Have you ever had of those mind-blowing experiences, where you just kind of look back on your life, view the times had, the things done, the people met, and just reflect on it all?
Neither have I. I don't believe in talking about the 'good old days.' It's basically a way of saying life sucks now and isn't getting better anytime soon. What kind of bullshit philosophy is that?
Despite the economy, I like to think I keep a somewhat optimistic disposition. No need for archaic cliches; people on the streets in tattered clothing, wandering around like regurgitated zombies in a meaningless wasteland. Let's make some life happen.
But, regardless, we can't help but remember previous events. The past is a scarier thing than the future: we get to remember what we should have done, what we could have done, and what we never did. Of course, the last one is still redeemable, if only our future will allow.
5 years ago I joined this madhouse we call UG. I can't even remember the old format/layout that changed after about 2 or 3 years of me being here. I can remember, however, being ever so upset by the change. It was like a foreign world to me. At the time I was young and stupid (weren't we all?), and settled into things like a tired head laying onto a pillow. I liked the meaninglessness of life (and still do). I liked the lack of responsibiliy, the lack of purpose, the lack of any long-term goals, and the complete lack of any knowledge in that little hell-hole we call the Pit today (it wasn't as bad back then, but it still had it's moments).
I got changed, though. UG helped me. I slowly started discovering music. Well, I mean, of course I had listened to music before, but I had never really heard it. The intricacies, the despondent melodies, the resonating truth behind so many of them. Where had they been previously? I didn't know, but I slowly realized I was quite enjoying this change...a change in interpretation, I suppose you might say.
So now I'm a Freshman in a very difficult music school, about to be a Sophomore. I guess what I'm trying to say is thanks, UG. Thanks for inspiring me. I was just another kid playing an electric guitar, selfishly competing with friends and always comparing myself to them, preferably the ones worse than me. I didn't realize that music was music...a player with a month of experience could be just as beautiful in their melodic and harmonic interpretations as a player of 20 years; as soon as you strike a chord, as soon as you sing a single note, as soon as a melody develops in your mind, beauty is created.
So listen to your metal. Listen to your modern rock, jazz, techno, thrash, crust punk, rap, hardcore, ska, indie, and emo. For god's sake, INTERPRET it. There's always going to be someone there, upset that you like what you like. No matter how many people insult you, just remember, what they're saying is basically one phrase: "I don't understand why other people like things that I don't like." Ignorance is bliss, I suppose. You listen to what you can appreciate.
So thank you UG. Thank you for the old times, the current time, the times to come. Thank you for loving, flaming, insulting, retorting, and coming out smiling through the whole thing. Here's to 5 more years, UG
And speaking of which...where the fuck have 5 years of my life gone? I'm almost 20 for god's sake...
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Greenfinger182's blogs, last updated : April 8, 2009
