A delight. Q: why are the shoes such a tell? Years ago, an addiction counselor relayed to me the experience of checking in with an outpatient who seemed maybe just slightly off. But when the counselor took one look at dude's sneakers, which he'd apparently spray-painted gold, he blurted out, "Tom, you're using!"
Was Amy Dresner in your orbit in those days? It seems like you two may have had some overlap in the SF Meth post Punk Bicycle Messenger Era. I too was self medicating with coke and speed in those lost years after HS. Later it was E laced with speed. Undiagnosed combination ADHD until age 55. Now I take Adderall legally and drink coffee like the fiend that I am. I hope you are well girlfriend ❤️
This is the thing about actually most amphetamines. The emerging psychosis isn’t perceived by the user. Near me was a man who held up his hand to stop a truck (after just 3 days on Benzedrine), and got away with a broken hip. Another guy I knew distantly stopped eating and just played pool until his skin was sagging and he collapsed. The destruction of health due to direct and indirect causes is so “bad for business “ that here, where I live in Montreal, the Hell’s gang ended meth as well as meth blend dealing. The police, as they are in most places are ineffective, but the Hell’s gave a single, very clear warning, which I was told was 100% effective. I gather that the Montreal mafias have now included “benzodope” in banned drugs. If you drive just two hours, you can see throngs of “dippers” bent over at the waist and waving about like spastic kelp forests. The “benzodope” blend of Chinese mixed horse benzos and fentanyl is actually worse than meth in health destruction (including permanent back injuries). Narcan will cancel the opiates but since the mixed benzodiazepines are not opiates and because they suppress breathing and swallowing, the emergency saviour drug is, …….amphetamines.
I'm sorry, I don't mean to be crude, but "FUCK YES!" Were the resounding words in my mind's ear as I finished reading this surprisingly triumphant essay.
"But there I was, the day of Dave’s concert, higher than a rabbit’s screaming voice, sitting on a picnic blanket in Union Square surrounded by multiple stretched out wire hangers with little pink plastic babies hanging off of the ends, covered in bloody red paint. I thought they were sort of festive, like sparklers or little flags, and I sat on the sidewalk waving them merrily."
"I felt like this was some kind of victory — I was more morally bankrupt than Morally Bankrupt!"
I love ‘higher than a rabbit’s screaming voice’. 😀
A delight. Q: why are the shoes such a tell? Years ago, an addiction counselor relayed to me the experience of checking in with an outpatient who seemed maybe just slightly off. But when the counselor took one look at dude's sneakers, which he'd apparently spray-painted gold, he blurted out, "Tom, you're using!"
Was Amy Dresner in your orbit in those days? It seems like you two may have had some overlap in the SF Meth post Punk Bicycle Messenger Era. I too was self medicating with coke and speed in those lost years after HS. Later it was E laced with speed. Undiagnosed combination ADHD until age 55. Now I take Adderall legally and drink coffee like the fiend that I am. I hope you are well girlfriend ❤️
This is the thing about actually most amphetamines. The emerging psychosis isn’t perceived by the user. Near me was a man who held up his hand to stop a truck (after just 3 days on Benzedrine), and got away with a broken hip. Another guy I knew distantly stopped eating and just played pool until his skin was sagging and he collapsed. The destruction of health due to direct and indirect causes is so “bad for business “ that here, where I live in Montreal, the Hell’s gang ended meth as well as meth blend dealing. The police, as they are in most places are ineffective, but the Hell’s gave a single, very clear warning, which I was told was 100% effective. I gather that the Montreal mafias have now included “benzodope” in banned drugs. If you drive just two hours, you can see throngs of “dippers” bent over at the waist and waving about like spastic kelp forests. The “benzodope” blend of Chinese mixed horse benzos and fentanyl is actually worse than meth in health destruction (including permanent back injuries). Narcan will cancel the opiates but since the mixed benzodiazepines are not opiates and because they suppress breathing and swallowing, the emergency saviour drug is, …….amphetamines.
You took me back to my own speed days! What a rush!
You make me laugh. So fucking glad I found this corner of the internet! Only sad I missed Minimal Kitty IRL.
Another fantastic entry. I hope you bring back the abortion festival. You were ahead of your time - with or without the bathtub crank...
You had me at Minimal Kitty tarot cards
So you were in the Haight in the 90’s? Remember the Hotel Casa Loma. We might have met?? Hmm
Cintra, I feel like I've seen Minimal Kitty??? Do you have pictures?
Actually, Dave did appreciate your piece. It affected him at least as profoundly as it did the German.
I'm not sure if I knew Amy Dresner unless she went to Noh Club dressed in these crazy linen things she wrapped around herself.
I'm sorry, I don't mean to be crude, but "FUCK YES!" Were the resounding words in my mind's ear as I finished reading this surprisingly triumphant essay.
"But there I was, the day of Dave’s concert, higher than a rabbit’s screaming voice, sitting on a picnic blanket in Union Square surrounded by multiple stretched out wire hangers with little pink plastic babies hanging off of the ends, covered in bloody red paint. I thought they were sort of festive, like sparklers or little flags, and I sat on the sidewalk waving them merrily."
"I felt like this was some kind of victory — I was more morally bankrupt than Morally Bankrupt!"
I think Minimal Kitty needs a resurrection. Paint her and market that madness!
Lol of course it was a bent kraut who came out for bloody babes on sticks 😅