"That fearless hero..." How many times have we heard that line? From the time we are young we are taught not to cry and to stand up to our fears. No more tears, no more fears. Sounds like paradise...or does it?

Horror movies, contemperary art, amusement parks, they all play on our fears and emotions. Everyone has a fear, even if that fear is simply fear itself. So what is it about this particualr emotion that drives us to invent new ways to scare?

Some say that they enjoy being afraid, that it makesthem feel empowered. Wiat a minute, fear usually entails having no control over what is going on around you, so how can it make you feel empowered?

Studies prove that when fear streaks through us, it releases chamicals in the brain such as aderenaline and other "fight or flight" chemicals. Once these are released you are pumped up and ready to fight your fear, or run like hell for safety. It is then that you feel like nothing can beat you and your senses are on hyperdrive.

Fear also brings out our animalistic instincts. Everyone demonstrates their animal "nomac" on the daily basis, but when we are in a state of panic or even caution these characteristics come forward with more power. Don't get what I mean? Here's an example:

A few years ago 9 of my friends and myself were at a friend's house sleeping over in the middle of winter. In the morning they had decided to lock me out. So I went for a walk in the woods beside the house. While I was wondering htrough the snowcovered wonderland I heard something snap behind me. Audimatically I was fully aware of everything around me and got lower to the ground. Cautiously I scanned the area around me. I layed in waiting watching and listening. My skin was tingling as I noticed somethinkg moving to my left. I practicaly held my breath as a larger dark figure moved through the trees and snow away from me. Unfortuanatly the beast had gone the way I had come from. Not intending on finding out what the creature was I continued on my walk but slowly ready to dart if anyhting bad happened. I could feel my leg muscles tightened as an unsettling feeling washed over me. On my instincts I actually found myself sniffing the air. Even more strange, I sensed something, somehting that could beat me in a match. So I ran, and suprised even myself with my speed, which was increased when I passed blood spattered across the snowy trail. As I was exiting the wodded area a tree grabbed my long hair. I turned and snapped at it with my mouth. Obviously not a usual human defense.

You see, since I was afraid I resorted to my dominating animal instinct of the wolf. When these instincts are brought out it keeps us in touch with our past, as well as ourselves. though this is not the direct focus of coperate companies, it's a neccesity in keeping society stable. Forgetting our origins means losing alot of wisdome.

But most of all, people enjoy scaring others for the sheer amusement of it. Not only will the spectators enjoy watching, but even the person being scared will look back on it and laugh.
I'm sure the everyone has jumped out at someone just to see the look on their face. However, is abusing this important survival mechanism detremental to the survival of humans? Or is it really all fun and games?

No tears, no fears might not have such a terrific ring to it once you've discovered that it is fear that shelters and protects us from so many treterous things. No how does being fearless sound?

Have you ever turned on the radio to listen to your favorite station and all the sudden your mom started singing along? Which is weird because she has never listend to your music? This is what happens when today's hottest new artists start reproducing yesterdays best hits. As our generation moves forwards in fads and fashions, we're moving back in time. It's a conspiracy!

While watching much music I heard one of my favorite songs. Now. if you know me than you know that I'm mostly into classic rock. The song "Jessy's Girl" originally preformed by Rick Springfield. However a new band, I can't recall the name, has re-done the song and put a new video to it. Though I admit the good songs can never killed, is it really right for these bands to be adding techno to classic songs and calling them theirs?

I have nothing about the great music of hte 80's being brought back by some of our favorite artists, but they make millions off music that isn't theirs. The whole point of singing and preforming music to me is to communicate your message out to the audience. It isn't really your message however if your doing someone else's work.

I'm not the only one who has noticed this trend in music today. Previously a article was published that was ranting about MTV and its branches. Unlike that author I do not detest MTV, I simply wonder why it is that artisits have forgotten the real reason they are out there and have resorted to acting as droids to the corporate world.

Heat of the Night

As the sun falls
behind the horizon,
something in me changes.
What? I’m uncertain.
It’s like the night takes over.
The moon comes out,
its beam, like a knife
cutting through the darkness.
I feel like a new person.
Invincible.
All I want to do is run.
Run through the trees,
the stars leading the way,
the wolves and nature protecting me.
Slowly I come aware of my life.
My small town life.
I stare out my window.
Thinking.
Thinking of the night I’ll run,
The night I’ll be free,
the night itself.
Shielding dangers and bringing out desire.
Soon,
soon I’ll run in the night air
cool and fresh.
Then return to my loving family
and welcoming friends.
One night,
no fears, no danger.
Total freedom.

Different

They laugh and point,
snicker and stare.
Why?
Because I am different.
They make fun and giggle,
whisper and cackle.
Why?
Because I am different.
Well…
I think they should be laughed and pointed at,
snickered and stared at.
Why?
Because they’re all the same.
Their hair and clothes,
language and attitudes are all the same.
I’m different.
I’m an individual.
I have my own brain,
My own judgment.
They share one mind
and follow one leader.
They are the same,
and I am different.
How about you?
Are you the same,
or are you different?
Who is to say which is better?
I don’t know.
They laugh and stare,
but I don’t care,
I’m different.
I speak and act my own way too.
It’s up to me and it’s up to you.
Which is better?
You choose.

I love you. It’s funny how three simple words can make you melt and send you rocketing to the heavens. Love is glorified all around us, on every corner, in every magazine, on each teen website. But what is love really?

Jonny Cash described love as a burning ring of fire, whereas Lieutenant Henches compared it to that of a red, red rose. I don’t know about you, but to me there’s a big difference between roses and fire. Then again, love does mean many different things to many different people.

Some say that it just leads to heartache and pain. That it is impossible for people, especially teens like us to fall in love. I, for one, don’t believe this.

To me, love is emotion in its purest form. It’s sweet and innocent, and gives you a high no drug could ever provide. It’s when the sound of someone’s name sends shivers up your spine, when hearing one’s voice you can’t help but smile. It’s that queasy, longing sensation that hits you like a freight train the moment the target of your affections is no longer at your side. But most of all, to me love is a safety and could mean the difference between life and death.

I’ll never forget the day I fell in love. That’s when I realized the true meaning of the word. Love isn’t finding the perfect person. It’s learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.

Jamie taught me a lot, and I don’t think anyone could ever replace his spot in my heart. We’ve been through so much together. Yeah, there was some pain, and a lot of problems, but for each bad time there are ten amazing memories.

This one time, Jamie called me at one in the morning. I couldn’t believe it! Immediately I picked up the receiver, “Hello?” I said groggily. A depressed voice responded. “Jamie?” I asked still half asleep. “What are you…” but before I could finish his soft voice flowed over the distance that seperated us and found its way to my heart.

“I just called to say I love you. I needed to hear your voice again.”

“Jame…” I said, “That’s sweet, but I have school in the morning. If this is a social call I need to go.”

That’s when my world came to a crashing halt. Jamie told me there wouldn’t be another day for me. That the stresses of his parents’ divorce and being a social outcast were getting to him. He decided that the only way to have a happy life would be to end it.

After two hours of racking my brain for reasons he still had to live I came up with the most important one…me. Right then and there I poured my heart out to Jamie. I explained how if he killed himself my life would be so empty; he was such a big part of it. When we finally hung up at 4:28 I knew the power of love. It saved Jamie’s life hat night. Looking back now I realize that he went from the shy, timid boy to the positive outgoing young man I know today. Our everlasting love for each other helped him through that transformation I’m sure.

Now as we sit at home talking on the phone and reminiscing of old times that night is often forgotten. We still love each other deeply but whoever said love conquers all didn’t have to deal with long distance phone bills.

Though we have both moved on to other relationships, that summer will not be forgotten. That’s when love became a reality to me and I realized its power. I’m sure many of you have had the sheer bliss of romance. You know the excitement and breathlessness of it all. I’m also sure that some of you have had heartache and pain in your lives. Then again, as they say, “it is better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all.”

So the next time your son, daughter, sister, brother, or friend brings home the most recent “light of their lives” don’t turn the other cheek. It could save their lives one day.