Ashes

Earlier this week a friend lost everything he owns in a fire in Toronto. It's been quite the shock to everbody. At the same time, people are really pulling together to help him out. It's funny how through the magic of the internet our generation is redeining the meaning and scope of the idea of "community". It's a bittersweet truth that tragedy really does pull people closer together.

If you'd like to help out Alex, please visit Jessica's blog and click the donate button.

People who have commented about the fire or have had similiar experiences have been commenting on his and my sister's blog about what they grabbed on the way out. Everybody seems to say that either they grabbed the family photos, or they wish they had because they missed those the most.

Maybe I'm missing something here. I mean, I would hate to lose all my things. But they're just that: things. The cost to replace everything I own would be brutal, but ultimately they're all physical possessions that won't mean a thing in the long run. They're all replaceable, mostly dispensable things. And I don't see my photo albums as being any different.

I have certain possessions that have emotional significance attached to them, and I'd miss this things. Things like the Teddy Bear I've had since my first birthday, for example. But my photos would be the absolute last thing I'd be upset about losing. To me a photo is a visual reminder of a memory. But the memory, to me, is more important than the photos themselves. Photos are images printed on pieces of paper - more useless material possessions that take up space in my closet. And while I can take or leave the photos, I can carry the memories and emotions with me for the rest of my life. If I want to remember a family vacation from 10 years ago, all I need to do is close my eyes and think back to that time. My memory of events may have changed, but our perspectives and opinions on things that happen to us change all the time, and I don't see that as a bad thing.

Maybe I'm just being far too practical here. Maybe I'm just an insensitive jerk who doesn't get it.

But moreover, I'm fascinated by the idea of being able to rebuild my life from the ground up. Our lives, memories, emotions and friendships are what make up our being. Those aren't tangible things you can lose in a fire. Material posessions just fill the up space and time.

What would I save if there was a fire? Bobby, my teddy bear. Which of my things would I miss? All of them, for a while.

But like a I phoenix, I could rise from the ash. The fire would purge the clutter, and afterwards I would have a chance to start things fresh. Why dwell on the past, when I can look forward to the future?

The Past is Memories...

... And the future has yet to come. It's both the end of an era, and the beginning of a new chapter.

It was dark, dirty, grimy. There was conversation, laughter, and a few tears. There were good friends, familiar faces, and new acquaintances. There were die-hards, groupies, hecklers, and rowdies. There were drinks, cigarettes, earplugs. There were young metalheads, old punks, and a modern-day pirate with his hunting hounds. The crowd bumped and bounced with raised fists. The air in the room wasn't still for a single moment.

It was excellent. You should have been there.

Last night was Corey's last night as the singer for Flood of Fire. The band played a late set at the Cobalt, and they definitely ended on a high note.

I've been going to as many Flood of Fire shows as I can for the last three years to lend my support as a fan. I've seen them play some really good shows and their fair share of bad ones. I've seen them grow as a band and as a circle of friends. I've partied with them late into the night, driven their van back to their jamspace for them, and celebrated special occasions at their homes. It's weird to think that these guys have been a significant part of my social life for the last three years.

For those of you who never had the pleasure of seeing them play, you don't know what you've missed out on. It's rare to find a group of people with such great chemistry, both on stage and off. But these guys just gel. It sounds cheesy, but I can't think of any better way to say it.

It's not the end for Flood of Fire, and it's not the last of Corey. Corey has started a blues project with a good friend of his. Flood of Fire will take a bit of a break to decide what to do about a vocalist, but they're not done yet either.

It's a time of change, but I suppose change is good. And the way I see it, this just means two bands to support, which means my social life just doubled.

But you still have no idea what you've all missed out on.