By Brock Seng
For this week’s Wellness Wednesday post, instead of an alternative way of eating or exercising, it’s an alternative way of living your life. It’s a way of living by cutting out the bad stuff, not sugar and sweets, but the really bad stuff: drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
We all know that alcohol is bad for your liver, drugs are bad for, well, every part of you and tobacco will cause cancer but throughout life we have all been taught the word “moderation.” Today, I’m here not to preach moderation, I’m here to show you there is a way to have none of it. Instead of living with drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, it’s a choice to be sober.
It’s called being straight edge.
To be straight edge means to live a sober lifestyle for the rest of your life. That means when you take on the title of being straight edge you’re putting aside all the toxins in your life. You begin to live a life of purity. You are pure in an impure world.
To be straight edge means to live life by the three X’s. That means no drugs, no alcohol and no smoking. There is nothing more to it than that. There is no deep philosophical meaning behind it. It’s just the three X’s.
To be straight edge means to stay true to your beliefs. Stay pure of the toxins this world has to throw at you. All around us it’s clear how messed up this world really is. Kids brag about abusing Adderall in college, when they don’t actually need it, just to “focus” for an upcoming exam. College parties are full of drugs and alcohol.
I, myself, came into college not looking to get drunk or high, but already identifying as straight edge. I was a freshman at the University of Florida and while I was looking to party and have fun, I already knew I was sober for life.
For three years now I’ve identified as straight edge and I’ve come to realize it’s so much more than just not drinking, not smoking and not doing drugs. It’s, in itself, an entire culture and a whole new way of life.
Within all belief systems there is a right of passage. For Christianity, you have baptism. For Judaism, there is the bar mitzvah. For straight edge, there is the tattoo. It’s not really required, but it’s something strong and meaningful. But, by God, you better mean it if you’re going to get one.
My “right of passage” edge tattoo is the three X’s on my right ankle. I have been “marked” by the straight edge life. I am a part of it as it is a part of me. I have been approached by other edge people saying “hey nice edge tat!” It’s an entire culture inside a culture. A “cultureception” of sorts. We are a part of a much bigger culture as a whole. A part of the punk scene.
When punk first began it was all about drugs, sex and rock ‘n’ roll. Alcohol and drug use ran rampant throughout. Then came the kids who loved the music but wanted a different lifestyle. A sober one. And so straight edge was born.
The sad fact, though, is that straight edge kids get treated like piles of trash at concerts. The non-straight edge will blow weed smoke in your face. They’ll spit in your face. Purposely hit you. Do anything to give this “you don’t belong” vibe.
My worst experience didn’t even come from any fans. It came from Trace Cyrus, lead singer of Ashland High and brother of Miley, here in Gainesville, Fla., at High Dive, then called Double Down Live. He was on stage singing an awful, horrendous excuse for music about popping pills. It was miserable to begin with.
No one in the crowd was paying attention to him. Which lead to him being aggravated with the crowd. Here I was standing and playing on my phone. I was actually tweeting about how excited I was to see Breathe Carolina, who were on next.
I was wearing my “I Am Too SXE For My Shirt” straight edge shirt. Cyrus took offense to this apparently, because he told the crowd to “fuck off,” and proceeded to pour an entire red Solo cup of beer on my head.
The disrespect from Cyrus shows a lack of respect that non-straight edge people still have toward the edge life. It’s not all bad, though.
I have met some edge people at the summer touring metal festival Mayhem Fest. It feels like an instant connection. You have this instant bond already. You are both straight edge. You are sober in a non-sober environment and that is a bond that is unbreakable.
The greatest thing about being straight edge is that your friends understand. You tell people “I don’t smoke, drink or do drugs of any kind” and they think you’re some stuck up, church going, snobby snob-snob. Tell them you’re straight edge and they respect you for it.
None of my friends, including my girlfriend, are straight edge. That’s not a part of what straight edge is. You don’t need to surround yourself with a bunch of straight edge people to live a straight edge life.
You can still attend parties. I do. I just choose to do it sober. My friends still sit around smoking blunt after blunt, night after night. They still get smashed, sometimes literally. I just get all the enjoyment of a party but I get to remember it the next day.
To be straight edge is to completely change your life forever. To be straight edge is to never have alcohol, never have a cigarette, never smoke a blunt with your friends or pop “X” at a concert. To be straight edge is to block all of that from your life and be sober, clean and pure for the rest of your life.
If you find it to be right for you, then go for it. Welcome to the family.
That’s exactly what this is. It’s a family. It’s a home. It’s a safe haven. It’s a culture. It’s a lifestyle. It’s straight edge.
Thanks in your curiosity in Funding Recommendation.
I used to be able to find good advice from your blog posts.
Cephalexin Oral Suspension Dosage Dog Cost Of Propecia At Walmart Cialis Prezzo Online viagra Cephalexin Dose For Dog Ward Picture
I simply want to tell you that I am just newbie to blogs and truly loved your web site. More than likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You surely have fantastic stories. Thank you for sharing your web-site.
For the reason that the admin of this web page
is working, no doubt very quickly it will be well-known, due to its feature contents.
As soon as I discovered this internet site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
I savour, lead to I found just what I was having a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
I’m very happy to discover this page. I wanted to thank you for ones
time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely liked every part of it and I have you saved to fav to look at new stuff in your
blog.
Right here is the perfect website for anyone who really wants to understand this topic.
You realize a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally will need to…HaHa).
You certainly put a new spin on a subject that’s been written about for many years.
Excellent stuff, just excellent!
There’s noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made sure good factors in options also.
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Everything is very open with a really clear clarification of
the issues. It was truly informative. Your website is useful.
Thank you for sharing!
Wow, marvelous blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made running a blog look easy. The whole look of your website is great, as smartly as the content!
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I desire to read even more things about it!
Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 3gs! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
Thank you, I have just been searching for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve found out so far. However, what about the conclusion? Are you certain concerning the supply?
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I found this board and
I find It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot.
I am hoping to provide one thing again and aid others such as you aided me.
I think the admin of this web page is genuinely working hard
in support of his web page, as here every stuff is quality based information.
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it
is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could
I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips.
Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.
I desire to read more things about it!
I blog quite often and I genuinely appreciate your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest.
I’m going to book mark your site and keep checking for new information about once per week.
I opted in for your Feed too.
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful &
it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
Thank you, I have just been looking for info about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve discovered till now. But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?
whoah this blog is fantastic i like reading your posts. Keep up the good paintings! You understand, a lot of people are searching round for this info, you could help them greatly.
Hey very cool site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also…I am happy to find numerous useful information here in the post, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
Thanks for another excellent post. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such an ideal manner of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the search for such info.
Great weblog right here! Also your site lots up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink in your host? I desire my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What an ideal web-site.
When someone writes an paragraph he/she maintains the idea of
a user in his/her mind that how a user can know it.
Therefore that’s why this piece of writing is great. Thanks!
Greetings! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!
you’re truly a just right webmaster. The web site loading velocity is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a magnificent job on this subject!
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts on this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i am satisfied to convey that I’ve an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I such a lot undoubtedly will make sure to don’t omit this website and provides it a glance regularly.
It’s onerous to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you already know what you’re speaking about! Thanks
Great write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s website, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
You have noted very interesting details ! ps nice site. “Choose your friends carefully. Your enemies will choose you.” by Yassir Arafat.
Wonderful items from you, man. I’ve take note your stuff prior to and you’re
simply extremely excellent. I actually like what you’ve
got here, really like what you are stating and the best way wherein you are saying it.
You’re making it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to keep it wise.
I can not wait to read far more from you. This is actually a wonderful website.
Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thanks Nevertheless I’m experiencing situation with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting an identical rss drawback? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
Very efficiently written article. It will be beneficial to everyone who usess it, including yours truly :). Keep doing what you are doing – can’r wait to read more posts.
Hi there very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I am happy to seek out numerous helpful information here in the post, we’d like develop more techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing.
Hello. remarkable job. I did not imagine this. This is a excellent story. Thanks!
I’ve been browsing on-line greater than three hours nowadays, but I never discovered any fascinating article like yours. It¡¦s lovely value sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet shall be a lot more helpful than ever before.
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, fantastic blog!
I precisely had to appreciate you once more. I do not know the things I could possibly have gone through in the absence of the entire recommendations discussed by you on my topic. It absolutely was an absolute alarming problem for me, but considering your expert tactic you treated that forced me to weep with happiness. I will be happier for the help and as well , hope that you comprehend what an amazing job you are accomplishing training many people via a blog. I’m certain you haven’t met any of us.
I liked as much as you will obtain carried out proper here. The comic strip is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you want be delivering the following. unwell without a doubt come more formerly again as exactly the similar nearly very frequently inside of case you defend this increase.
I really like what you guys are up too. This type of clever work and exposure! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to our blogroll.
wonderful publish, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t realize this. You must proceed your writing. I’m sure, you have a great readers’ base already!
Hello there! This post couldn’t be written much better! Looking through this
article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept
preaching about this. I’ll forward this
article to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a very good read.
Many thanks for sharing!
I love the efforts you have put in this, thank you for all the great blog posts.
Hi just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same outcome.
This website can be a stroll-by way of for the entire data you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you’ll definitely uncover it.
And that is an funding danger value taking.
I¡¦m now not positive where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend a while studying much more or working out more. Thanks for magnificent information I used to be searching for this info for my mission.
Hello. Great job. I did not imagine this. This is a impressive story. Thanks!
No matter if some one searches for his vital thing, therefore he/she
wants to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well
written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
I’m not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or
understanding more. Thanks for great info I was
looking for this info for my mission.
It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Wow! Thank you! I constantly wanted to write on my website something like that. Can I include a part of your post to my site?
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday.
It’s always useful to read articles from other authors and practice something from other web sites.
Just desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply nice and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.
Excellent post! We are linking to this particularly great post on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites
really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your
website to come back in the future. All the best
I believe you have remarked some very interesting details , thankyou for the post.
I haven¡¦t checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this
excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this blog
with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
I’m still learning from you, as I’m making my way to the top as well. I certainly liked reading everything that is posted on your website.Keep the posts coming. I liked it!
Well I definitely liked studying it. This article offered by you is very practical for good planning.
Hi there! Quick question that’s totally off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
My site looks weird when viewing from my apple iphone.
I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to resolve this issue.
If you have any suggestions, please share. Thank you!
Somebody necessarily help to make severely posts I’d state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now? I amazed with the analysis you made to create this actual publish amazing. Magnificent process!
Now it is time to pick your specific investments.
I simply had to thank you very much again. I am not sure the things that I might have followed in the absence of the entire points shown by you on such problem. Completely was a alarming condition in my view, nevertheless looking at your specialized form you solved that made me to leap for fulfillment. Extremely thankful for the advice and thus pray you are aware of an amazing job your are putting in teaching people today with the aid of your blog post. Most probably you have never met all of us.
Hey there, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, superb blog!
Great blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
I believe this internet site contains some real good information for everyone. “Few friendships would survive if each one knew what his friend says of him behind his back.” by Blaise Pascal.
Thanks for these pointers. One thing I additionally believe is credit cards presenting a 0% interest often attract consumers in zero rate, instant approval and easy online balance transfers, however beware of the real factor that may void that 0% easy road annual percentage rate and as well as throw one out into the terrible house rapidly.
Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a marvellous job!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely return.
Wow! Thank you! I continuously wanted to write on my site something like that. Can I implement a portion of your post to my blog?
Hiya! I simply want to give a huge thumbs up for the great data you’ve got right here on this post. I will probably be coming back to your blog for extra soon.
magnificent points altogether, you simply received a new reader. What could you recommend about your put up that you made some days in the past? Any sure?
Great blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed ..
Any tips? Kudos!
I read this post completely on the topic of the comparison of most up-to-date and previous
technologies, it’s amazing article.
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such excellent information being shared freely out there.
I think this is among the most important info for me.
And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The
website style is wonderful, the articles is really nice : D.
Good job, cheers
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your web site.
Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility issues?
A couple of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?
This paragraph is genuinely a fastidious one it assists new net visitors, who are wishing for blogging.
Just wanna input on few general things, The website pattern is perfect, the content is very excellent. “To establish oneself in the world, one has to do all one can to appear established.” by Francois de La Rochefoucauld.
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your site is very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for another wonderful article. Where else could anyone get that kind of info in such an ideal way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such info.