Bob Dylan’s, Blood on the Tracks blares in the background as I write this. My introduction to Dylan happened through U2’s cover of All Along the Watch Tower in their widely-derided rockumentary, Rattle & Hum. My dad was annoyed with Bono (still is) so he was quick to criticize their rendition and to point me to the original. “At a minimum, you should listen to Jimi Hendrix’s version to fully appreciate the song”. Dad was right of course. Watch Tower is powerful piece of writing and whether or not you dig U2’s effort, you know you’re dealing with a song that requires some respect. Turn your nose up to Bob’s singing and you’ll see sympathetic nods, but question his song writing and you’ll be publicly shamed.
Blood on The Tracks was a comeback for Dylan. After enjoying a meteoric rise in the 60s, Dylan’s work was less remarkable and he enjoyed fewer hits and less praise. He recorded it the year I was born, 1974. Dylan was estranged from his wife at the time and while he’s repeatedly denied any autobiographical link, the album has been described as “the truest, most honest account of a love affair from tip to stern ever put down on magnetic tape”. It was the vulnerability, stripped down sound, and masterful recording that helped Blood on The Tracks become one of Dylan’s most highly acclaimed recordings. He was bleeding all over the album and the public lapped it up. Dylan can be snarky; regarding Blood on the Tracks, he said this: “A lot of people tell me they enjoyed that album. It’s hard for me to relate to that—I mean, people enjoying that type of pain.”
This brings me to F3. Enjoyable pain. There’s something about punishing your body in the company of other sufferers that’s oddly attractive. The crooning of Dylan…unpacking a heart-hurt. Burpees. Self-inflicted blows for our betterment. I get pummeled, you get thrashed, and yet we both come back for more.
And this…brings me to the @F3FreedtoBleed campaign. If there’s a better example of submitting yourself to some discomfort for the betterment of yourself and others, I’m not aware of it. @F3Nation has the goal of donating 10,000 pints of life-giving blood. This may be our best CSAUP yet (Completely Smart and Utterly Purposeful). The Red Cross tells me one pint of red has the potential to save the lives of three people and that every 2 seconds someone in America needs blood. When was the last time you saved someone’s life? I didn’t think so…
It’s time for the PAX of @F3SwampRabbit to raise their sleeves and get their hurt on. Challenge: 100 pints before the end of 2020. I know, I know…less than 38% of the population is eligible to give blood or platelets. But, everyone can help by finding a friend to donate in their place, or by organizing a drive.
What: F3 Swamp Rabbit Blood Drive
When: Friday, September 18, 2-7 PM
Where: Boiling Springs FD Station 15, 208 Blacks Drive, Greenville, SC 29615
How to Donate Blood:
- Go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=F3
- Sign Up to donate blood.
- Show up for your scheduled time on September 18.
How to Volunteer Day of Event:
- Sign up on the Volunteer Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QO4fUVXGuFqaPWaJjm9xX-YrtbX9qYqPflC3D8VhMeU/edit?usp=sharing
How to Host Another Drive
- DM F3 Caviar at @WesWhitesell or text him at (864)275-3584.