Who says I can’t get stoned?
Turn off the lights and the telephone
Me and my house alone
Who says I can’t get stoned?
Who says I can’t be free
from all of the things that I used to be?
Re-write my history
Who says I can’t be free?
****
So now you know EXACTLY why I chose that name for my blog.
J/K. I'm not sure I even know exactly why I chose that name for my new blog. I know it has something to do with the lyrics and how it spoke to me on my birthday, because I realized then that I'm still a huge geek and a goody-goody and an all-around Nice Asian Girl but amongst those things there's this new other part of me who went to college and learned about other religions, about issues of gender and class, about terrible things that we allow to happen in other cultures, and who let the light of knowledge turn her hard and jaded. This part of me who doesn't believe in heaven or God but still has to go to church every Sunday. This new, patchwork girl who wishes for many things but oftentimes finds herself wishing she still had access to good weed. Or any weed, for that matter.
***
"And it starts with singing this to yourself: 'who says I can't?" Fill in the blank, everybody. Who says you can't? For most people, nobody is saying you can't be yourself. If you put something on and look in the mirror and you like it, go out in it. And when somebody looks at you and they say, 'why are you wearing that?', don't even look down. Be like this: 'I like this, why are you wearing that?' Watch them run away. They'll never bother you again. 'Cause the world is full of bullies. Stand up to bullies." - John Mayer
***
For years I censored my true self for the benefit of others. And I'm still doing it, in real life, biding my time until the day I can stand in front of my parents and more conservative relatives and friends say, I'm pro-choice. I support gay marriage. I don't believe in God right now, and though I think Jesus was really groovy, I sure think the things people do in the name of Jesus can be offensive and just plain stupid. I think recycling is important. I don't eat meat anymore, and when we have ribs and chicken and beef stew for dinner, I feed it to our dog when you're not looking.
But here I'll never censor myself. This is my place to be who I am. Because I said so.
***
Go girl! I love the name of your blog, the lyrics to that song are relaly profound (and true). I love that line from JM about turning the tables on someone and saying "I like it, why are you wearing that" haha awesome. I'm going to tuck that away for later. The great thing about blogging is that you can put yourself out there and you don't have to deal with someone looking down at you to your face. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you posted this, thank you =)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! That's really awesome. I give you credit, I blog about the past to avoid any drama with my current friends who were bitching and moaning when I blogged about current state of affairs back on my old MySpace blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing, Melissa. I LOVE this entry. I love John Mayer (most of the time) and this definitely shows the side of him that is most commendable. Thank you for posting this, it's so true. Do what you want. As long as it's not illegal. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis was an INSPIRING to the max entry. The JM lyrics really make me feel happy, reminding me I should do what I want in life and dare to be myself.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, LOVE you, stay YOU. :D
I feel like I can be true to myself on my blog too (without getting into trouble of course since my coworkers read my blog). But I feel this time my blog is more honest though because before when I had a blog when I was a teenager maybe because I'm older I guess? Maybe because as a teenager you don't want your high school classmates to read all the other crap going in your life you know.
ReplyDeleteAnyways I like your title, "who says I can't (fill in the blank)" is something i tell myself too :-). But honestly when it comes to blog titles, it just so happens its something that caught our eye and it just stuck. I don't really have a true meaning about my title my friend's status was "Traveler there are no roads, roads are made by traveling" and that was my title hahaha. And obviously my blog is not a travel blog haha but maybe a blog about me just wanderlusting through life
Julie
I've wondered where the name came from...thanks for explaining it!
ReplyDeleteNice to know the history--I've always wondered, too! Great name.
ReplyDeleteSeriously inspiring post, Melissa. I've felt the same way for a loooong time. :-/ Thanks for putting it out there. Makes me feel like I'm not totally alone.
ReplyDeleteI love when people explain how they chose their blog name! I'm pretty much known for being totally true & real on what I post and not holding much back, so I can completely agree with you on this post. :)
ReplyDeleteBlog friends? For sure!
I think this is the best explanation for a blog title ever :) I'm glad you do know who you are and know that eventually, you will get to be that person in front of everyone. You're incredibly inspiring and I'm so glad that you are real to us. I quite like you this way :)
ReplyDeleteDo whatever you want. Fuck the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your post and you explain each and every point very well.Thanks for sharing this information.And I’ll love to read your next post too.
ReplyDelete