Well 311 nation, it’s Monday again. I’m back at work after 11 days off and attempting to readjust to reality that 311 Day is over. So let’s distract ourselves by focusing on something more positive! I introduce to you this weeks fan spotlight – Kyleen Mendez!
Kyleen became a fan of 311 thanks to her high school boyfriend “Eon.” He and his friends were obsessed with the band and constantly listening to them, so it eventually wore off on Kyleen. “There is just something about their music, the lyrics, the riffs, the melodies; they all come together and it’s magic to my ears.”
Kyleen was born in Texas and was a Navy brat, so she traveled a lot. She followed in her parents footsteps and joined the Navy herself back in 2008. Thanks to the Navy, Kyleen has lived in a variety of places like Scotland, Japan, California and Oklahoma. She also spent four years stationed in Norfolk, Virginia on an aircraft carrier that went out to the middle of the sea often. This made it difficult for her to see 311 live as much as she would have liked. She has seen them a total of six times, but that’s not including the second and third cruise. Plus she just recently made the trek to New Orleans to see her first 311 Day!
Even though the Navy didn’t enable her to see many 311 shows, she said she is making up for lost time now by seeing them as much as she can. She is now stationed in Fort Worth, Texas in shore duty, so she doesn’t have to travel out to sea. Even though Kyleen joined the Navy to travel, she also is a self-proclaimed “momma’s girl” so she chose to be stationed back in Texas to be closer to home. Since moving back she has met some truly amazing people. “I have met some of the most amazing, kind and helpful people through the Familia. The Stone family has been such a great help and taken me in as their own ‘adopted’ daughter!”
While Kyleen hasn’t been to many events or shows, she said the third cruise would have to be her all time favorite that she has attended. She went on the second cruise but didn’t know many people then. By the end of the second cruise she had made lifelong friendships thanks to 311. She said the last deck show on the third cruise just had her in tears. “Just the coming together of so many people, the experience was just amazing! And to be able to experience that with my friends was great!”
Kyleen said “Long for the Flowers” is her all time favorite song, but it’s the lyrics “from chaos comes clarity” that have impacted her in a huge way. She has the lyrics tattooed across her chest because it’s always been a quote that means something to her and as she said, “I believe it goes for everyone. No matter how down you get, it will always get better. You have to go through the bad sometimes before you get the good!”
Kyleen obviously loves 311, but she also says she can listen to almost anything country (She loves George Strait!). Along with that, she has, like many of us, found a love for many of the bands that have toured with 311 or been on the cruises. Some of her other favorites are The Dirty Heads, Bad Rabbits, Bumpin’ Uglies, J. Randy, and Full Service. She says other than 311 shows, Mindless Self Indulgence shows are some of her favorite to go to because they have so much energy!
Kyleen has done the cruise pictures with the band and also met SA at one of the Ghostwolf shows, so she’s clearly had the opportunity to speak to them and express her thanks. However, she did tell me that she’d just like to tell them that “they rock and their music has been an amazing stitch to so many friendships to so many people around the world!” Well stated! 🙂
So now you’ve all met Kyleen! One more person in the sea of positive people that shares the love for 311 and brings the message of unity to the world! I leave you all with her words to all of you:
“Stay positive and love your life! I love you all and I am blessed to have met you guys. Y’all have made the past four years amazing!”
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Hope you enjoyed this weeks edition of the spotlight! Until next time, have a 311-tastic week! “The continuous life there is no end…” – The Runt