My opinion has to be shared... I don't want to walk around quietly anymore. I want people to know what I'm about. I'm straightedge...and yeah, I'm proud of it, otherwise, I wouldn't be sXe, I wouldn't take the label. I choose to label myself because I like people to know what I'm about, if they know their roots they'd understand that sXe isn't about having rules like you have to be vegan, you have to be newschool and you must be militant. I never once preached being sXe to anyone. I think that it's a personal choice and it should be kept that way. It can be defined simply...with about 4 guidelines...to completely understand you'd see the straightedge movement on my MAIN page. It's on the main page because I want it to be one of the first things you see.

The slogan "if your not straightedge now, you never were" Now, I wouldn't say that is completely true. If it were explained in more depth it could be understood more widely. I think what it's trying to say is that if you choose to be sXe, it should be taken seriously. The movement is meant for people who are serious about it, it's meant for people who want to keep the label for life. Some people would say "no, you can't do that, it's impossible...you're going to want to have wine when your older" I mean, come on... listen to yourself. I chose the label straightedge because I know I don't need those things. I chose to be vegetarian because I don't NEED meat to live. When people say "Yeah, I used to be straightedge"... I get confused. It's true, it's only human to make mistakes and try new things out, but why make a change for the worse when you've come so far? I don't want people to get the wrong idea by this, lots of people would disagree with me, but I just feel so strongly about the movement, I thought I should express my views on it.

Violence, I know most people know what hardliners are...but if you don't I'd like to clarify it for you. The main thing about them is that they try to make other's what they are...the militant straightedge. Quite often they force violence against others to try to make them understand that they are poisoning their bodies and want them to see that they shouldn't. The way I see it, violence doesn't solve anything. It usually makes the person even more mad, and when this happens, they'd do more of the things they do that the other person hates to get them even more frustrated. The scene shouldn't be about that. We're all in it for the same reason, the music. If your not, it's obvious, your not wanted there. It's not about fashion or for other superficial values.

When I see people hurting others in the pit, it really pisses me off. Sure, go ahead dance but dancing was never intended to hurt others. What's the point? If you like to do your fighting, go and do it outside where it belongs.

It's a shame...it really is. The Vancouver scene is so minimal at the moment. I support it 100% but our source is usually bands from Seattle or other's touring around the world. If your into hardcore and punk, don't sneak into shows, pay the provider. Just think, if you don't support the scene, you're just one of those person's that is added to the list of others who don't pay, and the scene will just die out completely.

Thank you for taking the time to hear me out...I may be confusing at times but feel free to email me with your questions or comments.

(all paintings done by: Tamara de Lempicka {1898-1980})