Entries collected at:
Spence Cafe
15 North
Vincents
Rexs
Kildares
The Square Bar
Tattooed Mom
Sugar Mom’s
East End Cafe
The World Cafe
"I met a sensual musician at a picnic in June, and we had sex in a field: great, passionate, mind-blowing sex. We're still having the same passionate sex today - but it's love. "
"Music affected my life in the largest way. Without the gift of music I would be hollow and empty, I would have no substance. I first heard music when I was in 1st grade and started playing violin. Music became the voice of my soul, it became a way to cry and a way to shout for joy. Without music in my life my soul would be rendered mute, without voice. –M.W."
"I.D. - I came here all Summer long + was welcomed at the door. Last week I got harassed for having a cheap paper I.D. + the door men made me feel like shit. Yesterday I got a plastic ID + five minutes ago I was welcomed back in the bar."
"I joined a music tour! Absolutely love music and traveling so having a job that combines both is a God send. I brought Marijuana out on tour to fully corrupt her. So far, it seems to have worked. In other news, I puked from boozing for the first time in years. The best part was that it was directly in front of an Amish Choir at Penn Station. Rock on. - J.K."
"Internet surprise - Life is cool. Life is short. Thank God for the internet. Without you there would be no greatness. The day we call pull out the tweezers. Can you find your favorite website? Yes it's boobies.com. Without this it would be dropping $14.50 on a six month subscription to Playboy mag. That just pays for my high speed connection. Well it's been a good 20 secs. Thanks Bill Gates or Thomas Edison or somebody..."
"The thing that has had the biggest impact on my life was meeting my new husband Bob. We met when we were working together at a new.com called Half.com. We both worked on the customer service department on the 3-12am shift. There were only about 7 or 10 people working that shift at the time. I had just married a man from Ireland so he could get his green card. Bob was always the most knowledgable person in the group... he became that way by being personable w/ the other departments and not being afraid to ask questions. I always went to him when I had a question. Soon, my marriage went sour and I took up with another member of the night crew for compassionship. I always considered Bob as "just a friend" because he was fourteen years older then me. Eventually, as all superficial relationships do... the current one ended. I spent some time alone - and not exactly alone - until November of 2001. I asked Bob out for a birthday drink (his birthday is in September and we were trying to plan a night out since that day). Our "not a date" turned into the most romantic evening of my life. I knew @ about 5am that my life would never be the same. He abolished all the bad thoughts and feelings the other men in my entire life had given me and left me feeling that the only thing I had left in my life was to feel good about myself. It has been a long road, but I have started my life with my soulmate and all is right with the world. -J. A. D."
"We come to escape, but, what we really come to do is connect... We are all human, and despite all the individual things that separate us, all we really want to do is celebrate life and join together with others and find some sense of commonality. -S"
"It always has been
and will be till time lose breath
love is a sport to a man
but to a woman is life or death. -M. T. M."
"Living in the Netherlands I frequented the North End Pub an English pub in Leiden. I met two people from Whales + Scottland who changed my whole outlook on life. Carol + Steve. Both over 60 retired living the good life. Steve had been in the royal navy most of his life + had an amazing outlook on wars. Long story shorter we (Jonah) + I made sure we never ate tuna again..."
"Do you know what its like? I mean. The tormoil associated with a life unrelated to anyone else? you should all be saying "fuck yeah" cause we all have a life of our own, but how many of us are really happy w/it? How many of you, reading this, think, damn, its time I made a change. Live life for yourself. And once you've begun.. Come back and tell me how to do it!"
"Nothing imagined is as beautiful as is real
No high feels as good as what feels right
and no song sounds as sweet as a soul."
"I met a transvestite at a Women's gay bar. He talked about his heels and his 501 jeans. After a while I got sick of his stories about relationships - 'No shit', is what I thought...'hmm' is what I said. Then I saw my glass was empty and he went to play pool. Later on I met a girl who was a flirt and pushover all in one. Unfortunately, I knew her from my professional life - sex was out... only nasty rumors. I went home by 3A - full to the brim, but capable of navigating public transport. I never forgot the 'sweet n' sour sauce' red heels of the transvestite. Why? Never met anyone quite like him."
"A life change? A real one? Try New York City at the age of 18, tripping drunk in the lower East Side or reading library books in Washington Square, a gorgeous urban infection that grows + grows + grows until it's five years later and you live alone in Harlem you know all the subway lines you teach in the South Bronx + you write like a mad woman and where you come from is a zip code, an area code, an Amtrak train, a Chinatown bus, it is a balmy day in West Chester with the girl you knew since you were 8, and your cousin. Like always, it just goes on and on. What would life have been like without that skip - jump North? That follow your drumming heart to Nueve York mi grapa? i couldn't tell you. i couldn't even guess." -C.
“In seventh grade, I discovered Metal… or maybe I should say, Metal found me (it was almost inevitable). And I’m talking real Metal, not that pansy, hair – band crap I’d been led to believe was Heavy Metal until that point. The exact order of events is hazy to me now, but the effect I remember clear as day – one complete and utter awe, as if for the first time I was hearing music AS IT SHOULD BE. It was either Maiden, or Metallica, or Slayer, but when I first heard their kind of music, it was unlike anything else I’d ever heard before. It spoke of possibilities, it reawakened a kind of curiosity I hadn’t felt in many years. It was as if I had discovered buried treasure, a rare gem in my own backyard. There was an honesty, an intensity to the music that I suddenly realized, had been sorely missing from EVERYTHING I had heard before that moment. I’d had but a taste, yet I was already hooked. I scrounged allowances together in an attempt to purchase as much of this music as possible… For the same purpose gave my first serious thoughts to getting a paying job. I reconceived my entire approach to drum–playing, I had just begun the previous year. In short, the trajectory of my life shifted – and ever since, I’ve been on that road, trying in my own life to achieve the same kind of purity revealed to me that day when I first heard Metal.”
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Entries collected at:
Spence Cafe
15 North
Vincents
Rexs
Kildares
The Square Bar
Tattooed Mom
Sugar Mom’s
East End Cafe
The World Cafe
"I met a sensual musician at a picnic in June, and we had sex in a field: great, passionate, mind-blowing sex. We're still having the same passionate sex today - but it's love. "
"Music affected my life in the largest way. Without the gift of music I would be hollow and empty, I would have no substance. I first heard music when I was in 1st grade and started playing violin. Music became the voice of my soul, it became a way to cry and a way to shout for joy. Without music in my life my soul would be rendered mute, without voice. –M.W."
"I.D. - I came here all Summer long + was welcomed at the door. Last week I got harassed for having a cheap paper I.D. + the door men made me feel like shit. Yesterday I got a plastic ID + five minutes ago I was welcomed back in the bar."
"I joined a music tour! Absolutely love music and traveling so having a job that combines both is a God send. I brought Marijuana out on tour to fully corrupt her. So far, it seems to have worked. In other news, I puked from boozing for the first time in years. The best part was that it was directly in front of an Amish Choir at Penn Station. Rock on. - J.K."
"Internet surprise - Life is cool. Life is short. Thank God for the internet. Without you there would be no greatness. The day we call pull out the tweezers. Can you find your favorite website? Yes it's boobies.com. Without this it would be dropping $14.50 on a six month subscription to Playboy mag. That just pays for my high speed connection. Well it's been a good 20 secs. Thanks Bill Gates or Thomas Edison or somebody..."
"The thing that has had the biggest impact on my life was meeting my new husband Bob. We met when we were working together at a new.com called Half.com. We both worked on the customer service department on the 3-12am shift. There were only about 7 or 10 people working that shift at the time. I had just married a man from Ireland so he could get his green card. Bob was always the most knowledgable person in the group... he became that way by being personable w/ the other departments and not being afraid to ask questions. I always went to him when I had a question. Soon, my marriage went sour and I took up with another member of the night crew for compassionship. I always considered Bob as "just a friend" because he was fourteen years older then me. Eventually, as all superficial relationships do... the current one ended. I spent some time alone - and not exactly alone - until November of 2001. I asked Bob out for a birthday drink (his birthday is in September and we were trying to plan a night out since that day). Our "not a date" turned into the most romantic evening of my life. I knew @ about 5am that my life would never be the same. He abolished all the bad thoughts and feelings the other men in my entire life had given me and left me feeling that the only thing I had left in my life was to feel good about myself. It has been a long road, but I have started my life with my soulmate and all is right with the world. -J. A. D."
"We come to escape, but, what we really come to do is connect... We are all human, and despite all the individual things that separate us, all we really want to do is celebrate life and join together with others and find some sense of commonality. -S"
"It always has been
and will be till time lose breath
love is a sport to a man
but to a woman is life or death. -M. T. M."
"Living in the Netherlands I frequented the North End Pub an English pub in Leiden. I met two people from Whales + Scottland who changed my whole outlook on life. Carol + Steve. Both over 60 retired living the good life. Steve had been in the royal navy most of his life + had an amazing outlook on wars. Long story shorter we (Jonah) + I made sure we never ate tuna again..."
"Do you know what its like? I mean. The tormoil associated with a life unrelated to anyone else? you should all be saying "fuck yeah" cause we all have a life of our own, but how many of us are really happy w/it? How many of you, reading this, think, damn, its time I made a change. Live life for yourself. And once you've begun.. Come back and tell me how to do it!"
"Nothing imagined is as beautiful as is real
No high feels as good as what feels right
and no song sounds as sweet as a soul."
"I met a transvestite at a Women's gay bar. He talked about his heels and his 501 jeans. After a while I got sick of his stories about relationships - 'No shit', is what I thought...'hmm' is what I said. Then I saw my glass was empty and he went to play pool. Later on I met a girl who was a flirt and pushover all in one. Unfortunately, I knew her from my professional life - sex was out... only nasty rumors. I went home by 3A - full to the brim, but capable of navigating public transport. I never forgot the 'sweet n' sour sauce' red heels of the transvestite. Why? Never met anyone quite like him."
"A life change? A real one? Try New York City at the age of 18, tripping drunk in the lower East Side or reading library books in Washington Square, a gorgeous urban infection that grows + grows + grows until it's five years later and you live alone in Harlem you know all the subway lines you teach in the South Bronx + you write like a mad woman and where you come from is a zip code, an area code, an Amtrak train, a Chinatown bus, it is a balmy day in West Chester with the girl you knew since you were 8, and your cousin. Like always, it just goes on and on. What would life have been like without that skip - jump North? That follow your drumming heart to Nueve York mi grapa? i couldn't tell you. i couldn't even guess." -C.
“In seventh grade, I discovered Metal… or maybe I should say, Metal found me (it was almost inevitable). And I’m talking real Metal, not that pansy, hair – band crap I’d been led to believe was Heavy Metal until that point. The exact order of events is hazy to me now, but the effect I remember clear as day – one complete and utter awe, as if for the first time I was hearing music AS IT SHOULD BE. It was either Maiden, or Metallica, or Slayer, but when I first heard their kind of music, it was unlike anything else I’d ever heard before. It spoke of possibilities, it reawakened a kind of curiosity I hadn’t felt in many years. It was as if I had discovered buried treasure, a rare gem in my own backyard. There was an honesty, an intensity to the music that I suddenly realized, had been sorely missing from EVERYTHING I had heard before that moment. I’d had but a taste, yet I was already hooked. I scrounged allowances together in an attempt to purchase as much of this music as possible… For the same purpose gave my first serious thoughts to getting a paying job. I reconceived my entire approach to drum–playing, I had just begun the previous year. In short, the trajectory of my life shifted – and ever since, I’ve been on that road, trying in my own life to achieve the same kind of purity revealed to me that day when I first heard Metal.”
Spence Cafe
15 North
Vincents
Rexs
Kildares
The Square Bar
Tattooed Mom
Sugar Mom’s
East End Cafe
The World Cafe
"I met a sensual musician at a picnic in June, and we had sex in a field: great, passionate, mind-blowing sex. We're still having the same passionate sex today - but it's love. "
"Music affected my life in the largest way. Without the gift of music I would be hollow and empty, I would have no substance. I first heard music when I was in 1st grade and started playing violin. Music became the voice of my soul, it became a way to cry and a way to shout for joy. Without music in my life my soul would be rendered mute, without voice. –M.W."
"I.D. - I came here all Summer long + was welcomed at the door. Last week I got harassed for having a cheap paper I.D. + the door men made me feel like shit. Yesterday I got a plastic ID + five minutes ago I was welcomed back in the bar."
"I joined a music tour! Absolutely love music and traveling so having a job that combines both is a God send. I brought Marijuana out on tour to fully corrupt her. So far, it seems to have worked. In other news, I puked from boozing for the first time in years. The best part was that it was directly in front of an Amish Choir at Penn Station. Rock on. - J.K."
"Internet surprise - Life is cool. Life is short. Thank God for the internet. Without you there would be no greatness. The day we call pull out the tweezers. Can you find your favorite website? Yes it's boobies.com. Without this it would be dropping $14.50 on a six month subscription to Playboy mag. That just pays for my high speed connection. Well it's been a good 20 secs. Thanks Bill Gates or Thomas Edison or somebody..."
"The thing that has had the biggest impact on my life was meeting my new husband Bob. We met when we were working together at a new.com called Half.com. We both worked on the customer service department on the 3-12am shift. There were only about 7 or 10 people working that shift at the time. I had just married a man from Ireland so he could get his green card. Bob was always the most knowledgable person in the group... he became that way by being personable w/ the other departments and not being afraid to ask questions. I always went to him when I had a question. Soon, my marriage went sour and I took up with another member of the night crew for compassionship. I always considered Bob as "just a friend" because he was fourteen years older then me. Eventually, as all superficial relationships do... the current one ended. I spent some time alone - and not exactly alone - until November of 2001. I asked Bob out for a birthday drink (his birthday is in September and we were trying to plan a night out since that day). Our "not a date" turned into the most romantic evening of my life. I knew @ about 5am that my life would never be the same. He abolished all the bad thoughts and feelings the other men in my entire life had given me and left me feeling that the only thing I had left in my life was to feel good about myself. It has been a long road, but I have started my life with my soulmate and all is right with the world. -J. A. D."
"We come to escape, but, what we really come to do is connect... We are all human, and despite all the individual things that separate us, all we really want to do is celebrate life and join together with others and find some sense of commonality. -S"
"It always has been
and will be till time lose breath
love is a sport to a man
but to a woman is life or death. -M. T. M."
"Living in the Netherlands I frequented the North End Pub an English pub in Leiden. I met two people from Whales + Scottland who changed my whole outlook on life. Carol + Steve. Both over 60 retired living the good life. Steve had been in the royal navy most of his life + had an amazing outlook on wars. Long story shorter we (Jonah) + I made sure we never ate tuna again..."
"Do you know what its like? I mean. The tormoil associated with a life unrelated to anyone else? you should all be saying "fuck yeah" cause we all have a life of our own, but how many of us are really happy w/it? How many of you, reading this, think, damn, its time I made a change. Live life for yourself. And once you've begun.. Come back and tell me how to do it!"
"Nothing imagined is as beautiful as is real
No high feels as good as what feels right
and no song sounds as sweet as a soul."
"I met a transvestite at a Women's gay bar. He talked about his heels and his 501 jeans. After a while I got sick of his stories about relationships - 'No shit', is what I thought...'hmm' is what I said. Then I saw my glass was empty and he went to play pool. Later on I met a girl who was a flirt and pushover all in one. Unfortunately, I knew her from my professional life - sex was out... only nasty rumors. I went home by 3A - full to the brim, but capable of navigating public transport. I never forgot the 'sweet n' sour sauce' red heels of the transvestite. Why? Never met anyone quite like him."
"A life change? A real one? Try New York City at the age of 18, tripping drunk in the lower East Side or reading library books in Washington Square, a gorgeous urban infection that grows + grows + grows until it's five years later and you live alone in Harlem you know all the subway lines you teach in the South Bronx + you write like a mad woman and where you come from is a zip code, an area code, an Amtrak train, a Chinatown bus, it is a balmy day in West Chester with the girl you knew since you were 8, and your cousin. Like always, it just goes on and on. What would life have been like without that skip - jump North? That follow your drumming heart to Nueve York mi grapa? i couldn't tell you. i couldn't even guess." -C.
“In seventh grade, I discovered Metal… or maybe I should say, Metal found me (it was almost inevitable). And I’m talking real Metal, not that pansy, hair – band crap I’d been led to believe was Heavy Metal until that point. The exact order of events is hazy to me now, but the effect I remember clear as day – one complete and utter awe, as if for the first time I was hearing music AS IT SHOULD BE. It was either Maiden, or Metallica, or Slayer, but when I first heard their kind of music, it was unlike anything else I’d ever heard before. It spoke of possibilities, it reawakened a kind of curiosity I hadn’t felt in many years. It was as if I had discovered buried treasure, a rare gem in my own backyard. There was an honesty, an intensity to the music that I suddenly realized, had been sorely missing from EVERYTHING I had heard before that moment. I’d had but a taste, yet I was already hooked. I scrounged allowances together in an attempt to purchase as much of this music as possible… For the same purpose gave my first serious thoughts to getting a paying job. I reconceived my entire approach to drum–playing, I had just begun the previous year. In short, the trajectory of my life shifted – and ever since, I’ve been on that road, trying in my own life to achieve the same kind of purity revealed to me that day when I first heard Metal.”
"I think the one thing that has affected me was this nonrecipricol love affair between me + this boy, fun. It went on for 5 years + we only touched sexually a few times. I've compared all my lovers to him, + the majority of guys I've been w/ resembled him in some fashion whether it be only sexually, emotionally or mentally"
"The thing that impacted my life in a major way was the romance with a yonger man I met in internet dating. Prior to meeting him I thought it impossible to love commonality with someone ten years younger than me. He is actually wiser, and more mature than me in so many ways - emotionally, sexually, & spiritually and then his ex wife wanted him back so I had to let go & hope he would come back to me. As of this writing I am still waiting & hoping." – J. L.
"Plain and simple. I took all the drugs (prescription and otherwise) I could find in my apartment with a manhattan chaser. I turned on Basquiat with the volume off and waited for the pain to subside. I don't remember what happened until I woke up with a tube down my throat and a hospital gown and my parents crying in the corner. My cell phone was full of messages of people I though didn't care, saying they did. So what was my life changing event? A switch being flipped in my self conscious. My abandonment from the quest towards death and deciding I might be ok living."
"The thing that impacted my life the most would be breast cancer. It was a brick wall that taught me about real life. Honesty, truth and love. All of us get the chance to live life to the fullest experience. It's about who we really are not who others want us to be. We are all connected and worthy of love. Life is great enjoy!" – D.
"8/17/05 - So this guy approaches me in a bar to write about my own life's impacts. Where should I start? I am 28 and I have been transformed by each day. Each relationship, each experience by people I meet and each travel I have made. I feel that perception & expectations have changed my life. Is it the disappointment by people that have hurt me or the expectations that I have for myself & others that have fallen short. Let's not beat around the bush this American mentality, hedonisst approach to relationships does not work for me. Why does averyone want ratification now? Is everyone still finding themselves? How long does it take prior to figure out their beliefs, wants and passions? Everone I meet is incapable of giving and only capable of taking. Wher do I fit in? A whole reason just waiting to share my life with someone. Is anyone going to want what I have to often or are probably seeking from others what can they do for me? Unselfish love does it exist? A whole person trying to find another. People try to wear to many masks covering who they really are. Why can't people just expose themselves? Just get to it who are you - what do you want?"
“One bar experience that had a huge impact on me was one that involved a very upset customer who I was serving. He came in with some buddies in the early afternoon – typical construction worker types – and proceeded trying to get smashed. One fellow in particular seemed pretty worked up, and was whispering to his friends about something, and naturally, I turned a deaf ear. But soon his friends began laughing hysterically, and his face dropped further. They told me that there was something their friend had to tell me. I had no idea what it could be, until he said he thought he was going to break up with his girl later. Of course I asked why, and his friends nearly dropped to the floor in hysteria. Turns out he was really sad and depressed because his girlfriend said she needed to show him something. Being the good boyfriend, he asked what it was, and she proceeded to put his hands down her pants, directly onto some horrendous hemhorroid that sprouted overnight. The man was traumatized beyond rectification, and he was driven to sit at my bar, get smashed, and finally cry. This was quite possibly the most sad, strange, and ultimately life altering experience I have ever witnessed in a bar. – K.S. 8/13/05”
“Moving to West Chester, PA from San Diego, California…. I knew life would be different, but holy shit ‘different’ ain’t the right word. Adjusting to cold winter days, skipping over the shortest spring, diving right into the hottest summer heat only to find we are on the tail of winter yet again. Life in San Diego is now like a dream + referring back to that dream only makes me want it more. So tomorrow I am getting into my Volkswagen Jetta Station Wagon + heading back west to San Diego, where I no longer have to fight with weather + no longer have to succumb to life indoors. Coming here helped me heal, helped me see, helped me to realize the importance of Family, the importance of connection + love + most of all the importance of being selfish + happy. – M. H. 8/9/05”
“In a bar
I danced
For the first time
In public
Yep, me
Ms. Self Conscious
Always inhibited
Self conscious
Concerned
I felt
Free
Amazing
Maybe even sexy
I still get that feeling
Sometimes
Well, most of the time
Dancing
In a bar
-E. M. 8/13/05”
“Music. When I was a kid, & used to ride in the car with my step-father, we listened to what is popularly known today as ‘classic rock’. To him it was the only music. And we all know that music is life, right? So we rode , & we listened, & then after I learned enough, we sang it:
‘In the sunshine of your love…’
‘All along the watchtower…’
‘You don’t have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows…’
‘Me & Bobby McGee…’
Then, once I knew the words, we would sit & wait for a song to come on –
One, two, three notes & then he turns the radio off. ‘name it?’ ‘the Byrds’
‘Yep.’ And off we would go. Eight miles High, not even needing the music - but he would turn it back up. Music.”
“I have done many things in my life. I would have to say the one most vivid, that stands out most to me is my experiences in San Francisco, developing my skills as a piercing artist w/Master Shaman Fakir Musafar. The piercing aside, it was the energy that encompassed my surroundings that was moving. There were a small handful of us all joined together in one of the oldest bathhouses still standing – in San Francisco. On the final day of our experiences we each partook in a ceremonial rite of passage. People were pierced, mind you in a sterile environment, music was played, chanting was sung, some were dancing, but the energy and emotions in the room were magical. Pure and intense almost indescribable. I have never had another experience like it. Magic and Beauty. – T. Z. 8/13/5
"The thing that impacted my life in a major way was the romance with a yonger man I met in internet dating. Prior to meeting him I thought it impossible to love commonality with someone ten years younger than me. He is actually wiser, and more mature than me in so many ways - emotionally, sexually, & spiritually and then his ex wife wanted him back so I had to let go & hope he would come back to me. As of this writing I am still waiting & hoping." – J. L.
"Plain and simple. I took all the drugs (prescription and otherwise) I could find in my apartment with a manhattan chaser. I turned on Basquiat with the volume off and waited for the pain to subside. I don't remember what happened until I woke up with a tube down my throat and a hospital gown and my parents crying in the corner. My cell phone was full of messages of people I though didn't care, saying they did. So what was my life changing event? A switch being flipped in my self conscious. My abandonment from the quest towards death and deciding I might be ok living."
"The thing that impacted my life the most would be breast cancer. It was a brick wall that taught me about real life. Honesty, truth and love. All of us get the chance to live life to the fullest experience. It's about who we really are not who others want us to be. We are all connected and worthy of love. Life is great enjoy!" – D.
"8/17/05 - So this guy approaches me in a bar to write about my own life's impacts. Where should I start? I am 28 and I have been transformed by each day. Each relationship, each experience by people I meet and each travel I have made. I feel that perception & expectations have changed my life. Is it the disappointment by people that have hurt me or the expectations that I have for myself & others that have fallen short. Let's not beat around the bush this American mentality, hedonisst approach to relationships does not work for me. Why does averyone want ratification now? Is everyone still finding themselves? How long does it take prior to figure out their beliefs, wants and passions? Everone I meet is incapable of giving and only capable of taking. Wher do I fit in? A whole reason just waiting to share my life with someone. Is anyone going to want what I have to often or are probably seeking from others what can they do for me? Unselfish love does it exist? A whole person trying to find another. People try to wear to many masks covering who they really are. Why can't people just expose themselves? Just get to it who are you - what do you want?"
“One bar experience that had a huge impact on me was one that involved a very upset customer who I was serving. He came in with some buddies in the early afternoon – typical construction worker types – and proceeded trying to get smashed. One fellow in particular seemed pretty worked up, and was whispering to his friends about something, and naturally, I turned a deaf ear. But soon his friends began laughing hysterically, and his face dropped further. They told me that there was something their friend had to tell me. I had no idea what it could be, until he said he thought he was going to break up with his girl later. Of course I asked why, and his friends nearly dropped to the floor in hysteria. Turns out he was really sad and depressed because his girlfriend said she needed to show him something. Being the good boyfriend, he asked what it was, and she proceeded to put his hands down her pants, directly onto some horrendous hemhorroid that sprouted overnight. The man was traumatized beyond rectification, and he was driven to sit at my bar, get smashed, and finally cry. This was quite possibly the most sad, strange, and ultimately life altering experience I have ever witnessed in a bar. – K.S. 8/13/05”
“Moving to West Chester, PA from San Diego, California…. I knew life would be different, but holy shit ‘different’ ain’t the right word. Adjusting to cold winter days, skipping over the shortest spring, diving right into the hottest summer heat only to find we are on the tail of winter yet again. Life in San Diego is now like a dream + referring back to that dream only makes me want it more. So tomorrow I am getting into my Volkswagen Jetta Station Wagon + heading back west to San Diego, where I no longer have to fight with weather + no longer have to succumb to life indoors. Coming here helped me heal, helped me see, helped me to realize the importance of Family, the importance of connection + love + most of all the importance of being selfish + happy. – M. H. 8/9/05”
“In a bar
I danced
For the first time
In public
Yep, me
Ms. Self Conscious
Always inhibited
Self conscious
Concerned
I felt
Free
Amazing
Maybe even sexy
I still get that feeling
Sometimes
Well, most of the time
Dancing
In a bar
-E. M. 8/13/05”
“Music. When I was a kid, & used to ride in the car with my step-father, we listened to what is popularly known today as ‘classic rock’. To him it was the only music. And we all know that music is life, right? So we rode , & we listened, & then after I learned enough, we sang it:
‘In the sunshine of your love…’
‘All along the watchtower…’
‘You don’t have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows…’
‘Me & Bobby McGee…’
Then, once I knew the words, we would sit & wait for a song to come on –
One, two, three notes & then he turns the radio off. ‘name it?’ ‘the Byrds’
‘Yep.’ And off we would go. Eight miles High, not even needing the music - but he would turn it back up. Music.”
“I have done many things in my life. I would have to say the one most vivid, that stands out most to me is my experiences in San Francisco, developing my skills as a piercing artist w/Master Shaman Fakir Musafar. The piercing aside, it was the energy that encompassed my surroundings that was moving. There were a small handful of us all joined together in one of the oldest bathhouses still standing – in San Francisco. On the final day of our experiences we each partook in a ceremonial rite of passage. People were pierced, mind you in a sterile environment, music was played, chanting was sung, some were dancing, but the energy and emotions in the room were magical. Pure and intense almost indescribable. I have never had another experience like it. Magic and Beauty. – T. Z. 8/13/5
”
“Traveling! I’m always looking for something new. Landscape that I have never seen. Music that I have never heard. People who I have never met. Life is traveling. I was born in small island on Japan. When I was a child, I knew my only neighborhood but I searched something on the earth in the sky. I found the nature’s breathing. When I was 18. I moved to Fukuoka then I lived in Osaka, Tokyo. I traveled to Alaska, Seattle, Boston, New Orleans, and now I am in Pennsylvania. World is large global. Intercontinental. Make friends all over the world. Find something… Everywhere, I am alone at first time but talk with someone. My travel continue…. –M. O. 8/13/05
“A friend of mine picked up 2 girls on the board walk. 1 of them was talking to a guy and they all came back to our shore house. The guy ended up being a cop. We underage drank w/ him all night and at like 3 a.m. he brought us back a free 30 pack of sliders from white house… From a cop. That shit was better than having kids. – S.”
“The birth of my first child. Had a major impact on my life. How couldn’t have. The introduction to a new planet. The brightness of his eyes looking wandering pondering. What’s going on? Where am I? What are these things around me?
I connected deeply within my soul. It brought me back to my inner child.
If we all saw what kids saw the world would be a better place. You heard?!
-S. 8/9/05”
“Dear Memoirs, It must have been 6 years ago now. I felt wonderful at the time. It was the best decision I could make, boy was I wrong. -R. G. P.S. In the end, I should have kept the dick.”
“I won’t lie, this is a difficult subject to pindown, many things have impacted me in many ways, directly and indirectly, that I am sure of. These things include the following; learning to walk, to talk, to speak, as well as my discovery of the ‘finer things in life’, certain drugs, certain drinks, and unfortunately nicotine, and awareness of self in various stages, toddler to teenager, and the open door law policy of hitting 18, 21 (and sooner or later 40 for my mid-life crisis, can’t wait). If there was people to impact me, in a cliché way, I’d say, everyone I have ever met. I like the belief that everyone you meet has some sort of “path intake”, in other words an impact. From a stranger holding a door open, to a lover riding me right, everyone you meet should be able to learn/live directly out of you, and vice that versa. To narrow it down Mr. Farley my fourth grade teacher, even at that age he taught me to look at life outside of cookie cutter standard box tombstone thinking. Both sides of the coin kind of bullshit, and it has always worked to my advantage. To specify a thing, it would have to be music, music my savior, my muse, my band and lament. There’s too much to say how much music impacts me, that should tell you in a very non exciting way how much it draws me in, digests me, and dictates my mood and sway. Without it I would not know how to sustain, for lack of a better term, I could not live without it. For a place, I wish I was comfortable enough to say, wherever I am at the time, but all that comes to mind right now, and it may sound cheesy, but the only physical stretch of land to impact me was the Vietnam memorial in D.C., though I was not born then and only know second hand stories, and second person losses, I was so moved to break down in front of so many names. The somber tone alone of the black marble and various trinkets flowers, laid there before it. So many questions, how did this happen, at what cost, war what is it good for and all that shit. Anywho, I’ve gone on long enough, hope someone can take something from all this however Mr. Pevar puts it together, good luck and thanks for the opportunity to share, very rare indeed. Thanks – S. M.”
“A horse once kicked me square in the groin. Impact. Absolute. –M.”
“So, about 10 months ago, my mom passed away in a nursing home that’s right down the street from here. Not that it’s easy to see at any age, but she wasn’t in the demographic that the others at the home were. She was 45. And I was 21. Being 21 at this college means trashed nights and blurry classes. Hazy, but crazy memories, and hours at bars and with friends. Not nights in the ER and hours spent trying to calm a mother who knew she was dying. I lived w/ her when she collapsed, just north of campus. I gained a roommate to pay for rend, worked two jobs, and somehow aced my classes. I also ‘somehow’ stayed alive. I ended up becoming a machine of sorts – but, eventually, it was in the best way imaginable. I didn’t take shit from anyone, I spoke up, I talked back. Priorities become undoubtedly clear in a state like that. I was free to be my true self because I had to be; it was the mechanical process of denying anything but what I deserved that ended up saving me in the end. Was it easy? Saying ‘not in the least’, doesn’t even describe it. It is still an ‘easy yes, no’ determination of what I want/will tolerate? Not at all. It’s only been 10 months. I watched her die for a year & a half. It’s only just begun. For that I’m thankful. I get to learn that much more while I’m here. If this is what I’m getting at 22, and I’ve made it this far, so be it. The more I learn this time, hopefully the next time I’ll get it just a bit easier. Because, really you only really should get it easier next time if you grow in this one. Hopefully I will grow. She changed my life, and I’ll be smart enough to make it to her level one day. Until then… -A. S. W.”
“Something that has impacted my life was the death of my close friend Crystal. She was 15 years old, it was Thursday night & she was out with her boyfriend & friends for a joyride but she was also high. In an abandoned parking lot they let her drive. She ran into a pole and out of 6 people my best friend Crystal is the only one that died that night. I’d known Crystal for 3 years & all of those years she was against drugs more than anyone I’d known. She must have been ‘experimenting’ but that experiment killed my best friend, and made me realize how serious experimenting was. –S. L.”
“Here is my night sitting
at the bar, my mind just
visible over the chatter shouting
inside the music playing.
She’s singing blues and
Protecting her space.
Let’s all be more real
And raw like this tune, here
Inside American blues fumbling
Against the smoke & television
Screen. -L. G.”
“Traveling! I’m always looking for something new. Landscape that I have never seen. Music that I have never heard. People who I have never met. Life is traveling. I was born in small island on Japan. When I was a child, I knew my only neighborhood but I searched something on the earth in the sky. I found the nature’s breathing. When I was 18. I moved to Fukuoka then I lived in Osaka, Tokyo. I traveled to Alaska, Seattle, Boston, New Orleans, and now I am in Pennsylvania. World is large global. Intercontinental. Make friends all over the world. Find something… Everywhere, I am alone at first time but talk with someone. My travel continue…. –M. O. 8/13/05
“A friend of mine picked up 2 girls on the board walk. 1 of them was talking to a guy and they all came back to our shore house. The guy ended up being a cop. We underage drank w/ him all night and at like 3 a.m. he brought us back a free 30 pack of sliders from white house… From a cop. That shit was better than having kids. – S.”
“The birth of my first child. Had a major impact on my life. How couldn’t have. The introduction to a new planet. The brightness of his eyes looking wandering pondering. What’s going on? Where am I? What are these things around me?
I connected deeply within my soul. It brought me back to my inner child.
If we all saw what kids saw the world would be a better place. You heard?!
-S. 8/9/05”
“Dear Memoirs, It must have been 6 years ago now. I felt wonderful at the time. It was the best decision I could make, boy was I wrong. -R. G. P.S. In the end, I should have kept the dick.”
“I won’t lie, this is a difficult subject to pindown, many things have impacted me in many ways, directly and indirectly, that I am sure of. These things include the following; learning to walk, to talk, to speak, as well as my discovery of the ‘finer things in life’, certain drugs, certain drinks, and unfortunately nicotine, and awareness of self in various stages, toddler to teenager, and the open door law policy of hitting 18, 21 (and sooner or later 40 for my mid-life crisis, can’t wait). If there was people to impact me, in a cliché way, I’d say, everyone I have ever met. I like the belief that everyone you meet has some sort of “path intake”, in other words an impact. From a stranger holding a door open, to a lover riding me right, everyone you meet should be able to learn/live directly out of you, and vice that versa. To narrow it down Mr. Farley my fourth grade teacher, even at that age he taught me to look at life outside of cookie cutter standard box tombstone thinking. Both sides of the coin kind of bullshit, and it has always worked to my advantage. To specify a thing, it would have to be music, music my savior, my muse, my band and lament. There’s too much to say how much music impacts me, that should tell you in a very non exciting way how much it draws me in, digests me, and dictates my mood and sway. Without it I would not know how to sustain, for lack of a better term, I could not live without it. For a place, I wish I was comfortable enough to say, wherever I am at the time, but all that comes to mind right now, and it may sound cheesy, but the only physical stretch of land to impact me was the Vietnam memorial in D.C., though I was not born then and only know second hand stories, and second person losses, I was so moved to break down in front of so many names. The somber tone alone of the black marble and various trinkets flowers, laid there before it. So many questions, how did this happen, at what cost, war what is it good for and all that shit. Anywho, I’ve gone on long enough, hope someone can take something from all this however Mr. Pevar puts it together, good luck and thanks for the opportunity to share, very rare indeed. Thanks – S. M.”
“A horse once kicked me square in the groin. Impact. Absolute. –M.”
“So, about 10 months ago, my mom passed away in a nursing home that’s right down the street from here. Not that it’s easy to see at any age, but she wasn’t in the demographic that the others at the home were. She was 45. And I was 21. Being 21 at this college means trashed nights and blurry classes. Hazy, but crazy memories, and hours at bars and with friends. Not nights in the ER and hours spent trying to calm a mother who knew she was dying. I lived w/ her when she collapsed, just north of campus. I gained a roommate to pay for rend, worked two jobs, and somehow aced my classes. I also ‘somehow’ stayed alive. I ended up becoming a machine of sorts – but, eventually, it was in the best way imaginable. I didn’t take shit from anyone, I spoke up, I talked back. Priorities become undoubtedly clear in a state like that. I was free to be my true self because I had to be; it was the mechanical process of denying anything but what I deserved that ended up saving me in the end. Was it easy? Saying ‘not in the least’, doesn’t even describe it. It is still an ‘easy yes, no’ determination of what I want/will tolerate? Not at all. It’s only been 10 months. I watched her die for a year & a half. It’s only just begun. For that I’m thankful. I get to learn that much more while I’m here. If this is what I’m getting at 22, and I’ve made it this far, so be it. The more I learn this time, hopefully the next time I’ll get it just a bit easier. Because, really you only really should get it easier next time if you grow in this one. Hopefully I will grow. She changed my life, and I’ll be smart enough to make it to her level one day. Until then… -A. S. W.”
“Something that has impacted my life was the death of my close friend Crystal. She was 15 years old, it was Thursday night & she was out with her boyfriend & friends for a joyride but she was also high. In an abandoned parking lot they let her drive. She ran into a pole and out of 6 people my best friend Crystal is the only one that died that night. I’d known Crystal for 3 years & all of those years she was against drugs more than anyone I’d known. She must have been ‘experimenting’ but that experiment killed my best friend, and made me realize how serious experimenting was. –S. L.”
“Here is my night sitting
at the bar, my mind just
visible over the chatter shouting
inside the music playing.
She’s singing blues and
Protecting her space.
Let’s all be more real
And raw like this tune, here
Inside American blues fumbling
Against the smoke & television
Screen. -L. G.”
“When I was 18 I went to New York City for the first time. Being young and stupid and from Dover Delaware. I thought I’d seen all I had to see. I sat one morning in my friend Ronnie’s apartment in Brooklyn and watched the sunrise out the window while everyone slept, smoked cigarettes, listened to PJ Harvey, and watched the city start to glow with sunlight. I was left with the humbling experience of realizing how big and strange the world was and how I nearly knew nothing about it. –M. A.”
“A true impact in my life… I turn 24 in 3 weeks and there are so many people, places, and things that I’ve come across that have moved me in one way or another. I must say that a key moment in my life is when I had enough courage to get onto my bike @ 10 years old & just ride… having been scared for years, I never had enough courage to overcome my fear. Yet one day I woke up & decided to start riding. I rode up & down the street yelling for everyone to watch & to get the joy I was feeling out of my mouth. The best part of the day was when my brother got in front of me, and being so inexperienced I didn’t know what to do or how to stop, so I ran him over. From there I knew no one or thing could stop me from trying & accomplishing something I wanted to do! –J. 7-21-05”
“There is a hill in central Vermont managed as wild blueberry habitat with steps taken to ensure the habitat remains suitable. Recently I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon there staring out at 35 acres of blueberry bushes and a beautiful panoramic view of the Green Mountains. While looking out from this blissful spot I realized how at peace I was. Partly because of the endless supply of free nutrition and partly because there were no stop lights, no highway, no cities, no anything really. Just harmony and peace and sharing. What a wonderful world all made possible by blueberries. Shame they don’t grow the world over. – I. 7-27-05”
“Ever since I can remember I have had a fetish with footwear. I think that shoes make the man. You can wear a t-shirt and jeans and a nice pair of shoes will set the entire outfit off. I have spent thousands of dollars on shoes that I only wear once or twice then I store in the closet just to bring out years later when knowone else has them anymore. The in vention of EBAY has made my addiction even worse. Logging on every night to see what’s new and what I can find from China, Japan wherever. Shoes are my life and I have spent thousands of dollars on them. For my 25th birthday I got a Michael Jordan tattoo on my ancle to compliment my shoes. I never knew that shoes could impact my life. My modoo is shoes make the man. Air Jordan ‘4 life. 7/30/05. – T. T.”
“Last year a buddy & myself flew to San Diego & rented a silver mustang. We stayed at a friends house & his porch overlooked the glittering lights of Tijuana Mexico. We decided to drive over the border & check it out but as we crossed past the border police we realized neither of us spoke any spanish which led to our 3 hour drive through back roads & slums of Mexico. When I tell this story to people they look horrified & amazed we lived. Two white boys in a silver stang have a good chance of getting shot I’m told. It was very scary… dirt highways, gangs of kids & dogs roaming around & gunfire in the distance. Wow, what a trip. –C.”
“Last time I was here I was masquerading as a cuben. This time, I’m taking in as myself. Incognito is not necessary when you generally go as unnoticed as I do. But the thing that has had the most major impact on my life has not changed. It is still traveling. I love to go new places and meet new people. Every time, I learn something about myself and about humanity. As of late, I have learned that traveling a mile or less can be as enlightening as traveling 1000’s of miles. It took a long journey and an understanding of people to see this. But now I know that if you look at everday as an adventure or day spent traveling, possibilities are endless. –D. D. ‘if D. D. wrote it, It’s gotta be true!’”
“When I saw my friend’s girlfriend go into seizures from an ecstacy overdose, it changed my view on the world of drugs forever. Her frail tiny body violently jerked on the hotel bed for the first time since I had embarked on a wild ride of sex, drugs & alcohol, I felt completely out of control – and I didn’t like it. I felt like a little girl, and I wanted my mom. But my mom wasn’t coming, and this girl was dying right in front of me. –V.”
“Moving to a new town is not always easy, in fact sometimes it is downright lonely and you recognize how much you miss your family + friends. How do you meet new people? How do you get your new circle of friends? Move into a complex that is next to your friendly neighborhood bar. In West Chester, that would be the Square Bar. They fed me more meals than my Mom. My new best friend found me at the Square Bar and introduced me to all of my ‘new’ family in West Chester. Complete with a Patriark + Matriark of the entire crew, I now have a family away from home and enjoy barbques, building projects and lots of love when I need it. Morale of the story is, don’t stay inside go out be yourself and maybe you will just find what you are looking for and need. –R. P., West Chester, PA”
“Sexuality is part of all Human Existence. Yet, we as human beings are so scared of not only our sexual nature but our curiosity and mysticism about the subject itself. Life is full of wonder and experience and at the core of that is our sexuality. To be human is to be sexual in any and all ways. –Dr. D. L. L., Sex therapist”
“LA JOYA IS SETTLED (IF THAT IS POSSIBLE 10 YRS AFTER CIVIL WAR) BETWEEN WHAT REMAINS OF THE JUNGLE, AN ACTIVE VOLCANO AND THE ONLY SOURCE OF WATER A RIVER BARELY ACCESSABLE BY A FOOTPATH. A FEW DOZEN ACRES OF MAIZE MAKE UP THE FOOD SUPPLY AND CASH CROP FOR 200 OR SO VILLAGERS. THE PEOPLE LIVE IN SHACKS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND FALLEN TREES. ANEMIC COWS AND DOGS ROME THROUGH THE VILLAGE. CLOTHIN IS MADE OR PURCHASED IN SAN SALVADOR AT STREET VENDERS WHO RECEIVE THEIR PRODUCTS FROM SWEAT SHOPS. THE HEAT IS SO OBTRUSIVE AND OPPRESSING. POSSIBLY A REMINDER OF PAST ‘EL JEFES’ THERE IS NOT ELECTRICITY OR RUNNING WATER, BUT PEOPLE HEAR THE NEWS BY COLLECTIVELY LISTENING TO A BOOMBOX POWERED BY A CAR BATTERY. TRANSPORT IS ONE PICK-UP TRUCK OWNE BY THE TOWN WHICH OFTE BREAKS DOWN 20 MILES FROM ‘CIVILIZATION’. EDUCATION CONTINUES IN ONE SCHOOL ROOM THROUGH 6TH GRADE. YET THE PEOPLE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE INFORMED OF GLOBAL, POLITICAL CLIMATE. ALL OF THESE THINGS CAN BE BOUGHT IN THE UNITED STATES. – M.”
“A true impact in my life… I turn 24 in 3 weeks and there are so many people, places, and things that I’ve come across that have moved me in one way or another. I must say that a key moment in my life is when I had enough courage to get onto my bike @ 10 years old & just ride… having been scared for years, I never had enough courage to overcome my fear. Yet one day I woke up & decided to start riding. I rode up & down the street yelling for everyone to watch & to get the joy I was feeling out of my mouth. The best part of the day was when my brother got in front of me, and being so inexperienced I didn’t know what to do or how to stop, so I ran him over. From there I knew no one or thing could stop me from trying & accomplishing something I wanted to do! –J. 7-21-05”
“There is a hill in central Vermont managed as wild blueberry habitat with steps taken to ensure the habitat remains suitable. Recently I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon there staring out at 35 acres of blueberry bushes and a beautiful panoramic view of the Green Mountains. While looking out from this blissful spot I realized how at peace I was. Partly because of the endless supply of free nutrition and partly because there were no stop lights, no highway, no cities, no anything really. Just harmony and peace and sharing. What a wonderful world all made possible by blueberries. Shame they don’t grow the world over. – I. 7-27-05”
“Ever since I can remember I have had a fetish with footwear. I think that shoes make the man. You can wear a t-shirt and jeans and a nice pair of shoes will set the entire outfit off. I have spent thousands of dollars on shoes that I only wear once or twice then I store in the closet just to bring out years later when knowone else has them anymore. The in vention of EBAY has made my addiction even worse. Logging on every night to see what’s new and what I can find from China, Japan wherever. Shoes are my life and I have spent thousands of dollars on them. For my 25th birthday I got a Michael Jordan tattoo on my ancle to compliment my shoes. I never knew that shoes could impact my life. My modoo is shoes make the man. Air Jordan ‘4 life. 7/30/05. – T. T.”
“Last year a buddy & myself flew to San Diego & rented a silver mustang. We stayed at a friends house & his porch overlooked the glittering lights of Tijuana Mexico. We decided to drive over the border & check it out but as we crossed past the border police we realized neither of us spoke any spanish which led to our 3 hour drive through back roads & slums of Mexico. When I tell this story to people they look horrified & amazed we lived. Two white boys in a silver stang have a good chance of getting shot I’m told. It was very scary… dirt highways, gangs of kids & dogs roaming around & gunfire in the distance. Wow, what a trip. –C.”
“Last time I was here I was masquerading as a cuben. This time, I’m taking in as myself. Incognito is not necessary when you generally go as unnoticed as I do. But the thing that has had the most major impact on my life has not changed. It is still traveling. I love to go new places and meet new people. Every time, I learn something about myself and about humanity. As of late, I have learned that traveling a mile or less can be as enlightening as traveling 1000’s of miles. It took a long journey and an understanding of people to see this. But now I know that if you look at everday as an adventure or day spent traveling, possibilities are endless. –D. D. ‘if D. D. wrote it, It’s gotta be true!’”
“When I saw my friend’s girlfriend go into seizures from an ecstacy overdose, it changed my view on the world of drugs forever. Her frail tiny body violently jerked on the hotel bed for the first time since I had embarked on a wild ride of sex, drugs & alcohol, I felt completely out of control – and I didn’t like it. I felt like a little girl, and I wanted my mom. But my mom wasn’t coming, and this girl was dying right in front of me. –V.”
“Moving to a new town is not always easy, in fact sometimes it is downright lonely and you recognize how much you miss your family + friends. How do you meet new people? How do you get your new circle of friends? Move into a complex that is next to your friendly neighborhood bar. In West Chester, that would be the Square Bar. They fed me more meals than my Mom. My new best friend found me at the Square Bar and introduced me to all of my ‘new’ family in West Chester. Complete with a Patriark + Matriark of the entire crew, I now have a family away from home and enjoy barbques, building projects and lots of love when I need it. Morale of the story is, don’t stay inside go out be yourself and maybe you will just find what you are looking for and need. –R. P., West Chester, PA”
“Sexuality is part of all Human Existence. Yet, we as human beings are so scared of not only our sexual nature but our curiosity and mysticism about the subject itself. Life is full of wonder and experience and at the core of that is our sexuality. To be human is to be sexual in any and all ways. –Dr. D. L. L., Sex therapist”
“LA JOYA IS SETTLED (IF THAT IS POSSIBLE 10 YRS AFTER CIVIL WAR) BETWEEN WHAT REMAINS OF THE JUNGLE, AN ACTIVE VOLCANO AND THE ONLY SOURCE OF WATER A RIVER BARELY ACCESSABLE BY A FOOTPATH. A FEW DOZEN ACRES OF MAIZE MAKE UP THE FOOD SUPPLY AND CASH CROP FOR 200 OR SO VILLAGERS. THE PEOPLE LIVE IN SHACKS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND FALLEN TREES. ANEMIC COWS AND DOGS ROME THROUGH THE VILLAGE. CLOTHIN IS MADE OR PURCHASED IN SAN SALVADOR AT STREET VENDERS WHO RECEIVE THEIR PRODUCTS FROM SWEAT SHOPS. THE HEAT IS SO OBTRUSIVE AND OPPRESSING. POSSIBLY A REMINDER OF PAST ‘EL JEFES’ THERE IS NOT ELECTRICITY OR RUNNING WATER, BUT PEOPLE HEAR THE NEWS BY COLLECTIVELY LISTENING TO A BOOMBOX POWERED BY A CAR BATTERY. TRANSPORT IS ONE PICK-UP TRUCK OWNE BY THE TOWN WHICH OFTE BREAKS DOWN 20 MILES FROM ‘CIVILIZATION’. EDUCATION CONTINUES IN ONE SCHOOL ROOM THROUGH 6TH GRADE. YET THE PEOPLE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE INFORMED OF GLOBAL, POLITICAL CLIMATE. ALL OF THESE THINGS CAN BE BOUGHT IN THE UNITED STATES. – M.”
“In 1990 I heard Elvis Costello’s “Veronica” on the radio for the first time. Years later, I heard “Deep Dark Truthful Mirror” on an MTV ‘unplugged’ CD compilation. Few years after that, in my Punk/Ska, bad-ass high school years, I picked up a specials Album on saw that none other than E.C. himself produced. Ever since then I’ve been hooked. I’ve played music, all instruments, all genres, and modeled it after E.C. I know it’s not cool to have heros in an Indie/Punk Rock/hardcore scene... but Elvis Costello has impacted my life more than anyone ever could. –Bernie
“Failure, Everbody has failed at something in their lifetime. Its all part of the learning process in life. Their have been times in my life where I have failed and instead of looking at all the negatives, I try to see the positives. For example, I experienced a failed relationship and I focused on anything positive I could. I tried to realize that instead of mourning and being sad all the time, I realized that maybe being single was better off, for me or even that maybe this girl wasn’t the one and now I might be able to meet her in the future. –K.”
"The music makes me and makes me think of the girl I love. She don't know it yet, but when I show her she will know the feeling. 7/15/05"
"I sit here, pen in hand, trying to pinpoint what major thing has impacted my life, but there have been so many. To choose out of the myriad of experiences, all precious and crucial in their own right... the ugly, the beautiful, the cynically in-between... is as hard as choosing the big dick, the small -but hard working, and the median. They may all feel good, but in different ways. But we're at Rex's. Live music is the medium of sound. So I will choose music. The big dick (rap) taught me how to dance, the small dick (the likes of Billy Joel and Elton John) taught me how to croon without the element of self-consciousness, and the inbetween (disco) taught me how to be alive yet loved, wild yet tameable, delicious yet tasteable. And I taste good."
"Moving into the New Brunswick NJ area, in the mid 90's, where I discovered the New Brunswick music scene. This rejuvanated my passion for music & writing, which I had abandoned for over a decade. Since the spark hit, I began writing a music collumn covering the music scene, managed a local artist + DJed at my almamada - college of S.I. - WSIA-FM. Began writing lyrical poetry, performing my poetry with musical accompaniment, put togethor a CD which was favorably reviewed by several publications. Now, living in West Chester, PA, I found similar situations, artists, scene and am working on my 2nd cd with mainly musicians I met in PA. Turning point was, while looking through stuff to throw out, finding a letter that a high school friend wrote me while he was in the Navy. It said something like 'you wrote me a 3 page letter and not one word about Music. Jeff is sitting on his ass again.' The letter was written 15 years prior + it still held true. It inspired me to check out the New Brunswick scene that I had been living near for 2 1/2 years. –J. M.”
"American children are being raised in a bubble... Ask me what impacts my life? Watching others in this country who are oblivious to the priveledged society they have been raised in impacts me every day. In this country, children are raised to believe that they are "entitled" to a certain quality of living. They do not comprehend that the the things they take for granted, (sodas, electricity, water, telephones, etc.) other people have never even experienced. Americans get angry when the power goes off for no reason. But there are people who live their entire lives and never have electricity. Children here believe that they are gauranteed certain things, and watching these naive children live this way makes me grateful for every day that I wake up in such a priveledged society. I wish everyone could truly appreciate everything they have."
"Iron maiden had a major impact on my life dan. If it weren't for the monster clad record covers i'd probably be paying child support to a woman who hated me. iron maiden taught me to look outside of the world that existed around me. taught me to think critically - question things and make decisions for myself. long live heavy metal. –E."
"Christmas Eve 7 years ago, as 26 guests arrived @ my home for a holiday party - my house caught fire. 4 firetrucks later & a lot of surprised guests - in a moment I realized truly that everyone is on loan to us. Grateful to be alive, having lost all my worldly possesions - I walked away with the clothes on my back - covered in soot, I began a different path - one which I walk not alone but with an ever present reminder that we are souls in a human condition. I practice gratitude on a daily basis - for my family, friends, life itself. It is not possessions but kindred spirits, honestly, truth is unconditional love that are important. Everyone has something."
"One time I was waiting for an airplane and it was delayed by 3 hours because of storms. So I played soccer in the terminal with 4 other kids. My team lost 7.4. I scored 2 goals. From that time on I decided I should try to go pro in soccer. –S."
"I borrowed an ashtray once. The man slid it down the bar and the ashes flew into the air disrupting the other patrons. It was an abomination to them to have cigarette ash blown in their faces. I sweetly smiled grabbed it and lit my cig. –C. J. F."
"I guess Death is popular but... Any near death experience will make you look at something a little closer. One time I was held under water by a wave, and thought I was never comin up. It was a slow thought about a moment, trust me, it just made me realize that it could happen when you least expect it. Live it up!"
“Failure, Everbody has failed at something in their lifetime. Its all part of the learning process in life. Their have been times in my life where I have failed and instead of looking at all the negatives, I try to see the positives. For example, I experienced a failed relationship and I focused on anything positive I could. I tried to realize that instead of mourning and being sad all the time, I realized that maybe being single was better off, for me or even that maybe this girl wasn’t the one and now I might be able to meet her in the future. –K.”
"The music makes me and makes me think of the girl I love. She don't know it yet, but when I show her she will know the feeling. 7/15/05"
"I sit here, pen in hand, trying to pinpoint what major thing has impacted my life, but there have been so many. To choose out of the myriad of experiences, all precious and crucial in their own right... the ugly, the beautiful, the cynically in-between... is as hard as choosing the big dick, the small -but hard working, and the median. They may all feel good, but in different ways. But we're at Rex's. Live music is the medium of sound. So I will choose music. The big dick (rap) taught me how to dance, the small dick (the likes of Billy Joel and Elton John) taught me how to croon without the element of self-consciousness, and the inbetween (disco) taught me how to be alive yet loved, wild yet tameable, delicious yet tasteable. And I taste good."
"Moving into the New Brunswick NJ area, in the mid 90's, where I discovered the New Brunswick music scene. This rejuvanated my passion for music & writing, which I had abandoned for over a decade. Since the spark hit, I began writing a music collumn covering the music scene, managed a local artist + DJed at my almamada - college of S.I. - WSIA-FM. Began writing lyrical poetry, performing my poetry with musical accompaniment, put togethor a CD which was favorably reviewed by several publications. Now, living in West Chester, PA, I found similar situations, artists, scene and am working on my 2nd cd with mainly musicians I met in PA. Turning point was, while looking through stuff to throw out, finding a letter that a high school friend wrote me while he was in the Navy. It said something like 'you wrote me a 3 page letter and not one word about Music. Jeff is sitting on his ass again.' The letter was written 15 years prior + it still held true. It inspired me to check out the New Brunswick scene that I had been living near for 2 1/2 years. –J. M.”
"American children are being raised in a bubble... Ask me what impacts my life? Watching others in this country who are oblivious to the priveledged society they have been raised in impacts me every day. In this country, children are raised to believe that they are "entitled" to a certain quality of living. They do not comprehend that the the things they take for granted, (sodas, electricity, water, telephones, etc.) other people have never even experienced. Americans get angry when the power goes off for no reason. But there are people who live their entire lives and never have electricity. Children here believe that they are gauranteed certain things, and watching these naive children live this way makes me grateful for every day that I wake up in such a priveledged society. I wish everyone could truly appreciate everything they have."
"Iron maiden had a major impact on my life dan. If it weren't for the monster clad record covers i'd probably be paying child support to a woman who hated me. iron maiden taught me to look outside of the world that existed around me. taught me to think critically - question things and make decisions for myself. long live heavy metal. –E."
"Christmas Eve 7 years ago, as 26 guests arrived @ my home for a holiday party - my house caught fire. 4 firetrucks later & a lot of surprised guests - in a moment I realized truly that everyone is on loan to us. Grateful to be alive, having lost all my worldly possesions - I walked away with the clothes on my back - covered in soot, I began a different path - one which I walk not alone but with an ever present reminder that we are souls in a human condition. I practice gratitude on a daily basis - for my family, friends, life itself. It is not possessions but kindred spirits, honestly, truth is unconditional love that are important. Everyone has something."
"One time I was waiting for an airplane and it was delayed by 3 hours because of storms. So I played soccer in the terminal with 4 other kids. My team lost 7.4. I scored 2 goals. From that time on I decided I should try to go pro in soccer. –S."
"I borrowed an ashtray once. The man slid it down the bar and the ashes flew into the air disrupting the other patrons. It was an abomination to them to have cigarette ash blown in their faces. I sweetly smiled grabbed it and lit my cig. –C. J. F."
"I guess Death is popular but... Any near death experience will make you look at something a little closer. One time I was held under water by a wave, and thought I was never comin up. It was a slow thought about a moment, trust me, it just made me realize that it could happen when you least expect it. Live it up!"
"On discovering Touch & Go Records when I was a young lad of 22 or 23 I had a defining moment. Life was simple and easy. I had just transferred from the University of Pittsburgh - the Johnston Campus, thank you. And I had gone there D.J. training for there radio station. My limited exposure to Touch & Go - the label was a lime - green album. I didn't remember the name of the band so I looked for the lime green album. The album turned out to be Big Black - 'Song about (?). The song I chose for that show was the 'power of independent trucking'. I played many more Big Black song and did an entire talk show. A band from England had just released an album on the label, Silverfish and I called the label and 'interviewed' the band for a fanzine that is still to come out. Since then I have been relentless on finding and following music I like. Thanks. D. 7-15-05"
"Just when you think you're getting to understand life, what it is and what it offers, along come "the kids". An incredible addition to the dimension of life. A whole nother plane of feeling, loving and yes worrying.... But I'd experience all over again in a heart beat... even though six years ago three little boys exited my body and entered my heart. Oh yes, they're triplets. -I. N."
"When my sister Rachael was born - I've met tons of great people, have so many acquaintances and a few handfuls of meaningful friends - but noone makes me laugh - until I pee - cry or go crazy like me sister. –V. C."
"Since the time I was 7 I have listened to music. Sometimes I write my own lyrics but don't show them to anyone. Real poetic shit right!"
"Down by Shilo Creek
We were gone 'bout two days
Came up from behind us
and we lost our bags
with a power seldom seen
and even rarer known
but felt hard by the
crescent moon, that spoke
only apparition"
"The thing that has impacted me the most was being a caregiver for my sick parents... I would it all over again! The hard part of it all is realizing that my siblings were willing to leave me stranded with all of the responsibilities, and not realize that they dropped their responsibilities... it has been very sad!!! I will move on with the positive energy that my mother gave me, with a smile that she energized!!! -C.D.H"
"I think the most impactful thing in my life was when I found Jesus. I found him in a small jar at the foot of a dumpster by the 7-11 on cottman ave. ‘Help me, you idiot,’ the tiny imprisoned savior said. ‘God helps those who help themselves,’ I retorted, and went inside to get a coke slurpee. -J."
"In 1977 a police officer came to my Junior High School and presented to the 8th graders a program designed to keep kids off drugs. I had never seen any drugs before. He had a 2’ x 3’ board with marijuana pipes arranged in a fanned fashion around a pot leaf that was in the center of the board. I would estimate that it was made via 1972 or so, because of the quality brass pipes I saw. The year was winding down and school soon was out for Summer… My mother loved to garage sale. So one day she stopped and had a particularly long conversation with our neighbor through the woods. I was tired and wanted to go home. I told my mother I would walk through the woods and se her later… I come upon 3 marijuana plants growing in the nook of some tree branches and grabbed a branch off one recognizing the leaf from Officer Friendly’s pipe board. I showed it to my neighbor who immediately called his friend and the three of us set off to see the harvest. A solumn oath (that I now break) was made never to divulge the theft of the green bootie… We don’t need no…No more….education…."
"It’s all about my mother she was the one that was able to comfort me at the worst time in my life. It was Sept 10, 2001and me and my girl decide to abort our child and we cryied all night until we fell asleep. Then we woke up and it was the worst day in American History. So I called my Mom and she said just come home and I will take care off you. I went home and she said "what do you need, anything just tell me". I said I need to get my nut off. So she blew me and it was the best blow job I ever had."
"Just when you think you're getting to understand life, what it is and what it offers, along come "the kids". An incredible addition to the dimension of life. A whole nother plane of feeling, loving and yes worrying.... But I'd experience all over again in a heart beat... even though six years ago three little boys exited my body and entered my heart. Oh yes, they're triplets. -I. N."
"When my sister Rachael was born - I've met tons of great people, have so many acquaintances and a few handfuls of meaningful friends - but noone makes me laugh - until I pee - cry or go crazy like me sister. –V. C."
"Since the time I was 7 I have listened to music. Sometimes I write my own lyrics but don't show them to anyone. Real poetic shit right!"
"Down by Shilo Creek
We were gone 'bout two days
Came up from behind us
and we lost our bags
with a power seldom seen
and even rarer known
but felt hard by the
crescent moon, that spoke
only apparition"
"The thing that has impacted me the most was being a caregiver for my sick parents... I would it all over again! The hard part of it all is realizing that my siblings were willing to leave me stranded with all of the responsibilities, and not realize that they dropped their responsibilities... it has been very sad!!! I will move on with the positive energy that my mother gave me, with a smile that she energized!!! -C.D.H"
"I think the most impactful thing in my life was when I found Jesus. I found him in a small jar at the foot of a dumpster by the 7-11 on cottman ave. ‘Help me, you idiot,’ the tiny imprisoned savior said. ‘God helps those who help themselves,’ I retorted, and went inside to get a coke slurpee. -J."
"In 1977 a police officer came to my Junior High School and presented to the 8th graders a program designed to keep kids off drugs. I had never seen any drugs before. He had a 2’ x 3’ board with marijuana pipes arranged in a fanned fashion around a pot leaf that was in the center of the board. I would estimate that it was made via 1972 or so, because of the quality brass pipes I saw. The year was winding down and school soon was out for Summer… My mother loved to garage sale. So one day she stopped and had a particularly long conversation with our neighbor through the woods. I was tired and wanted to go home. I told my mother I would walk through the woods and se her later… I come upon 3 marijuana plants growing in the nook of some tree branches and grabbed a branch off one recognizing the leaf from Officer Friendly’s pipe board. I showed it to my neighbor who immediately called his friend and the three of us set off to see the harvest. A solumn oath (that I now break) was made never to divulge the theft of the green bootie… We don’t need no…No more….education…."
"It’s all about my mother she was the one that was able to comfort me at the worst time in my life. It was Sept 10, 2001and me and my girl decide to abort our child and we cryied all night until we fell asleep. Then we woke up and it was the worst day in American History. So I called my Mom and she said just come home and I will take care off you. I went home and she said "what do you need, anything just tell me". I said I need to get my nut off. So she blew me and it was the best blow job I ever had."
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