Dear Forum Members: Please read this post in its entirety.

I "resigned" my post --- and, not due to personal nor public postings, but because I felt that I was serving a better purpose to go to a different forum.

In short, I NEVER meant to be:

bombastic; pontificate; be disrespectful; nor present "misrepresentations", "mis-information"; nor get involved in "grammar" issues; nor any other matters NOT related to flute PLAYING.

The operative word is "PLAYING". I can't pretend to have the knowledge that many others on the forum have, regarding flute construction, makes, models, head-joints,etc. You will learn far more from THEM, than from me.

I only thought that I would bring up "how long" I've PLAYED in that it might bring some insight to some who have questions. That's because I have been playing, for so long --- and, as the old saying goes: "experience is the best teacher".

I NEVER meant to use the word "Professional" in a way that would have been construed as disrespectful to the many talented amateurs, out there. I'm the first to admit that there are MANY talented "amateurs" who are as gifted and as talented as any (so-called) professional flutist. And many are present on this forum. And I know some here in Chicago, who "just missed the cut" --- but are, nonethless VERY talented.

I apologize for my ridiculous sense of humor --- and I never meant disrespect to the many of you, on this forum, that do know more about flutes than I will EVER know.

I am compelled to author a personal aplogy to Bilbo --- I never knew that he has an Italian background (how WOULD I have known?) --- and NEVER meant any disrespect. One of my favorite flutists is, indeed, Joseph Mariano. As far as head-joints --- I confess complete ignorance. That is probably best left to Kara and the other members of the forum to decide upon and offer opinions about.

In closing, on my "new forum" I'm going to TRY to pass myself off as "Jean BackDresser" (my new "persona" (probably 'non grata'). Let's see how far I get.
Wait until you see my pics in drag --- your hair will stand on end. I'm not as pretty as she, nor as young, nor as talented --- but I'll try to pull it off (until the moderator "disconnects" me). Sorry about my sense of humor, but --- we all look at life from different perspectives.

I wish all of you the best of luck in your playing.

And I DO appreciate the edificaton and very VALUABLE lessons I've learned from this, my very first flute forum.

God bless all of you --- and I'll repeat what I've always said: "just be the best you can be".

Regards, Jim Millen

Good luck, Jim, and sorry for the problems.

I think nobody wanted to have this kind of issues but for some reason it did not work and they showed up everywhere and for very simple things.

I hope you feel better in your new Forum and make good friends there.

Of course they would deny this! They, and their multiple personalities. And thank you for pointing it out! It's obvious to me, now, just "why" they all agree with each other.

I think it's called "in-breeding".

Jim

Indeed they have --- and it's not a pretty sight!