Poetic Tragedy: Don't be one

Those of you who know me, like really really know me, are privy to the fact that I'm kind of into, (okay consumed), with The Used. Not familiar? Don't sweat it. They're only my favorite band, ever, (aside from Aerosmtih, who practically helped raise me). More so, lead singer, Bert McCracken is the male, mouthier, dirtier, grittier version of yours truly,(at least I like to tell myself that).

I've had some pretty random run-ins with so-called stars of rock in my years of musicianhood and socialting, (yep those are words now). I danced on stage with Afroman. Paid no attention to Breaking Benjamin singer, Ben Burnley, as he flicked cigarette ash into the trashcan next to the merch table I was working. Talked to The Donnas about my demo. Threw a paper airplane at Puddle of Mudd lead singer Wes Scantlin then told him to his face he was hot. Ate at IHOP with Flyleaf in the wee hours after a show. I could go on with the excessive name-dropping that no one cares about, but nothing was as important as meeting Bert. Mainly because I was a total douche and now, if we ever meet again, he'll always remember and probably cringe at the thought of me. *sigh*

But I digress.

You may wonder what any of this has to do with anything. You may furrow your brows and frown. You may stir peanuts in your peanut butter instead of buying the crunchy kind. The reason I love Bert Mccracken isn't because he so graciously accepted my douche-iness. He writes really compelling lyrics that resonate, and get me in the gut. I feel the words when he sings, and screams, them. That's the way all writing should be.

I want to heed a warning. To all of you dreamers out there, on Bert's behalf. Keep your dreams alive. Nourish and cultivate them as you would any other thing that matters. Don't get lost in the "what-if's." Don't lose sight of the big picture, but always stay present through the little moments in between. I leave you with the beginning words to Poetic Tragedy, (which is on my LaLa player at the bottom of the page), and I urge you, even if it doesn't grab you the way it does me, NEVER GIVE UP.