Hah, you want to try living here: being the meateater at a gathering is not necessarily an invitation to debate the cruelty of eating animals, and butchering your own animals does not automatically reflect a desire to justify the barbarism of killing a living creature.

Although after a couple of drinks I'm probably quite happy to debate either point.

Moar questions for Dev -
Have you worked with people who still use drugs etc. since you've gone clean, and if so, how has being around that kind of influence affected you? Is it difficult at all, or do you just think "oh well, that's what they do, I do what I do, everyone's cool". ?

I have a few friends who don't drink, and while I don't badger them about it, another of our friends seems to come up to them at every party and ask them why they don't drink... shortly before throwing up everywhere and having to be dragged to bed, on one occasion. Have you had people close to you challenge you about why you don't want intoxicants to be a part of your lifestyle anymore, and how do you deal with it if so? It seems peer pressure doesn't fade with age or experience, for me at least.

This is just a general note, not that everyone here needs it. If someone is vegetarian and mentions (politely) they will not be indulging in meat dishes in a group meal, please don't view this request alone as an invitation to begin a debate on the topic of eating versus not eating meat. Understand that this person may just want to eat dinner and not change your mind.

Referring to the consumption of meat as an indulgence isn't particularly polite. Telling people that you don't eat meat should be sufficient. If someone requires an explanation, give them one. If they ridicule you for it, they are simply making their ignorance known to all present. It will only escalate if you take it personally and lash out. Over the years, I've also found that it helps to do your homework. You can save yourself and/or your hosts a lot of frustration by determining whether you'll be able to find something to eat before you show up someplace.

Referring to the consumption of meat as an indulgence isn't particularly polite. Telling people that you don't eat meat should be sufficient.

Good point. Now in addition to politics and religion, we have another conversational topic that is to be avoided.

[The Dev]

Have you worked with people who still use drugs etc. since you've gone clean, and if so, how has being around that kind of influence affected you? Is it difficult at all, or do you just think "oh well, that's what they do, I do what I do, everyone's cool".

Yeah, the band (dtp) still drink and smoke. At first they were hesitant, but again, it's important for me and them to be true to ourselves. I want them to be happy. Point blank.

If there's a room full of pot smoke and I'm the only non-smoker, I'll leave if it bugs me, not to be a dick, but really... 'the good of the many' etc...

I sometimes miss the release, but I value my current headspace and what it has done for my focus far too much to have it be a temptation.

I like seeing my friends enjoy themselves.

I still party, don't get me wrong...but no drink or drugs.

d

Have you worked with people who still use drugs etc. since you've gone clean, and if so, how has being around that kind of influence affected you? Is it difficult at all, or do you just think "oh well, that's what they do, I do what I do, everyone's cool".

Yeah, the band (dtp) still drink and smoke. At first they were hesitant, but again, it's important for me and them to be true to ourselves. I want them to be happy. Point blank.

If there's a room full of pot smoke and I'm the only non-smoker, I'll leave if it bugs me, not to be a dick, but really... 'the good of the many' etc...

I sometimes miss the release, but I value my current headspace and what it has done for my focus far too much to have it be a temptation.

I like seeing my friends enjoy themselves.

I still party, don't get me wrong...but no drink or drugs.

d

Just replace it with a tofu roll up. The kids will think your cool, AND healthy.

Assuming there is no ill effect of tofu in your lungs.

Nonononono, it's all about Jasmine tea rollies

Who is Jasmine T. Rollies?

Dev probably listens to Hewy Lewis whenever temptation arises.

Have you worked with people who still use drugs etc. since you've gone clean, and if so, how has being around that kind of influence affected you? Is it difficult at all, or do you just think "oh well, that's what they do, I do what I do, everyone's cool".

Yeah, the band (dtp) still drink and smoke. At first they were hesitant, but again, it's important for me and them to be true to ourselves. I want them to be happy. Point blank.

If there's a room full of pot smoke and I'm the only non-smoker, I'll leave if it bugs me, not to be a dick, but really... 'the good of the many' etc...

I sometimes miss the release, but I value my current headspace and what it has done for my focus far too much to have it be a temptation.

I like seeing my friends enjoy themselves.

I still party, don't get me wrong...but no drink or drugs.

d

Cheers for the reply. Kinda puts things in perspective.

This is just a general note, not that everyone here needs it. If someone is vegetarian and mentions (politely) they will not be indulging in meat dishes in a group meal, please don't view this request alone as an invitation to begin a debate on the topic of eating versus not eating meat. Understand that this person may just want to eat dinner and not change your mind.

I don't drink and it bugs the crapola out of me that everytime someone finds out it turns into a massive discussion as if they're the first person to have ever talked to me about it. It happens every time I go out.

No longer in the thrash/death metal band though. Life's circumstances kinda messed that up.
If that band got back together it would be weird. If I were up on stage at this point in my life, screaming "as entrails cover the fucking ground..." and "let's see how you feel now as your face meets the crowbar?" - it would just seem like a play. For entertainment value only, with no meaning, like pro wrestling.
Thinking about that, I guess I can really understand why Dev can't do SYL anymore. It ends up becoming a parody.

This is why I can't bring myself to write metal seriously and write parodies instead. That, and the fact that if you set out to take the piss, there are no constraints on what you are and aren't allowed to do.

I'm of the opinion that listening to and writing metal music is infinitely more enjoyable when you can recognise how ridiculous it is.
(although, to be fair to metal, the vast majority of music is completely ridiculous if you think about it). I mean come on, Amon Amarth, great band, but they're a bunch of guys born in the 20th century singing about how great it is to be a Viking.

I've been playing instruments for years, but it wasn't until I saw local bands taking metal far too seriously, that I really felt the need to start writing music.

I don't think I'd be alone in saying that I've found Dethklok to be more entertaining than the majority of new metal bands that I've heard recently.

This is just a general note, not that everyone here needs it. If someone is vegetarian and mentions (politely) they will not be indulging in meat dishes in a group meal, please don't view this request alone as an invitation to begin a debate on the topic of eating versus not eating meat. Understand that this person may just want to eat dinner and not change your mind.

I don't drink and it bugs the crapola out of me that everytime someone finds out it turns into a massive discussion as if they're the first person to have ever talked to me about it. It happens every time I go out.

You can easily avoid the massive discussion part.

Dev probably listens to Hewy Lewis whenever temptation arises.

HEY. Wait....is that a cut down? I am confused.

Huey rules.

Dev probably listens to Hewy Lewis whenever temptation arises.

HEY. Wait....is that a cut down? I am confused.

Huey rules.

Not at all! I was referring to "I want a new drug."

"one that one makes nervous,
one dap diddly do,
one that makes me feel like when I'm feelin' up on you."