Don’t It Make You Smile!

This Pearl Jam thing is a bizarre obsession to some. You all know that I can go on for hours about the music, the band...and the fans. So here I am, about to go on...

The fans, are probably the most brilliant thing about this band, they are the most amazing collective of people. There is the forum (I fully recognise it can be a bitch fest, but it’s where I’ve met some of the best people in my life), there is all of the #PJfam on Twitter (they’ve provided company, entertainment and friendship, which I am continuously grateful for) and there are lots of groups on Facebook. The madness that surrounds the collective is integral to it, producing lots of random acts of kindness amongst fans, from the ‘holy grails’, the fan created charity badges to the raffles and giveaways. 

A couple of years ago, one lovely PJ fan had a brilliant idea after coming across a ring containing 3 (crooked) hearts. This beautiful ring then began a journey around the world. A list of keepers was created with each lucky person receiving the ring getting to keep it for a week or so. During that week the keeper makes a donation to a charity of their choice and makes a journal entry. The journal tells the story of its travels, connecting fans, building a bond and documented shared experiences. It is a wonderful and beautiful idea. 

Three crooked hearts, is already something very special to me. Smile was on that 2009 list of songs I wanted to see. I got it at my first PJ gig in Manchester 2009, adding to the touch of magic. So much so that I asked a very talented jeweller friend of mine (http://www.niziblian.com/) to make a custom necklace based on the lyric card in my No Code CD. 

Very luckily the ring made its way to me a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't provide it with excitement, it was a normal week, full of the office and the odd walk so I could see the beach. However, there is a innate strength captured in this metal, like it has somehow absorbed the love, desires, hopes and passions of all its previous keepers. 

I am often the sort of person to seek reassurance and self justification and for me it was strange that a simple piece of jewellery can change your perspective. That when having those moments of doubt, worry, boredom and self loathing, I was able to look down and be reminded that I am part of a community. 
I know people will think I am mad, but it seemed to provide some form of strength out there not just in a link to music but in a wider capacity, from friends I may not know, from friends who have a place in my heart.

It is why my thoughts of a tattoo of this design has once again become stronger. I wonder if having a visual representation will provide me with that same sense. Inevitably I guess I should be able to provide it myself, be happy enough with who I am not too need something else, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

My time with the ring was over far too soon, and I wished I could have bottled some of the amazing ability to provide the reassurance it gave me whilst in my possession. I know it is a false sense of security but I liked it and whilst I am a person with very little creativity, I tried my best to equal the heartfelt journal entries. I had to send it onto another person from the keepers list. I chose a person who has herself provided me with so much friendship, love and support (Yvi, enjoy the experience xxxx). I felt happy knowing that the ring will travel onwards, bringing that same feeling to others. 

My donation to charity went to Epilepsy Action, they provide so much help for people who have or are being tested for epilepsy, and to their families. 

As I sit here pondering, under the influence of a few glasses of very nice rosé, I wonder if the band are aware of this generous, caring, and selfless nature that their music is partly responsible for. 

So, thank you Pearl Jam for fostering such an amazing community, this is one of the best communities anyone can be a member of! 

Three crooked hearts, with swirls all around...

It makes me smile!