(no subject)

[rosiedoes]

This came up from a conversation that likethepaint and I are having with eyerenderingfan, and I would be really interested in knowing the following:

[Poll #1290143]

Comments

[untelling.livejournal.com]

I don't claim edge. I've only ever tasted alcohol twice, and it's not my kind of thing. No drugs - no smoking - no sex (unfortunately). Just caffeine. Truth is, though, that I only learned what edge was around the time I started reading FOB slash. I never made a conscious decision to be that way, though it suits me fine to say that yes, I will be that way as long as I live.

Did I just claim edge? I know it's a lifestyle choice. But is it edge if you don't make the decision to be that way and you just live that way as a day to day thing? Am I making any sense?

Didn't think so. Oh well. Par for the course.

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

Well, I was basically edge for a long time before I pledged to be so for life. It's not a promise to anyone else - it's a promise to yourself.

I used to drink on occasion, but I can count on one hand with fingers to spare, the amount of times I've actually been drunk. I've never smoked, I've never touched drugs - even though I've had opportunity to do both.

For a long time I was really confused about being straight edge. I didn't claim it publicly, even though I felt it, because I didn't want to offend the people who have been straight edge for decades - like my friend Jay. But having talked to him and others about it, I would say that the really important part is how you feel.

In the modern scene, straight edge is quite detached from the bands and the genres that spawned it; it's much more about personal belief and lifestyle. And as long as it's true to your ideals and you have the conviction to stick to it (you couldn't really dip in and out - say, have some sherry at Christmas, and then go back to being edge the next day; that would be breaking edge. Once in, you're in or you're out.)

There are people like Andy Hurley, and Jay, who have been straight edge for years and years and it's pretty much on a par with Jewish people's choice to follow the kosher diet or not. It's serious shit, but you're only answerable to yourself.

[nikitaquincy.livejournal.com]

I'm sort of #2, though I do have to take (prescription) drugs for medical reasons. I used to drink, but I can't anymore. I don't claim edge, because I didn't give alcohol up by choice, but I'm fine with not being able to drink. I couldn't afford to even if I wanted to.

[vinylsigns.livejournal.com]

I should qualify my answer in that I'm not opposed to sXe at all, but I don't have any interest in drugs whatsoever, and the only thing that would be my exception of actually being edge is that I very occasionally drink. But that's infrequent.

[edgiko.livejournal.com]

Its interested me.

What i question is what if you use alcohol for food? I could go my life without drinking [drugs? forget it. Been there. done that. Not my thing], but a lot of recipes I like use wine or tequila in them.
I know that sounds like a stupid question, but I'm curious.

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

In food the alcohol itself is cooked off. Cooking chicken in a white wine sauce, or putting ale in a beef pie is never going to get you remotely inebriated, because the alcohol itself is cooked off in the preparation process - leaving only the flavour.

A trifle might be different, because there is just straight-up sherry in it, but personally, I don't consider food that has had simmered-off alcohol used for a flavouring to be breaking edge because it simply has no impact.

[elven-wolf.livejournal.com]

I'm not edge, voted never will, but I totally understand those who do.

[byabsence.livejournal.com]

I always feel like I can't to be claim edge, even if most people I'm around mostly consider my to be edge. While I follow it pretty strictly (no drugs, drinking, tobacco of any kind) and plan to continue to follow that for the rest of my life, the no sex part of it is the only aspect I feel I can't honestly say I'll abstain from and be able to be completely honest saying I will. I'm pretty young (almost 18) and while technically, I have abstained from sex so far but I can't say for certain that'll be the case in a couple years, so claiming to be completely straight edge is something I don't feel I can honestly do and respect what edge means.

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

Dude. As long as you're not wearing mini-skirts and fishnets on street corners or ho-ing it up on the counter at your local bar, most straight edge people don't worry too much about the sexual abstinence.

It's the core three elements that matter the most: smoking, drinking and drugs.

[moondarri.livejournal.com]

i made the decision to drink again. i'm slightly conflicted. funny, i haven't actually told anyone.

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

:(

I'm disappointed, dude, it has to be said.

[anjak-j.livejournal.com]

I'm in two minds about this because while I do stick to the core things of sXe - no drinking, no illegal* drugs and no smoking, and even refrain from promiscuity too, I'm wondering if it is slightly hypocritical to claim to be Edge when I'm a former addict of both drugs and cigarettes and still do 'other' negative things to my body...

_{* It is my understanding from reading about Edge that it does not actively discourage the taking of any prescription medication as directed.}

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

I've never really had to deal with your situation in relation to sXe, before, but I think that most straight edge people would have a huge amount of respect for you for being able to go from that kind of lifestyle to a totally clean one.

And I've never really seen the issue of SI covered in relation to it either, but hey - maybe it's something to work toward so you can claim it for sure? Maybe it's something to pledge now and take that as an incentive to stop that, too?

[kimpuff.livejournal.com]

I claim edge. I never really wanted to do any of that stuff before, but after living with a drunken mom since I was ten (so for five years now), I know first-hand what kind of negative effects drugs and alcohol have on your loved ones, and pretty much anyone around you.

After going to my mom's rehab (she's been four times I think?) and seeing all the druggies and alcoholics and hearing their stories, I made a promise to myself and my friends that I would never do any of that, ever. It's so unappealing. Not only that, but it's been proven that alcoholism runs through families, and I'm afraid that if I started, I might not have any self-control, like my mother. =/

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

My grandad was an alcoholic. My mother, my father, my long-time stepfather, my brothers and my uncle are all stoners.

And it's fucked up watching it change people.

[darkmoon711.livejournal.com]

I've never been really sure what Edge is. I don't do drugs or smoke tobacco. I drink rarely. I'm the counted on Designated Driver more then half the time.

So an explanation would be helpful. I put down the I don't claim edge... because I'm not sure if I could. *Shrugs*

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

Well, being straight edge is basically a decision to never smoke, drink or abuse drugs. Some people take that further and also become vegetarian or vegan, pledge to give up or not indulge in promiscuous behaviour, and some are very environmentally focused.

However, the most important aspect is the core three abstinences - drink, drugs and tobacco.

Originally, sXe was centred in the hardcore punk scene and the phrase coined by a band called Minor Threat, but these days it has drifted, with a lot of sXe people being more toward the post-hardcore and pop-punk scene, or not really involved at all.

It doesn't really matter so much any more what music you're into, or what scene, it's about making a promise to yourself to live a clean and decent lifestyle.

If you're drinking at all - even occasionally - you can't really claim edge, but if you're only doing it on occasion, why even bother? It's totally up to you.

Personally, I find it a really good rule to set myself. Basically a standard for living, but not everyone really finds themselves suited to it.

[jedi-iwakura.livejournal.com]

Woah, loaded question, loaded answers!

I'm right in between the last two choices, so I didn't cast a vote. I think it's pretty cool though no matter what other aspects of life are rolled into sXe on a personal preference, and I'm not about to fuck with anyone over their lifestyle choices. Nor do I feel the need to justify what I do to and for myself to others. I only answer to myself about it, as should anyone else. Never did anything hard but the liquors since I was legal, and even as of late I don't drink a whole lot of anything because of my plasma donations. I don't believe my medications count. They help me eat.

:D And I like to eat.

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

Well, although there are straight edge 'gangs' out there, I personally only consider myself answerable to myself on issues like this. I think if I broke edge some of my friends would be pissed off with me, because it does feel like a betrayal - not just as a friend, but of all sense and logic; and a betrayal of one's own ideals.

Which is why I was so frustrated with Ellie.

Once you've looked at intoxicants or narcotics and thought, "Hell, no. I'm not touching that shit and doing that to myself!" to renedge on that feels so deeply illogical and frankly, really dumb. That's why I, and probably a lot of other straight edge people can be so militant about it. You want to see people you like and respect respect themselves and do the best by themselves, rather than running with the other rats and doing negative shit to themselves.

[vinagrette.livejournal.com]

What an interesting bunch of comments!

Well I think it's probably clear which one I chose. I know you have strong feelings about it, so I was kind of scared to press the button - haha! Anyway, I am interested in learning about it, yes (which is probably why I find reading these comments so cool), but I can't see becoming edge myself. However, I will never be the drunken slut girl puking up all over public transport because that is TOTALLY not how I roll.

[vinagrette.livejournal.com]

AND A SIDE NOTE: I was out campaigning against Prop 8 today and I think we actually might have a chance to stop it. I didn't after yesterdays' horrible abuse from the Yes side, but today there was SO MUCH more support and SO MUCH more positivity. Half the people campaining FOR 8 are under 18, anyway, so they will be staying home on Tuesday!

[tiny-tear.livejournal.com]

but I should add never touched drugs or tobacco in my life, never even had a drag of a cigarette ever...

I do drink, but not to excess anymore

[sassygirl.livejournal.com]

same here.

[shewho.livejournal.com]

to clarify - it is highly unlikely i will ever live and claim edge, but i'm not uninterested in hearing more about it. a less dismissive version of the last option, i think!

indeed, i didn't realise until reading the comments that there was a kind of celibacy aspect to it as well.

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

*whispers* I think that has a lot to do with awkward hardcore punk boys not having the social skills to get laid... XD


No, I jest.

But as I've said, that's not for everyone. Giving up coffee isn't for everyone (in fact, there are straight edge t-shirts taking the piss out of the caffeine abstinence, using Starbucks logos and reading: STRAIGHT EDGE (IT'S OKAY TO DRINK COFFEE)).

Straight edge really has a huge history. I can find you some articles on it if you're really interested.

[prototypicgirl.livejournal.com]

For Life.
It really was the best decision of my life.
I honestly believe that there is no excuse not to be... you will destroy your body.
A clean life is the only life for sure.

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

*terrorist fist bump* XD

Glad to have you around, dude.

[shiny-starlight.livejournal.com]

If I'm not for life, then the tattoo was a big mistake.

[beachsidebingo.livejournal.com]

straightXedge and "breaking edge" was a lot of drama for some of my friends in high school. Basically petty hs stuff that I didn't really get at the time. When really it was someone claiming edge and then going back on it after discovering the "wonders" of alcohol or weed.
I've grown up pretty straight laced. I've never had any interest in drugs, in fact I was resolutely against them in my youth and it cost me one of my best friends. I've chilled out as I've grown older, but still have no interest in drugs myself. My family's policy on alcohol has always been really lax. If you can have it at home they won't be sneaking out to parties to drink and get drunk. So I've been drinking, in my family's company since I was about 12. Because of that I never saw the big deal about going out and getting drunk. I have a drink every now and then socially.
I smoked cigarettes for about a year when I was 18, but have since quit. I hated smelling like smoke and it did nothing for me.

[eruwenfuin.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up living by that lifestyle in the end. I already don't smoke, I think drugs are about as stupid as Sarah Palin supporters and I occasionally indulge in alcohol. But recently that's come to a near halt and I've only ever been drunk twice. (seriously did not like it at all,well the second time)

I'm surrounded by stoners, half of the people I know are on weed. My father and uncle are practically alcoholics and my ex-step dad was one. Due to them I've cultivated a great dislike of drunks and I have promised myself that I will do anything to stop myself from becoming an alcoholic. There's better things in life than narcotics (like knitting and bandom;)).

So I'm not claiming it, but I might.

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

Good for you, dude.

[evel66.livejournal.com]

I claim edge, though it wasn't always that way. A couple years ago I tried smoking and then off and on I'd drink with friends but I hate both and I've never tried drugs. Sometimes if I go to a party (I actually rarely go to parties, but) I want to drink but I try not to. I don't know if I'll always be this way though. When I turn 21 I might drink, might not. Which really wouldn't make me sxe but I don't know what else to say.

Most of my friends drink/smoke cigarettes/pot and it's really frustrating for me to be around them. Some of them don't but they've at least tried smoking pot and I shouldn't be upset by that but I am and no one understands. I hate everyone viewing me as some goody two shoes.

As for the sex, I don't have it anyway, so that's out. I don't view cursing or caffeine as sxe-related but I know a lot of people do.

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

If you're only "trying not to" drink and you're considering giving it up when it becomes legal, then you're not really straight edge, dude.

Being edge is a lifetime commitment and you can't just dip in and out of it.

You abstain from the top three completely, or you're just not edge.

[fredtheguava.livejournal.com]

Here's the thing: I think I was edge before I even knew what it meant. I decided in Year 9 not to drink - whether to just be contradictory or because I just didn't want to, I don't know. But I didn't drink, take drugs or do anything of the sort for a long old time. I didn't drink til I was 19, and I experimented a handful of times with drugs before deciding it wasn't for me.

I drank too much for a while - not alcoholic levels, but a bit. And it wasn't fun, I lost respect for myself and I lost the respect of others. I chilled it the fuck out and reclaimed my life - at around the time I decided it was time to kick my ED once and for all.

But I like a drink. I like a mulled wine at Christmas, a glass of wine with dinner. A couple of drinks and some dancing for a friend's birthday. I very rarely, if ever, get wasted, but I do sometimes get drunk. And I'm okay with that - I definitely now feel like I am the one in control of it.

I have SO much respect for you, and those of you that claim edge. But it's not for me, anymore. Things have changed. Havign relationships with two people who were alcoholic or vergeing on it has made me very aware of the damage it causes, but I don't feel that I'm doing that to myself. I'm sure you have evidence to back up your point of view, and I completely respect that. But I do, once in a while, like an alcoholic drink. That's my choice, as edge is yours.

I know we differ on this, so I hope that you can offer the level of respect I will - not to drink around you, for example, if we go to dinner. Because that would just be rude - much in the way that I hate people smoking around me.

That said - do you and Julie want to go for dinner for Thanksgiving? I doubt anywhere will actually be doing a proper Thanksgiving dinner, but I thought it might be nice in honour of our shared trip into the States : 0

[rosiedoes.livejournal.com]

Firstly: Thanksgiving dinner would be lovely, if we can afford it then. I'm flat broke right now, but fingers crossed.


Secondly, as long as you're not getting hammered it's perfectly fine for you to drink around us. Drinking sensibly isn't like smoking around people. If you have a glass of wine with dinner you're not forcing the choice on the people around you. There's no second hand buzz from you drinking wine; we don't have to choke on your smoke if you do that. And with one or two drinks like that you're not going to be falling down drunk and being douchey, so that's fine. It's your choice to do that.

I get frustrated with people who have made a conscious decision to become edge and then make a conscious decision to give it up when the primary factors are clearly other people.

I'll admit that I do have a general impatience with people who aren't edge, because I just find it hard to comprehend why anyone would be okay with doing that to themselves, but unless it's someone I feel hugely protective or it's not necessarily going to be a huge problem for me. I'd tease people about it, but ultimately I can't control my friends.