The Moon Garden Lounge

[Deleted]

OK, gang ...

A couple of people in private messages last night expressed a concern about our Welcome Mat statement. That it, in essence, leaves the door open for [searches for politically correct bullshit term to insert -- aha!] individuals to come in and bludgeon the thread out of existence take it over as the community at large searches for safe places to post their thoughts.

I am not sure there is any combination of words and letters that could prevent that, but I decided to take another crack at it. See what you think. Suggestions? The addition is in blue. Once we agree on something I will ask Jamie to put it in the original post under the Moon picture.

***

The Moon Garden Lounge is dedicated to the discussion of ALL things Adam, broadly defined, from the serious to the fun-loving. Nothing is sacred, including the idea that nothing is sacred. There are no limits on the ideas that can be expressed or the questions that can be asked here. Here is the place for talking about the whole tapestry of Adam, his journey, and your own.

All the normal Adamtopia rules apply here. Please respect the fact that freedom of thought and development of ideas require peace, tolerance, space, equality, and compassion. You are in the same room here with your fellow human beings. This is a place for respect, for wit, for intelligence, for having a good time. Talk to each other like we're all having a drink at the same table.

Everyone is welcome and you don't have to be an egghead -- just order your adult beverage of choice -- coffee, tea, or something stronger -- and join right in.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the place for me?

If it looks fun to you, probably yes. If it doesn't look fun, probably no and that is OK. Most of us post on lots of other threads and we'll see you there!

How is this thread different from The Dark Side thread?

This thread took root in another thread called The Dark Side, which was created so people who needed to vent their frustrations about this Adam journey could share and discuss those ideas in a safe place.

It turned out that Adam fans come in many different flavors. So that EVERYONE could speak freely and have fun, we divided into two threads. Many people post in both!

The Dark Side is a great place where news and opinions that might be considered too unpopular or negative on other threads can be discussed and analyzed freely and in-depth. Want to start off your day with a good debate? Well, what are you waiting for?!

The Moon Garden Lounge is a place for the dreamers and rainbow chasers ... a place where some see things that are and ask why ... and others see things that never were and ask, why not? Kick back and relax...general conversation and drinks all around...on the house.

Don't like either one? That's OK too! All we ask is that both spaces be allowed to exist for fans that may be a different flavor than you. 



[Deleted]

And this thread did not fracture the community; it merely reflects that fracturing, which is a problem running through our entire society, far beyond the scope or ability of anyone at Adamtopia to solve.


This is exactly what I was going to post today, Juniemoon! Thank you! Last night I gave my impression that a fracturing is happening on Atop. I believe it is so, but for the very reasons that Junie expressed. We are but a mirror of the universe, really, and many changes are happening.

So, Jamie, do go for it!! I see now the intent more clearly now that I went back and read more posts from 'The Dark Side' which doesn't draw me. Love the fact you started the Moon Garden.
I feel welcome here. You created a mystical place.

I am very much into placing intent in life and on a thread. If the intention of this thread is for meaningful exchanges without pile-ons or adversarial clashes, the Moon Garden has exquisite vibes for that.

My only reason for saying that a welcoming mat should be very clear is so anyone coming onto the thread has a heads up that this is a place for deepness, fun, but not negativity..if I understand this correctly. I would suggest having the 'mission statement' at the beginning of the thread.

Many of us want to explore and yes, many threads can be confusing.
The fact that other Atopers are looking to a forum to speak without fear of reprisal to me shows that the Moon Garden had been asked for. The confusion will subside when the word gets out.

If I gave you the impression, Jamie, that this thread was destroying Atop, I apologize. I, for one, have been looking for a place to read or laugh and be supportive. I may not be a heavy hitter in terms of facts or deependedness, altho I have my deep side, I am happy to contribute what I can. I do offer that this thread should strive for an elevated perspective and not be drawn into the muck that is pervasive on Atop and in the world.

Thank you, Jamie and Junie!!

[Deleted]

Nikki,

I heart your post..chakras, auras, energy..I am most at home in this area since I have studied and practiced extensively in energy modalities. Gotta run for now..sorry..I'll be back to talk more about this yummy post.

Junie, Mwah for opening discussion on what people expect from this thread and how it should be stated on the welcoming mat! Again, I have to run for now..RL.. :-/ but I want to support you on this, so I'll be back to read more thoroughly and comment. I think the qualifier you have written so far is excellent and necessary.


Moon Garden!!

[anjalee]

Hallo Lunar Beauties,

So good tobe here. Special shout out to Ms Mahalia and Miss Moon for pulling me in like the moon pulls the tide.

[mika]

Viv - One note of caution and this is just my pov, but I am a noisy creature so only seems fair to warn. It almost certainly won't always be hearts, lit refs :, and new age rainbows. Note this part of Junies msg:
Nothing is sacred, including the idea that nothing is sacred. There are no limits on the ideas that can be expressed or the questions that can be asked here. Here is the place for talking about the whole tapestry of Adam, his journey, and your own.

We started out committed to the idea that people could share their thoughts w/out being pinged for being 'negative' or subject to pile ons. And sometimes those thoughts are sad/worried about issues related to Adam, sometimes they are angry or frustrated. It was intended to be a safe place for people to share (and be comforted) outside the lines - turned out that once we felt free to let off a little frustration, we moved on pretty quickly to all those things about Adam (esp his art, influence) that fascinate and inspire, make us think or smile. Sometimes that led to related topics. No deliberate provocation, no beating dead horses. Just hanging out, chatting.

We like an open environment characterized by listening and warm civility but it doesn't mean we don't have robust discussions about topics that some might consider 'negative'. We consider the offered views gently, sometimes offer our own in agreement or not and move on to 'what's next!'.

I just don't want you to be disappointed or feel you didn't get the forum you felt was promised,

Junie - my brain is utterly melted from packing panic, if I muddied waters, sorry. Poke me and I'll clean it up later.

[chapf]

The Moon Garden!

I am a dreamer and I am a moonlight chaser.

I won't be a regular poster but I will be here.

[nica575]

many thanks are in order:
to jamie for opening the moon garden
to Junie for arranging the garden
to Mika for singing Yeats to us
to everyone else for dancing under the stars

[Deleted]

Jun 20, 2012 11:23:04 GMT -5 mika said:

Viv - One note of caution and this is just my pov, but I am a noisy creature so only seems fair to warn. It almost certainly won't always be hearts, lit refs :, and new age rainbows. Note this part of Junies msg:
Nothing is sacred, including the idea that nothing is sacred. There are no limits on the ideas that can be expressed or the questions that can be asked here. Here is the place for talking about the whole tapestry of Adam, his journey, and your own.

We started out committed to the idea that people could share their thoughts w/out being pinged for being 'negative' or subject to pile ons. And sometimes those thoughts are sad/worried about issues related to Adam, sometimes they are angry or frustrated. It was intended to be a safe place for people to share (and be comforted) outside the lines - turned out that once we felt free to let off a little frustration, we moved on pretty quickly to all those things about Adam (esp his art, influence) that fascinate and inspire, make us think or smile. Sometimes that led to related topics. No deliberate provocation, no beating dead horses. Just hanging out, chatting.

We like an open environment characterized by listening and warm civility but it doesn't mean we don't have robust discussions about topics that some might consider 'negative'. We consider the offered views gently, sometimes offer our own in agreement or not and move on to 'what's next!'.

I just don't want you to be disappointed or feel you didn't get the forum you felt was promised,

Junie - my brain is utterly melted from packing panic, if I muddied waters, sorry. Poke me and I'll clean it up later.

Thanks, Mika, for thinking about me. Never feel you have to apologize for muddying waters. As with all things new, this is an exploration and everyone has input. This thread will evolve as it will...

My only hope for the Moon Garden is that it maintains civility. If that can be achieved, then this thread has truly accomplished something IMO. I'll be on and off as I seem to lurk better than I speak anymore.

I do feel it is possible to have discussions of all kinds and be respectful. To me it seems that The Moon Garden provides an opportunity to consciously decide where a post might be of best purpose. If one wants to discuss being pissed off at radio, perhaps the Dark Side is the place to go. If one wants to discuss the difficulties of being a gay artist in mainstream US without bashing someone, it seems to me that the Moon Garden can hold this in a loving space.

I know it's not all puppy dogs and kittens, altho I wish it were.
The Moon Garden offers conscious choice. Decide where your post might be most appropriate and post it. Doesn't matter the discussion as much as noticing what one is writing and making choice. Where do I post this?

If this thread evolves into another bitchfest..yes, I love that word, then, it will. I have no desire to control or manipulate this thread.
I love what it could stand for..I look at the imagery posted on The Moon Garden, the music..and I feel a sense of inclusiveness.

So, que sera..I appreciate that all members may want to express in various ways. If people know they can speak freely without fear of reprisal, this thread will be that elevated place I spoke of.

I am merely happy that it is here. And I applaud that people want to come together in community. So, onward...

[Deleted]

Jun 20, 2012 11:34:29 GMT -5 chapf said:

The Moon Garden!

I am a dreamer and I am a moonlight chaser.

I won't be a regular poster but I will be here.

Fellow Moonlight Chaser Chapf!!

[annala]

I don't know if there is any special criteria for joining the Moon Garden sub-topic. I just happened upon it because I liked the name - and it seems to fit more with my way of thinking and being.

The Daily News thread lately seems to be centered so much on voting, voting, voting, and "who's on first" mindset- and has gotten a little too angsty and frenetic for me (although I try to do my part in voting, but not all day long for hours).

Maybe it's part of my age, but I don't seem to sleep as much as I used to, and I like using the quiet peaceful time at night to gather my thoughts. I have 3 teenage grandkids living with me including an autistic one, so my days can be quite full.

Besides the postings, I love the night-time moon pictures and avi's here - and I can include my own little luna moth avi.

So as the sun sets here on the West Coast, I wish you the quiet peace of the Summer Solstice. Here in my area there is a Native American place called Turtle Rock in the Santa Cruz Mountains where at the Summer Solstice the setting sun shines through a special crack in a boulder (looks kind of like a turtle) that sits astride the San Andreas Fault - a magical place.

[mika]

It's a marvelous night for a moon dance - shall we?
(this is a lovely recording I must say -- mmmm)

[lynne]

Jun 20, 2012 22:14:56 GMT -5 mika said:

It's a marvelous night for a moon dance - shall we?

Oh, now this song brings back some wonderful memories!

[mika]

Finally, figured out I've been regularly deleting myself w/new posts - just as well I'm sure .

Anyway, earlier today, I dropped two links to articles on Numbers Thread page mid page 9. One is Chris Molanphy from Village Voice talking about possible onset of Teen Pop but also about struggles of Bieber and radio and how Bieber's label tackled it. (Interesting to me was also that I found radio reasoning re Bieber more subjective than they seemed to think. Also, Biebs needs an older audience - we need to do more horse trading with those Beliebers . The other link is the one the VV piece refs -- a BB article: 'How Island Def Jam Saved Bieber's Boyfriend at Top 40.' (I just want to hear similar stories ya know?)

Anyway, if you want to read them - discussion should prob happen in Numbers or 5/22 as I know it's a subject that can make people stabby and such.

On a non-stabby note, watched Cory Booker's Commencement Speech - loved his Dad's quote to him on graduation - "You are a physical manifestation of a conspiracy of love," referring to all the people he didn't even know who helped make that day possible. I think that's true of Adam as well-little verklempt now.

[jamie]

annala, is this it? How cool. Your avi makes me think of the little fairy creature that played with Adam in Montreal.



Happy Summer Solstice all!

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time” ~John Lubbock

Viv, no worries

[glittergma]

Here's a little song that brings back lots of memories for me.

In honor of the Summer Solstice, enjoy! I find it amazing that, even though so many years ago, I still remember all the words to these songs. They're kind of like old friends.



And, one more that is my all time favorite. In listening to it just now, I realize it has even more meaning to me now than it did so many years ago. Guess I'm kind of in my zen place tonight...lol!