4.9%

104.9%. That’s my current grade in my Sociology of Rock and Roll class. You’re probably imagining now that I am some kind of wunderkind at Rock and Roll analysis. I assure you that I am not, actually (awesome as "Rock and Roll Wunderkind" would probably look on a resume). As a matter of fact, I’m not sure I’m any more proficient when it comes to Rock and Roll knowledge than I was when I began the semester. While I have certainly learned a lot about different artists and their works, I guess you could say that the extra 4.9% represents the most important thing that I got out of this class.

Which was, surprisingly, a lot about what true love is. It wasn’t anything “new”, per se, but it was certainly a good reminder and reinforcement of what I already believe to be true about just what love is, and what it is not. So here’re some songs that taught me these lessons. (And yes, I'm aware that none of these songs are technically Rock and Roll. We covered a lot of ground in this class.)

Lesson 1) Love is a real thing that happens to ordinary people.

Take a step back (or if you're sitting, look up, or take your hands off the mouse or something). If you are reading this blog, it most likely means that (with a few exceptions) two ordinary people fell in love, got married, and had you. My parents aren’t rock stars, celebrities, wealthy businesspeople, or anything of the sort. My dad is a Technical Writer at a hospital, and my mom is a Head Secretary at a local elementary school. At some point in their lives, they met, fell in love, and nearly 30 years later here I am. There was no press coverage on my mom’s choice of shoes or my dad’s car on their wedding day. No magazine covers, no news reports, no book adaptations… nothing of the sort. Even though I believe they have been phenomenal successes at being parents, there is no denying that when they started out, they were just ordinary people who didn’t know where to go. They pushed through mistakes and misunderstandings and a heck of a lot of self-sacrifice to give me the life I have today. And, as a new curtain rises on my life, I am appreciating that more and more every day.

Lesson 2) While love may happen to all kinds of ordinary folks all over the world, when it is real, it's nothing short of miraculous.

 I chose this song to demonstrate that there even these guys, who normally sing songs I wouldn't be caught dead listening to have people they love and people who love them... and I don't mean their legions of adoring fans. I mean their brothers, close friends, mothers, fathers... the people who really matter; people who would miss them terribly if they were gone. You can feel that love. It's a powerful thing.

Lesson 3) “It’s better to eat soup with someone you love than steak with someone you hate.”

That’s a direct quote from my teacher, who normally has a mouth like a sailor. She’s a firebrand of a feisty Latina, so it isn’t all that surprising that she is pretty darn direct when she has to be. Sure, a lot of these artists wrote about the plastic, phony, fabricated love that infests movies, TV, "romance" novels, and what have you. Heck, some of them lived it. Others, however, managed to touch on real love, which isn't about glitzy media bonanzas, fancy hotels, elaborate garden parties, or anything like that. To paraphrase my teacher, "After a while, you learn that that [stuff] don't matter." Even though this song might have been overplayed when it first came out (I'm guessing, I would have been on the mission at the peak of its popularity), Alicia Keys nailed it. It's nice to be reminded that having someone around who loves you will always be better than any material thing. 

I could go on for days... but this post is long enough. Phony, short-lived Hollywood romance versus real everyday love is basically going from "She loves you yeah yeah yeah" to something like the next clip. (Please, for the love of the internet don't go juxtaposing Beatles lyrics with Metallica's just because I did this one time). I just wanted to emphasize their sentiments of closeness, of being yourself, trust, etc. While it isn't entirely true that "Nothing Else Matters" (because OH IT DOES), I do believe that once you've found someone you love; someone you've dedicated your life to caring about, providing for, and protecting, a heck of a lot of other stuff just becomes less important after awhile. 

And I don't even LIKE Metallica all that much.

-Kevin Neff

P.S. Look forward to my next post, which will be the start of my new segment "Game Changers", where I pick something from either a movie, a book, a show, or a game and talk about the amazing things I've gained from them. Don't miss it!

Poetry Slam Part II

Here's another poem that I wrote. I've actually been working on this one for a month or so now. While it doesn't currently reflect my life circumstances, it still talks about a lot of things that I think about more often than I realize. Anyhow, without further hubbub, here is my poem. I call it: "An Old Friend".

As I walked along the old and lonely path,

for a stretch of time I can’t seem to measure,

in front of my eyes I beheld a creature, monstrous and black,

which at first glance filled my soul with deep displeasure.

Its head slowly reared up as its gaze met mine.

Firmly, yet haltingly it spoke, “Will you walk with me?”

Taken aback, I considered the proposition, and--

after a bit-- replied, “I cannot. I have much farther to go, you see.”

Again the creature sighed and --baring its fangs—

seemed to plead once again, “I know the way. Take my hand.”

As it reached out its paw, with claws outstretched;

suddenly I knew there was something I needed to understand.

I accepted its request, and we began our climb

as running waters reflected scenes of memories.

It seemed I saw the faces of loved ones long past,

both there and in my companion’s eyes, black as emery’s.

Along our journey we did meet a woman and her child,

who stopped cold at the sight of my companion, the beast.

She took the young one into her arms and fled,

unable, it seemed, to bear the sight of him in the least.

“Why did they run off so quickly?” I wondered.

As the creature and I continued; travelers passing us by.

The sun rose, the sun set, we crossed crag and ravine,

yet out of all that we met, none dared to meet its eye.

Once, after a long, difficult day on the trail,

the monster and I stopped to rest in a clearing,

the wind blew through the trees, and I was surprised--

was that music and children’s laughter that I was hearing?

Suddenly the wind blew chill, roaring loud,

as it threatened to topple a nearby tree,

I cried out for help, and when I awoke,

I found no harm had been done; the creature sheltered me.

In a time that now seems all too short,

my fellow traveler stopped along the way.

I turned and asked, “Is something the matter?”

To which the creature replied, “Please hear what I will say.” 

“I have walked this path many times before,”

Said he, as his fearful mane melted from view,

“I have shown you the way, and here we part,

so I can accompany other travelers like you.”

“Must you go so soon?” I cried,

unable, somehow, to fight the tears.

Realizing finally with whom I’d walked,

He who once was the whole of my fears.

“Many will not walk with me, or bear my company.”

Some will build entire cities—lives--just to escape me.

But if they will just walk with me for a moment,

I can teach them that life doesn’t have to begin and end in misery.

As the gates finally opened ahead, light pouring in,

I watched my companion disappear around the bend.

While most people feared him and others fled,

I, I was able to bid farewell to Sorrow not as my enemy…

… but as a friend.