Brad
2 posts
Sep 01, 2009
1:12 PM
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Hi Friends,
Could you all take 30 seconds of your day and vote for us in the Chicago Innovation Awards. I promise it will take less than one minute of your time to cast your vote.
http://www.chicagoinnovationawards.com/nominations/view/35
It would be really cool to win this, it would be great for Harrison Harmonicas and just as important, the harmonica community! The winner will have their product featured on the cover of Business Week. This is a huge opportunity for us as players to increase the popularity of our instrument. It doesn't matter which brand of harrmonicas that you play, vote for a harmonica to win over all the other companies, the competition is tough!
Thank a bunch for voting!!
Bradley Harrison
www.usaharmonicas.com
contactus@harrisonharmonicas.com
www.myspace.com/harrisonharp
312-590-0527 Direct
773-360-7725 Fax
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scstrickland
211 posts
Sep 01, 2009
1:19 PM
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Said it before and I'll say it again. I can't in good conscience, vote for a product I have never used or even seen, based on it's hype and without knowing what the competition is. Sorry
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RyanMortos
281 posts
Sep 01, 2009
1:40 PM
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I second scstrickland's comment.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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ChrisA
68 posts
Sep 01, 2009
1:59 PM
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Do we all get a free harp if you win? I'll take an A. Thanks
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Oisin
307 posts
Sep 01, 2009
2:06 PM
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Hey I just voted for you Brad. If Jason Ricci endorses this harp then that's good enough for me. Also I think we should all be trying to promote anything which advances the harp these days.
After reading about your product and the hard work you've put into this project I think its the least we can do. As soon as I get some money together I'm buying a B radical. Competition is always a healthy thing and it's about time Hohner got a kick up the arse......I've heard plenty of members on here bitching about them...here's a chance to do something about it in a small way.
Good luck to you mate.
Oisin
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jonsparrow
917 posts
Sep 01, 2009
2:22 PM
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i voted twice. you owe me.
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kudzurunner
668 posts
Sep 01, 2009
2:49 PM
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I voted for you.
I know there's been a lot of talk on this forum over the past year about various sorts of custom and high-end non-custom harps. I don't have a dog in this fight (except of course I'm an official endorser for Hohner).
Precisely for that reason, I'm encouraging all members of this board to take 30 seconds (or 60 seconds) to register on the site Brad gives above and then vote for his company.
A win for Harrison Harmonicas, in this context, is a win for ALL harmonicas, whatever the brand. It is sure to make our instrument a little more visible, a little more hip, a little more au courant.
It appears that Harrison Harmonicas is 7th or 8th overall, and the top 5 get a prize. So YOUR vote really might make a difference.
And no, Brad has NOT approached me through back channels and promised to give me a bunch of free harps. I can't be bought. Y'all know that.
Vote today!
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rpoe
22 posts
Sep 01, 2009
2:55 PM
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got my vote! Good luck Brad.
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mpharpsax
2 posts
Sep 01, 2009
3:43 PM
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thanks to all who voted and will vote... this is a vote for the harmonica, we are not up against any other harmonica or musical instrument manufacturer, we are up against major corporations. Some of them don't have their products available yet. We will have Beta test models in the hands of some known players in the next 6 weeks, we are right on schedule.
Brad and the harmonica have already won 2 contests in the last 2 years, pretty impressive for our humble instrument. Brad has customized harmonicas for me for 10 years and I believe in his skill and craftsmanship. I am getting ready to leave California for this company... I don't even own a winter coat!
This contest is just a little shaky in that there is no double check in the registration process... money and power can buy our competition quite a few anonymous email votes.
The President states quite often how we need to make more products in the United States... we are doing just that (100% I might add!) Just go to the voting site and see what 50+ people have written as comments about why they thought that they should vote for Harrison and the harmonica... many of them do not even play harmonica or any other instrument... this is big, please join us.
Or as Cliff Hall said:
August 23rd, 2009
Until now, harmonica players had to choose between harmonicas made in Germany, Brazil, Japan, or China. At last, the iconic instrument of American folk traditions returns to American soil, decked out in American innovation. In a global world, this may be pure sentiment, but it somehow seems inauthentic to be chugging and singing about chitlins while playing a harp whose real roots are wrapped in schnitzels or sushi.
Thanks for your vote,
Michael Peloquin
Partner/Product Manager
Harrison Harmonicas, LLC
http://www.usaharps.com
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snakes
337 posts
Sep 01, 2009
3:50 PM
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Done.
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Gwood420
17 posts
Sep 01, 2009
5:36 PM
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voted... good luck guys..
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stashburner
6 posts
Sep 01, 2009
6:25 PM
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Good luck Brad
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Luke Juke
33 posts
Sep 01, 2009
11:09 PM
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got my vote!!!!
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Zhin
343 posts
Sep 01, 2009
11:44 PM
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"but it somehow seems inauthentic to be chugging and singing about chitlins while playing a harp whose real roots are wrapped in schnitzels or sushi."
Does it even matter where the harps are built?
Somehow I just can't see some random German or Japanese person freaking out about a made in USA harmonica that might be built by some cheese burger eating American.
They may complain about more objective things like design/quality/cost but I don't think it would bother them much if the builder is a product of his enviroment. SHEESH.
How can one even validate the authenticity of something made in factorys based on what they eat!? Ludicrous!
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http://www.youtube.com/harmonicazhin
Last Edited by on Sep 02, 2009 12:02 AM
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MrVerylongusername
481 posts
Sep 02, 2009
12:55 AM
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Agreed. You'll probably all think this is trivial and I'll get flamed for it, but...
Whilst I understand American patriotism and the desire to support your own economy / manufacturing base (admirable sentiments) I think the schnitzel/sushi comment crossed over the line into racial stereotyping which isn't nice.
I'm not saying I won't vote, but can we please keep jingoism out of harp playing?
Last Edited by on Sep 02, 2009 12:56 AM
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Jfllr1
23 posts
Sep 02, 2009
1:04 AM
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Voted, but pretty much agree with MrVLUN (except not a strongly)
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"Blow as thou pleaseth"
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Andrew
561 posts
Sep 02, 2009
1:11 AM
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A reference to motorbikes would have been more understandable. On the other hand, if you want to get all nationalistic about it, maybe you shouldn't have imported all those people from Africa in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries!
(yeah, I know that isn't the end of the story and Britain is not innocent, but I think I made my point)
I don't like how much ass-licking there is on this DB at times, but I was surprised at the harshness of Strickland and Ryan, and so I think Adam got it right.
Last Edited by on Sep 02, 2009 1:12 AM
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The Gloth
154 posts
Sep 02, 2009
1:57 AM
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I voted for Brad, since the competition is not against other brands of harp, but against "other things".
I agree with Zhin & MrVLUN, there's no point being nationalist about harp (or about anything IMO), and I think that phrase is particularly stupid :
"At last, the iconic instrument of American folk traditions returns to American soil"
Harmonica being a german invention... In the same view, the sax is the iconic instrument of jazz and was invented in... Belgium. But really, who cares ? (answer : nationalist fools)
Last Edited by on Sep 02, 2009 2:02 AM
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Zhin
344 posts
Sep 02, 2009
2:36 AM
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It's also a blatant disregard for the history of the harmonica and it's origins.
If anyone gives a shit I got nothing against Brad or his products. Some of his friends are very close friends of mine and I believe in being cool with friends of friends.
I just hate seeing this kind of viral unhealthy thinking going around.
I applaud Brad for getting the harp out there and proving to other major corps that we are out there and need to be heard.
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http://www.youtube.com/harmonicazhin
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scstrickland
212 posts
Sep 02, 2009
2:49 AM
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@ Andrew -I don't find it harsh at all. I just like to know what I'm voting for. I would very much like try a B-radical and see for myself and feel it's innovations. Right now I don't KNOW that it is innovative at all. Its not harsh at all. You want my endorsement the you need to earn, it otherwise its not much different that a popularity contest. I don't feel that is harsh at all, it's just my opinion and I'm sticking to.
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ness
52 posts
Sep 02, 2009
7:29 AM
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Damn, what a bunch of uptight folks.
Michael, I took no offense whatsoever to your comments. I think anybody who did is thinking too hard. I actually though it was kinda clever.
Vote if you want to, don't if you don't. We know enough about the B Radical to vote in this silly contest. You're not compromising anything. Nobody else that's voting knows anything about anything other than their pet product.
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djm3801
206 posts
Sep 02, 2009
7:38 AM
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Did not think there was an insult intended by the comments some folks are taking offense to, more an attempt at pointing out cultural differences in a humorous manner. Political correctness not my forte. Never will be.
If it was meant as an INSULT to someone, their heritage or culture, then i have a problem with it. I have bigger things to worry about. Sushi. Now I am hungry.
Want a little Wasabi on that Suzuki? I think not!
(It's a joke.)
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RyanMortos
284 posts
Sep 02, 2009
8:14 AM
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Andrew, I had been second guessing myself about my position & further investigated. I skimmed through many of the nominees on the C.I.A. site & could not believe the array of products & solutions.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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XHarp
151 posts
Sep 02, 2009
8:54 AM
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Done. Good Luck.
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"Keep it in your mouth" - XHarp
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jaymcc28
134 posts
Sep 02, 2009
9:04 AM
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I happen to agree with Adam and think that we should all get behind this voting regardless of how we feel about 'supporting' a product we have not yet tried. If you, as an individual, are really so true to your principles that you can't in 'good conscience' possibly ever support something without having an intimate knowledge of that subject/item I applaud you. However, I also feel for you and the enormous pressure such conviction must bring down upon you every day.
@Andrew: "...maybe you shouldn't have imported all those people from Africa...!(yeah, I know that isn't the end of the story and Britain is not innocent, but I think I made my point)..."
Well, no, I don't think you did make your point, or more precisely, your point is invalid. Throwing out that "Britain is not innocent" as a way of suggesting that the prior statement holds vailidity is sort of the same thing as saying "No offense" after an insult (in my best brooklyn accent: "Hey, you need to loose some weight, you fat ass...No Offense".)
Not that you need a history lesson, but I sort of remember England as being part of the "Slave Trade Triangle". Besides, suggesting that "we" shouldn't have imported all the slaves is, to me, just as insulting and guilty of stereotyping as Mr. Hall's comments about shnitzel and sushi.
By the way, I'm not bothered by either his or your comments:) I'm just making a point. This is, after all, a forum made up of musicians and wanna be musicians who tend to be rather opinionated and not too shy with sharing said opinions.
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jaymcc28
135 posts
Sep 02, 2009
10:45 AM
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LOL...Ichabod Crane! great line! But what about Edgar Allen Poe, Winslow Homer, Georgia O'Keefe, et. al. No, you're right, we'd be a bunch of drooling, farting savages!
"Don't worry scrote. There are plenty of 'tards out there living really kick ass lives."
One other thought:
"Imported Africans" is to "Slaves"
as
"Undocumented Immigrant" is to "Illegal Aliens"
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Andrew
563 posts
Sep 02, 2009
12:36 PM
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jaymcc228 laughed.
Here's another film quote: -
"I know I-tey food when I hear it! It's all them "eenie" foods... zucchini... and linguini... and fettuccine. I want some American food, dammit! I want French fries!"
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Gwood420
19 posts
Sep 02, 2009
10:07 PM
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american made use to mean something.. the world craved our exports.. now, we crave thier exports.. and we wonder why this country is goin to sh!!!t
give me an amreican harp as good and affordable as the others, and i would switch in a heartbeat.. my music is "American Made" and if there was a choice, i would love it to be made on an american harp.. call me racist(you would be WRONG!!).. i call myself an AMERICAN, and im proud of that.
the statement that started this wasnt all that bad. i mean, my great greats came from europe, but I didnt. i respect my herritage, but im American..
despite what lot of mislead(you know who you are) americans say.. its ok to be PROUD of your american herritage..
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nacoran
168 posts
Sep 02, 2009
10:44 PM
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Some of my ancestors came over because of absentee landlords exporting food from Ireland back to England in the middle of the Potato Famine. Americans came to America for a lot of different reasons and left relatives behind in many countries and on all the inhabited continents. Even Native-Americans migrated to the Americas. However we got here we Americans are Americans now. That doesn't mean we have to 'Buy American'.
It would be nice if we could get past nationalism. Making things in China means jobs for Chinese, which means Chinese will have money to buy Harrison Harmonicas! In a perfect world there would be good paying jobs and cheap, quality goods everywhere and all that consumption wouldn't destroy the environment, and everyone would live in a country that respects human rights.
In the meantime, lets just hope for some great harps that inspire all the companies to make better instruments. Lets hope that the developing world loves the harmonica and buys more so all the companies can keep improving their products and experimenting. And world peace/human rights/decent living standards would be nice too. :)
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MrVerylongusername
484 posts
Sep 02, 2009
11:32 PM
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I wrote a response last night, but I refrained from posting it for fear of fanning the flames. It seems it's too late for that now. I just wanted to clarify my stance...
OK, for clarification I did not use the word "insult" I said "racial stereotyping" and by talking of crossing a line I intended to imply that it was rather low-level; possibly unintentional
I have absolutely no problem with this product, or with Brad or Jason or Michael. In fact I agree with Adam; anything that shakes up the harmonica world is good and deserves recognition.
Similarly, although not American myself, I don't have a problem with marketing something as American made and appealing to people's national pride. That's great. In these times, supporting your economy is important.
In the UK we have an almost apologetic, embarrassed attitude towards our country so "buy British" campaigns tend to fall flat on their faces. On the other hand, the USA's proud nationalism ought to be enough to sell American made products in spades; it appeals to your nation's psyche.
From that point of view there seemed, to me, to be no need to reduce the cultural and economic achievements of two other proud and great nations to items of food. (compare what was said with terms, also derived from food, "Kraut" and "Frog" - now can can you see what I'm getting at?) intentionally humourous, or not; I thought it crossed the line (see above) between patriotism and jingoism.
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Zhin
349 posts
Sep 03, 2009
12:19 AM
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It's not patriotism or nationalism that are bad. Those are good things. Having a sense of pride about your origins is a good thing.
Just don't let it get to your ego.
And that's the point. Some of you are so passionate about America (@#$% yeah!) that you play up double standards about an individual persons pride about their own origins.
Some of you might even over-react if someone made ignorant comments like "America has no food culture" because that's a bullshit statement. America has a rich (and often heart stopping) food culture unlike any other part of the world I've been to. I can't believe I had to justify myself on that last part. That's how paranoid I am here.
When someone like me comes in and says "hey that's not cool!" suddenly I'm labeled as over-reactive or over-sensitive. Or at least that is what is obviously implied. It's like I don't even have the right to express myself. Oh wait, maybe because it's because I'm not American! See where I'm getting at?
Look, if you're going to argue and justify your own pride and respect for your own country... best to start showing others the same amount of respect. You only get what you expect when you give it first. Otherwise you'll look like a big unpopular ass.
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http://www.youtube.com/harmonicazhin
Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2009 12:22 AM
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Bluzdude46
142 posts
Sep 03, 2009
1:15 AM
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If you want to vote for a company that you believe in, very good. I think Strickland and Ryan are correct in not voting for a product unseen. I've heard many good things about Harrison Co. Yet I'm still holding off endorsing a product that is priced closer to custom that is mass produced until I fairly buy one and test it for myself. A good solid American Co. interests me, yet that is still unproven. The whole national vs import and cheese burger vs sushi eating or potato eating whatever interests me not at all. This board is a good example of it's a Global Village.
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Gwood420
20 posts
Sep 03, 2009
5:54 AM
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............... wow.. thats what you took from that?! guess i was the unpopular ass that round :)
what he said was funny, made me chuckle. even had some buy american under tones., anyway you look at it, there was ABSOLUTLY no reason for the reaction it got.. if said in passing conversation, in a room full of harp players, they would have laughed and moved on.. not jumped on their soap boxes...
but whatever.. have fun..
Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2009 5:58 AM
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Zhin
351 posts
Sep 03, 2009
9:25 AM
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"what he said was funny, made me chuckle. even had some buy american under tones., anyway you look at it, there was ABSOLUTLY no reason for the reaction it got.. if said in passing conversation, in a room full of harp players, they would have laughed and moved on.. not jumped on their soap boxes..."
A passing comment is one thing. Something in writing that is published is completely different.
Lay off the shit, stoner. It's obvious it's @#$%ing up your thought process and perception of reality.
I wasn't even addressing you.
All I'm doing is offering a perspective. I'm doing a favor and giving a little feedback. Why? Because its never a bad thing for business to be a little more respectful or reserved.
Behind closed doors, you can be whatever the hell you want. We all have the right, in the privacy of our personal lives.
Think a little bit more before jumping to conclusions and trying to act like the bully who thinks he's really cool for beating down someone for no good reason and making lame excuses like "oh come on it's just a joke". I'll remind you again since you may need it, this has nothing to do with you as a person Gwood. It's got nothing to do with your personal life either. Get over yourself.
So get off my fucking back please.
I've wasted enough time talking to you already Gwood. I'm done with you and your big bully bullshit.
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http://www.youtube.com/harmonicazhin
Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2009 9:29 AM
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Preston
493 posts
Sep 03, 2009
10:06 AM
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AAAAAaaaaand this is why I stopped hanging around this website lately.
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RyanMortos
286 posts
Sep 03, 2009
7:45 PM
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Guys.
Really?
What's important is that Preston's comment MEANT no harm.
At most you should just say, hey I didn't like that because blah blah blah and walk away to a different thread, site, activity.
Admittedly, there's a person or two that post on the forum I ignore something like 90% of what they say cause it is a lot of "unhelpful garbage" in my opinion.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Buddha
960 posts
Sep 03, 2009
8:19 PM
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"Behind closed doors, you can be whatever the hell you want."
This is exactly what I hate about people in general.
Be true to yourself always. That mean behind the door and in front of the door. Anything else is manipulative bullshit.
Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2009 8:20 PM
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Gwood420
22 posts
Sep 03, 2009
8:51 PM
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hey zhin.. 420 is my birthday, not that i smoke weed.. whos the stoner?? you made it personal with your last post, by "jumping to conclusions".. i wasnt trying to bully anyone, i made a valid point that what he said was ment to be funny, not harmful.. so i DID NOT deserve ANY of that last post.. i was laughing about your comment.. i thought it was FUNNY.. hence the :) !! and you slip into some typing roid rage..
seems to me like you have some deep seeded issues that you should work out on a couch, not a harp forum.. cause i wasnt trying to bully you.. just shinning light on the facts that "pro american is ok" and what was said was a joke!!!! this is what i hate about forums.. you read it as im attacking you dispite the obvious :) after it.. when my second comment wasnt anything close to an attack..keep on judging me.. im sure you have earned that honor..
so sad..
Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2009 8:52 PM
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jonsparrow
928 posts
Sep 03, 2009
9:19 PM
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ok 1st off...there nothing wrong with a little ganja.
and 2nd....cant we all just...smoke a blunt an get along?
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DutchBones
262 posts
Sep 03, 2009
10:07 PM
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GUYS! GUYS! Can we bury the hatches here? I don't smoke, but I feel like a dope..... Aren't we supposed to be all HARP FRIENDS here?
C'mon guys, it's time for a big hug and to move on... I'm sure neither of us put anything here to hurt or attack a fellow harper on purpose.... Can we just let this one slide (pun intended) and prepare for the next harp challenge before things get even more out of hand?
C'mon guys waddaya say?
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DutchBones Tube
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DutchBones
263 posts
Sep 04, 2009
2:29 AM
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Thanks jon, that explains why I feel like a dope!
(p:s how do you know all this stuff?)
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DutchBones Tube
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Zhin
353 posts
Sep 04, 2009
3:47 AM
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"This is exactly what I hate about people in general.
Be true to yourself always. That mean behind the door and in front of the door. Anything else is manipulative bullshit. "
You got me there.
I'm standing by one point I should have just stuck with the whole time.
If you're going to put something down in writing and publish it, be responsible for it. Write what you mean and be aware of what you are conveying based on what you write.
I know I failed this time at that.
I never accused anyone of being racist. I'm saying what came out of that quote WILL come off that way no matter how you want to look at it. And that's the vibe it gives out.
One should know the effects of their actions at all times and not make excuses about it after that.
That's all I meant.
Gwood, you did make it a personal attack by quoting me and going on about what you thought of me. I wasn't even addressing you before that.
But... I apologize for coming off as a condescending prick. I'm sorry I lashed out when all I intended was getting a simple point across.
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http://www.youtube.com/harmonicazhin
Last Edited by on Sep 04, 2009 3:58 AM
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Gwood420
23 posts
Sep 04, 2009
6:09 AM
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im all good, i have no hard feelings. i used your quote in good fun humor, then started a new paragraph to continue.. but hey zhin, if i offened you im sorry too..
edit: one more thing, there is nothing wrong with smokin :) born on 420, i have done my share, just have a family now, so i dont really do it anymore.. weird how that happened....
Last Edited by on Sep 04, 2009 6:11 AM
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DutchBones
265 posts
Sep 04, 2009
6:15 AM
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Sh#%t, it becomes more and more difficult to figure out what this thread is about.... radical harps, radical comments or radical dope....
Zhin, you're not only growing as a helluva harp player, but also as a helluva person... I'm sure this was not easy....
420, waddayasay....
Gloth, orange bud.... I thought that was a kind of (fruity tasting) beer, sure sound like it.." Get off your big butt because it's time for an orange bud"!
Brad, how's the contest going? Are "we" winning? ("we" = harmonica world at large)
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DutchBones Tube
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jonsparrow
931 posts
Sep 04, 2009
9:04 AM
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dutchbones said: (p:s how do you know all this stuff?)
cause im a 25 year old american from new jersey.
@gloth
dutch isnt a type of weed its a cigar used to roll weed.
Last Edited by on Sep 04, 2009 9:06 AM
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DutchBones
266 posts
Sep 04, 2009
2:39 PM
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Think I know the 3rd guy from the right.....
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DutchBones Tube
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jonsparrow
933 posts
Sep 04, 2009
3:11 PM
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lol its your great great great great grandfather?
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DutchBones
267 posts
Sep 04, 2009
3:55 PM
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no... nah... mm.... GOT IT! Those are the judges of Chicago Innovation Awards ! Hey we're back on topic!!!
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DutchBones Tube
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slobie
6 posts
Sep 05, 2009
5:12 AM
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got my vote and i already ordered one
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wheezer
90 posts
Sep 05, 2009
6:18 AM
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Bradley Harrison and Jason Ricci, you have my vote and you are more than welcome.
I can't understand how such a simple request could bring forth such vitriol.
Some people seem to have very short memories. This very forum was started by Adam GIVING IT ALL AWAY. There are others who have done the same including Budda, Dave Payne
and of course Jason Ricci via Youtube and other means.
I seem to remember, in one of Jason's videos, the words 'if you want to keep it you have to give it away' or words to that effect. Adam, through to Jason, all at the top of their field, have given away their expertise and asked for nothing in return. Jason and Brad could be of any nationality and it would make no difference. I wish you blokes every success.
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