Mike RIvera Fire and Ice

Mike Rivera- Fire and Ice

Raleigh North Carolina

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,  
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Robert Frost knew the magical imagery polar opposites hold; so must it be true for Mike Rivera. The first thing one notices about this quiet unassuming cross between Zac Brown and Kevin Smith is his shy quirky smiling eyes hidden behind his glasses and his symbolic ink work.

Emblazoned on each arm is a star one filled with liquid water the other with liquid fire. He explains how to him they represent life and death. Fire being death and water representing the ultimate rebirth of everything. So, I suppose Mike would favor those who have tasted desire in Frost’s opinion.  And once meeting him I would happen to agree.

I chose this representation, because this symbolism, this imagery goes much farther, much deeper than just life and death. It is the entire representation of Mike’s existence. And I don’t even think he is aware of how great the decision of that particular tattoo would be the representation of the core that is Mike Rivera.

Let’s start with heritage. Irish and Puerto Rican. Fire and Ice. The Red hot passionate temperamental Irish and Puerto Rican stereotypes mixed with the cool, laid back have another beer and relax attitude.Moving on to where he resides. Born and raised in New York, the land of bright lights and big cities, he’s now nestled in valley of South Carolina.

Even his personality has a duality to it. In group, he can hide behind social media and let his freak flag fly a bit; let that fire burn. His wit, charm, sexual humor, seeps in through the cracks of the posts, but in person his cool water flows over you. He’s open and light and airy, very social, he doesn’t mind sharing his rough childhood, stories of his son, his passion for music, and his past relationships even; but the fire behind the social media screen has been tempered by the waters of his own personal soul. The only time it is truly ignited is when he speaks about Crystal, the Twisted group Founder.

If Mike is Water, cool and collected, then Crystal is definitely Fire and she ignites not only the passion of everyone in the group, but certainly of Mr. Rivera. But this post is not about Crystal, we will get to hers, this post is about Mike, and what I can say is that that their 20 year friendship has been build out of love, trust, and mutual respect. I’m not sure what kind of man Mike might have turned out to be without knowing Crystal? Probably fine, I definitely think a lot shyer, quieter, hiding always behind his guitar instead of stepping out from behind it occasionally.

It’s ironic that the name Crystal is an ice formation, when it is clear that Crystal is Mike’s Fire and Mike is Crystal’s Calming Ice. She ignites his personality, she is his creative muse, and she burns for her friend’s feelings and needs. And in return Mike soothes Crystal’s anger and temperament. He is there when she needs to vent and needs to calm down. Mike is that cool glass of water, that refreshing beer on a hot afternoon. He gives you fresh perspective on how to handle different situations. Everyone should have a Crystal and a Mike in their lives.

Women just to let you know he is single, but speaks very highly of a few in our group. Unfortunately, he doesn’t use social media for dating, having had bad experiences in the past, but I am sure he would make an exception for one of our twisted family members. And everybody should get a chance to meet this loveable mild mannered Clark Kent just waiting to be someone’s Superman.

We all have people who come into our lives; we can never be sure of what roles they will play. But they leave their marks on us, and like Crystal, the burn crevices into our souls, shape our minds and hearts and help us become the people we are. It is clear that their love has changed and developed over time; what was once passion and friendship, is now familial and bonding.

 That is the beauty of social media, it connects likeminded people so that we might be touched by these individuals. As my readers look upon these words, think about you have met in these groups. Think upon when you have been fire and when you have been ice. Who has ignited your soul and whose fears have you calmed.