Missing Members

[Madiel]

I know this will sound incredibly stupid to some of you, but I deleted my account just so I can have an avatar. I found it so frustrating that I couldn't upload one in my old account that it was starting to bum me out.

Well, if I recall someone else told you that they couldn't upload one either, so all accounts are probably affected with whatever has gone wrong.

I couldn't edit my profile for about 5 years I think...

[Florestan]

he used to inject a dash of life into this otherwise rather soporific kingdom, where most people go round in circles listening to the same things on repeat

That's exactly what Todd did, what with his obsession with Beethoven's piano sonatas and his minute comparisons of dozens of recordings for each sonata.

[SimonNZ]

It's possible that he's following all the artificial stock market manipulations with the tariff flip flopping, and he's making out like a bandit.

No time for music: gotta make hay while the sun shines.

[pjme]

he used to inject a dash of life into this otherwise rather soporific kingdom,

A yearly dose is enough!

[steve ridgway]

most people go round in circles listening to the same things on repeat

I prefer to think of it as evolutionary spirals as my circles get gradually larger  .

[Jo498]

I was once locked out from the forum for many months, maybe close to a year because I had lost the password/new computer or whatever and for some reason the reset mechanism didn't work and I couldn't get into contact with the admin. I eventually managed to reach Gurn/Michael (whom I miss, I didn't really understand why he left) via his Haydn site and he then contacted the admin to get be back onto the forum.

So it can be trivial things, or real life can intervene, both with trivial or tragic things that change priorities.

[Florestan]

I was once locked out from the forum for many months, maybe close to a year because I had lost the password/new computer or whatever and for some reason the reset mechanism didn't work and I couldn't get into contact with the admin. I eventually managed to reach Gurn/Michael (whom I miss, I didn't really understand why he left) via his Haydn site and he then contacted the admin to get be back onto the forum.

So it can be trivial things, or real life can intervene, both with trivial or tragic things that change priorities.

I too miss Gurn. He didn't leave technically speaking  just has been inactive for years. I hope he's okay.

[AnotherSpin]

I prefer to think of it as evolutionary spirals as my circles get gradually larger  .

Let's be honest, we all go round in circles, gently led (or dragged) by our vasanas, those charming little habits of the mind. As for Todd, it must be said: he had that rare knack for finding fresh interest in the same old material. And, rather impressively, for making others curious about it too. He was never one to stand still; even in the most familiar things, he somehow managed to hear something new. And, better yet, he actually shared it.

[Elgarian Redux]

he somehow managed to hear something new.

One of the characteristics of great art (judging from my own experience) is its capacity for offering something new, as acquaintance with it deepens. What may seem from the outside as mere circularity can be a perpetually-renewing voyage of discovery - as @steve ridgeway finds.

[Florestan]

As for Todd, it must be said: he had that rare knack for finding fresh interest in the same old material. [...] even in the most familiar things, he somehow managed to hear something new.

He's far from being alone in that. I doubt there is one single member here who doesn't find something new, interesting and enjoyable every time they listen to their favorite works.

What he does have a knack for is comparing, classifying and ranking 200 recordings of the same piece --- and in this he is indeed alone, at least on this forum.

[Elgarian Redux]

I doubt there is one single member here who doesn't find something new, interesting and enjoyable every time they listen to their favorite works.

Yes! Each iteration of what looks like a circular movement is (at least potentially) part of a growth pattern (growth, that is, 'as a tree, not as a cloud', as Ruskin says). If music (or any art) doesn't sustain that, I lose interest in it quite quickly.

'All together now, Enigma Variations, one more time...!

[Roasted Swan]

He's far from being alone in that. I doubt there is one single member here who doesn't find something new, interesting and enjoyable every time they listen to their favorite works.

What he does have a knack for is comparing, classifying and ranking 200 recordings of the same piece --- and in this he is indeed alone, at least on this forum.

I rank that the best answer so far today.......

[Brian]

What about Peter Power Pop's Planets ranking!

[Elgarian Redux]

Let's be honest, we all go round in circles, gently led (or dragged) by our vasanas, those charming little habits of the mind.

I've been pondering this further, and I have to say that it is not consistent with my experience. Yes, there are habitual circles, of little or no significance except as the kind of sensation one gets from repeatedly scratching an itch. But my repeated listenings to great music aren't like that at all. It isn't a 'charming little habit of mind'. It's a positive act of the will and the imagination. Repeated listenings (I'm talking dozens, here) to, say, Wagner's Ring, are, each of them, great adventures. They seem to energise my lifeblood and enhance my perceptions. I don't recognise the identification you're making here, and indeed I don't believe we're talking about the same kind of experience.

[Der Schattenmann]

Hang in there.

Thanks, Karl. I think I will be okay or, at least, until my next crying episode.

[Der Schattenmann]

Its not just one image from one source that it doesn't like? You've tried a variety?

Oh yes, indeed. I've tried a variety of images and even tried the URL image option, but to no avail.

[Der Schattenmann]

You are a shadow of your former self  .

Indeed. All hope is lost.

[Karl Henning]

he used to inject a dash of life into this otherwise rather soporific kingdom, where most people go round in circles listening to the same things on repeat.

This forum must be such a trial for you.

[AnotherSpin]

This forum must be such a trial for you.

Certainly not. The presence of some genuinely interesting participants does go some way toward redeeming the rest.

[Der Schattenmann]

Well, if I recall someone else told you that they couldn't upload one either, so all accounts are probably affected with whatever has gone wrong.

I couldn't edit my profile for about 5 years I think...

Hopefully, [fingers crossed] that Rob @Dungeon Master can resolve this issue.