Being not exactly chock-full of self-esteem, the former is a very real possibility.
But – is the Afterword a busted flush?
Full disclosure here – there have been a couple of times (no more than that) when I may have posted in a somewhat provocative manner. However, in general I’ve noticed that the response to any post, whether provocative or not, tends to be lukewarm and very limited in number.
As I say, this may well be me, but I, for better or worse, had pretty good responses to my posts on the Word site and AW v1.
I take no pleasure in suggesting that, following the demise of the Word, and the subesquent (highly laudable) revival as the AW, the third coming (following the hacking) might be a step too far.
One of the things I loved about the old site was the ability to post anything on subjects far removed from ye olde rock’n’pop which represented the magazine’s core constituency. That still exists on the current site, but in massively diluted form.
I feel that now one needs to present an instantly cogent argument from the get-go, whereas before some kind of compromise could be arrived at through a relatively short series of posts.
As I say – this is far from gloating, as I wish all who sail in the good ship Word and her following fleet nothing but the best.
Jim Cain says
The site has lost a lot of good contributors, and I image it’s hard to attract new members now it is no longer attached to a reasonably popular magazine. As a result, it’s more cliquey than it used to be, with loads of in-jokes (I am as guilty of this as anyone btw).
It’s still good though. We’re just playing more intimate venues.
JustB says
It’s not a big college town anyway.
DogFacedBoy says
no new members? Lack of advertising funds
Bargepole says
Have we really lost that many contributors – and are they gone for good, or just not posting as often?
JustB says
No Drakey, no Paul Waring, no RabTDog, no FiveCentres, no Retro Man, no Grant, no Joe R, no Steven C, no Specs Beard, no Doods, no Jo Lean.
Bingo Little says
No Moose!
JustB says
God, yeah! @moose-the-mooche, where are you?
thecheshirecat says
That can only be recent. It’s not that long since a post.
It’s Faux I miss.
adman says
I miss Gauntlet. And the other one, Mr. Gauntlet.
JustB says
TBH, neither of them has been seen since before the old site folded, have they? Except on Twitter, obvs. But yes, agreed.
Colin H says
We’re Gauntless…
Bargepole says
Drakey is on here quite frequently – not sure about the others. People come and go, life intervenes etc.
Jackthebiscuit says
FWIIW Dougie, I think the site is stuck in a bit of a rut at the moment, but I am optimistic that things will pick up. I agree with Jim (above) we have lost a lot of contributors & we could do some new new members to enliven the place, but where from?
I have been on here in varying forms for more than five years & came to here from Word magazine’s website. I attended a mingle in Manchester a few years back & have always enjoyed being a member of what I consider to be the nicest gang on the internet.
Please dont leave, take a break, come back in a couple of weeks/months & see if that helps.
Regards
Les. (JTB)
DougieJ says
Cheers Jack. Not flouncing. I will no doubt post on here from time to time. Just that it can sometimes seem like pissing in the wind somewhat…
But take others’ points that it may be partly a seasonal thing.
minibreakfast says
It always got quiet this time of year, it’ll get busy again come the autumn. I’ve not been contributing much lately as I’ve either had little interest in the subjects being discussed, or just nothing much of my own to say. Once we’re all stuck inside again of an evening I’m sure there’ll be lots more going on here.
Colin H says
I concur mini – I often check in, but only contribute if I’m interested in the topic or have time (and I seem to have been particularly busy recently). But everything ebbs and flows occasionally.
Vincent says
My life’s a pain in the arse sometimes, and I then lurk, sulking and binge-eating Haribos. I dare say there are others with similar bad habits.
Kid Dynamite says
It’s always ebbed and flowed, and like mini says this has never been a great time of year as people go on holiday or find better things to do outside. Why not, start a thread on something you’re passionate about, and see what happens? (but not the BBC please)
(That said, I do think the loss of the Track function has contributed to the way some threads die quicker these days – someone may well have responded to something I said I couple of days ago, but unless I’ve been directly tagged it’s still in Recently Updated, I’ll probably never know)
JustB says
Agreed re. Track. That was what made the old site navigable, for me. Let’s face it, this site isn’t a “blog”, it’s a message board, and it’d be really useful to see a quick list of threads you’ve contributed to, rather than a long list of the contributions themselves.
(With all the usual just-sayin-don’t-mean-nuffin-by-it-guv appreciation to Tim and Hannah and co.)
Kid Dynamite says
yes, I also meant to say that I wasn’t having a go at the team behind the site, but as you will see from the sloppy mess that is the rest of the post, it was somewhat underedited.
Kid Dynamite says
oh Christ, does that look like I’m moaning about no edit function now? I really wasn’t, just regretting not reading my post back properly before I clicked submit.
RubyBlue says
Why not, start a thread on something you’re passionate about, and see what happens?
I think this is probably the key. I’m very guilty of not doing this, and, as noted already, it may be because of the internal pressure to post something ‘fully-formed’. Therefore I tend not to post unless I have something reasonably half-thought-out to say, which in a way is a good thing, but I too get sick of the online ‘me’ which is much more serious and less playful than the throwaway but more fun/daft Facebook me.
So perhaps part of the answer is- everyone post more passionate silly bollocks about music. 🙂
Lando Cakes says
Yes, the lack of tracking has given threads a shorter half-life, I think. generally speaking, if they don’t appear on the first page or in ‘recently updated’, they’ve gone for me.
H.P. Saucecraft says
As much as I feel stained, morally and physically, to be standing next to Mr Cakes, I do agree with him and others that the lack of tracking leads to posts fizzling out before their best-by date. I have a tendency to forget what I’m commenting on, and scrolling through the updates seems like hard work. It is hard work.
Lando Cakes says
Hey, I showered and everything!
adman says
I come and go, been here since the magazine days. Sometimes it is fun, informative, a bit of a chuckle. Other times the arguments / flounces are depressingly familiar. I get sick of the ‘online’ me after a while and bugger off for a bit, but I like to see what’s going on here.
fitterstoke says
I recognise myself in Adman’s post….wouldn’t dream of flouncing, just go a bit quiet sometimes…..
JustB says
I know exactly what you mean. I’ve been falling slightly into old patterns lately, which probably means I’ll need a sabbatical before too long.
H.P. Saucecraft says
Vermont in the Fall, Bob! let’s get that cabin we always promised ourselves!
Baskerville Old Face says
This is still a good forum, but we’ve drifted into more serious subjects of late (particularly politics) and that has resulted in a bit more sparring. As long as we keep it civilised we should be ok. I would personally like to see more discussions on music and associated popular culture, with a bit of wit and nostalgia thrown in. We need more aspidistra hatstand or prog rock and less Corbyn or Scottish politics.
MC Escher says
Couldn’t disagree more (SWIDT) I would find endless discussions about which was the best Yes line-up desperately dull. I think we have a reasonably polite and very articulate membership and I welcome the threads that are nothing to do with music, it gives the site some much needed breadth of subject matter.
Baskerville Old Face says
Fair point. Your really missing the Yes vs. Pink Floyd thread aren’t you!
retropath2 says
Quite unintentionally my mind sped-read site as shite. (Ooops)
minibreakfast says
What we* really need is for @drakeygirl to be given another suitcase of old records.
*Well me, anyway.
drakeygirl says
Ah, that would be nice. Got lots of shits ‘n’ giggles out of that suitcase. Not actual shits, but definitely actual giggles.
And by the way, I am still here – occasionally! Just been overwhelmed in the outside world lately, leading to sparse arseing about on the internet.
Colin H says
DRAKEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!
it’s great to see you. 🙂
H.P. Saucecraft says
Not nearly enough you here, Mrs B. No Mrs B. no blog as far as I’m concerned.
Diddley Farquar says
Sparring is good, a bit of heated debate, so long as it’s not too personal. The kiss of death in my book is ooh let’s all agree this is a nice track by a nice band and only post lots of youtube clips that won’t offend anyone. Such mutual avoiding of controversy is the kiss of death. But that doesn’t mean trolling. Getting us all going is fuel for potentially interesting content. It’s a fine line.
Bargepole says
It has been a bit quiet of late, possibly due to holidays and folk doing outdoor summery things – no doubt things will pick up autumn time.
Sometimes though there just doesn’t seem to be much to say.
Bargepole says
Agree though that the lack of a track function is a problem – it’s so easy to miss things, and threads just seem to fade away very quickly.
Rigid Digit says
I fully agree with the “It’s summer .. it’s always quiet” statement – in fact, I think we may have had the same conversation last year.
Which (sort of) brings me to my second point:
Without the magazine, or other media, to back this site up, where do new Members come from?
If I ever fall into conversation with someone who may have an interst in the sort of un-related, musical/populr-culture bollocks we sppout on here, I will direct them to the Site with the phrase “Try it, you might like it” (careful how you use this phrase, as it may result in a slap around the face).
I have also sent submissions to The Independent Top 10, and other “listings” and appended the Afterword link with the advice “there is more of this stuff here …”.
My thinking is someone new might sign up at some point.
Also, this site in its various carnations has been running for a fair while – it is possible that some people may have lost interest, or ran out of time to continue to post (they’re still about, but have now got their own blogs, active on Facebook, running for Labour Party Leadership etc) and just don’t have the desire to post here anymore.
(In the style of Columbo …) and one more thing:
Is there a difference between the “real me” and the “on-line me”?
The real me and the on-line me share a brain cell, and therefore act the same in both environments (yup, I’m a boring b*stard in real life too).
In short, hang in there – I’m sure it will pick up in the autumn. We just need to garner some unsuspecting new members who will not be scared off by the sites peculiar brand of whimsy, bollocks and lists.
Jackthebiscuit says
FWIIW, I think I am guilty of some semi – literate posting. What I am trying to say is almost always incoherent bollocks & I regularly fail to put into writing what I am really thinking.
(That’s what leaving school at 15 does folks)
I do miss the contributions of the people DB listed above (and others), but hey ho, thats life.
JustB says
Oooh, @dougiej, you sly old dog, I’ve just realised how you roll. You knew that meta-AW threads are catnip to us, didn’t you? I predict a “most-commented” before you can say “Yes are fucking awful regardless of the lineup”. 😉
DougieJ says
D’oh! Foiled again…
JustB says
🙂
DougieJ says
123 posts and counting. *sits back and strokes white cat contentedly*
Mmmwwwaaahahahahahhhahahahaha!
Er,sorry Admin – just my chucklesome demeanour coming through as always…
Uncle Wheaty says
I have been away during the Summer but still lurking.
If I have nothing to say I guess I don’t bother anymore. My early days “Time for a re-appreciation” threads on the original website were met with mixed reactions so I have been more cautious since!
Tim The Admin says
@dougiej I welcome any feedback but I don’t understand this statement:
“One of the things I loved about the old site was the ability to post anything on subjects far removed from ye olde rock’n’pop which represented the magazine’s core constituency. That still exists on the current site, but in massively diluted form.”
There is nothing in the site design that prevents you from posting whatever you want to post about so I’m not sure what you mean by that.
Also, while personally I prefer the site as a community blog rather than a message board (I think its a key element of what sets us apart from other message boards, twitter etc) I appeciate others would prefer to use it that way – and indeed do start topics with a just a brief comment or sentence – there’s nothing to stop you doing that if that’s the way you want to roll.
As regards others comments about the ‘track’ function I have spent countless hours trying to find a solution to that – I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a DIY job -which I am working on and I will renew my efforts to fix it as I’d like to see it restored as much as y’all would.
We do actually have a steady stream of new users and returning former ones, , we still get mega site traffic and lots of people who just check in and read stuff rather than posting – we do have quiet periods, summer being one of them but I don’t think we’re a busted flush at all – in fact we get site traffic that rivals some more established (and advert supported) music sites. So there.
thecheshirecat says
Hoorah! to that.
H.P. Saucecraft says
Hats black with sky!
pencilsqueezer says
I feel pretty much an outsider on the site nowadays. My own fault for mistaking the nature of the beast.
I definitely lurk more than post now due to that error.
Far too many negative occurrences in my life in recent times have conspired to derail me and made me react far to vehemently to pointless bullcrap.
I shall keep a wary distance.
fitterstoke says
I’m sorry to hear that, Mr Squeezer – you’re one of the people who keep me coming back….
Lando Cakes says
I’m always glad to ‘see’ you. As are many others.
Bargepole says
Bargepole seconds that – enjoy the site but don’t take it too seriously – or personally!
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Tim – if there is anything failing with the site it’s definitely the lack of the Track Function. We, fools everyone of us, assumed you just pressed the “Restore” function. This plainly ain’t so.
Is there anything we can do to help your DIY Job like send brown envelopes stashed full of five pounds notes or…??
bogl says
I’m more a lurker than anything, lobbing in the odd comment here and there. My main problem is I find I comment on things well after the fact, because I’m plain slow.
My own recent thread, about mystery cricket bats, got some good comments so I can’t complain. No actual answer though, still looking for that one.
Kaisfatdad says
Well said Admin Tim. Any of us can start a thread about almost anything we want,
OK , I’ll admit it can be a little intimidating. There are some very articulate writers here,
Dare you walk with the giants?
Contributing to the Afterword is rather like being ,,,
a schoolboy footballer given a chance to play alongside Roy of the Rovers.
a busker invited up on stage to jam with Zep.
a humble househusband summoned to sample Nigella’s buns.
Kid Dynamite says
if that last one doesn’t get Moose out, nothing will
mikethep says
We seem to go through these periodic episodes of self-doubt, site not what it was, what happened to x, y and z, etc…I comment quite a lot, but I don’t seem to initiate many threads, though I’m grateful to others who do. Just don’t seem to have much to say, other things on my mind. Of course one’s self-esteem suffers when one’s threads attract tumbleweed – my thoughtful and penetrating review of the Milk Carton Kids received the Afterword equivalent of a sympathy fuck from KFD, and my ATM on Spotify has so far gathered one small joke from HP. But I’m like whatever, you know?
I’ve never been to a mingle – even Cornwall was too far away, never mind Brisbane – and in my mind there’s a definite divide between those who have met each other and those who haven’t. But there’s nothing cliquey about it, it’s just circumstance. Apart from that, the site bumbles along the way it always has, it seems to me. H P Saucecraft and ianess came back, after all…
niscum says
‘my thoughtful and penetrating review of the Milk Carton Kids received the Afterword equivalent of a sympathy fuck from KFD,’
Love it 🙂
ianess says
‘HP and ianess came back’ – a mixed blessing, then?
mikethep says
Not all bad 🙂
Podicle says
For what it’ s worth, here’s my perspective. Hang on tight…
Each user group/forum/blog develops a collective personality. I frequent guitar blogs where this personality is an over-enthused teenager, board-gaming blogs that are a slightly Aspergersy uni student full of geek-culture and nerd rage, and science blogs that are a mild-mannered academic sharing anecdotes over a glass of port in the staff room.
The Afterwod blog is a pissed, unemployed, argumentative middle-aged uncle who sits in the corner at family events and is liable to burst into ‘floods’ at any time and then storm out shaking their fist, only to skulk back in a few minutes later when no-one seems to have given a shit at their departure. They are good for an anecdote or two about the golden days of punk, but you’re quickly making excuses and moving on.
It does increasingly seem to be the self-help diary for an inner clique, possibly those who attend the meet ups, and seems to have lost a fair amount of its sparkle and wit in the process. I still drop in from time to time, but often have to scroll a couple of pages before finding a thread that piques my interest. The hole in my browsing life that the Word/Afterword used to fill is now plugged elsewhere.
Sorry in advance if I’ve offended anyone.
Jim Cain says
Ouch!
Jim Cain says
Well I for one won’t stand for being misrespresented in this way. Enjoy your blog I won’t be back!!!!!! hic.
chiz says
“The Afterwod blog is a pissed, unemployed, argumentative middle-aged uncle who sits in the corner at family events and is liable to burst into ‘floods’ at any time and then storm out shaking their fist, only to skulk back in a few minutes later when no-one seems to have given a shit at their departure.”
– Afterwod T-Shirt
Baskerville Old Face says
Up!!
Kaisfatdad says
Sympathy fuck indeed! I had a chuckle about that, Mike.
And like you, I just don’t understand all this talk about cliques. Other than DuCool, the only AWer I have ever met (and will ever meet I suspect) was a charming French bloke who once completely out of the blue came up to me in a Stockholm charity shop and asked me (very discreetly of course) whether I was The Man Called KFD.
And then he was gone.
“Daddy was that…?”
“Yes, son. One of the Inner Circle: the Illuminati.”
Mike Hull says
Being very time poor at the moment, I’ve been checking in here less often and hardly posting. As a result, I feel less connected to the site. I have been using Twitter less often too, and largely concentrating on Facebook, which is more trivial perhaps, but where it is quicker to share pictures and video clips and generally involves less attention span to post.
It is a shame that we have lost some of the most entertaining posters from here, but I’m in regular contact some of our AW cohort on Facebook and have developed friendships as a result.
The result of working stupidly long hours is that I have usually missed the first posts of any given thread and end up tagging along at the tail end, which is usually after the best and most original points have been made. That kind of makes it less interesting for me than it would otherwise be.
However, I am drawn back here. Not every day, but it is the best site of its kind and long may it continue.
Blue Boy says
I’ve wondered once or twice recently if its gone a little quiet and dull, but then reflected that this is a question which comes up regularly and always has, and simply reflects an inevitable waxing and waning. And actually there have ben some really good threads and posts lately on music and on politics – not the least the one started yesterday by @eddie-g on current state of music. There’s life in the old place yet.
Twang says
I think it’s just the hols. I did have an email from an ex-regular who said he’d been put off by some people dominating proceedings but I don’t know who he meant. I’ve been a bit busy lately, plus on hols so less active. It’s as good as the peeps contributing, really. FWIW I think there’s been less politics lately (good) or prog (Anderson, Squire, White, Wakeman, Howe, obvs).
Twang says
PS What I always disliked about the old site was the obvious ” PLEASE publish me in the mag” contributors, and the Hepworth keyboard sniffers “me Sir me Sir” merchants. Always a bit uncool I thought. More egalitarian now.
H.P. Saucecraft says
This “please publish me in the mag” thing, Twang. Some posters (I may have been one) got a hammering for trying to write actual blog pieces about something-or-other, little essays on this or that. I never understood the “sha’ arp, big ‘ead!” thing. It’s content, to use the modish phrase. I was always quite happy to work on something before I pressed “submit”, to get something going that was more than just a YouTube clip or a list. The ultimate aim of being published in a magazine never occurred to me, not I suspect to others. In fact I know some commenters were a little miffed to see their contributions to the blog being reprinted in the mag! We bring what we have, who we are. It is what it is. The Wire is The Wire.
chiz says
I was one of those saddoes who’d spend half a day trying to write something clever or funny for the Word blog – not out of a desire to see it published, but definitely because I wanted Hepworth, Ellen and the other pros to appreciate it. The place was a good showcase for good writing. It was called The Word, after all.
Eventually that kind of thing fell out of fashion (the cakes and crying era) and that’s when the Massive became sentient and some of the really good contributors started to drift away.
H.P. Saucecraft says
“Cakes & Crying” – Afterword T-Shirt
Twang says
You’re right. Speaking as one who had a review published I can hardly talk, mind you I didn’t know it was going to be. It wasn’t so much the long form pieces which I often enjoyed, as the predictable exposion of interest in a thread if Heppo posted something. Bah humbug, ignore me.
mikethep says
Know what you mean…Hepworth commented on one of my comments once, and I felt this ridiculous glow of pleasure and pride. Mainly because I always felt I’d like to *be* Mark Hepworth. Or David Ellen.
salwarpe says
I’m really grateful to everyone who keeps the compendium threads such an interesting source of music plus. But, the lack of tracking is the killer for me, when following other threads – that and the little yellow ‘new’ sign not recognizing multiple computers/tablets. Because tracking is there on Facebook, I just find it’s more responsive and easier to connect with others. Also (*whisper*), I find I quite like being able to ‘like’ any comment.
Tim The Admin says
We do our best @salwarpe but it hacks me off when we’re compared to Facebook. Facebook has around $40billion in assets and 10,000 full time staff (that’s 10,000 more than we have) – a good proportion of whom are doing an enormous amount of coding and developing in order to make, what would appear relatively simple functions, work. They also spend a lot of time working out how to sell and ‘monetize’ you and your data, which we don’t do.
salwarpe says
Sorry, @tim_admin2-2 – you are completely correct, of course. Sorry to be so unflective and ungrateful.
James Blast says
rename it HP. SauceWord and we’ll all be amused to death
Tim The Admin says
P.s. just to prove I am working on ‘track’ here is the prototype as it stands. At present it will show where there is a recent comment on a post you’ve created. The bit that’s still being worked up is the bit that shows updates on posts you’ve commented on but didn’t write.
Locust says
Lovely! I’m certain it’s very hard work but at least you know (from all of the whining all of us have been guilty of) that it will be extremely appreciated!
One question (and I hope it won’t make you bang your head repeatedly on your desk, sobbing) – will we also be able to see (sometime in the future) how many unread comments every post have, like we used to be able to before? Not a big problem, but it would save some time…(sorry!)
chiz says
It’s inevitable that people drift away over time and disappointing that they are not replaced with new blood. That may be because a) they’re not finding the site, b) they find it but don’t like what they see or c) They like it but are too intimidated by the mateyness of the regular contributors.
The big advantage the old Word blog had was a paid moderator to ensure the posting guidelines were followed. People think the PGs are there to prevent fights but they’re actually much more concerned with keeping the blog open and varied and giving each contributor a fair share of voice. For example:
Please be frugal with your blog entries. Unless you have something really important to say, multiple posts from a single author over a short space of time are not welcome.
Be thoughtful. Rather than just post a video without commentary, we’d prefer you to tell us why we should watch it, why it means something to you, why you want to share. Try not to post in a throwaway fashion. Try to have a point
Posts that are written largely in jibberish or have no point will be deleted. Avoid in-jokes as posts
Only one embedded video per post, please. Multiple instances of embedded videos pushes other content further down the page than it needs to be.
Please use the Noticeboard facility to promote your band, your book, your website
In the absence of a fraser figure, it’s up to each contributor to decide whether the rules apply to them or not.
Kaisfatdad says
Frugal?
Ooops! I’ll get my coat.
Baron Harkonnen says
there’s nothing wrong with the afterword.
I find that if you come on here with a negative state of mind, that’s how you will perceive this place.
Me? I like to have positive frame of mind, it helps with my humour, my attitude and my health. Can’t be like that all the time but it helps.
Tim, you guys do a great job and thanks for that.
Now where’s my Valium?
Black Celebration says
I agree with this. It’s a great place.
If it’s quiet, I am prepared to take ownership and start a tumbleweed-enticing thread. It’s amazing where a thread can travel to sometimes.
Bingo Little says
Bingo Little’s 10 Simple Rules for How to Enjoy the Afterword Blog
1. If you want to start a thread, start a thread. It doesn’t matter a single iota if it doesn’t get many, or even any, comments. It’s all just words on the web, and no one is watching and judging, much less keeping score.
2. When you do write an OP piece, write for yourself, and for your own pleasure. That’s your best guarantee that at least one person will enjoy it. The best posts on here are the passionate ones, regardless of whether the topic resonates and/or the prose sparkles. This, of all communities, must be aware that it’s better to be loved by one person than quite liked by ten.
3. Related to the first two points above; don’t bring your self esteem into it. If you need validation from a website full of strangers exchanging chat about obscure b sides and Limp Bizkit then that points to a deeper issue. If someone disagrees with you, recognise it doesn’t matter. Don’t get sparky or, worse, flouncy. Remember that today’s big, ego-driven online ruck is tomorrow’s drupal hacker decimated mess of useless data, and that nobody, not even the poets, has ever made arguing on the Internet look good.
4. If you think of something funny to say, say it. Even if you’re not sure if it’s really funny. Again, no one will judge, and if all you’re trying to do is get a harmless laugh then why not.
5. Don’t mention the clique.
6. Don’t worry about in jokes. They’re the sign of a healthy community, and an unavoidable fact of life in any group that spends a reasonable amount of time together. For every person put off by them, there will be another who’s intrigued or gets the sense that a good time is being had, which they can join in on.
7. Don’t be afraid to go meta. It switches up the pace and every navel needs a little gazing.
8. The politics debates are ace. That’s where you actually learn a thing or two.
9. Don’t be a dick.
10. Never eat anything that Rob C has home-baked, unless you can spare the next three days.
Bargepole says
Perfectly summed up really – if you want to post, do so about whatever takes your fancy. Don’t worry about negative comments – or lack of comments!
The site is what we, the users, make it. If you think someone’s posts are dominating the site, post more yourself, either by commenting on threads or by starting your own.
This clique business seems to be one of the great myths of this site!
Black Type says
First rule of Clique Club – always deny that there’s a clique 😉
Tim The Admin says
*applauds* I think we should pin that to the front of the site, well said that bingo
johnw says
Well, that didn’t work! I printed it out, pinned it to my monitor and now I can’t see any of the rest of the comments!
Skirky says
Arf!
JustB says
Damn tootin’, you wise motherfucker you.
Kaisfatdad says
More wild applause from across the North Sea.. Well said Bingo. You really are an Afterword National Treasure.
And wise words from Bargepole too.
Thanks!
H.P. Saucecraft says
11 Avoid posting this picture as it causes needless irritation:
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t642/burtkocain/R-1756223-1260800391.jpeg_zpsomfqudpi.jpg
Baskerville Old Face says
The really annoying thing about this picture is those fucking awful sideburns…
mikethep says
And a pink chair…well, really.
SteveT says
You don’t need valium in Greece Baron – just drink copious amounts of alcohol and soak up the sun.
Agree with Baron, I visit the site most days and get as much out of it as I ever did. Yes miss some old contributors but there are new ones who are just as entertaining.
Made a lot of friends from this site so for me it is always regarded as a Godsend.
Baron Harkonnen says
Hi Steve, I am certainly taking your advice, the iPad’s on a table and sitting at the side of it is a large frosty glass of lager in a little bar overlooking the Ionian Sea. The Baroness is planning more leisure activities and has a smile on her face.
Bingo and Bargepole are bang on the button above, love to you ALL, over and certainly not out.
BigJimBob says
I have been on (and mostly off recently) this site right from its beginning as the official Word blog. Within a year of its existence there were It’s All Going to the Dogs posts.
Vulpes Vulpes says
It’s August, FFS.
mutikonka says
I don’t visit the AW as much as I did before the crash. Not sure why. I mostly just read, not contribute. When I do, my comments seem to be thread stoppers – maybe the time difference between UK and Oz. Still like the place though.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Just wondering – how do newcomers actually locate this site? Word is a fading memory and I would have thought almost anybody who wanted to find the AW has done so by now. Perhaps some relatively new incomer like @rubyblue could comment?
Twang says
Personally I tell people about it and there are a few here because I promoted it, plus I’ve posted links to the podcast to other forums who might be interested.
Kaisfatdad says
All my pals with an interest in popular culture know about it and sometime I’ll post a link to a thread on my Facebook page. But it’s not easy to recruit.
It’s difficult to compete with Twitter with its galaxy of celebrities. There you can suddenly find that a legend like Mark Ellen, Lemmy, Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson has favorited your tweet
What can we offer on a par with that?
Fiction Romantic says
Did I tell you about my fight with Lemmy during a gig once? (oh I have). He’s looking a poor old bugger these days.
As we age and head into oblivion is anyone up for the Hereafterword blog? Does anyone know a cheap medium who could get us going?
In some ways blogging on a site like this is a reaction to events in popular culture. If it’s quiet out there and there is nothing to enthuse or enrage the massive it gets a bit quiet but I’m sure that will soon change. Some folk are better at expressing themselves than others, and some are more sensitive souls. Sometimes I lurk and sometimes I post, depends on my mood and inspiration and inclination.
I love the way the blog ebbs and flows, from the really serious (and, at times, personal)
stuff to absolute trivia and back again. The political posts raise the blood pressure from time to time (and so they should, it would be a poor blog if we all agreed all the time), and sometimes I wait to see who will take the bait first. Mainly, I just think all the contributors are wrong apart from me!
This community (yes, it is a community) introduces me to new music, reminds me of stuff I’d forgotten, makes me listen to stuff again that I’d previously dismissed, and has given me a Sinatra habit that I can’t shake off (and I’m still not sure I REALLY like him). Although music is my main draw, I read the book, film reviews etc and occasionally make the effort to investigate further.
In short keep the faith, keep checking in and post when you have something to contribute. And thanks to people like Saucepot who act as a catalyst when things are quiet.
And special thanks to Tim and Hannah, and all the admins, who do the thankless work that keeps this show on the road, we are very lucky to have them.
And Bingo’s words of wisdom will last a lot longer than Ed’s Stone!
WholeHogg says
I still lurk around these parts – and occasionally, when I find my password, I write something.
I stopped coming for a while due to real life getting in the way a bit – and there seemed to be a lot of arguments and bad feeling in some threads which was all a bit dispiriting. But maybe I looked at the wrong threads on the wrong days; when I’ve been on lately, things seem much friendlier.
Jackthebiscuit says
I sort of understand some folks feeling that a ‘Clique’ or some form of inner circle exists, indeed when I first joined I felt the same thing. Now I dont, its just a group of similarly minded folk talking music/film/TV/any other bollocks on the internet.
As for folk wanting to be published/name checked in our dear departed mother ship, well, AFAIAC, if that is their thing, thats fine with me.
When I was a young pup on this forum, I remember a regular poster (neves – I am sure some here will know who I mean) posting on the forum something alongg the lines of “The magazine should publish some comments off of the website every month” – WTF? – Speaking for myself (& only myself), I thought that was a load of ego-centric bollocks.
Brown nose alert. Can I just finish by saying that I take my hat off to the admins for the hard, ongoing work they have done, & continue to do to maintain & improve this site.
retropath2 says
It’s like fast food for me; sometimes I will, sometimes i won’t.
retropath2 says
It’s like a diet for me; sometimes I wil and sometimes I won’t.
retropath2 says
But I know it has sustained me at times. Call it an inward looking self effacing vanity board and that’s fine by me: I know one of you reasonably well, a handful a tiny little bit more and most none at all, yet consider most of you good chums. OK, the odd scrap and an occasional flounce, but, heck, I can’t help the bad taste in music, politicians, haircuts and humour most of you have, what do you expect? (And as for all the fucking football threads, (incl. cricket)……
Jeez, and where else could you invited for a malt at a folk festival but here?
Junior Wells says
I’ve always been surprised by the views to comments ratio of some threads. I’m such an opinionated me tooer that I could never survive lurking.
Some of the politics I.e Scottish independence I found highly informative despite the internecine stuff that broke out.
Yes whither Mojo et al but that is life. You can only coax for so long.
Oh speaking of mingles @mikethep I am up in Brissie in October – are you in town or the sticks ,assuming there is a difference in Brisbane 😉
ianess says
Though some have complained about the politics/contentious threads, I’m always rather amused by how popular they are, with regard to the number of views they receive. As with all playground punch-ups, there will usually be a couple of combatants, a few who deliver sneaky punches from the sidelines, but shy away from getting fully involved plus a large number of delighted onlookers.
By contrast, the ‘Songs which mention Nose Hair’ type of thread appear to garner a fair number of comments, but, on further investigation, these comments appear to be mainly made by the OP poster and a couple of other like-minded trainspotters.
Slightly tongue in cheek – can we have a function that discounts all further comments from the original poster from being counted?
chiz says
…or make number of views the criteria for being worthy of Last Seven Days immortality, not comments. It used to be the etiquette that you didn’t constantly bounce your own threads into the Recently Updated list because doing that means someone else’s is consigned to oblivion – especially when there’s no track function.
It is funny how many views a fightey, flouncey thread gets. People tut about them but they still read ’em.
mikethep says
Deffo @junior-wells…I’m on the South Side, but it’s a 20-min bus ride to the CBD. Where will you be?
Junior Wells says
Err Wynum if that is how you spell it .Up for 4 days visiting son.
The could be my first meeting of an Afterworders. We can start a clique.I will PM you.
Back to the son bit at the old place I recounted seeing my son after 4 years of estrangement. I got hundreds of response of encouragement and many hundreds of ups ( thems were the days).
That place had that spirit and for mine this place does too.
mikethep says
Wynnum yes, by the sea. Easy for me to get to. We’ll show that Thames Valley crowd…
Gatz says
I don’t know if this was your intention, @dougiej, but you certainly seem to have gingered up the list and no mistake. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such a burst of activity after relative torpor as we have seen in the last day or so since your post.
Paul Waring says
*Pushes the door open gingerly and peers in. Looks around. Nods approvingly and pulls up a chair.*
Bingo Little says
*Does a comedy double-take. Splutters into drink*
JustB says
Ooh you bugger, @paul-waring! Great to see you, fella!
Paul Waring says
You too, young man! Lovely ep, by the way! and what’s this ‘@’ stuff? I don’t remember anything like that?
I had to look back in. Facebook can only take so much of my shite. Now I’m going to have to remember which real name goes with which made-up name again, aren’t I?
ianess says
Paul – when you coming back to Edinburgh so that you can be felt up again by the local waitresses?
Paul Waring says
Bloody hell Ian, didn’t expect to see you back here – I’d have come back sooner!
I was up just a couple of weeks ago for the day – sadly a flying visit with no time to let the local ladies know of my coming. It’s been a long time since I’ve been inappropriately touched by a waitress. Far too long.
Raymond says
Well said, that Bingo chap. We now have our ten commandments.
Douglas says
FWIW, IMHO, OOAA etc
I have scrolled through all 116 comments and @podicle seems to have hit the nail on the head as far as I’m concerned, particularly that the site “seems to have lost a fair amount of its sparkle and wit”.
In essence you get what you wish for, and a site’s contributors all play their part in gradually nudging various behaviours:
– lack of response to some threads, topics or contributors in effect spells out the boundaries;
– enthusiastic responses and long conversational threads (which look impressive at first but on closer inspection are largely composed of exchanges between maybe 4 contributors), in effect push the preferred behaviours and contributors.
I went through a brief spell where it seemed that, although my posts weren’t remotely snarky or ill-considered, they seemed to sprak rather tetchy or snippy replies. Fair enough, no sleep lost, but it meant I was consequently less inclined to contribute.
And if you multiply that by several dozen you get a gradual erosion of the site’s previous soul, “sparkle and wit” in fact, and the emergence (genuinely coincidentally) of something vaguely resembling a clique.
The main thing that’s changed is not so much tracking facilities, summer holidays or people’s working hours: those are just off-the-shelf excuses. The key thing is the slow but steady decline in active contributors, not being replaced, and hence a greater homogeneity. Diversity and variety used to be the key things, sparking wit and engagement.
Despite what all this sounds like, I’m not really complaining: things change. Once upon a time I would enthusiastically check in to the site daily, and laugh out loud at something most days. These days, in the words f Patrick Bateman, it’s just not that important to me.
DogFacedBoy says
Is the clique now the same as the old one?
I should add for reasons of disclosure that the mingles are now “mates who go out for dinner occasionally” and we only spend 90% of the time talking about this place
rocker49 says
if you want me to start another AC/DC You-Tube video thread to liven things up a bit, say the word.
spider-mans arch enemy says
I’m guilty of being a lurker rather than poster, but although some of the sparkle may have gone, the site would certainly be missed in my household if it ever folded. Sure, people can be argumentative and maybe take offence too easily, but overall, it’s funny, interesting, but mainly really really sad and pedantic about music (but that’s a good thing).
Now crack on and get some more posts up, as l’m trying to avoid the rest of my life.
Wheldrake says
Sad to say this site just doesn’t hold my attention any more. Too many snippy comments, too much prog, too many grumpy old men.
I’ve stayed away a while. Recently been reading some threads again, but just can’t drum up the same old enthusiasm.
Peace.
Bingo Little says
Peace right backatcha..
H.P. Saucecraft says
Hadn’t noticed you’d gone. Shame.
Kaisfatdad says
Lack of “Sparkling wit and engagement”. Your analysis of the current state of the site was excellent Douglas. It’s amazing how much difference the absence of just one or two contributors can change the chemistry of the place. Where’s Moose, for example, when you need him, eh?
I’m not in the doldrums about how things are. But the more different people there are writing in different ways about wildly different things, the better the site is.
And, as you say, the less cliquey it will seem.
Any of us who starts a thread can only be themselves. Tigger can’t be Ruby. Bingo can’t be Junior. Mini can’t be Saucey. And as for being Rob, I don’t any of us, himself included are up to that.
Fingers crossed that the autumn will see a stampede of sparkly, witty, argumentative, opinionated, perverse, eccentric, dazzling bloggers, old and new.
Bingo Little says
“Mini can’t be saucy”.
Probably the biggest lie ever told on this site.
Zanti Misfit says
Have to say, I find I’ve nothing to offer anymore to this message board.
I myself, may have been ‘snippy’ in the past, and (said in an Alan Partridge voice) for that ‘I apologise”.
There is an element of ‘hail fellow well met’ and “grumpy old person” (reactionary git) that makes my teeth grind here. However, on the whole, most folk/the Massive(?) are bloody brilliant. You know who you are. Anybody who criticises Kaisfatsdad will have a Martian attack to answer to!
I am having to “take stock” as Bob numbers once said, and fucking right off.
Night night
Junior Wells says
aaah Bob numbers-what a quixotic character
Bingo Little says
Not sure if that means you’re leaving, but can I be the first to encourage you to… uh… fuck right on?
Contraryarticle says
I HOPE that means yer not leaving Zanti as yer one of my favourite posters & one who has introduced me to all sorts of musical wonderfullnesses, the last one being Victor Bananas, which I tracked down on Discogs. For that & many others, thank you x
Zanti Misfit says
That’s very kind of you to say, Contrary. I always considered myself a very peripheral contributor on here.
I forced my own hand to leave (or rather just to lurk now and then, if I see a blog that piques my interest) because I realised I spend far too much time typing to relative strangers on the internet. Simple as that.
Ach, I was a bit poncey in my post, this IS a great message board, full of interesting people but there is a different vibe that I don’t feel I connect with anymore.
I think of this as less of a flounce and more of a bounce.
Hannah says
One of these days, I’m going to change the site’s slogan to “The Afterword – still not as good as it used to be”.
chiz says
It never actually was as good as it used to be.
H.P. Saucecraft says
The Afterword – every day’s better than the next!
Rob C says
I’ve lurked around these parts for qite a while, one way or another. It has its ups and downs, but it’s generally a good bunch having the crack and that’s more than enough, isn’t it ?
Bingo Little says
Well said!
H.P. Saucecraft says
Sha’arp, big ‘ead!
retropath2 says
Bloody hell, I go to bed and now, before I can even see where this overnight watchman has gone, there’s a zillion new posts to read………….
We must write it off more often.
Rob C says
or should I say ‘craic’. I’m not condoning freebase antics. Each to their own, but no.
adman says
I just fixed my busted flush. A small length of garden wire, and a bit of imagination is all it took. Now you don’t have to stick your finger in the top of the cistern anymore. Marvellous.
Junior Wells says
Check your pm @mikethep
ianess says
‘lost its sparkle and wit’. Just a suggestion – why not attempt to add to the gaiety of the nation by giving us all the benefit of your own sparkling wit? This type of complaint all seems a bit ‘here we are now, entertain us’.
No one’s stopping anyone from posting. Make a contribution.
If I’m out in company, I don’t expect the rest of the group to act as unpaid stand-up comics purely for my amusement. I do my best to contribute and try to bring something to the party.
Personally, I do wish mojo would return. I loved his stories about his Zelig appearances at every noted event in ’60s pop history.
JustB says
Completely agree with this.
James Blast says
tried
died
Next!
ianess says
Buck fast
James Blast
Drunk
skunk?
Kaisfatdad says
“Zelig like appearances. ” I love it. You hit the nail right on the head there.
Completely agree. A sad day for us all when he flounced off into the outback.
Junior Wells says
We’ll both The artist formerly known as Burt and I have persisted for some time but to no avail. I really did put the effort in , recounting positive feedback etc but he felt the whole Burt and the Mods thing made him feel uncomfortable.
So it wasn’t a flounce in the classic sense.
He is on Twitter , short dry witty snippets of rock history album covers and espousing his political views on certain matters.
Beezer says
I’m lurking these days. I don’t have anything interesting or amusing to say at the moment. NTIEDBAESI*
Any blog or message board will float about peaking and troughing if it lives long enough. This one has been on the go for bloody years and it’s a testament to it and the posters – regulars and irregulars – that it has done precisely that.
The AW blog has lungs. And legs. And things,
Fret not. Post nothing or post your tits off. We’ll be here.
*Not That I Ever Did, Before Anyone Else Says It.
ianess says
‘Post nothing’. Fair enough, I suppose, though if sufficient numbers follow that advice, then there’s either accusations of a ‘clique’ having an undue presence or the blog closes down entirely due to the preponderance of non- contributors.
Beezer says
Fair, as you say, enough. Typically sweeping statement from myself in the above post.
My meaning is more ‘don’t feel obliged to post for the sake of it or post your tits off if your filled with the muse’.
This place seems to attract more than enough of the erudite and articulate even during the down phases. No, it will not endure forever but almost 10 years in it’s still doing the business.
Beezer says
‘You’re’ not ‘your’
Christ on a bike. Needless to say I don’t include myself in the eruculate and artidite.
Rob C says
‘Fuck The Typo Snoobs’
GCU Grey Area says
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t449/GCU_Grey_Area/post-1_zps7kjgasiz.jpg
Beezer says
Magnificent!
Have you got one in a slim fit Medium?
There are several punchlines to that. Enjoy yourselves.
Kaisfatdad says
Well tried Junior! I guess that once he’d made his mind up that was it. Thanks anyway.
What does Mojo call himself on Twitter? I just looked and there seem to be several Mojoworkings.
Junior Wells says
StuartPenney
minibreakfast says
Thanks Junior, we had a nice little chat on there this morning. There are a few Stuart Pennys, but his avatar stood out as very Mojo-esque.
Kaisfatdad says
Thanks Junior and Mini. I found the Stuarts and Twitter helpfully informed me which one Junior was following. Great!
timtunes says
As many above, more of a lurker now, but the re-birth of the update tracker as above would be fab – thanks for efforts.
A couple of comments if I may?
One of the things I liked originally was the general spirit of positivism but I feel this has waned. If you’re not interested/don’t like something when the OP is clearly engaged then why post – what’s the point?
Secondly, my pet hate is being told off for posting something someone has already done – and that maybe months previous. As such, for the more casual visitor, who is overcome with the desire to share, one can feel cut down with a terse ‘this has been done before, see XXX’. As a result I do search to see it is not a repetition – but sometimes you get it wrong and can feel scolded.
But, as I don’t like to moan, honest, here is a nice tune (cue the ironic ‘it’s been shared before’…)
H.P. Saucecraft says
“If you’re not interested/don’t like something when the OP is clearly engaged then why post – what’s the point?”
Because opposing opinions make for livelier reading, that’s why. You shouldn’t read a different POV as being necessarily negative.
As to the “been done before” alert – that’s fine, isn’t it? It’s never stopped a thread yet. Not everybody sees everything, and a repeat thread always draws comments from people who missed it the first time. But it’s interesting to see what people have said about it before, so links to previous pieces are useful.
timtunes says
Fair points but…..
If someone posts ‘What do you think of X?’ then of course. But if one posts ‘lets have a [insert name] appreciation thread’ – but ths point of a pithy ‘no, because they’re crap’ type response?
I completly agree on the links to the previous threads – I guess I am being a sensitive flower, but maybe it’s the manner? It sometimes seems to be a portculis that is crashing down saying ‘done that’.
Perhaps I should toughen up??
H.P. Saucecraft says
I hate the sucks/rocks thing, the “they’re great/shite/pants/bobbins” comments. That’s “subjectivity” at its most stupid, and its all over the internet like brass on a doorknob. The only thing that gives a point of view value and interest is the way it’s expressed. It’s great if someone comes in with any point of view that’s more thought-out than an up arrow.
But yes, Tim. You should toughen up, because Owlsley’s coming round to poke you with his dowsing rod.
Archie Valparaiso says
Mods! Please call Haitch to order. He’s repeatedly spelling Wolseley’s name right.
chiz says
Who is this ‘Owl C’ dude anyway?
timtunes says
Yep, happy with that balance.
I never normally make this sort of comment (and kind of wish I hadn’t this time!) – I vaguely remebered some sort of code of conduct posted on the original site (by Fraser I think) and I was, perhaps inaccurately, trying to hark back to that.
H.P. Saucecraft says
Yes, well, don’t let it happen again. We’re a tolerant lot by and large, but watch your step or … well, just watch your step. I’ve said enough.
timtunes says
I am reborn – steely & tough
H.P. Saucecraft says
Oooooh!!!! *flutters eyelashes*
ianess says
Up arrow.
chiz says
Wouldn’t it be dreadfully dull if you could only agree or stay silent?
timtunes says
Agreed – I didn’t suggest that
chiz says
Ah, okay. Sorry
H.P. Saucecraft says
You just don’t know when to stay silent, do you?
(please don’t disagree with this)
Jim Cain says
I understand what timtunes is saying. I have no interested in Cricket, for example, so if I see a thread about the Ashes, I’ll ignore it. I don’t go on it and post ‘I’d rather watch paint dry’ or something like that.
timtunes says
Cheers Jim, a perfect example
JustB says
I think this one’s hard to judge sometimes. (Or maybe it’s not and maybe it’s just me.)
Completely agree with Jim’s example above, of course – I wouldn’t touch a Yes or football thread with a bargepole – or in fact, with Bargepole’s – so I don’t comment.
But I got in trouble with someone the other day on the fifty fourth Rumble In The BBC for – I thought – gently taking the piss out of the fact that those threads only ever end up with four people sobbing at each other from their entrenched opposite corners and nobody changing their mind at all. Which is something I find quite funny.
Anyway, I got told to piss off and keep my sarky comments to myself. Which, y’know, might’ve been fair enough, except I thought I kind of *was* contributing to the conversation by commenting on it, albeit by being a smartarse twat.
H.P. Saucecraft says
Political threads always, always, end in a ruck. Who ends up being stomped is largely a matter of ill luck.
I read the cricketing and foootball threads because I love the expertise and the shared humour. I never have anything to add, though, lacking both qualities.
JustB says
Despite not being a huge cricket aficionado, I read and love them too. There’s something nicely TMS-down-the-pub about them.
ianess says
As a non-sobbing participant, I enjoyed your sarky comments.
Richie B says
Did someone say “Smartarse Twat?”
Poppy Succeeds says
Personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I really enjoy browsing it and occasionally contributing, and although I stay out of personal and political threads they’re some of the best.
JustB says
At the risk of looking like I’m cosying desperately up to one of our few GURLS, I love your threads, Poppy. Your taste is somehow perfectly pitched to draw me out of my comfort zone while still having enough to immediately appeal. (Most of the time. Some of the time it makes me cry with fear.)
But I wouldn’t have listened to Throbbing Gristle or a whole bunch of ace stark techno without you, and bizarrely enough, without your review of Commodified, one of our songs would’ve sounded entirely different because I wouldn’t have heard and loved that record to death.
So, cheers. 🙂
H.P. Saucecraft says
I love all the womyns comments and occasional blog pieces (when they feel brave enough!) (☜☜☜☜).
I for one would love to read more about what they keep in their handbags! How about it, ladies? (☜☜☜☜).
minibreakfast says
My main handbag contains a telescopic steel feather duster. Comes in very handy at times like this.
*THWACK!*
Archie Valparaiso says
“My main handbag”? You mean you collect them and shoes?
minibreakfast says
I only have about six, and really only use three of them. I believe this is well below average.
minibreakfast says
Oh, and: *thwack!*
Sewer Robot says
So, you can dance inside your circle of handbags..
H.P. Saucecraft says
… your handbags full of shoes …
Poppy Succeeds says
Thank you, Bob, that’s really kind. You’ve reminded me I need to hear Commodified again, like, now.
Jim Cain says
What’s this ‘HP & the mods’ thing that forced people away? Did Saucecraft form a rock band with members of the Merton Parkas?
Bingo Little says
It’s a reference to the ninth Harry Potter book: Harry Potter and the Mods of Mufflehump.
The story follows Harry and his chums as they set up the Afterwand, a blog site for teenage wizards. Things go smoothly at first; they have to conceal their activities from their teachers and do a bit of creeping around at night, but that’s all standard for this mob.
At around the halfway point, things take a turn for the worse: the chums become aware that something is possessing their friends and associates – a revelation signposted by Hagrid turning up drunk at the school gates and weepily harassing Hermione to listen to a Yes mix tape he’s compiled for her.
As events begin to unravel, more and more of the students and teachers exhibit similarly strange behaviour. Snape is found wandering the corridors babbling about Gerry Rafferty, the Weasley twins flounce out of the school, loudly condemning Hogwarts as “not what it used to be” and “lacking that old sparkle”, before returning 12 hours later. Things reach a breaking point when Dumbledore, in the middle of a school assembly, breaks into a heartfelt rendition of Break Stuff, using his powers to summon a bemused Wes Borland and a chorus line of dragons who loudly belch along in harmony.
After much toing and froing and a memorable dorm room argument about the merits of the BBC, Harry finally cracks what’s going on. The Afterwand has been invaded by the spirit of “He who shall not be named”, and is casting an unholy spell over all those who use it. Thankfully, Hermione uncovers a dusty book in the school library which prescribes the ideal remedy for such circumstances: a visit from the fabled Mods of Mufflehump.
The Mods duly arrive, turn the blog off and on again, and pronounce the problem fixed. But, really, the school’s problems are just beginning. Because the Mods don’t leave – quite the opposite. Drunk on power (and drink) they begin to wreak havoc right across Hogwarts with their cliquish behaviour. Pointing, whispering and giggling in the lunch hall, refusing to allow anyone to sit with them, making up secret passwords, ticking people off for bad grammar, holding midnight blood rituals. All that sort of stuff.
Thankfully, a brave few hardy souls (including our titular hero) gather together to oppose the Mods, drive them out, and return the school to a glorious state of nature in which wizards can be wizards without fear of censure. Much rejoicing follows, during which Draco Malfoy falls into a well and nearly drowns.
Kaisfatdad says
I just noticed your synopsis of this lost Rowling masterpiece @bingo-little. And very amusing it was too.
Off you go to Honeydukes! Treat yourself to a bag of Bertie Bott’s.
Rob C says
It really is just a large online pub. Afterwordspoons, so to speak. You pop in, have a gander, see some folk you like, hang out have a natter, you sometimes see a thread (table) and think, ‘Oh there’s fuckface – nah. I’ll just move along and take a pew over here’ If anyone wants to join you, cool, if not, doesn’t matter. You can’t get on with or like everyone, and why should you ? This obviously apllies to everyone here. If you want something more intimate, friends only, then that’s your very own private FB club.
Just the ebb and flow of things.
Hari Ramsden _/\_
ianess says
You’re right, kai. That’s a really bloody funny and well-written piece, bingo. Loved the last sentence.
Is this the first draft for ‘The Afterword Movie’ that we’ve devoted so much time to casting?
Bingo Little says
Thanks, chaps – far too kind.
Kaisfatdad says
You don’t want to know Jim.
He was off on his Vespa to Brighton every bank holiday where there were pitched battles on the beach. It even inspired a rock opera: Sauceyphenia.
H.P. Saucecraft says
You promised not to tell.
Kwisling.
niscum says
I’m easy going about any comments my posts may receive from posters, yes even personal ones. I’m happy to go all dinner lady and dish it out and so I think I should at least be man enough to take too. Posters usually show some decorum and restraint and as long as no one ever teases me about my undersized, mis-shapen penis then I’m cool with anything. Bring it on.
retropath2 says
http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p703/11sLament/Funny%20Vegetables_9_zpsysrtiljf.jpg
Iggypop says
I think there’s a huge divide now between the bloggers who never seem to be away from the place ( who obviously absolutely love each other) and the lurkers/wannabloggerbees
Kaisfatdad says
Absolutely love each other?
Dahling, you make it all sound like an Equity AGM.
The bloggers here can’t even bear to be on the same thread.The atmosphere is more like an episode of Game of Thrones: feral predators sizing each up for the smallest sign of weakness. Post a Cuban a capella group and you’re history.
Walkies with a pack of African hunting dogs is
ianess says
There’s bound to be a ‘huge divide’ between the ‘bloggers’ and the ‘lurkers’. If you’re constantly hiding in the shadows and not contributing shit, how the fuck is anyone going to know who you are?
‘absolutely love each other’. Best laugh so far today.
Said it before – no one’s stopping anyone from posting. Join in if you want.
pencilsqueezer says
What about ex-bloggers who are here only now and again (whom everybody loathes)?
JustB says
Or, as in my case, the ex-ex-bloggers who returned and probably disappointed several people by doing so. 😉
Rigid Digit says
or, in my case, current bloggers who keep hanging around like a bad smell, posting over-long, badly punctuated drivel;
Rob C says
Not forgetting those that whinge and snipe from the sidelines, or those who bang on about unpleasantness whilst seeming to jump at the chance to act in the same manner.
Rob C says
Hey – spread the love dude ! 😉
Mwah mwah XXX
an ex ex ex blogger.
Neil Jung says
So, what about that tracking function then? Oh, you didn’t see this post…. Hmmm.
We need more owls too.
Hannah says
It’s here! It’s finally here! You can track all you want now..