too many things here to comment on....

- the npgmc is what it is... good and bad. being a fan for many years, and missing out on the few years before this one...well I missed out on a lot. I am grateful for having a place where I can hear the new music as it's coming out. I have yet to be disappointed on that front...granted there was a lot for a "returning fan" (not really...just not a club member) like myself to come back to and experience. I have also missed many shows here in just the few years I have been here...also waiting out for the "big" tour that was coming up that I got great seats for. All in all a pleasant experience...though I stay away from the chatting. And how about those cyber clips...yummy!

- Berlin parties...You guys have it very lucky that those are still going on after all these years...what like over 10? Sam's dedication to keep that going on should be commended. I doubt that there is any kind of regular gathering like this...in the world. I still try to make it to these when I come back home. Good times usually...I have seen some people just tear it up drrty sytle on the floor and that will always be good memories for me. Besides the great music, you get to hang out with each other and make new friends. That, more than the music is what's most important. The music may be a bit repetitive over the years but you always get to hear the new stuff that's for sure. And America Video will always be played...and P Control will always get me on the dance floor.

- Not a fam of the Krispy Kreme! Just too dang sweet. Now give my Dunken Donuts fresh out of the oven.....damn I miss the food there.

- And a big "Yo!" to all my fellow friends in Chi-town. You guys are great!

Anxiety said:

Well the vast majority of concerts I have been to took place in continental Europe, where there is no seating at shows. So if you don't come very late (usually it is not even necessary to come very early ) you have the chance to be very close to the stage. I have been to 50 Prince concerts in my life (including aftershows that don't have any relevance here) and except maybe 5 shows I always had a great place in the audience. As far as I remember only 6 of the concerts had seats: One time I was in the first row right in front of Prince's mike (thast was great ), 3 times I was between the 10th and 17th row and that was worse than where I was usually standing at his shows and 2 times I were very far from the stage which sucked. I have been to 2 Prince concerts as a member of the NPGMC in 2001 (I am not a member anymore, I just check out the club sometimes with a friends' password ) and there were no seats, so I was standing quite close to the stage (2nd row each time). So that was nice, but nothing new . Of course that year I had the chance to attend the soundchecks as well, and that definitely was a bonus . On the other hand I was at the venue a lot earlier than I usually go, so if I went that early the previous years, I am quite sure I would have been in the second row as well (but of course no soundcheck). However that nice experience cannot make up for the sad feelings I have when I think that one of my favourite artists has founded a cult where he is worshipped by his fams and everyone else is a victim of censorship

Serious said:

A while back, I was here expressing my dissatisfaction with the club but in the interim, I've learned to make it more of what I want it to be. The anti-gay speak has calmed down and I've learned to look over the people whose only purpose on the site is to bait and to pick on other folks. I do not consider it to be cultish, as there is nothing wrong with people being positive all the time. You certainly can't expect negativity about the site's owner to be spewed on there, can you? A lot of good discussion takes place there and I have met some really great people from tha club.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

How can I have a good discussion when I can't say what I want to say and can't use words I usually use just because they are forbidden for JWs . To me the site is extremely cultish

Serious said:

Have you ever tried to have a discussion about something that you wanted to talk about? Have you ever posted something that got deleted? We talk about pretty much everything other there from sex to religion and it's all still up. I have no problem with the cuss filter. Prince doesn't curse anymore and I can respect that he doesn't want it on the site.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

No, I never got deleted, but just the fact that I have to think twice if I might say anything that's not cool with the JWs is enough to not post there anymore. Prince's only reason that he does not cuss anymore is because someone else does not allow it. To me censorship is the beginning of the end of all democracy, I know no other site on the net like that . Of course there are nice people there as well. but the whole atmosphere there makes me feel completely as if I can't breathe anymore . People there have always been nice to me, but you never know if it's because the goal is unity (it makes me if I just think about this dumb circumscription of censorship) or because they really mean it . If I'd go there more often I think I could not listen to any of Prince's songs anymore . You mentioned that the anti-gay speak has calmed down, but isn't it ridiculous that anti-gay speak is allowed there while some words that might sound vulgar to some people but don't harm anyone are forbidden

Serious said:

In the real world, sometimes you have to think twice about what you would say in the company of others. Elders, women, etc. Whether we like it or not, Prince's life has headed down a more religious spiritual path. He deserves our respect, at least I think so. And far as saying what you wanna say, just try it. Most stuff not directed toward Prince himself, as long as it's not vulgar, remains.

And as far as the anti-gay stuff, we queers can and have always held our own. We don't take shit off of anyone on there. The threads remaining have actually have given some insight on both sides. Plus, the folks that talk the loudest show their hate and bigotry to everyone else. There's a lot of love in the Knowledge forum sometimes.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

Well I am a woman and no man has to think twice what he says in my presence as it is no different what he can say when he is amongst men . I am not a diplomatic person, but an honest one (even though I do get in troubles sometimes because of that ) and I expect others to be honest as well.
I don't have a problem with Prince being a spiritual person , but I do have a problem with him being the kind of spiritual person that he is (intolerant and full of prejudice) . And I definitely don't respect anybody for that kind of spirituality. If you feel comfortable there, good for you (though I don't understand it, especially considering the fact that you are gay), I don't and the knowledge forum just makes me sick .

Serious said:

I feel comfortable there because there are other gay people there who also don't take shit from anybody, plus there are also straight people there who don't let people give us shit either. I don't get the part where you say Prince is prejudiced and intolerant. We have discussions on every faith under the sun including voodoo. If the knowledge forum makes you sick, ther are other forums to visit. Musicology is a pretty neutral one. I'll get down off my soapbox now. I respect your feelings but I hope you give the place another shot.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

Yeah, the Musicology forum is okay, but for every thread in the knowledge forum about voodoo there are 500 about JWs and the truth that only they have found .
I respect your feelings as well TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs . But I prefer to talk to people on a forum where I can say what I want to say without having to think about censorship . But it's good to know that people like you are there to take care of the "famatics" (hey, I just created that word and I am loving it ). Maybe if Prince tours in my area again I will join the NPGMC again and give the forums another try and maybe I will get kicked out, who knows

oh how dramatic!

I liked my seats at the concert BUT I would never want to be BANNED.....so I keep my thoughts to myself.

Shorty said:

What do you mean, Shorty?

And how are you?

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

I mean pretty much everything Serious has to say! talk about exaggeration!

oh...and I'm fine...how are you? You are, the orgerformerlyknownas...?? who?

Shorty said:

Stymie. Cdaryl on the club.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

oh hey!! cool! how ahh ya? I thought you might be theblueangel extending an olive branch yeah right!

thanx!

CalhounSq said:

Amen to that, i got front row too. Columbia South Carolina. I love the NPG club and what it stands for. At least it is full of positivity! I would join over and over again!

Much appreciation!!!!!

NGPMC is the best...front row seats was more than I could ask for!!!!!

after sliced bread.....the best thing !!!