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When I was 14, and until about the time I was 17, I used to attend house-raves here in Barrie, ON. Glow sticks, plastic jewelery, black-lights, and electronica music abounds, anything from techno remixes to hardcore underground industrial (the music I love to death, and will never stop listening to).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those kids who takes E and dances like a retard for hours. I've never touched E, actually. Horrible stuff, makes me want to hurt people just thinking about it. Very anti-E.

I was, however, one of those people who actually enjoyed being there, dancing, singing along where I could, dressing up in bright colors, and just having a good time. Still I love glow sticks, and pacifiers, kandi jewelery, and so on. I'd still be raving, if they hadn't started to slowly thin out as wide-spread wiggerism invaded my city.

Its next to impossible to find someone who isn't a wigger, and those who aren't are either goth or emo, and not the kandi-ravers like me who draw P.L.U.R. on their cheeks and get lost in the music. Not that I'm not a little Goth, too. I grew up with Bauhaus (I also grew up with TOOL, Led Zepplin, The Doors, and a lot of other music that varied a lot, and I'm a huge Bob Dylan fan, too), but I really miss the raves. Either they don't happen anymore, or I've completely lost touch with the crowd I used to be around all the time.

Either way, I haven't been to a rave in coming up on two years now. There was one in Toronto this Saturday past, but I had to work, sadly. Otherwise I've have been there, and I'd have raved till I dropped.

So anyways, what I'm curious about is if there are any other ravers out there, or if anyone is interested in the rave culture and what we stand for, or even about the Extasy myth.

Well, I said, I've never touched E. In fact, the myth that all ravers do E is actually just that; a myth. Some of them do, but most of are are more into Glowstringing, which is pretty fun and pretty to watch. Uses glowsticks on shoelaces, and semi-symmetrical swing patterns. You probably couldn't do it on E, because that s**t messes with your hand-eye coordination. Besides, if you need E to have fun at a rave, you shouldn't be raving.
Its not heavy metal, though. Its techno, electronica, Industrial, house, dance, trance, Euro-pop, with funky rhythms and kicking beats.
The Rave culture is one of the most misunderstood Cultures on Earth. We're all about the PLUR, and just having fun with everything. It so sucks there aren't anymore house-raves in Barrie, I miss 'em.

I can't host a rave. Not only do I not have the money, but my mom would never allow that in her house.
Now, if I could find an abandoned warehouse to rent out, or could get my hands on some club time, I'd totally host an all ages rave. Hell, I'd love to open my own club and throw weekly raves, complete with glowstick vendors (like hotdog vendors, you know?) and a glowstringing area for those who like to tie their sticks to strings and swing 'em around in patterns (I'm real into learning that right now, its so fun). Haha.

There's one I found for next weekend down at the Foxx Lounge downtown, so I'm heading down for that for sure. And October 7th there's one downtown Toronto which I'm booking time off for. Going to bring my friend Meaghan with me, because she'd love it. Haha. <3

Book parties? Never heard of those. Would love to hold one/attend one, but most of the people in this city don't read if they don't have to. [shrugs] Rave's are for when you feel like dancing and networking with new people. Book parties sound like they are more for friends you already have.

Yeah, see, I don't know that many people because for the longest time I had the same problem. Shy, introverted. But raves are good for helping you open up and let loose a little. (Although I wasn't as good at it back a few years ago when I still went to them... The internet is my most open and social place right now...)

The more you attend, the more you see people that are constant in the rave scene, and the more you want to get to know those people. And eventually, either you can talk to them, or they'll talk to you, because real kandi-kids don't judge, and don't condone ostracization of any sort, especially among other ravers. I mean, our whole community revolves around the centralized vision known as PLUR, which is Peace, Love, Respect, and Unity.

If we formed our own country, or even just our own township, we'd be the cleanest, and most accepting place in the world. Especially if we can keep out the ones who give us a bad name, and the ones who do things wrong (that is, anti-PLUR), the violent kids, and such. I've never seen a fight at a rave, and I've never met a real raver who would willingly fight, except to save his or her life.

So you never have to worry about being shot down in general, because everyone wants to know everyone. We're not clique-ish, we're not the kind of people who'll look at you funny for trying to talk to us. You say hi, we say hi back and strike up a conversation. You can't find that in any other culture, that centralized feeling of community, of family. Its pretty unique. Its one of the reasons I so love raving.

I'm sorry, Muse. I had no idea. Were you and your brother close? When did this happen? Did he really die? Did Micah ever meet his uncle?

And not to put that aside--rather, I put it first--but I think I get what you mean, Tommy. Even so, I'm not sure if I could ever get really into it--I'm pretty reticent.

However, what I've said holds true: If I'm ever in the neighborhood, how could I pass it up? Raving with you would be a blast.

Love and Vale,
-LD

(This is crystalsmuse) Yeah, he did die. It was on the news, too. He usually came over once or twice a week...

You can read about it here: http://projectghb.org/remembered/caleb.htm

I do understand how it's fun to dance with friends and just party till you drop. But in San Diego at the place he worked as a DJ ravers are usually hard core. Drugs, stimulants and alcohol. Music to amplify the buzz from whatever they took. (This came from him.) He had never had drugs before the GHB.

Yep. My step-dad kept saying "if only..." You can't do that to yourself, though. I was also on an MTV show about it called "flipped". I wonder if I can find a clip somewhere for you guys.