Winnie :-)

============= Which has made me think, I'd love to see a Simpsons where Homer gets into northern off to freebasing to put up the thread

============= The inaccuracy was what made me laugh, and what a fantastic answer to such a strange question. Give people stereotypes, it makes them feel so much safer I had no idea about the latest gay fashion statement, but my postman has just come to my door in a high visibility jacket, which has left me wondering...................... What percentage of postmen are gay?

========== Could take out much of the controversy if it were free to get in. I think the major problem would be that if someone (independent or otherwise) was trying to set it up, they'd naturally go to Russ, Kev and Ian Levine for advice, and that would obviously be a red rag to a bull for some. Whilst it would be fantastic to look back at memories, I think there should be a large section on whats happening nowadays but it shouldn't just dwell on huge venues such as Stoke, because IMO that would be misrepresentative. The 100 club should have its own little corner for the stirling work it's done for the scene for over a quarter of a century

============ Wasn't there a museum doing an exhibit somewhere, seem to remember something on here about it? Also Shane, (I think) mentioned a museum in London, which catalogued a particular woman's experiences of the soul scene, sorry can't remember her name.

================ Wrong forum Paul

========== Lycanthropes mate Check your palm for a pentagram

============ "me and the like" Personally I won't be able to rest until I find out just who 'the like' are. Sounds very cultish to me

============= Lets hope also that whilst Wavy is in the process of discovering, she and others new to the scene are shown the tolerance to enjoy 'cheesy' oldies along the way. Its a big learning curve after all and one most of have travelled. If you're out every week Wavy, your likes and dislikes musically will rapidly change, if its once an month it might take longer, go at what pace is comfortable to you, and just enjoy the experience. Cos that is the thing I'd really like to change, for us not to all have made it such a serious thing, sometimes now I think its almost got to the stage of an vocational occupation, and enjoyment, particularly dancing is secondary.

============= Best wishes Pete and family

============ I've met many who were grey and in a state

================= Maybe you should give a recurring answer............pi should do the trick

============== I'm not letting you anywhere near my hen-house

=========== You won't be saying that next year......women are so fickle

============== Snap, excellent weekend. I know we spoke for some time, I wonder if anyone picked up on the fact I had on a pink t-shirt, and diamond studs in both ears. You did come up with something I thought very interesting, the intimidation factor to newer people on the scene. I never thought that a first timer might look at dancing as daunting because he/she is surrounded by people apparently knowing exactly what to do. I'll definitely try to be more considerate in the future Something else that impressed me last night, the group of girls on the other side of the room, I wasn't sure if they were all soulies or not, I suspect the latter, but when one of them had an epileptic fit, the music stopped and everybody tried to help her. Genuine concern amongst the group I was standing with, and not an immediate reaction of she must be drunk. Sometimes you've just got to love the people on this scene

=========== This really made me laugh, I think you have a future as punctuation monitor Billy their viewpoint has nothing to do with being a soulie, its to do with being a little on the neanderthal man side Its clearly an outdated premise that only men can fill a floor, won't name the female DJs I think can, cos Jo told me off last time for forgetting some, but there are quite a few. Winnie:-)

============= Examples would be adding fuel to a fire, wannabe DJs is all that needs to be said. Examples of good educators.... Arthur Fenn, Soul Sam, Butch, Chalky, Mick H, Carl Fortnum, Andy Rix, Andy D, Keb D, Jo Wallace, James Trouble, Ady C, there are others, but these are all people that if they were playing something new I'd give it a listen, and probably think yeah I'd dance to that. Most of them have 25/30 years experience on the scene, not that thats imperative as James proves, but they know their audiences. Personal choice is what its about, but sometimes with some DJs IMO they put their personal choice above the level that it actually is at. Again I'm not going to name anyone because as I said its a just my own viewpoint. Winnie:-)

=========== Nothing wrong with educating a crowd, as long as the record they're pushing works on the dancefloor. Chalky pushes lots of underplayed stuff, but in general when I listen to one of his sets I'm never off the floor. He understands what a dancefloor wants, unfortunately can't say that for all would be educators, some seem to want to put thier personal choice before what the punters want. Not a dig at anyone in particular, but I do think there are too many wannabe DJs, yeah keep the scene fresh and interesting, but not at the expense of the musical ethic. Winnie;-)

Is that the biggest pic ever on SS. The positive being even the almost blind (like myself) can actually read the message on it Interesting the negative thread and this one are almost running neck and neck on posts, surely we're not really that grumpy all the time. Well I don't believe we are anyway

btw, what is a go-go?! wAvy

Have to agree with all the points so far. Here are a few of my favourite things: Hearing new sounds and running up to the DJ to ask about it. Having friends round to the house early, few drinks and spin a few tunes. Driving up to the do with friends and hearing all the excited banter. Meeting friendly new people and they always seem to understand that you have to shoot off for a dance mid-sentence. Good dance floor etiquette. We all try to avoid bumping into people, but it happens. It's so nice to see both parties turn round and apologies. I see it all the time The 2 hour goodbyes at the end of the night. Chatting to people without them or their boyfriends thinking you're on the pull The fact that you can leave your bag anywhere and it won't get touched. People at the bar who say "he was here first" Free flowing drinks, cigarettes and chewing gum. Share and share alike. Service station meets for coffee afterwards - See Stafford services after Stoke Promoting and flyering nights for friends and having it reciprocated Driving back from a do, all the others are out cold. Just you, your favourite CD and an empty motorway. Can't wait for the weekend now What a great post! This was what I was talking about Win. =========== Yeah, sums up a lot of what is good about this scene, more good than bad. Would normally be on the grumpy 45 + thread myself, but am leaving it at the moment. Hopefully even those with pet hates have more pet likes

============ It's a holiday, I thought it was edam/gouda national guard on manouvres Something else I like, positivity is good for you in all its forms. negativity is just so draining, as Pickles said earlier, really looking forward to the weekend now, the people the music, dancing, laughing and not taking myself so seriously

============ What a great looking venue, soz but my geography isn't great, where is Easington?

============ When you focus on the positives, you can't help coming to that conclusion And would like to think that you, me everybody will have more positives than negatives

============= So true Sometimes I get so involved in arguments, I forget to take a step back, and remember the positives, but that's a failing on my part not the scenes. We can all find negatives, but most of the time its a question of looking really hard for them, whereas the positives, they're just there all the time, waiting to be remembered