Egyptian slaves & our forum

["Ian Marr" <ianmarr@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

  (I wrote this message in my notebook two days ago, while travelling,
intending to send it when I got home.)
        Comrades:                 Thinking about Marcus' heartfelt cry, &
call to rally against the mini pharaohs who are despoiling the rolling
pastures of southern Appalachia.....well, there is a phenomenon here called
"seachange", where people of a certain class & age give up their good jobs,
sell up, & move, usually, to the beach, to what they hope will be a more
spiritual & fulfilling life, in contradistinction to the urban professional
way.Sometimes they are disappointed, but I believe that people with distinct
independent skills & some sort of inner life do best.Marcus: could this be
an answer? Or would it be defeat at the hands of mini pharoah's army?
                  But also, about the forum in which we speak..it is
slightly familial,the matters of contention (sandblasting v lettercutting
for example) & the language of discussion made more intense by our shared
interest, common histories with stone, & feeling of camaradie .This gives
us, perhaps, a liberty to speak more frankly amongst ourselves, & to
exaggerate some arguments for emphasis(I do.)But it is different when we
shape up to others outside our circle of interest.I'm sure this is
understood. Let me tell you what I really, really think:Through all the
contentions, it still seems to me that working with stone-with virtually any
technology, aesthetic or final use-is still an honour & a privilege,& a very
worthy use for our hands & brains.
                         Ian Marr