It has been said that you meet people wherever you venture. People like you, people different from you. People with the same story, and people with a completely different story. People who are there for the exact same reason you are, or people who are there for something completely different. But, whatever the situation these “people” turn from strangers,

to acquaintances, to friends, to best friends, and then into family. When I left Richland Northeast I left behind not just my friends, but people who have grown into family, and honestly I think everyone knows I miss them so much. But at A.C. Flora I have met plenty of new people to call friends, but there are two people in particular that have become my sisters. Natalie and Kianna, both sophomores, both from different schools (Natalie is from Georgia and Kianna from Connecticut), both first years at A.C Flora just like me. Kianna and I met by chance, through and random and awkward guidance consoler visit and Natalie is in my French

class. The first found memory I have is spending time in the library during 3^rd block “a” day

talking about how it’s hard to trust people now-a-days. How even your own family could turn against you. Every single one of us has been through that situation with a friend, and as we exchanged stories, smiles, and laughs each one of us knew that this was the start of something epic. I have never meet people who act exactly like me, have the same humor, and simple put…not normal. Even though I miss friends at Richland Northeast it’s good to know that I have people at A.C. Flora I can trust, and who I honestly have fun with. And the age old

saying fits perfectly for our group…”Me and my girls don’t turn heads, we break necks.”

I And Love And You;

Today, while reading the liner notes for The Avett Brothers new album, i came across a mission statement. Non-profits are supposed to have mission statements but i'd never seen one from a band. The words are meant to explain some other words, the album's brave title, "I and Love and You". i found it all brilliant and wanted to share it with you.

Peace to you.
Jamie (Founder Of To Write Love On Her Arms)

*For Original Blog Post

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"The words "I" and "Love" and "You" are the watermark of humanity. Strung together, they convey our deepest sense of humility, of power, of truth. It is our most common sentiment, even as the feeling of it is so infinitely uncommon: each to proclaim these three words with his or her very own heart and mindset of reason (or lack thereof); a proclamation completely and perfectly new each time it is offered. Uttered daily and nightly by millions, the words are said in an unending array of circumstances : whispered to a newborn in a mothers arms; shared between best friends on the playground; in the form of sympathy - said by a girl to a boy, as the respect continues but the relationship does not. It is said too loudly by parents to embarassed children in the company of their friends, and by grown children - to their fading parents in hospital beds. The words are thought in the company of the photograph and said in the company of the gravestone. It is how we end our phone calls and our letters... the words at the bottom of the page that trump all those above it, a way to gracefully finish a message, however important or trivial, with the most meaningful gift of all : the communication of love. And yet the words themselves have been the victims of triviality, a ready replacement for lesser salutations among near strangers, burst forth casually as "love ya." Truly? To what degree? Why, how much, and for how long? These are questions befitting of the stature of love, though not the everyday banter of vague acquaintance. The words have also been twisted by the dark nature of deceit : To say "I love you" with a dramatic measure of synthetic emotion; a snare set by those who prey uponn fellow humanity, driven to whatever selfish end, to gain access to another's body, or their money, or their opportunity. In this realm, the proclamation is disgraced by one seeking to gain rather than to give. In any case, and by whatever inspiration, these words are woven deeply in to the fibers of our existence. Our longing to hear them from the right place

is maddeningly and simultaneously our finest strength and our most gentle weakness.The album "I and Love and You" is unashamedly defined by such a dynamic of duality. As living people, we are bound by this unavoidable parallel. We are powerful yet weak, capable yet temporary. Inevitably, an attempt to place honesty within an artistic avenue will follow suit. This is a piece which shows us as we are : products of love surrounded by struggle. The music herein is, in many ways, readable as both a milestone and an arrival. A chapter in the story of young men, it bridges the space between the uncertainty of youth and the reality of it's release. The record is full with the quality of the question and response. As far as questions go, there are plenty-normally residing within the tone and delivery of the lyrics themselves, which, ironically, are sung with so much confidence. Among songs and thoughts so driven and purposeful, the most basic relatable doubt comes through with a resounding clarity. Outside of the eternal theme of romantic love, the album speaks thankfully upon a landscape of light-filled rooms, word-filled pages, time machines, forgiveness, singing birds, ocean waves, art ,change, confessions of shortcomings, and reasons to continue on. Hope and a cause for smiling follow naturally. In the midst of all this, there are allusions to the less-than-ideal conditions of life : the loss of memory, the inability to control temper, insecurity, indecision, jaded indifference, and the general plague of former and current weakness. "I and Love and You" is an album of obvious human creation, chracterized by it's best and it's worst. Emotional imperfection is a reality for those who recorded the piece, just as it is for those who will hear it. The conclusion of the song from which the title is taken admits that the words "I love you" have become "hard to say". And perhaps that difficulty is as common as it's counterpart. Perhaps the inability to say these heaviest of words is as much a part of life as the lighthearted candor of those who say them without any difficulty at all. And so it ends with the phrase whispered to and by those of us most defeated and most elated... I and love and you..."

- The Avett Brothers

Untitled:

Don’t make me feel the way I seem

On a level such as yours

For the clothes I have on with such black gleam

Are not nearly me, for sure.

What could be near to what’s inside?

Is no fear, hate, or doubt

The love within that I cannot hide

My colors, no life without.

Times going fast and theres not much left

But I think I’ll be just fine

Stick to sound, keep mine, no theft

And keep the past behind

So please, if you will, don’t fear or hate

For music’s my life, my future, my fate.

By: Austin Chadwick