My signed and framed Portnoy poster is mocking me...
I've got a signed and framed Systematic Chaos print that is pretty much laughing at me.
No it's not. It's screaming "I AM THE LAAAAAAAAAAAST (one of these you'll ever be getting)".
I've been making sure to keep a few basic facts in mind, with all this, personally:
1 - the band didn't break up. ONE member left... just one of five.
2 - it's entirely possible for your favorite band to no longer exist as it once did, and still be your favorite band
3 - the music and concerts and experiences that I was fortunate enough to share with this incarnation of this band aren't going to go away just because MP does -- I still have the music and the memories and the experiences, and they're all fantastic
4 - they're all still alive, so there's always chance for a reunion.. if one had died I'd be wishing to God that he'd only left. Maybe I got my wish already and don't know it.. and here I am bitching. Shame on me.
What great fucking memories I've made with the help of Dream Theater (MP edition) -- I'm glad for all of them.