I’m listening to Pennywise’s Full Circle, ’cause I’m on something of a motivation kick right now. While they are generally a pretty generic skate-punk band, this album towers above the rest. Written and recorded shortly after their original drummer committed suicide, the album is focused and consistent—each song overflowing with emotion. It drives it’s point home with with the momentum of a Super C freight train, double-stack cars loaded with nailguns, careening into a trailer park. Date With Destiny is the most inspiring, get-off-your-ass-and-do-something song ever. There’s something about the death of a close friend that makes you realize just how short and fragile life is.
A friend of mine died of cancer a few years ago. She was my age. The only consoling aspect is that she lived more in her short life than most people live in their entire 75-year life expectancy. She is a constant source of inspiration to me, and for that I am forever grateful.
Goodbye Ellen, you live on in our hearts and minds more than you’ll ever know.
