A year-end musing, such a happy surprise on this sloppy, snowy/rainy day in So. Oregon! Thank you, Mr. B.! 🎉
Ah, the ever important ‘third place’! NORM!! 😉😄
My dear Dad was a very social person, and thankfully he encouraged me to be the same!
Be it in an on-line forum, #PRL immediately comes to mind, or in a local, physical meeting place, I believe we each carry the responsibility to be the best listener, as well as, contributor to social discourse, that hopefully, we’ve been taught to be! Giving people the gift of our complete attention is just that, a gift, and, ideally, it should be wrapped in the appealing paper of our generosity, kindness, and genuine caring. Granted, not always an easy accomplishment, but worthwhile nonetheless! We can, and should, make the effort to discover how surprisingly friendly and funny most people can be! Let’s not choose to deprive ourselves of this happiness! Find a favorite spot, and share the blessing of your friendship!
Happy New Year, dear friend, and thank you, again! 👍💖🎶
As usual, a thoughtful piece. Seems to me that physical third places are even more important now that so many people in white collar jobs (myself included) work from home and so lose the second place, or at least blur the distinction between the first and second places.
Denver, I'm in the same boat. The virtual 3d places (such as PRL) are important too, but my New Year's resolution will be to get out of the house more even if it means missing the occasional livestream.
Scott, Thanks for this year of musings - I for one encourage you to muse about whatever crosses your mind -> Social Media is sufficiently covered elsewhere. What books are you reading? A great singer can sing the want-ads - a great writer can write about "Ancient Aliens"!
Thanks for your continuing, forgivably inconsistent insight, Scott. ;-) It's always a pleasure to read and my own goals for 2023 involve much of what you mentioned -- to slow down and accept that which I take into my mind more deeply and in a much more curated way. Keeping up with the chaos of the town square has proven to be as unfulfilling as it is forgettable, and I'd rather collect thoughts that matter and endure from enriching sources such as this. Cheers to the third place and I'm glad to have you in mine.
Usually I post under my real name on the Internet, for some reason I have a pseudonym on Substack. Oh I think I'll stay that way this time. Nothing to add really to what the other commenters have written ... except to say that I am not only grateful to Scott for "PRL" (Piano Request Live) on Youtube, but also grateful to the PRL regulars in Chat for the civilized, welcoming atmosphere.
Thank you for that musing, and please don’t apologize for writing less: better share something relevant than writing for the sake of publishing something.
Even though I never wrote back (at the pub, I am more the kind to listen to what is going on than the one in the heart of the action), I read your texts with great attention and they helped me feed my thoughts in my own third place with friends and colleagues.
I wish you the very best for the upcoming new year.
I’ve left a comment on another newsletter article but just to review my name is Scott Bradley no joke and I’m contact you Scott on behalf of my friend on fb Cody Riggers, please use my email to provide any kind of feedback or contact info needed scottcbradley80@gmail.com. I wrote something on fb before I found out you’re done with it please read and consider I promise you will not regret it.
Hey fellow Scott Bradley(ee), quick random question if I had a friend whose voice would be perfect for the Post Modern Jukebox, I mean perfect it’s got that old school sound from like the 40-60s night clubs but can really belt out if need be and she has a lot of experience and when I told her not only did we share a name but we were fb friends I didn’t promise her anything but I thought I’d ask if possible put her in touch with you her name is Cody Riggers. She’d be right up your alley from seeing all the work you do I think it’d be a good fit but she has some people who recognize because she’s been at it for so long. So please excuse the randomness of the question but could I it her in touch with you for Post Modern Jukebox, even if it’s just one song, she could send you a song as a sample too if you want. Let me know I know I’d appreciate it but she’d be delighted she’s a huge fan of the channel.
I noticed that recently people are actively looking for these third places. Whether it's a gym with friends, a music concert, or online chatting at niche venues. This allows people to unite on the basis of common interests, and not to support conflicts, not to seek disunity and not to cultivate intransigence in any of its forms.
Music is a universal tool that brings people together. Musicians influence our consciousness and subconsciousness, make us think and try to know ourselves and those around us.
I think your bang on with this. I struggle with the online forum since I grew up in CD stores as my 3rd place. The regulars gathered, we'd talk about what we're listening to, we'd request our favorites to be put on by the cashier (the CD store bartender if you will), I'd spend HOURS going shelf to shelf and sharing thoughts with music nerds like me once a week or so.
I've also noticed a significant drop in bar games. Maybe it's just where I'm living but I'm hard pressed to find a pool hall or even bar with tables, dart boards etc where a league might exist to get me out of my first and second place.
Maybe I do find an online platform to chat and have social discourse with others but I find many so hard to root through. If you start a regular chat time I would be interested in popping in. I always find your discussions thought provoking and really enjoy all the comments from your readers :)
Happy 2023 and cheers to new adventures and outlooks. Best of luck to you!
Think you’re on to something. Not sure any of these exactly fit the definition of “third space” but think they are related:
Appalachian Spring has always been soothing to me. Part of that comes from picturing simpler 19th century American life. Thinking of the community/camaraderie that would come from something like a community barn raising. People spending time together, sharing life, and helping each other.
I like Knoxville summer of 1915 by Barber for similar reasons. Time period is a bit later. The pace of life described is so slow but so appealing.
My grandma passed away in fall of 2021 at 94. She lived an extremely happy life. Happiness for her came from productivity (ex: hand-making quilts for 6 grandkids in her late 80s) and from spending time with friends and family (her “third place”). She was part of the WWII generation, married Christmas Eve 1942 to a husband in the Navy. She and my Grandpa were heavily involved in the American Legion the rest of their lives. They had deep relationships with many people there, with immediate family, and with extended family. Not much made her happier than someone stopping by to visit and chat for an hour, even if there wasn’t much to talk about.
“They are not talking much, and the talk is quiet,
Of nothing in particular,
Of nothing at all.”
She didn’t have a smart phone or the internet, no elaborate house or fancy cars, but had an abundance of happiness.
Lastly the church used to be the “third place” for many but has dwindled for decades. Lots of of issues the broader church has struggled with the last 30-40 years that have driven people away. But if you could put those issues aside for a minute, part of the benefit of church membership for generations is the community involved. A group of people with common bonds who share life. Gathering together weekly. Helping each other in time of need. I wonder what it was like to live in pre-automobile, agrarian society where you spent most of your week alone working your farm and church was maybe the only real social interaction you had in a week. Easy to see the social importance in that era. Was still true in the post WWII era, church was a huge part of social fabric, but less so the last few decades. In Dec my wife and I had a baby who spent nearly three weeks in the NICU. Who helped provide meals for us during this stressful time? People from church, some we don’t even know that well, but they showed us they cared. We would have been more alone during this difficult time without kindness from those church members. For us, having a church “third place” makes our lives richer/fuller.
Thank you for all the writings this year. I've really enjoyed them because, much like when it's political season, we forget there are normal, caring, thoughtful people because they aren't the loudest and most outspoken. Fortunately, I've gotten to read musings by one, and they're sent right to my email. Cant wait to read more, thanks again.
I am with you Scott and I feel rewarded by doing small things each day to build community and relationships. I’ve been enjoying a third online place for now in the Fediverse on Mastadon. My blog is also published to Mastadon through Wordpress which may be a helpful tool for you and Musings From the Middle.
A year-end musing, such a happy surprise on this sloppy, snowy/rainy day in So. Oregon! Thank you, Mr. B.! 🎉
Ah, the ever important ‘third place’! NORM!! 😉😄
My dear Dad was a very social person, and thankfully he encouraged me to be the same!
Be it in an on-line forum, #PRL immediately comes to mind, or in a local, physical meeting place, I believe we each carry the responsibility to be the best listener, as well as, contributor to social discourse, that hopefully, we’ve been taught to be! Giving people the gift of our complete attention is just that, a gift, and, ideally, it should be wrapped in the appealing paper of our generosity, kindness, and genuine caring. Granted, not always an easy accomplishment, but worthwhile nonetheless! We can, and should, make the effort to discover how surprisingly friendly and funny most people can be! Let’s not choose to deprive ourselves of this happiness! Find a favorite spot, and share the blessing of your friendship!
Happy New Year, dear friend, and thank you, again! 👍💖🎶
As usual, a thoughtful piece. Seems to me that physical third places are even more important now that so many people in white collar jobs (myself included) work from home and so lose the second place, or at least blur the distinction between the first and second places.
Denver, I'm in the same boat. The virtual 3d places (such as PRL) are important too, but my New Year's resolution will be to get out of the house more even if it means missing the occasional livestream.
Scott, Thanks for this year of musings - I for one encourage you to muse about whatever crosses your mind -> Social Media is sufficiently covered elsewhere. What books are you reading? A great singer can sing the want-ads - a great writer can write about "Ancient Aliens"!
Happy New Year all - senorbe
Thanks for your continuing, forgivably inconsistent insight, Scott. ;-) It's always a pleasure to read and my own goals for 2023 involve much of what you mentioned -- to slow down and accept that which I take into my mind more deeply and in a much more curated way. Keeping up with the chaos of the town square has proven to be as unfulfilling as it is forgettable, and I'd rather collect thoughts that matter and endure from enriching sources such as this. Cheers to the third place and I'm glad to have you in mine.
Usually I post under my real name on the Internet, for some reason I have a pseudonym on Substack. Oh I think I'll stay that way this time. Nothing to add really to what the other commenters have written ... except to say that I am not only grateful to Scott for "PRL" (Piano Request Live) on Youtube, but also grateful to the PRL regulars in Chat for the civilized, welcoming atmosphere.
Thank you Scott. I always love reading Musings From The Middle!! I agree with you I want to be more intentional in 2023. Have a Happy Safe New Year
Thank you for that musing, and please don’t apologize for writing less: better share something relevant than writing for the sake of publishing something.
Even though I never wrote back (at the pub, I am more the kind to listen to what is going on than the one in the heart of the action), I read your texts with great attention and they helped me feed my thoughts in my own third place with friends and colleagues.
I wish you the very best for the upcoming new year.
I’ve left a comment on another newsletter article but just to review my name is Scott Bradley no joke and I’m contact you Scott on behalf of my friend on fb Cody Riggers, please use my email to provide any kind of feedback or contact info needed scottcbradley80@gmail.com. I wrote something on fb before I found out you’re done with it please read and consider I promise you will not regret it.
Hey fellow Scott Bradley(ee), quick random question if I had a friend whose voice would be perfect for the Post Modern Jukebox, I mean perfect it’s got that old school sound from like the 40-60s night clubs but can really belt out if need be and she has a lot of experience and when I told her not only did we share a name but we were fb friends I didn’t promise her anything but I thought I’d ask if possible put her in touch with you her name is Cody Riggers. She’d be right up your alley from seeing all the work you do I think it’d be a good fit but she has some people who recognize because she’s been at it for so long. So please excuse the randomness of the question but could I it her in touch with you for Post Modern Jukebox, even if it’s just one song, she could send you a song as a sample too if you want. Let me know I know I’d appreciate it but she’d be delighted she’s a huge fan of the channel.
Absolutely agree.
I noticed that recently people are actively looking for these third places. Whether it's a gym with friends, a music concert, or online chatting at niche venues. This allows people to unite on the basis of common interests, and not to support conflicts, not to seek disunity and not to cultivate intransigence in any of its forms.
Music is a universal tool that brings people together. Musicians influence our consciousness and subconsciousness, make us think and try to know ourselves and those around us.
Please keep up your activities!
Happy New Year!
I think your bang on with this. I struggle with the online forum since I grew up in CD stores as my 3rd place. The regulars gathered, we'd talk about what we're listening to, we'd request our favorites to be put on by the cashier (the CD store bartender if you will), I'd spend HOURS going shelf to shelf and sharing thoughts with music nerds like me once a week or so.
I've also noticed a significant drop in bar games. Maybe it's just where I'm living but I'm hard pressed to find a pool hall or even bar with tables, dart boards etc where a league might exist to get me out of my first and second place.
Maybe I do find an online platform to chat and have social discourse with others but I find many so hard to root through. If you start a regular chat time I would be interested in popping in. I always find your discussions thought provoking and really enjoy all the comments from your readers :)
Happy 2023 and cheers to new adventures and outlooks. Best of luck to you!
Think you’re on to something. Not sure any of these exactly fit the definition of “third space” but think they are related:
Appalachian Spring has always been soothing to me. Part of that comes from picturing simpler 19th century American life. Thinking of the community/camaraderie that would come from something like a community barn raising. People spending time together, sharing life, and helping each other.
I like Knoxville summer of 1915 by Barber for similar reasons. Time period is a bit later. The pace of life described is so slow but so appealing.
My grandma passed away in fall of 2021 at 94. She lived an extremely happy life. Happiness for her came from productivity (ex: hand-making quilts for 6 grandkids in her late 80s) and from spending time with friends and family (her “third place”). She was part of the WWII generation, married Christmas Eve 1942 to a husband in the Navy. She and my Grandpa were heavily involved in the American Legion the rest of their lives. They had deep relationships with many people there, with immediate family, and with extended family. Not much made her happier than someone stopping by to visit and chat for an hour, even if there wasn’t much to talk about.
“They are not talking much, and the talk is quiet,
Of nothing in particular,
Of nothing at all.”
She didn’t have a smart phone or the internet, no elaborate house or fancy cars, but had an abundance of happiness.
Lastly the church used to be the “third place” for many but has dwindled for decades. Lots of of issues the broader church has struggled with the last 30-40 years that have driven people away. But if you could put those issues aside for a minute, part of the benefit of church membership for generations is the community involved. A group of people with common bonds who share life. Gathering together weekly. Helping each other in time of need. I wonder what it was like to live in pre-automobile, agrarian society where you spent most of your week alone working your farm and church was maybe the only real social interaction you had in a week. Easy to see the social importance in that era. Was still true in the post WWII era, church was a huge part of social fabric, but less so the last few decades. In Dec my wife and I had a baby who spent nearly three weeks in the NICU. Who helped provide meals for us during this stressful time? People from church, some we don’t even know that well, but they showed us they cared. We would have been more alone during this difficult time without kindness from those church members. For us, having a church “third place” makes our lives richer/fuller.
Hey Scott are you going to join Caseython with Gunhild, Adam, Sara, Ariana, Aubrey, Ada, Dani, Chloe, and more?
Happy new year, Mr. B., to you and your band and to all people around the world🍀 Remember... "the simple things", Joe Cocker... 🧡
Happy New Year, my friend!
Thank you for all the writings this year. I've really enjoyed them because, much like when it's political season, we forget there are normal, caring, thoughtful people because they aren't the loudest and most outspoken. Fortunately, I've gotten to read musings by one, and they're sent right to my email. Cant wait to read more, thanks again.
I am with you Scott and I feel rewarded by doing small things each day to build community and relationships. I’ve been enjoying a third online place for now in the Fediverse on Mastadon. My blog is also published to Mastadon through Wordpress which may be a helpful tool for you and Musings From the Middle.
Keep up the good work in 2023 :-D