Interesting. "Hatebreed" as a child lightened up your day... So – since the band was basically unknown until 1996 (and then only in selective circles), I am curious as to what age you found their music to be uplifting?

Yes, they are a band from New Haven, CT. I grew up in CT and followed them from 1999 (the year with backwards triple 6's) until now, though the music is no longer as good or original. I was 18 years old when I first saw them perform at a hole in the wall bar called Hanover House in Meriden, CT in January of 2000. The bar doesn't exist anymore, but the memory of that show and my first impression will always remain. I saw NFL sized men getting steamrolled in the moshpit and ever since that night have been a diehard fan. They are some pretty solid dudes, too. Some of my favorite tracks are Unloved, Burial for the Living, Confide in No One, Puritan, Severed, Final Prayer feat. Kerry King and a bunch more.

EDIT: Also check out Disembodied from Minneapolis. Whom my name is in reference too. They call themselves "Satan rock".

Hm, books were my escape route from the torture of family life, in particular fantasy - which I'm still a big fan of - and horror, once I got over my dreadful squeamishness. I would bury myself in tales of the dragons of Pern, the earlier books in that series were my favourites and I still re-read them from time to time. I'm not so keen on the later offerings.
I wasn't into music as a child, or even much as a teenager, until I discovered Queen. I am still a huge fan to this day, and songs like "Save Me", "The Show Must Go On" and "Somebody To Love" will still move me, and I'm not even sure whether it would be to tears or to joy, it's a weird feeling.

That's kind of over-the-top. Most people I know had rather happy, or at least content, childhoods. Even if they came from dysfunctional families.

It usually takes an introspective type of personality to experience adolescent unhappieness - and most people are not that way.

Maybe "one of the few" was a little over-the-top. I was putting emphasis on general sadness regardless of any circumstances.

Thank you for putting that out there.

What was your fancy? Frankenstein or Dracula?

Vampires or Werewolves?

Regarding to fantasy, I prefered dragons also. The mention of dragons caused me to be reminded of Dragonheart.

I always relied on my sister during down times. We used our imaginations to make up for the joy that our parents failed to offer.

As children, our mother and father fought on a daily basis. Our mother was an alcoholic, so I counted on my sister for support. During their fights we would elope to the backyard to role play. We improvised, acting out scenarios in which we longed for ourselves. Although there were bitter moments between my parents, I can honestly say my childhood was not miserable at all- in fact, I kind of miss it!

In the evenings, my sister and I enjoyed watching Nick-at-Nite. We loved Laverne and Shirley, the Brady Bunch and the Wonder Years. Saturday mornings we would tune in to Rugrats and Doug, and after school was Alex Mac, Clarissa Explains it All, and Are You Afraid of the Dark?

But of all the things I relied on to mask my sorrow, I believe my sister actually had the biggest impact on my mental health. She was the one who could always put a smile on my face. Even to this day, I credit her for picking me up out of the slumps.

In my later years, I took on a different approach when I was down and about.

I went through some pretty tumultuous times in high school- during that period I developed a liking to musical artists such as Fiona Apple, Mazzy Star, and Laura Marling- even Scarlett Johansson’s cover album (Tom Waits) has always been one of my favorites, quite deep and mysterious.

I used to spend hours with my headphones on during the days I ditched school. I closed my eyes, shed tears, and consumed myself with thoughts on a brighter future- this was before I was aware of the Satanic philosophy. It was almost like my own, miniature take on a Compassion Ritual. This sort of ritualistic behavior made me feel better in the end. My conscience would be cleared the next day, ready to tackle any future downfalls. Even now, I tend to reminisce to the very same music when I am feeling a bit sad.

That's very well written! I really appreciate what you have shared.

Your sister must be extremely close to you.

Speaking of role playing when you were a child, did you know about a role playing organization going on called NERO?

Yes, naturally close... twins! It was quite a difficult task to go our separate ways after high school, though. We thrived on codependency for nearly twenty years- I'm not ashamed to admit that it is one of the toughest things I've had to do.

But now, having shattered that inseparable bond, we realize just how much more we have to offer each other.


I have never heard of this before now. I looked it up online, and it seems very interesting. It would be a positive way to utilize my (sometimes) child-like imagination!

When I need to cheer up, I usually pop in one of my favorite movies and that usually does the trick. Either that or I go for a walk in the outdoors. Living where I live, I'm about a 30 minute walk from one of the largest city parks in the middle of a city in the Pacific NW. Nature is the perfect catalyst for raising my mood, no matter how brooding I can sometimes be.

What are among your favorite movies sir?

Some of my old favorite movies were:

• Bedknobs & Broomsticks
• Merry Poppins
• Hook
• Robocop
• Terminator

To name off the top of my head.

I basically do the same things now that I've been doing since my preteen and teen years. Writing, painting/drawing/playing with Photoshop, abusing my guitar, etc. Going further back into childhood... I couldn't tell ya. I don't remember a whole lot of that mess.

I have so many that I enjoy but here are a few that stick out in my head:

The Crow
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
The Addams Family
Pump Up the Volume
The Last Starfighter
The Incredibles
The Omen (original)
Iron Man
Wanted
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest
The Shining (original)
The Spirit

....these are but a few....

You have good taste.

I like the new sport I have been doing the last 15 months,the shutzhund sport. It is challenging, fun and rewarding for both me and my dog.