I remember in middle school and high school having writing assignments, poems, I think they were, that consisted of sentences of the following structure: "Just because I'm _____ doesn't mean _____." I never really took it that seriously at the time, but I found myself recently thinking something of the "I'm a _____, I can't _____" fashion: "I'm a metalhead, I can't possibly have a successful career."
Being a part of the scene, I know just as well as anyone that metalheads come in all shapes and sizes, with all sorts of different personalities, views, and interests. But for some reason when it came time for job interviews and people asking me what my interests and hobbies were, I hesitated to mention anything related to metal, even though some of my greatest and most ambitious accomplishments have been related to metal. I was scared that, after finding out that this quiet and sweet looking girl listened to metal they would freak out, thinking that there was a different me under the surface that I was hiding. And in addition, I am fully aware of the stereotype that metalheads either work at bars or record stores and aren't good for much else. So usually I end up just avoiding the subject altogether, and end up looking like a boring personalityless person. But that's not the impression I want to leave, so I can't help but wonder, is it possible for a metalhead to overcome those stereotypes and have a successful career?
After a long conversation with Matt he told me that it is our job to break that stereotype and that I shouldn't feel limited in what kind of job I can get just because I listen to a certain type of music. And he's right, you know? It's just a different style of music that isn't very popular, but in the end all it says about me is what my taste in music is, really. But I think it'll still be a while before I stop hesitating to bring up the subject of my liking metal around people I'm trying to impress..
Thoughts?
7.05.2011
Happy Fourth
Hope you all had a great 4th of July!
I was quite groggy and cranky from the heat, but the food was great and we had a great view of the fireworks from Matt's parents house. I wore my mom's wrap skirt that I snagged from her closet the day before, and I felt very summery and stylish.
I realized while watching fireworks that there's nothing quite like Provo on the 4th, the parade, people camping out on the street, roaming around, playing music into all hours of the night, you know. Good times! I miss it, hopefully we can be back for that again, someday.
But now it's time to drag myself out of bed after the long weekend and get back to normal life (whatever that is) and try to be productive (or just play videogames) and try to identify where the hands of fate are trying to lead me right now.
Hope you are all handling the heat ok!
I was quite groggy and cranky from the heat, but the food was great and we had a great view of the fireworks from Matt's parents house. I wore my mom's wrap skirt that I snagged from her closet the day before, and I felt very summery and stylish.
I realized while watching fireworks that there's nothing quite like Provo on the 4th, the parade, people camping out on the street, roaming around, playing music into all hours of the night, you know. Good times! I miss it, hopefully we can be back for that again, someday.
But now it's time to drag myself out of bed after the long weekend and get back to normal life (whatever that is) and try to be productive (or just play videogames) and try to identify where the hands of fate are trying to lead me right now.
Hope you are all handling the heat ok!