I had to write this story for a class but it turned out a lot better than I thought it would. Any comments would be appreciated!
Lins
The Unspoken Subculture
I did it to be their friend. All my life my biggest fear was rejection. Their friendship meant so much to me that I would do anything to become a part of “the group.” When one of the girls asked me to go to a rave with them I agreed. Up to this point I hadn’t even heard of one. I couldn’t tell you what happened there, what the people would be like, or what music I would be subjected to. But it provided me with the opportunity to join “the group.” As a matter of fact, it happened right away. It started with a shopping trip so we would have something to wear to the party. The outfit we picked out for my first time was great: black velvet pants, a shiny back-less shirt, and the most painful shoes ever invented! Those articles sat in my closet for nearly a week, anticipating the night when they would be used.
The night of the rave finally arrived. The girls all got ready together; a kind of pre-party to get us pumped. We looked great and everyone confirmed that for us when we walked into the party. The feeling walking into that one room warehouse was amazing. You find yourself engulfed in the music, transported to a place you never thought imaginable. Here, love and friendship are the soul emotions you feel. People, just like yourself, who are looking for a good time, surround you. It was all a whirlwind to me. There was too much to take in. My senses were in overdrive and I was in complete bliss.
There were large screens showing visuals that were meant to expand your mind and conceive the inconceivable. The music was turned up so as to drown any hope of conversation. The bass seemed to match the beating of one’s heart and the many different levels of the electronic music matched the uncountable emotions that were overwhelming me. The smell developed slowly, but became an intoxicating mix of sweat, smoke, and Vick’s Vapor Rub. This smell, which I found so disgusting my first time, would soon become a comforting smell that reminds me that I am home. The tastes were varied; a mix of the myriad of candy you find yourself being handed all night. Your body experiences extreme heat and you down as much water as possible to fight off dehydration.
In the confusion, I lost the people I came to the party with. I soon realized that it would be futile to attempt to find them. While I had been busy taking in the atmosphere, the room had filled almost to capacity and there was no hope in finding a familiar face. A momentary sense of desperation came over me. Where was my comforting group of people-my security blanket of friends? It was about that time that a complete stranger walked up and hugged me. It was as though this stranger, whom I had no connection to, knew what I needed more than I did. This too, was an almost overwhelming feeling. I allowed myself to become lost in this hug, this outreach from someone who knew what it was like for “the first time.” After releasing each other I looked at her and realized that she didn’t even want a “thank you.” Rather, we introduced ourselves and she graced me with the gift of “kandee,” a beaded bracelet meant to show friendship. Perhaps this girl will never know how important that hug was to me. She opened me up to the culture, made me realize that I need not be afraid, that here, only people who cared surrounded me.
This hug opened my mind, if only for the evening. I was able to let go of myself, free my body, and allow it to move to the music that was encompassing my soul. This ultimate form of expression allowed me to convey to others the joy I was experiencing. I discovered that by dancing in this atmosphere where I am completely surrounded by others unites the two loves of my life, dancing and social interaction.
From that point on it was hopeless, I would never be the same person again, nor would I want to be. My experience that night brought me more hope for the human race than any amount of schooling ever would. I discovered that there were, in fact, still people out there that were unafraid to show others that they care-to go out of their way to make someone’s day. Raves have brought me almost a second identity. A place to escape to, or rather, a place where I don’t have to escape, where I can be myself and not worry about hiding my faults. I’ve found a family in this scene, people to look after me, shares my joys, help me with my pain, and to share the love we’ve discovered in our hearts.
------------------
Kandee~
**Surrender to the music**
Lins
The Unspoken Subculture
I did it to be their friend. All my life my biggest fear was rejection. Their friendship meant so much to me that I would do anything to become a part of “the group.” When one of the girls asked me to go to a rave with them I agreed. Up to this point I hadn’t even heard of one. I couldn’t tell you what happened there, what the people would be like, or what music I would be subjected to. But it provided me with the opportunity to join “the group.” As a matter of fact, it happened right away. It started with a shopping trip so we would have something to wear to the party. The outfit we picked out for my first time was great: black velvet pants, a shiny back-less shirt, and the most painful shoes ever invented! Those articles sat in my closet for nearly a week, anticipating the night when they would be used.
The night of the rave finally arrived. The girls all got ready together; a kind of pre-party to get us pumped. We looked great and everyone confirmed that for us when we walked into the party. The feeling walking into that one room warehouse was amazing. You find yourself engulfed in the music, transported to a place you never thought imaginable. Here, love and friendship are the soul emotions you feel. People, just like yourself, who are looking for a good time, surround you. It was all a whirlwind to me. There was too much to take in. My senses were in overdrive and I was in complete bliss.
There were large screens showing visuals that were meant to expand your mind and conceive the inconceivable. The music was turned up so as to drown any hope of conversation. The bass seemed to match the beating of one’s heart and the many different levels of the electronic music matched the uncountable emotions that were overwhelming me. The smell developed slowly, but became an intoxicating mix of sweat, smoke, and Vick’s Vapor Rub. This smell, which I found so disgusting my first time, would soon become a comforting smell that reminds me that I am home. The tastes were varied; a mix of the myriad of candy you find yourself being handed all night. Your body experiences extreme heat and you down as much water as possible to fight off dehydration.
In the confusion, I lost the people I came to the party with. I soon realized that it would be futile to attempt to find them. While I had been busy taking in the atmosphere, the room had filled almost to capacity and there was no hope in finding a familiar face. A momentary sense of desperation came over me. Where was my comforting group of people-my security blanket of friends? It was about that time that a complete stranger walked up and hugged me. It was as though this stranger, whom I had no connection to, knew what I needed more than I did. This too, was an almost overwhelming feeling. I allowed myself to become lost in this hug, this outreach from someone who knew what it was like for “the first time.” After releasing each other I looked at her and realized that she didn’t even want a “thank you.” Rather, we introduced ourselves and she graced me with the gift of “kandee,” a beaded bracelet meant to show friendship. Perhaps this girl will never know how important that hug was to me. She opened me up to the culture, made me realize that I need not be afraid, that here, only people who cared surrounded me.
This hug opened my mind, if only for the evening. I was able to let go of myself, free my body, and allow it to move to the music that was encompassing my soul. This ultimate form of expression allowed me to convey to others the joy I was experiencing. I discovered that by dancing in this atmosphere where I am completely surrounded by others unites the two loves of my life, dancing and social interaction.
From that point on it was hopeless, I would never be the same person again, nor would I want to be. My experience that night brought me more hope for the human race than any amount of schooling ever would. I discovered that there were, in fact, still people out there that were unafraid to show others that they care-to go out of their way to make someone’s day. Raves have brought me almost a second identity. A place to escape to, or rather, a place where I don’t have to escape, where I can be myself and not worry about hiding my faults. I’ve found a family in this scene, people to look after me, shares my joys, help me with my pain, and to share the love we’ve discovered in our hearts.
------------------
Kandee~
**Surrender to the music**
