Who are you?

[Halo]

Welcome Maynard fans!!

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you found your way here.

Nice to have you. Enjoy yourself!

[lilacJ]

Hey, am an avid fan of MJK, his hot body and the rest of him.....

Was invited by alienation, thank you girlfriend, this site is fabulous, and once it's off the ground it'll be phenominal... lets hope not too many catfights over who adores him more...

I'm based in the UK, so I'd be online while everyone is asleep, dreaming of MJK no doubt.....

I'm very glad to be apart of you're brilliant site, and I trust we will have many-a-day and night perving over this gorgeous piece of artwork g-d created.... ;D

[Nyarlathotep]

Hello everyone,

My nickname here is Nyarlathotep, but you may call me by my real name, Alida. I've been a rabid A Perfect Circle and TOOL fan since 2000, when I saw APC open for Nine Inch Nails on the Fragility tour. That night in Worcester, MA, the day before my 21st birthday, I fell in love with Maynard and his hauntingly beautiful voice. I bought Mer de Noms the day it came out and listened to it at least once a day for the next few weeks, and shortly after purchased all of the TOOL albums to date.

I didn't always love Maynard, however. I first heard TOOL in 1994 when "Prison Sex" was released as a single. As a sexual abuse survivor, this song really hit home for me and I realized that I had not even begun to heal from my childhood trauma. I started going to therapy sessions and started writing about child abuse in an attempt to resolve my own issues as well as let other survivors know that they are not alone. Even though hearing "Prison Sex" inspired me and aided my healing process, I was afraid of TOOL's image and thought that Maynard was a freak. It didn't help when the radio stations overplayed many of the songs on Aenima, further increasing my hatred.

If it weren't for A Perfect Circle, I probably never would have realized what an amazing person Maynard is and would have deprived myself of hearing his powerful, healing lyrics. In March of 2004, I joined the APC message board thirteenthstep.net and recently "met" alienation, who told me about this forum. Thank you all for allowing me to share my Maynard story, and I look forward to posting with you!

[alienation]

Welcome Alida, and thanks for being so candid. I think it's great that his music has allowed you to confront your past. I don't think bottling it up is healthy.

So I guess it's my turn....
I'm 26 & a single mom. I just graduated college (took me long enough huh?) and am currently job hunting.
I've been a Maynard fan for 11 years!! Since I first got into tool at age 15, and have loved all his work ever since. I found the thirteenth step message board after checking out the tour journal on .net. I met Halo there (and many of y'all) and the rest is history...
I've been having fun talking to some like minded people, cause I think what music you like can say a lot about a person.

[Halo]

I just want to welcome our new members here! Thanks for coming and sharing your stories. I hope you enjoy yourself here. That's what this place is for.

I may not be around as much as I'd like to, but I'll try to be here as much as I can.

I saw a need for a place for MJK fans to congregate, share stories, share pics and vids and not have to be labeled "fangirls" by members of other sites. Although that is what we are.....it can be looked down upon.

I didn't like seeing people labeled and looked down upon because of their admiration and respect for an amazing artist.

So I opened this for us "fangirls". Here, you can show your admiration, your respect for MJK and his art. You can be silly and have fun with your lust for dear MJK also. And you can do it all without fear of someone slamming you.

Have fun!!

[lilacJ]

Hey, well I thought an open introduction would've been a bit personal, so I didn't say much about myself...

My name is Jo, I'm 28, single mum, my son is 4 years old. I have been through 2 abusive marriages, mentally and almost physically, however my son was the victim in my second marriage, which I ended as soon as I found out he was being hurt.....
I've put most of my past behind me, or so I thought.... I've been separated from my last husband for almost 2 years now, and I met the most wonderful man I could even meet over a website. We've connected on a level that I've never enountered before..... He introduced me to TOOL, and then to APC. I managed to get all the albums from both bands within a month I was listening to them..... MJK's words have helped me pull alot of emotions I supressed over the years, and has been my comforter ever since. He has a world of experience, and has made me realise that life is just a bit too short, and although you feel dead inside, there are people living around you.
My logic is not known to many people, and I find there are so many people that are not willing to think further than what the state or religions tell them to. MJK has opened my window and lets me be free, free in his music to draw again, free to think again, free to remember.

We are all free souls, and it's up to us to make a difference.

Love to you all.....
J

Alida, I'd like to read some of your stuff, I'm also taking an interest into abuse survivors, as I have someone very dear to me who has suffered this.... I'll be in contact soon.

[Halo]

Wow. It seems as though we all may have a bit more in common than our admiration for Mr. Keenan and his music.

I was sexually abused as a child. I was married to an abusive alcoholic and addict.

Music literally saved my life as a teenager. It showed me that there could be horrible pain in life, but there is always a way through. I would listen to songs of pain and realize this person had been in pain and came out the other end. And not only did he make it out, but he could sing about it!!

Music continues to be my comforter, my friend. It is always there when I need it. It soothes your soul, comforts you and heals your spirit.

The respect I have for musicians who take their life experiences, turn them in to art and hand them to us, to help us also heal, is beyond words.

I think I am going to be very glad I opened this site. It's not just a site for "fangirls", which I thought it would just be. It's also a place to be yourself, share your stories, help each other. (And yea, get silly and gaga over 'Nard pictures!) :-)

You all take care. I hope to get to know all of you.

*Hugs*

[Nyarlathotep]

I believe that wounded ones tend to find one another easily, and music (or any art) seems to be the medium by which we find each other. One of my favorite Maynard/TOOL quotes goes something like this: "When there is no pain, there is neither the reason nor the desire to think or create."

I've considered asking Skwerl if he could create a forum for abuse survivors on thirteenth step, but I decided not to, due to the large volume of people on the site and the number of idiots there. Maybe this message board will remain a safe place for us to share anything and everything.

[Halo]

Nyarlathotep, you can rest assured that this is and always will be a safe place.

I'm not advertising this site as I'd like to keep it a bit more intimate. Word of mouth is fine, as I know that it will be you guys inviting people and I have faith in your trust of the people you invite. I don't care that it won't be some huge, popular board. I'd rather keep it small and genuine.

I know we all have that undying lust for the nard, but I think we have stumbled on to more than that. As you said, "I believe that wounded ones tend to find one another easily, and music (or any art) seems to be the medium by which we find each other"

I'd rather have a few people that "find each other" and do feel safe here, than have a huge board with no intimacy and people not comfortable in sharing.

And besides the "fangirl" aspect, I think we all know, the music really is more important than the lust for the musician. At least for me it is. We can gawk and drool, but ultimately it is the music.

My respect for MJK's music far outweighs the lust for the man. But that's just me and my opinion. (But that doesn't mean I can't find him sexy as hell!!) :-)

[alienation]

I think you are totally right. And I hope we can find more like minded fangirls. It is probably hard to find people who both respect him and worship his sexiness at the same time!!!!

[Halo]

Yea, I agree alienation.

But the respect HAS to be there for me.

[lilacJ]

This is all so true!

I only found Maynard's sex appeal came after his music affected my life. I thought he was nice looking at first, as he is the type of man that I look for, weird that I have never really married or sourced this type before, I always have seem to have attracted the complete opposite.
Funny how we reflect completey differently to what we really like and end up getting burnt!

His voice sends me into a trance, he's got the most amazing vocalisation I've ever heard.

"I believe that wounded ones tend to find one another easily, and music (or any art) seems to be the medium by which we find each other" This statement is so true, I found the man of my dreams when I was in my most desparate frame of mind, when I'd thought that this was it for me by way of finding someone that I can love, and that I'd be lonely, not alone (as I have a wonderful son), for the rest of my days. He was the one who brought me to TOOL and APC. It does seem that I may lose him (although we are not an item), for circumstance beyond my control, and if I do, I will hold in my heart forever.....

Yes, I too have the utmost respect for MJK, as you so rightly put PV, this outweighs the lust for the man. It's just SO nice to drool and gaga over him.

[Tzarina]

Halo said:

I didn't like seeing people labeled and looked down upon because of their admiration and respect for an amazing artist.

Have fun!!

I know, i just don't understand these judgemental people... all my love of Maynard is at a musical and poetic level... i actually do not have any type of crush on him, i just feel he is THE best frontman in music today...and maybe ever.
My professional and artistic respect for MJK is unsurpassed by anyone, and I would consider he, along with Kate Bush, my two largest musical influences.
I am glad there is a place where we can discuss everything Maynard and not have random annoyances popping in their posts...
Thanks to Halo and Alienantion for having me.
Oh, i think most know me... I am a thrity year old female. I am single. Overeducated. And I love animals. I am a vocalist and writer of poetry, music, and prose. And by profession, I am currently an Animal Behaviourist/Psychologist and author.
I've had an insane rollercoaster ride life. And I look most forward to getting to know all of you better and learning your stories too...
~Lisha

[alienation]

Tzarina said:

Overeducated.

LOL, there is no such thing!! Hurray for educated people!

Education leads to empathy, compassion, and respect. If only more people were 'overeducated'.

[Halo]

Welcome to the board Tzarina! Nice to have. I'll be looking forward to getting to know you better also.

Have fun while you're here, enjoy yourself and if you need anything just ask!