I was wrong

[surrealslash]

For a long time, I didn't think AFI had changed me in any fundamental way. A lot of people are very personally and deeply affected by the lyrics and/or the band, but I didn't think I was one of those people. I really loved the music and lyrics, I admired the band members as artists and as people, I enjoyed writing fanfic as a creative outlet, and I

Comments

[anchors_ashore]

Now I realize that in many people's minds (and mine too), "partying" equals drinking. You can have dancing, you can have music, you can have people hanging out, but that was just a "gathering" or a "hangout." If people are drinking and getting drunk, though, then that's a "party."THIS TIMES A MILLION. This mentality is the bane of my existence

[surrealslash]

Yes, college was quite eye-opening for me, since all of my high school friends were like me: wholesome, non-partying, nerdy types. Now that we're grown up, they've all gone clubbing and gotten drunk before (a few to the point of vomiting) and none of them see anything wrong with that. Society tells us that it's the cool thing to do. I don't try to preach to them or point out that vomiting is in fact NOT fun, but it makes me a little sad to see them blindly accepting the idea. The good thing is that none of them are chronic overindulgers. Some of them are in med school, so they can't let themselves get too out-of-control and forget to study. We are nerds, after all

[surrealslash]

*hugs* I'm glad you were able to overcome both your own issues with alcohol and your dad's issues. They say that addictions can be passed from generation to generation, both via genes/natural dispositions and via the environment you grow up in. It takes a lot to get past these things, and I admire your strength and your openness in sharing with me

[nullyreerah]

I'm in college now and I've been dealing with issues of loneliness and self-pity. Sadly, I'm becoming more aware every day that my feelings of alienation stem from my abhorrence of alcohol and drug-use. Personally, I wouldn't drink, but I don't frown on those who do. I can find a few chuckles in being around someone who is a happy-go-lucky drunk, but that doesn't mean I haven't had my share of experiences with violent and emotional drunks. Drug use, on the other hand, I have no tolerance for. It absolutely disgusts me. As a young kid I've held these values and watched as most of my peers threw them aside. I remember feeling very grateful to discover the sXe movement when I was about fourteen. I don't consider myself a