you and I will surely be in touch 

Thanks again, by the way, merry Christmas, and a half-farewell!

~ Brian.

P.S. head-case, it doesn't matter: "plonker" is purely awesome no matter what it means!