Ladies and gentlemen, if you will kindly direct your attention to the front of the room. Submitted humbly for your approval is One Life One Chance, a new project headed by H2O front man Toby Morse. The straight edge for life singer has started taking his good, clean fun lifestyle to the kids by doing speaking engagements in classrooms to show an alternative to the drug and alcohol pressures faced by youth. As anyone familiar with the music of the hardcore stalwarts knows, Toby has always used H2O as a chance to spread his message of healthy living. Morse, 40, has yet to take a drink, drag, toke, bump, line, or whatever. Yet he has carefully made sure to never be overly preachy about it, always just making it known that choosing not to smoke, drink or drug has been a positive choice for him. Also, Toby has never insulated himself; from the very beginning, he has been surrounded by the same pressures as anyone else. H2O has been playing shows with Jimmy Gestapo and Murphy's Law for years, and that guy can't even play a 40 minute set without his Jagermeister bottle and a spliff, for Pete's sake. Toby's choice is for real; he means it 'cause he lives it.
One Life One Chance is a 45 minute presentation that chronicles Toby's life growing up in Washington, DC and continues through relocating to NYC and his experience in the punk rock scene. Morse now lives in LA, married with a son. Using a power point slide show, he shows how his lifestyle affected him, both in the immediate and long term senses, and urges kids not to fall victim to peer pressure and to make responsible choices. He not only exposes kids to the straight edge lifestyle, but also touches on the importance of active living and healthy eating habits, including vegetarianism, and the power of positive mental attitude and self image.
Now, we here at I Hope You're Not Squeamish have always believed in the existence of an animal that can indulge in spirits in a responsible and reasonable manner. We can claim no personal allegiance to the straight edge way of life, but we will fully support anyone who is trying to genuinely help people, especially kids. Plus, there is a world of difference between chemically altering yourself because you like it and want to and can handle the consequences, and doing it simply because everyone else is. Take a look at the feedback section on One Life One Chance's website. Some of these kids legitimately have never considered that you can be crazy and wild without partying. Kids do need to be reminded that you truly can be an individual (though it is sometimes scary and you will feel alienated) and that your choices, whatever they may be, shape who you become. We award 27 gold stars to Toby Morse for One Life One Choice and fully encourage you to book him to speak to your class/school/religious group/community group/whatever if you are the kind of person who can arrange such things. Scout's honor, you won't be disappointed.
One Life One Chance
H2O
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