Year End 2010 Editorial

As I sit here trying to remember all the past events of 2010, my memory seems to recall best the times that I spent with my friends. Much like the year before, I spent a considerable amount of my time traveling; avoiding responsibilities that a normal 26 year old should be embracing. Instead, I've chosen to spend my time traveling the country, touring with friends bands and loving every moment of it. It's funny that when I think of these trips one tends to remember the good times instinctively, but as I focus my memory on the entire course of events, I began to remember things that made life a living hell at the moment. However, time has way of putting things into perspective, and makes even those rough moments fun to remember.

I  tend to become slightly depressed at the end of each year, mainly because I feel as if I squandered my time, not taking full advantage of my potential. But when I really sit and reflect upon the year in detail I find that no time was wasted, but rather quite the contrary. When I compare my life to some other peoples', it makes me realize that not only have I accomplished a great deal, but I have not let my life go to waste. I implore every reader to briefly examine their lives for a moment. How was 2010 for you? What did you do to make your life feel full and worthwhile? If you feel like something is missing, just go out and do it. I'm probably the last person anyone should take advice from though. I'm pretty much dirt poor, single and don't have a decent job, but I'll say this; I'm a very happy person. I suppose I have traded financial comfort for my brand of happiness at the moment; traveling, visiting friends in different states and being involved in the music scene.

But what is right for me, might not make someone else happy. This reminds me of the old saying "money can't buy happiness". This may be true for whoever coined that saying, however money may be able to buy some people true happiness, and that it totally ok. This just reminds me that there are so many different points of view that exist, not making one the "correct" way to live, but rather just a different way. What kind of person would I be if I were to say that friendship and music were the best ways to bring Joy to one's life, and then forced that way of life upon other people? There is no joy in forcing your opinions and thoughts on people, this way of thinking stifles creativity and the freedom  that people should have to decide for themselves.

I suppose this is turning out to be more of a life lesson or a struggle with the idea of what happiness is to every individual. I guess this year is leaving me with many questions about why people fear variety in life, and why it is so hard for them to understand and respect other people who have something different to add to the tapestry of life. I wonder why if you like one type of music it just isn't cool to adopt or like something from a different genre, or why it isn't acceptable to simply choose not to conform to one way of thinking in a non conformist subculture.

It's all shit anyway. Just do what you want and let others live their own lives. Sure you are entitled to your happiness, but everyone else is entitled to theirs as well, so don't let your happiness interfere with that of others.  As I sit here outside typing this, having a cigarette and listening to a very appropriate Husker Du album,  the last thing I can say is with 2010 coming to a close and 2011 nearing, it is very much a "New Day Rising", filled with the hope and possibility of a fresh start and ample opportunity for a fulfilling year. Let's see where we are 1 year from now.

Have whatever the hell kind of New Years Eve you all want!


-Matt C.-
Editor in Chief