LeaV

So, I may not have won a meet-and-greet with the band, which is cool; but, I do have a photo pass for their concert October 27 at the Myth in Maplewood, MN.  I'll make sure to post all the pictures from the show. 

Okay, I just saw this posted, and I answered in my most negative and cocky manner; but, I had an epiphany many years ago when I was actually, literally dead, and I thought music was saving my life and then Kurt Cobain committed suicide.  Whoops.  Won't go into details, because the details of the situation really don't matter.  What matters is the fact that I believe people (and not all, mind you) have lost their ability to believe in themselves.  I know the story...I came from a crappy home, I have abusive parents (guardians, whatever), I had horrible things done to me.  I understand all those things, and I lived all those things, and I'm not making light of the HELL some of us have to endure every day of our lives.  What I have learned, however, is that when I stopped looking for other things to help me or save me (therapists, family, God, music), that is when I actually started living.  Not all of us can do that.  We sometimes need a belief in something outside of  ourselves to make it through the day.  That's cool.  But, we also need to believe that if we bury ourselves in the mire, it's like quicksand and then there's nothing to do but drown in the self-loathing and pity.  We need to believe that we are the ones that are ultimately responsible for how our lives will play out.  You can use outside sources to help out but don't believe they'll save you--that's on you.  And for the love of Sid (Vicious, that is)...MCR does not save lives.  It can be a soundtrack to your life.  It can be a reflection of your life.  But, it won't save your life.  The only reason I hate hearing this is because then we go a step further and start saying that yes, Marilyn Manson's music was responsible for those kids going nuts and shooting up their school at Columbine---which is an utterly ridiculous statement.  Judas Priest was responsible for some kid committing suicide.  We can't have that happen.  We can't have music censored.  We need to hear the music for what it is, controversial lyrics and all, and enjoy for what it is---entertainment.  If we need to philosophize, become political, contemplate life---then we can look to our political leaders and educators for guidance.  We can look up to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy (he died way before his time) and read the works of the Greek philosophers, etc; and stop elevating these musicians to the status of saviors.  Just my two pence worth.  I know some will disagree, but that's what makes this a great country---freedom of speech.