I wish I had run into you Housequake2K2. I've been trying to get a copy of that cd for a while now and I'm just not having any luck. But that was very nice of you to do that!

My family and I went camping for the first time this
past weekend. Even though I had my reservations about
it, I truly enjoyed the experience. There was also a
water slide park on the campgrounds, which was a welcome
relief from the heat. But I digress.

As I was relaxing at the campgrounds, I pulled out my
boombox to play some music (Graffiti Bridge). I just
finished listening to The Question of U when I hear a
much louder system blasting "Jam of the Year." I turn
off my radio to enjoy, (as some other campers did too)
wondering where the music was coming from.

I leave to catch up w/my family at the water slides,
and come back a couple of hours later to hear the 2nd
disc of Emancipation being played. I walk around to find
out who was jammin to Prince. After about 10 minutes of
searching, I run into the family with the music and ask if
they're playing Emancipation. The lady in the group turns
around and smiles and says yes. We get to talking about
concerts and discover we went to 2 of the same Prince
shows together (Jam of the Year w/Chaka Khan and Larry Graham at Concord, and Hit and Run in San Jose). Her husband/boyfriend chimes in, "Yeah, she loves some Prince."

So, without even thinking about it, I pull out a disc I
received (not bought) from a friend and said "Here's some-
thing you might enjoy." I gave her the Promo EP to ONA Live.
She asks, "You mean I can listen to this now?" to which my
reply was, "No, you can have it. I can always make another
copy." Her face almost glowed with excitement. We didn't
exchange addresses or anything, but I felt like I made a
new friend in the Prince community that maybe I'll run into
the next time I go to a show.

I guess my point in sharing this tale is if you run into
someone who like Prince music, share what you have. You've
already got something in common--the music. And you might
make a new friend, or at least make someone smile. The way
the recording industry is trying to put a stranglehold on
file-sharing networks (Audiogalaxy, etc...) we don't know
how long we've got to freely trade the music we love. But
that's another story altogether.

Done with my rant. Please share your thoughts/expressions,
or if anyone has had a similar experience.

Thanks for reading my long post.

Housequake2K2 said:

[color=blue:d65cb64075:9b3221f607]Beautiful touching situation, "Housequake2K2". truly can relate.

This occurrence happened earlier this year... a little before the One Nite Alone performance here in Phoenix. I went to to buy some needed items. I really did not purchase much that day... so I shopped with the small hand held basket. As I approached the checkout area... I placed the basket onto the moving unit belt. A young girl (H.S) age, was working at the time. As the cashier pulled out the items and scanned them... she then reached in to the basket to obtain my keys..., my keys have the on them. She immediately got so happy... literally speechless when she saw the . She kept saying... "Oh my gosh, you like Prince too". Of course we talked for awhile... the happiness she literally felt just to discuss Prince was so moving (personally, more so because of her young age, I thought that was simply wonderful that Prince does infact reach a range of people in all given area's) I told her to try out the NPGMC... and explained to her all that it had entailed (at the time) and the opportunity of being able to purchase tickets before the general public. She was just antsy with excitement/joy, literally moved to even have such a conversation with another individual (me), one who truly appreciates whatever Prince so willingly and beautifully creates ( I truly do). Nonetheless, she mentioned that she felt she could not afford (at the time) the fee to join the NPGMC, that perhaps one day she will be able to. I left... but as I got into my car, started it and the music came on... I actually was listening to some of the NPGMC downloads that I had burned. I knew right away, that I wanted share with her what I had. So... I went home... grabbed a set of back-ups and proceeded back to ..., they had just closed. I looked inside and caught someone's attention, as they opened the door... I asked if the young girl (cashier was still there)... and she was. I gave her the music and told her I would not just hand them over to anyone, but the way she appreciated Prince, simply her enthusiasm ... was enough for me to share.(I just had to) She was beyond happy, she was literally dancing with excitement, she gave me a BIG , saying thank you, thank you... I believe she even cried. I was so happy that I did what I did, especially for the fact that she could not afford it... for she had to help the family with financial support... and if I ever had to... I would gladly pay an additional $100 dollars for doing just so.

Beautiful Day!

Best Wishes...