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Post by Arlon10 on Sept 30, 2018 6:56:22 GMT
When I was in high school many years ago I had a secret life few people knew about.
I worked in a restaurant. I remember it was never more than twenty hours a week though. It was somebody's "rule" that people in school could not have more than twenty hours of work a week even if they wanted more. My boss, the company, or perhaps some obscure organization or local community group thought it would hurt grades to let people in school have more than twenty hours. I wanted more as most kids did because we wanted the money, little that it was. My grades were fine. Not many people saw me there as I was behind the equipment most of the time. Only girl students got to work the cash register, or people who were not students.
I attended religious services regularly and not many people saw me there either as many people in high school find excuses to miss such services.
I was a regular participant in interscholastic debates and not many people saw me there either. Debate was never a popular event. At most of the debates there were only six people in the room, two people on each debate team, a judge and a timekeeper. Rarely there would be as many as fifteen or twenty people to see debates near the finals or debates by one of the bigger schools. Poetry recitals and competitions also took place at the same "speech" competitions and those got a lot bigger audience.
I never "liked" beer. I still don't. I can't understand why anyone would. It has some medicinal purposes, that's all. Once after debating a team from England I got a stomach virus that would not go away. I asked a coworker at the restaurant where I worked who was the bartender there what alcohol would be best for the purpose. He recommended bourbon. I used a bit of bourbon. It was awful, but the virus, for whatever reason finally went away.
I was never the "cool" one in the family. Some people only knew I existed because I was related to people who were cool. They only thought of me in those terms. They always hated me.
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Post by The Herald Erjen on Sept 30, 2018 7:07:32 GMT
It's okay, Arlon. People are different. For example, I still like beer, but I don't understand why potheads like pot, and I probably never will.
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Post by Arlon10 on Sept 30, 2018 7:46:16 GMT
It's okay, Arlon. People are different. For example, I still like beer, but I don't understand why potheads like pot, and I probably never will. If it should turn out that many of the things I write about are true and significant, and if people wonder how such a "black sheep" could do that, maybe they should consider I wasn't really as much a black sheep as they were led to believe. You know how people are though. They're going to believe what they want. I am not aware of any benefits of controlled substances, other than perhaps distraction. OldSamVimes seems to believe they might have some. I haven't seen any evidence myself. |
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Post by The Herald Erjen on Sept 30, 2018 8:16:34 GMT
It's okay, Arlon. People are different. For example, I still like beer, but I don't understand why potheads like pot, and I probably never will. If it should turn out that many of the things I write about are true and significant, and if people wonder how such a "black sheep" could do that, maybe they should consider I wasn't really as much a black sheep as they were led to believe. You know how people are though. They're going to believe what they want. I am not aware of any benefits of controlled substances, other than perhaps distraction. OldSamVimes seems to believe they might have some. I haven't seen any evidence myself. I try to keep an open mind about mushrooms. I've never done them myself, but perhaps they have a spiritual/religious value when used by responsible people. My nephew Jared is not one of those people.  |
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Post by Arlon10 on Sept 30, 2018 11:04:52 GMT
If it should turn out that many of the things I write about are true and significant, and if people wonder how such a "black sheep" could do that, maybe they should consider I wasn't really as much a black sheep as they were led to believe. You know how people are though. They're going to believe what they want. I am not aware of any benefits of controlled substances, other than perhaps distraction. OldSamVimes seems to believe they might have some. I haven't seen any evidence myself. I try to keep an open mind about mushrooms. I've never done them myself, but perhaps they have a spiritual/religious value when used by responsible people. My nephew Jared is not one of those people. If you believe the military is any less likely to abuse drugs you fell for the propaganda. They, especially in the lower ranks, are more likely to take big risks like that. |
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Post by The Herald Erjen on Sept 30, 2018 11:20:54 GMT
I try to keep an open mind about mushrooms. I've never done them myself, but perhaps they have a spiritual/religious value when used by responsible people. My nephew Jared is not one of those people. If you believe the military is any less likely to abuse drugs you fell for the propaganda. They, especially in the lower ranks, are more likely to take big risks like that. All Jared had to do in the National Guard was show up on certain dates in his uniform, and he couldn't even do that, so they kicked him out. I know he's not my real nephew, and I suspect he's a product of incest. He will turn 29 in November, and I have resigned myself. All he is now is all he is ever going to be. When he was tripping he talked with angels and Jim Morrison, but if they told him what I am telling you now he did not believe it, and he still thinks he is cute. |
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Post by progressiveelement on Sept 30, 2018 11:21:18 GMT
I try to keep an open mind about mushrooms. I've never done them myself, but perhaps they have a spiritual/religious value when used by responsible people. My nephew Jared is not one of those people. If you believe the military is any less likely to abuse drugs you fell for the propaganda. They, especially in the lower ranks, are more likely to take big risks like that. There have been incidents involving the guys with their fingers on the buttons to launch nukes. Two guys were caught dosing up on bath salts, one guy, on a trip to Russia, was discovered drunk off his tits after a three day bender. 😇 |
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Post by Arlon10 on Sept 30, 2018 11:27:12 GMT
If you believe the military is any less likely to abuse drugs you fell for the propaganda. They, especially in the lower ranks, are more likely to take big risks like that. All Jared had to do in the National Guard was show up on certain dates in his uniform, and he couldn't even do that, so they kicked him out. I know he's not my real nephew, and I suspect he's a product of incest. He will turn 29 in November, and I have resigned myself. All he is now is all he is ever going to be. When he was tripping he talked with angels and Jim Morrison, but if they told him what I am telling you now he did not believe it, and he still thinks he is cute. Why are topless bars close to large military bases? Is it because they feel protected by the soldiers? Or is it because the soldiers have money and the "hippies" do not? |
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Post by The Herald Erjen on Sept 30, 2018 11:28:52 GMT
All Jared had to do in the National Guard was show up on certain dates in his uniform, and he couldn't even do that, so they kicked him out. I know he's not my real nephew, and I suspect he's a product of incest. He will turn 29 in November, and I have resigned myself. All he is now is all he is ever going to be. When he was tripping he talked with angels and Jim Morrison, but if they told him what I am telling you now he did not believe it, and he still thinks he is cute. Why are topless bars close to large military bases? Is it because they feel protected by the soldiers? Or is it because the soldiers have money and the "hippies" do not? The latter. |
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Post by progressiveelement on Sept 30, 2018 11:29:27 GMT
All Jared had to do in the National Guard was show up on certain dates in his uniform, and he couldn't even do that, so they kicked him out. I know he's not my real nephew, and I suspect he's a product of incest. He will turn 29 in November, and I have resigned myself. All he is now is all he is ever going to be. When he was tripping he talked with angels and Jim Morrison, but if they told him what I am telling you now he did not believe it, and he still thinks he is cute. Why are topless bars close to large military bases? Is it because they feel protected by the soldiers? Or is it because the soldiers have money and the "hippies" do not? There are topless bars near me? WTf?!!! Boobies, here I come!!!! |
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Post by The Herald Erjen on Sept 30, 2018 11:34:19 GMT
Why are topless bars close to large military bases? Is it because they feel protected by the soldiers? Or is it because the soldiers have money and the "hippies" do not? There are topless bars near me? WTf?!!! Boobies, here I come!!!! Welshman killed by two torpedoes in the face. Film at eleven.  |
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Post by Arlon10 on Sept 30, 2018 11:44:27 GMT
Why are topless bars close to large military bases? Is it because they feel protected by the soldiers? Or is it because the soldiers have money and the "hippies" do not? The latter. That and many soldiers are young and not living under their parents' watchful eyes.. |
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Post by Arlon10 on Sept 30, 2018 11:53:41 GMT
Why are topless bars close to large military bases? Is it because they feel protected by the soldiers? Or is it because the soldiers have money and the "hippies" do not? There are topless bars near me? WTf?!!! Boobies, here I come!!!! Time was. I've been in a lot of these debates, you can tell. At one time it became obvious that near a military base was the most lucrative place to put a topless bar. Things might have really changed or they might have been made less obvious. I haven't checked lately. |
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Post by progressiveelement on Sept 30, 2018 11:57:11 GMT
There are topless bars near me? WTf?!!! Boobies, here I come!!!! Time was. I've been in a lot of these debates, you can tell. At one time it became obvious that near a military base was the most lucrative place to put a topless bar. Things might have really changed or they might have been made less obvious. I haven't checked lately. The nearest ones are in Cardiff and Bridgend. In the immediate area....a few pubs...the beach......😩 |
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Post by Arlon10 on Sept 30, 2018 12:00:46 GMT
Time was. I've been in a lot of these debates, you can tell. At one time it became obvious that near a military base was the most lucrative place to put a topless bar. Things might have really changed or they might have been made less obvious. I haven't checked lately. The nearest ones are in Cardiff and Bridgend. In the immediate area....a few pubs...the beach......😩 I believe you are blessed, somewhat at least, if not more. Wales might be a whole lot different from the USA past and present. |
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Post by goz on Sept 30, 2018 22:03:38 GMT
This is one of the funniest threads I have ever read on here!  |
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Post by OldSamVimes on Sept 30, 2018 23:22:13 GMT
It's okay, Arlon. People are different. For example, I still like beer, but I don't understand why potheads like pot, and I probably never will. If it should turn out that many of the things I write about are true and significant, and if people wonder how such a "black sheep" could do that, maybe they should consider I wasn't really as much a black sheep as they were led to believe. You know how people are though. They're going to believe what they want. I am not aware of any benefits of controlled substances, other than perhaps distraction. OldSamVimes seems to believe they might have some. I haven't seen any evidence myself. That's ironic because I believe one of the reasons you have the intellect and self awareness necessary to contemplate these issues is the fact our ancestors used natural psychoactive substances. You can't lump all controlled substances together. Some are controlled for legitimate health reasons and some for political and emotional reasons. They are not all the same. |
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Post by Arlon10 on Oct 1, 2018 0:51:05 GMT
If it should turn out that many of the things I write about are true and significant, and if people wonder how such a "black sheep" could do that, maybe they should consider I wasn't really as much a black sheep as they were led to believe. You know how people are though. They're going to believe what they want. I am not aware of any benefits of controlled substances, other than perhaps distraction. OldSamVimes seems to believe they might have some. I haven't seen any evidence myself. That's ironic because I believe one of the reasons you have the intellect and self awareness necessary to contemplate these issues is the fact our ancestors used natural psychoactive substances. You can't lump all controlled substances together. Some are controlled for legitimate health reasons and some for political and emotional reasons. They are not all the same. I suspect a lot of it is because the disadvantages were eventually found to outweigh the advantages. Look at the history of laudanum. As for the more "psychoactive" drugs I am not aware of any documented benefits. |
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Post by OldSamVimes on Oct 1, 2018 17:23:13 GMT
That's ironic because I believe one of the reasons you have the intellect and self awareness necessary to contemplate these issues is the fact our ancestors used natural psychoactive substances. You can't lump all controlled substances together. Some are controlled for legitimate health reasons and some for political and emotional reasons. They are not all the same. I suspect a lot of it is because the disadvantages were eventually found to outweigh the advantages. Look at the history of laudanum. As for the more "psychoactive" drugs I am not aware of any documented benefits. "Earlier this year, the Beckley/Imperial Psilocybin and Depression study showed that two low to medium doses of psilocybin reduced depressive symptoms in 67 per cent of participants, with 42 per cent remaining depression-free after three months. Participants in this study had all suffered from depression for at least 18 years and been completely unresponsive to any other forms of treatment. " From this article. " In her final days of life, Mara underwent carefully supervised psychotherapy sessions under the influence of MDMA, LSD and psilocybin "magic" mushrooms. The treatments eased her pain, and she was able to get out of bed to take walks in a nearby park. The drugs also helped Mara reach a deep sense of acceptance of her imminent death. Vassallo, Mara's hospice care provider, says this was the only time in decades of working in hospice that she's witnessed psychedelic therapy playing a role, but that the results were astounding. "[For Mara] it was just always about pain, pain, pain, pain, pain, pain, no matter what we did," Vassallo said. "And we did a lot ... to try to control her pain, and really nothing worked. My theory is that the pain ---- I don't think it was conscience, but it was on the subconscious level ---- [Mara] needed to have the pain, because if everyone was focused on the pain, that kept everyone unfocused on the fact that this 32-year-old was dying." Vassallo said the psychedelic-assisted therapy seemed to open Mara up to the reality of the situation, and allow her a sense of peace in her final days." Psychedelics could change how we look at death. |
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Post by Arlon10 on Oct 2, 2018 0:18:10 GMT
I suspect a lot of it is because the disadvantages were eventually found to outweigh the advantages. Look at the history of laudanum. As for the more "psychoactive" drugs I am not aware of any documented benefits. "Earlier this year, the Beckley/Imperial Psilocybin and Depression study showed that two low to medium doses of psilocybin reduced depressive symptoms in 67 per cent of participants, with 42 per cent remaining depression-free after three months. Participants in this study had all suffered from depression for at least 18 years and been completely unresponsive to any other forms of treatment. " From this article. " In her final days of life, Mara underwent carefully supervised psychotherapy sessions under the influence of MDMA, LSD and psilocybin "magic" mushrooms. The treatments eased her pain, and she was able to get out of bed to take walks in a nearby park. The drugs also helped Mara reach a deep sense of acceptance of her imminent death. Vassallo, Mara's hospice care provider, says this was the only time in decades of working in hospice that she's witnessed psychedelic therapy playing a role, but that the results were astounding. "[For Mara] it was just always about pain, pain, pain, pain, pain, pain, no matter what we did," Vassallo said. "And we did a lot ... to try to control her pain, and really nothing worked. My theory is that the pain ---- I don't think it was conscience, but it was on the subconscious level ---- [Mara] needed to have the pain, because if everyone was focused on the pain, that kept everyone unfocused on the fact that this 32-year-old was dying." Vassallo said the psychedelic-assisted therapy seemed to open Mara up to the reality of the situation, and allow her a sense of peace in her final days." Psychedelics could change how we look at death.<video src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPm8KeCxa8g"> If people say they feel "better" I'm not going to argue with them and say no they don't. That wouldn't make any sense. I would remind though that harmful effects are also noted. The disorientation that always happens can be very disturbing, leading to intense paranoia. A milder case of paranoia was portrayed in the movie, The Tingler. Dr. Warren Chapin (Vincent Price) was experimenting with a psychoactive drug. It's only a movie of course, but real life disorientation and paranoia happen. A long lasting effect can be a remarkable change in personality with a loss of goals observed in even cases of limited use of marijuana. The women near death in the case study you linked obviously was at a stage in life where long term goals were less an issue. |
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