Shutting down Vigil

[ladyjane]

Man, I hope this doesn't happen, the shutting
down, that is. I've never been.
Why doesn't everyone go to the hardware store
buy a '3' and send it to the hotel/motel of your
choice in that area?
Wouldn't that be funny? The 'Knight's Inn' with
300 3's !!! Hahahaha!!!

[ishbell]

May 29, 2009 10:58:56 GMT -5 ladyjane said:

Man, I hope this doesn't happen, the shutting
down, that is. I've never been.
Why doesn't everyone go to the hardware store
buy a '3' and send it to the hotel/motel of your
choice in that area?
Wouldn't that be funny? The 'Knight's Inn' with
300 3's !!! Hahahaha!!!

:DI love it

[nolabel7]

I would like to add 2 cents. I lived in Lafayette for 26 years before I moved to N. Indiana, and before this morning, here is how I perceived the vigil. When it first got going it was small, and all we heard about the vigil was that his local friends thought it was a great place to get drunk and hang out talk about Shannon, among other things. Many of the local musicians and fans (myself included) didn't go, nor did we support the vigil because I and many others, felt it was doing a HUGE disrespect to Shannon that people would go to his memorial and celebrate/mourn his music and his passing by getting drunk and doing drugs, both things that he struggled with horribly, and the reason he doesn't get to provide us with fresh lyrics.

However, the last couple of years, I heard it has grown (and seen it here on the forum) and that it is now less crazy and more like other musicians memorials that are not party havens but instead, places where fans and friends can meet and talk and share happy bee feelings. I wanted to go this year, but personal reasons didn't allow it. I can say however, that if more people realized the drinking and being crazy didn't occur any longer, they would be much more supportive.

It's nice to know that the music and his family has inspired a more responsible, and respectful memorial. Maybe after this year, word will get around that it is just that and not simply a place to party. Bee happy, nothing better in the morning than a little BM!

[Deleted]

Sept 29, 2009 7:38:38 GMT -5 nolabel7 said:

Many of the local musicians and fans (myself included) didn't go, nor did we support the vigil because I and many others, felt it was doing a HUGE disrespect to Shannon that people would go to his memorial and celebrate/mourn his music and his passing by getting drunk and doing drugs, both things that he struggled with horribly, and the reason he doesn't get to provide us with fresh lyrics.

I don't want to upset anyone with this comment, but this is the exact reason I believe the "420 Mini-Vigil" is of bad taste.

That's just a personal opinion. I dont have anything against the people who attend the mini-Vigil (in fact, some of them are really really nice people). It's just the theory behind the reason.

[tonyaponce]

I fully agree with the two previous posts. In addition to this, I kinda think that telling Nel stories of how Shannon touched their lives while they were high is disrespectful. People may think that they are telling a good story, but I think about my own mother and how she would feel if someone said to her, "when I was trippin on acid I saw Tonya (Shannon, in Nel's case) and it made me a better person". Hello, people.. Shannon died BECAUSE of drugs. It doesn't matter that it was cocaine and not the drug mentioned in the conversation.. its the point behind it all. He had struggles with drugs and alcohol, and they cost him his life. I doubt Nel wants to hear about people's drug use, especially if its about how Shannon inspired them during their high. Maybe I am wrong for this opinion.. its just how I feel.

[8807]

No, You're not wrong.It is something that must be said.

[tonyaponce]

Sept 29, 2009 11:43:26 GMT -5 @8807 said:

No, You're not wrong.It is something that must be said.

Thanks for the support. I sometimes worry that I will offend someone and thats not what I am really trying to do.

[twiztid_3]

Sept 29, 2009 8:34:51 GMT -5 @nicobluishgray said:

I don't want to upset anyone with this comment, but this is the exact reason I believe the "420 Mini-Vigil" is of bad taste.

That's just a personal opinion. I dont have anything against the people who attend the mini-Vigil (in fact, some of them are really really nice people). It's just the theory behind the reason.

not upset here... i went out this year. and there were 4 of us. thats it. but i really wasnt thinking of it as a "420" thing, but more of a date when there MIGHT be some melonheads out there. AND its somewhat of a 1/2 way point between vigils. And since there was more of a chance of some other melonheads being around that weekend... and i dont have much difficulty getting over that way ... i took advantage of it.

[Just Dave]

Sept 29, 2009 23:00:41 GMT -5 twiztid_3 said:

Sept 29, 2009 8:34:51 GMT -5 @nicobluishgray said:

I don't want to upset anyone with this comment, but this is the exact reason I believe the "420 Mini-Vigil" is of bad taste.

That's just a personal opinion. I dont have anything against the people who attend the mini-Vigil (in fact, some of them are really really nice people). It's just the theory behind the reason.

not upset here... i went out this year. and there were 4 of us. thats it. but i really wasnt thinking of it as a "420" thing, but more of a date when there MIGHT be some melonheads out there. AND its somewhat of a 1/2 way point between vigils. And since there was more of a chance of some other melonheads being around that weekend... and i dont have much difficulty getting over that way ... i took advantage of it.

I agree w/ both Matt's.
Kind of a tacky reason to celebrate, but just another great excuse to see some great people in a great location. I wanted to make it out last year but couldn't.
note to self.......leave bong at home.. j/k #smiliehookah# #fufu#

[cloudy]

I remember at the vigil last year - everyone -at least those who I hung out with - was very careful no one was drinking or doing any drugs - out of respect to Nel. And that Nel did not allow it as she did not want the vigil to get closed down and out of respect for Shannon, of course.

I have a memory of a couple of high school guys showing up, beers in hand - no sooner had they sat by the grave than several vigilers pointed at them - and shouted BEER and told them to dump it NOW! Those 2 guys were shocked but they listened and dumped the beer and came right back - they got the message and complied.

This stands out as a great memory for me as it's part of what, at least I think, the vigil stands for - respecting Shannon - seeing these vigilers so protective of Nel and of Shannon's memory - it was sense of us all really watching out for each other.

[yelram]

Sept 29, 2009 11:25:56 GMT -5 tonyaponce said:

I fully agree with the two previous posts. In addition to this, I kinda think that telling Nel stories of how Shannon touched their lives while they were high is disrespectful. People may think that they are telling a good story, but I think about my own mother and how she would feel if someone said to her, "when I was trippin on acid I saw Tonya (Shannon, in Nel's case) and it made me a better person". Hello, people.. Shannon died BECAUSE of drugs. It doesn't matter that it was cocaine and not the drug mentioned in the conversation.. its the point behind it all. He had struggles with drugs and alcohol, and they cost him his life. I doubt Nel wants to hear about people's drug use, especially if its about how Shannon inspired them during their high. Maybe I am wrong for this opinion.. its just how I feel.

EVERYONE DIES, Shannon was SHANNON because of his life experience, and the people he interacted with, which was highly influenced, and connected with drug use. You cannot separate the two. The people he influenced as a result, shows his fruit is good, and that is all that matters. One day you people will get it. Really its disrespectful NOT to burn the herb. Life is for living, spirits have no such emotional and physical release. One day the veil will be split, and you'll realize what Shannon did, and you'll feel silly for believing his life to be "wasted" as a result of his habits, instead of his offering to the living being a beautiful amalgamation of them.

DECORATE THIS DYING DAY, dont live it in the fear of future regret.

[sky]

You know we all deal with Shannon's death in our own way. The point here is that Every year all of the people that were reached by "SHANNON'S" music come back to be with his Mom and his family so they don't have to feel alone on his Birthday. What ever shape we're in isn't the point. That is each persons personal battle. The Point is that we make the trip we respect him that much. & that some of us even make the trip despite our drug problems says even more because it takes a lot of heart to make a trip like that & I feel that you'd be doing yourselves wrong if ya didn't see it for what it is....and come experience it. I think that we've all got a lot of love to give and whatever shape were in we open our hearts and give it and that's what the focus should be. Giving your love to help someone heal. They are a beautiful family and it's a wonderful experience and if your a Shannon fan you should come out sing some songs pour your hearts out.........We would love to sing them with you and we would love to have you......~Sky Smith

[sky]

Sept 29, 2009 11:25:56 GMT -5 tonyaponce said:

I fully agree with the two previous posts. In addition to this, I kinda think that telling Nel stories of how Shannon touched their lives while they were high is disrespectful. People may think that they are telling a good story, but I think about my own mother and how she would feel if someone said to her, "when I was trippin on acid I saw Tonya (Shannon, in Nel's case) and it made me a better person". Hello, people.. Shannon died BECAUSE of drugs. It doesn't matter that it was cocaine and not the drug mentioned in the conversation.. its the point behind it all. He had struggles with drugs and alcohol, and they cost him his life. I doubt Nel wants to hear about people's drug use, especially if its about how Shannon inspired them during their high. Maybe I am wrong for this opinion.. its just how I feel.

Nel likes to hear how Shannon changed peoples lives. I was one of the people telling her about how Shannon got me clean in 95. She asked me. She wanted to know.....see for some people that don't do drugs don't truly grasp the relationship with them. So can never really understand that it becomes a big part of your life. When I die I hope people will come and tell my Mom that I got them off of drugs. I think it would bring her peace.........just my point of view.....~love Sky

[Gabbee]

Beautifully said Sky, I agree with you 100%!!!!

[sky]

I Love you Gabbee sorry I didn't spin with you that night



Mardis Gras here we come.....