I received a package in the mail today. It was an order I placed from the influential Pop Punk Band Man Overboard. Now this is no big deal at first glance. “So what? It’s merch.” you may say. But take a closer look at the label and the name they used to send it to me.
What other band do you know who would take their time to do such a thing? I know of none. Now, even though I know a few guys involved with them, and in the band itself, it proves a point that didn’t hit home until today.On the East Coast I made real Bonds and Brotherhoods. A real family. Strangers become family on the East. I have yet to meet people that close, out West. I call people best friends, and Brothers, who are not blood related. I tell these people I love them every time we talk. I have not heard that ONCE while in California.
The community and family of friends I left back East are the one thing that calls me to come home. My heart aches everyday to just have an endless amount of laughs over the really offensive things said, that would break a bond here, but would make a bond stronger at home. Such as, Nik I don’t care how many DPP shirts you sell, you’re still a Meatball and nothing will ever top The Exclusives. He’d rebuttal with something about how many of them I’ve bought, I’m sure, and then tell me to buy him a drink. See you in March. One of my best friends, today, put it best when I said, “when you say mildly offensive stuff here people actually get offended instead of finding it hilarious,” He laughed, then told me the truth, “We aren’t exactly normal”. He’s right, and I don’t ever want to be normal.
Regardless of the differences, I hope to find that here and it is hard. I want to bond with people on those levels,I hope that camaraderie begins to form with the ones I’ve met thus far, but my guard is still up. I miss every one and receiving this today made me laugh and raised my spirits on my first day of true homesickness. This is where things start to get hard I think. This is where many people lose, or find themselves. The one thing that is helping me through more than anything, is moments like I had today. Thank you guys, it meant more than I can express.