“No one looks as foolish as the excitable ones... But then again there’s no one that has this much fun.”

How's everyone's post 311 Day Blues? It's been a year since I've done this and I can't believe I didn't write after the cruise.  I've had some amazing adventures with all of you excitables, and it really made me appreciate 311 even more than I ever did before.  After ringing in my Sweet 16th Show in Vegas during 311 Day this year, I realized I hadn't written about the songs for a while, but I'm always listening to the lyrics...  So, let's head over to Stereolithic.

Wow, what a weekend in Vegas.  We were really given a treat this year with 3 songs from Stereolithic.  One that I had never heard live, "Friday Afternoon" was just mind blowing in that venue. 

Today I'm spinning "Tranquility" because life just hasn't been too positive lately, but we're all pushing through it the best that we can. I feel like the song is a subtle goodbye after one big weekend with all of us celebrating life, 311 and helping the positivity keep flowing. 

Journey in peace now
You don't have to be afraid
Though mistakes, they have been made
Journey in peace now

Journey in peace now
You don't have to be afraid
Though mistakes, they will be made
Journey in peace now my friend

The first time I heard the guys play this live I was on the boat.  March of 2025 and right before we left for the cruise, my cousin who had been missing for almost 2 years was found dead.  His funeral was during the cruise.  The song came on and I cried.  There was no stopping the tears.  In that minute I felt like the band was helping me to talk to him and tell him he didn't have to be afraid anymore.  Journey in peace now, my friend.  

No you can't walk around it
You have to walk right through it
My father told me that so long ago
Every time that you ignore it
It gets a little more
You just have to walk toward
The fear to go

So many things in life are scary for each and every one of us.  When the words say, "No you can't walk around it.  You have to walk right through it.  My father told me that so long ago."...  I hear my dad saying that to me.  I hear him saying, "Don't run from it, don't avoid it, hit it head on."  Whether we are scared about flying or scared about dying, we have to walk toward our fears to face them.  Those words creep up on you don't they?  Do you ever feel like the band is talking directly to YOU?  Boy, I sure do when I hear this song.  "Every time that you ignore it, it gets a little more.  You just have to walk toward the fear to go."

Don't be afraid, it's all part of the plan for us
Don't be afraid, it's all part of the plan for us
All that you hold dear
Is on the other side of that fear

This year has been an especially trying year.  In December I was diagnosed with Stage 3A Kidney Failure and shortly after an immediate family member started having severe health issues.  They were in and out of ICU, home and back to the hospital again... and I completely expected them to die when I was in Las Vegas for 311 Day.  Two days before we left, a close friend was on their way to Las Vegas for an unrelated event and was killed in a car accident in Utah.  An amazing friend and musician, gone.. 10 years ago on 311 Day in 2016 - my best friend succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer.  As you can tell, I had a lot on my brain this year while in Vegas.  Above all things, this song actually helped me through it.  My friend who was killed was an amazing musician - I could see him sending me music to get me through a situation, and I think he would have sang this song in his own way if I had shown it to him before he left us.  

I'm an advocate for being positive and moving forward.  One of the phrases I say the most is "Everything Always Works Out".  My boyfriend hates when I say that, I can tell...  but, everything always works out.  You can't be afraid of what MIGHT happen or what you know is going to happen.  "It's all part of the plan for us."  I knew that whatever may have happened while I was gone with my family member was part of God's plan.  We can't change what is planned out for us, we just have to know that, "All that you hold dear is on the other side of that fear."  Turns out, God's plan was for them to live and celebrate another year of life.  I didn't have to be afraid.  

There aren't a lot of words to decipher in "Tranquility", but the few words that make up the song mean more than most people would be willing to admit.  However, to put an excitable twist on it...  I really thought it was appropriate to rediscover the lyrics to "Tranquility" as some sort of farewell to everyone after 311 Day.  Go out, go on and take that journey.  One thing I've learned from the friends and loved ones I've gained through 311 is I don't have to be afraid of what's next.  Somehow it's all part of a plan.

Everything always works out.  

I thought it would be neat to revisit this video of Tranquility - without all of you 311 wouldn't be who they are for so many of us.  Thank you for the 311 Memories my friends.  (I'm not crying, there's just something in my eyes...)