Okay, I was gone for a long time. Computer
problems, financial difficulties, more computer
problems, yadda, yadda. You've heard it all, and
I'm sure you don't want to hear it again.

But, now I am back, and I've discovered that a
lot of my old buddies who were
always around are gone. I'm sure you fellow
old-timers know who I mean. I miss Ahmed always
blowing himself up, for example.

Not only that, but there don't seem to be many
replacements. It used to be that, once I'd
answered all the specific replies to my Fretbuzz
posts, I could then dive into the various
categories, discuss things, answer questions, and
so on. These days, when I go into the various
categories, it seems I can hear howling wind and
see tumbleweeds blowing across a desolate
landscape. The bar under most threads is the grey
of "Older Replies."

Some of my old friends are still around, and some
of the people I know from the past who were pretty
indifferent to me are as well, but all of my old
antagonists are gone.

My old friends who are gone were pretty good
friends. One even sent me a set of three Andrews
Sisters CD's, almost their entire recorded
collection, because he knew I liked them, and he'd
discovered he didn't, anymore. He sent them to me
for free, and wanted nothing in return.

As to old antagonists, I really enjoyed the cut
and thrust of debate with worthy opponents, and I
think they did too.

Regarding the apparently indifferent people, I
think many of them were actually merely too polite
to argue with me. :)

The thing is, this site used to be hoppin'. What
happened? And, is there anything we can do to turn
this around?

Kelly