Hey everybody, Doro here. As mentioned, I haven’t really been able to do as much with FYM lately as I want to, because I’m in my last semester of college. Yes, I will be graduating college with a Bachelor of Science degree in about three months. Currently I’m taking six classes and I’m still working during the afternoon, so there’s a lot of pressure heaped on me these days.

The reason why I’m sharing this info on Fuck Yeah Mastodon is because I have a very simple request - I would be very honored if Brann, Susanne, and Brent attended my college graduation ceremony. I am also extending this invite to Laura Pleasants and Phillip Cope of Kylesa. The ceremony is on Saturday, May 5th, 2012 at 10:00 AM EST at the McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, TN.

Now I know that it seems very silly that I would invite some musicians that I’m only on acquaintance level with to something as personal as a celebration of academic achievement, but there’s a really good reason for it. The past three years of my life have been very difficult, as I have struggled with depression, anxiety, and feeling somewhat hopeless. There were times when Mastodon and Kylesa’s music was literally the only things motivating me to keep my head up.

Last October, my depression grew to a level to where I could no longer manage it, and I was contemplating suicide. I was sent to a mental health institution for a few days - it was the first time I had ever sought professional help for my problems. Here’s where Mastodon fits in to this story - the day I was admitted to the mental hospital was the same day as the Little 5 parade in Atlanta. A mutual friend heard about what was happening to me and told Brent about it. The message Brent relayed back to me was “Tell her that I love her”.

You have no idea how little things like that can really help a person stay strong. Brent, as wild and crazy of a fucker that he can be, actually said he loved me and wanted me to pull through. Brann and his wife Susanne have also been incredibly kind and supportive in the past couple of years, and they are the main reason why I try to make Fuck Yeah Mastodon the best website possible. Having all three of them at my graduation would mean a whole hell of a lot.

The same goes for Phil and Laura, especially on Phil’s behalf - after I left the mental hospital, I saw a message in my Facebook inbox from Phil where he told me about some of his own struggles with depression over the years. He was there for me at a time when I needed people in my life more than ever. I feel so lucky that he and Laura have both been so hands-on with Fuck Yeah Kylesa and helping me out with content. It’s definitely a blessing.

By sharing a lot of these personal things with site readers, I want fans to understand that the “woman behind the curtain” of this site is really just another fan like you, albeit a very lucky one. I’m also not suggesting that anyone in Mastodon or Kylesa have to do anything regarding my graduation, but I do really, really want them to be there. The ceremony is only two hours long and the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport will get them the hell out of town as soon as it ends. It would just be really cool if five people whose music have made me smile at times when a smile seemed impossible could watch me walk across the stage in my cap and gown. Just a small request.

To all followers, I would appreciate it if you re-blogged this post, especially if you like the idea of the aforementioned people attending my graduation ceremony. Maybe if more fans say “yes”, the band members will say “yes”, too.

If anyone in either band reads this, I thank you graciously for the love and support I’ve gotten from you. There are times when I’ve been a giant spazz or I’ve been obnoxious, but in the end, I hope I’m still kind of a pesky kid sister that you don’t mind having in your hair too much. Let’s make 2012 a great year.

Doro