The power of addiction.

As I sit here watching last week’s episode of Celebrity Rehab I find that it’s really one of the most emotional of all the episodes that I’ve watched since starting to watch the show back in Season 1. And I’ll admit I’ve cried off and on watching this show because I literally cannot imagine the things these people have been through, the things that drove them to addiction and what their lives were like while being addicted. However this episode has made me cry far more than any of the other episodes combined. This season of Celebrity Rehab (for those who don’t watch it) has Mike Starr, the former bassist of Alice in Chains- a band who I have loved since the 90s and to this day still love.

On last week’s episode Layne Stayley’s mother appeared with Mike Starr’s mother at a kind of family group session. For those who don’t know much about the history of Alice in Chains, Layne was the Lead singer of the band and had one of the most recognizable voices of that era and in my opinion not only was the sound of his voice hauntingly beautiful but he really conveyed so much emotion. I think that was one of the main draws to me that really made me a fan of the band. Not only did he have an amazing voice but he was surrounded by a lot of talent in the band members that were around him. During this family group session, Stayley’s mother spoke about the loss of her son- and Mike’s best friend- and the words she spoke were not only moving but very eye opening.

I can hardly believe it has been over 7 years since I heard about Layne Stayley’s death, and even now the thought of how long it has been is still very shocking. But watching the interaction between Starr and Stayley’s mother, you could see how much this affected the both of them on so many levels- which obviously goes without saying as the loss of a loved one is never easy for anyone.

My heart goes out to the families of those who have lost someone to addiction, as well as to everyone who is suffering from an addiction or even those who know someone suffering from an addiction.

-I would like to dedicate this blog post to the Stayley family, as well as to the families of those who have lost someone to addiction. Just remember there is always hope, there is always help and as long as you are able to support someone in getting the help they need to beat their addiction life is always possible.

Part 1: “Introductions” (‘RP’)

‘So.. I woke up this morning thinking everything in life was going to be great. Boy was I wrong. Nothing could have prepared me for the events that would occur as I tried to sleep before a quick shift at my job. I can say that being thrown from a third story window and waking up on the sidewalk with little memory at first of what happened is a terrifying thing…

Especially when you know you should have been dead.

Remarkably I had healed any wounds that I received though I’m not sure how that happened. The one thing I do know… I need help.. And I’m hoping that the people I turn to, can give me that.. It’s time to see where this life takes me..’ -The beginning of the Alexa Poe journey.

And so it begins..

As I’m sure those looking at the blog have noticed, it has undergone a name change as well as a bit of a face lift. The blog changes aren’t done yet so keep checking back periodically to see what else I am doing. I’ll try to make Twitter updates when something major is changed so for those who DO follow me on Twitter be on the look out for that.

Also I started my FIRST full fledged Fan Fiction story last night. I’m pretty excited about it though I know someone will tease me about how they have ruined me. *eyes person in question*. But regardless it’s going to be a tricky story to write given what I have in mind. Needless to say it’s will involve a lot of researching and asking questions etc. But I look forward to it. The best part of writing for me is researching and gathering the right information so I can actually begin my writing process.

Heck I spent a good 3 months researching vampire mythology so I could begin writing my books. Don’t think that I’ll have to spend nearly that much time researching for this story however. Though all the talk about finding out the history of things has got me contemplating what someone suggested just recently in the RPG I play called Bloodletting. The person behind a character I was talking to suggested that I turn the story of my own character’s life into a book. Mainly because she has a very rough childhood that turns her into a Slayer, and an even bigger turn of events that makes her into the one thing she had always hated the most.. A vampire.

Oh.. Don’t let me forget.. This character was also born in the 1800s and was only just recently turned. Yay for magic! Haha.

Anyways.. Those are the updates so far. I’ll try to post a snippet of the character in here in a bit of an RP format (the one from the short story not the RPG) so you can get a feel for who she is before the story is finished.