The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

I just got back from an outdoor rave (yes I am a raver, more on that later). If you haven't been to an outdoor rave before, here's what it's like. First off, a majority start after 7pm and last until 6 am or later. Outdoor raves are usually in some open area at an obscure backwoods location, with horrible directions to guide you there. You can expect to spend an hour or so (an a half tank of gas) getting lost in the offroads, often driving those poorly maintained service roads in your unfit city car. There are a lot of unwelcome noises from your beaten car, and other lost people coming towards you on these narrow roads to get back from where you should not be going. Not to mention mother nature waits to tell you that you need to pee until some extremely inopportune moment (like when you have found someone to guide you, so you can't stop), so every bump is torture, especially the large ones. When you get there, you fumble to get yourself out of your car and to the venue as there is little/no power. The venue typically harbours 2 or more stages, concession (sometimes), camping areas (mostly makeshift), and hopefully washrooms (aka port-a-potties). If you don't have a flashlight, TP, hand-sanitizer, and a warmer outfit, like many of us forget (even though we planned to bring them), you end up damaged and unsanitary and cold.

So why would a sane person go through the trouble of going to one? Hardcore Ravers will bear this inconvenience simply for the LOVE of raving. I know that a lot of you have conceptions of raves as dangerous drug havens and/or hotseats of misconduct and frivolity. While this may appeal to some of you reading this for the above mentioned negative associations, to others the idea is uninticing and discouraged. I'm not going to say that there are not drugs at raves, nor can I say I have not done them, but there is more to raving that is positive and underappreciated. For us hardcore ravers, while some may use drugs, it is really about PLUR as we call it, Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. Some people who join our celebrations do not understand this concept, either thru inexperience or ignorance, and this can lead to things such as drug overdose and people becoming victims to those who prey on the uneducated. Once one learns to respect PLUR however, the experience is extremely freeing and enjoyable. One who has embraced PLUR has learned to respect, and even embrace, his fellow ravers differences, as we come from incredibly varied backgrounds and lifestyles, and lend harmony to the situation for the sake of the music and the energy. A well educated and true raver also understands the need to respect the drugs he/she may take, and respect others wishes not to take them. As you are probably aware, the drug of choice among ravers is Ecstasy. This drug in it's pure form MDMA, leads users to feel happier and more social, as it acts on ones seritonine levels. In it's widely used form it may include other substances, so one must be wary and knowledgeble of the makes and contents of what they take. As with any drug, including medications, alcohol, nicotine, and other street drugs if one does not understand it's side-effects and reasonable usage limits, one can be seriously, permanently or fatally injured, or develop addictions. Respect for the drugs is gained either thru negative experience, or education from medical professionals/resources, harm prevention organizations and the guidance of more knowledgeble ravers who look out for their peers. Enough cannot be said about drug culture and drug problems, through this and other demographics/lifestyles. Simply put, different lifestyles and activities engage different kinds of drugs to foster engagement in those activities and to, in the minds of the users, enhance the experiences. E and other drugs that produce energy and increased stimulation just happen to be ours. It is possible for people to either choose to not alter their experiences, or create a conditioning for associated stimuli to produce the results of taking these drugs. I'm beginning to write a bit of an impromptu essay here, about what really, I don't know. So for the sake of "getting to the point" I'll move on. If I'm leaving off at an inappropriate moment in this tangent. You may misunderstand me, but I would be happy to clarify.

The reason why I say clean and cleaned is last night was my first rave without using anything other than positive energy to make me feel re-energized, more connected and generally less stressed. I feel great, all the positives without the negatives. The "Cleaned" part of the title for this Journal is, you have to be really dirty, or at least feel really dirty, to want to completely scrub yourself down and when you do, it's so refreshing. *Sighs* Somehow the things I think and the things I say come out sounding really strange or wrong. I can never win.