Shale Here

[Shale]

Hi,

I'm Shale on most places on the Web. Not that I am ashamed of that other guy's name but I don't want every little silly or inappropriate thing I might say on a forum board to show up on some search of Rob.

I have been a member of many forum boards, a couple are no longer and some I left because of "artistic differences." This one looks good so far and I have made several posts about Movies, my main thing.

I am old by many ppls standards, which means I have more history than many ppl (and More History Than Future). I was active in the Counter Culture of the 1970s, which included Free-Luv, Drugs and other Hippie stuff. So, yes I have had experience with drugs, mostly psychedelics and grass, which was the cultural sacrament. I tried downers - didn't like it and uppers REALLY LIKED IT. So, being a temperate person I never did speed again because it felt so good. I know that drugs are a trade-off - what gives you good-feeling rushes is actually taking a toll on your body. (I was lucky to have known some skinny, speed-freeks who rambled on to see what effects that good feeling did)

Never tried heroin - on the advice of a friend who used. He said "if you are ever really down you will always know there is somewhere you can go." So much for the image of a pusher, right? My partner Jim was strung out on smack and kicked it cold turkey before we ever hooked up. While we were together he only did occasional grass and booze. Oh, and cigarettes, apparently the most addictive drug there is.

I don't do drugs any more - except a little Red Wine and Coffee.

Oh, and you may have figured out that I am bisexual. Jim and I were together for 5 years from 1973-78. We traveled much of the world together, 2 trips thru Centro-America and 2 trips to India, the first one overland from Europe.

After Jim I fell in love with a woman and we were together for the next 18 years, 1980-98.

Both my partners have died.

So, I have had a lot of experience in this Journey so far.

 

[Karen J]

Oddly enough, I haven't yet found threads here on alcohol or caffeine, the most commonly used (and abused) drugs on earth.

 

[ComfortablyNumb95]

Hey welcome to Bluelight my man, nice introduction post.
Your friend's advice on never trying heroin is solid. I second his advice.

Oddly enough, I haven't yet found threads here on alcohol or caffeine, the most commonly used (and abused) drugs on earth.

There are some threads about alcohol but they're rare, almost nothing on nicotine tho, I guess people don't have many questions about it.

 

[Karen J]

Your friend's advice on never trying heroin is solid.

My sister had a bad experience with it too. Fatal, ultimately.

There are some threads about alcohol but they're rare, almost nothing on nicotine tho, I guess people don't have many questions about it.

I often disagree with friends who say they're against drugs, because their definition is too narrow. By a broader and more realistic definition, almost nobody is drug-free. We just draw the line in different places.

Another surprise I've had here is the lack of threads about weed legalization, which definitely leads to fewer incidents of harm from Mexican pesticides. I don't think weed prohibition has worked any better than alcohol prohibition did a hundred years ago.

 

[ComfortablyNumb95]

My sister had a bad experience with it too. Fatal, ultimately.

I know it probably doesn't mean much from a stranger over the internet, but I'm sincerely sorry for your loss.
Unfortunately I know how it feels like to suddenly lose an important person.

I often disagree with friends who say they're against drugs, because their definition is too narrow. By a broader and more realistic definition, almost nobody is drug-free. We just draw the line in different places.

I agree, like when someone looks down on your use of uppers/downers/weed or whatever while they got a beer in one hand a cigarette in the other.
It's also equally frustrating to hear from stoners that "weed isn't a drug", ugh. I hate that one so much.

Another surprise I've had here is the lack of threads about weed legalization, which definitely leads to fewer incidents of harm from Mexican pesticides. I don't think weed prohibition has worked any better than alcohol prohibition did a hundred years ago.

Mmh I don't really visit the cannabis forum much, but yeah most of the discussion on here is about harm reduction more than anything.
Maybe you'll find more in Drugs in the Media? Don't know really, that's another place I don't visit much.

 

[Karen J]

I know it probably doesn't mean much from a stranger over the internet, but I'm sincerely sorry for your loss.

Nice of you to say, but enough time has gone by that other family members have died since then, so I don't have much family left. So I have to rely on friends more.

I like meeting new people online, and I prefer the more anonymous forums where I can say exactly what I think and not worry about social consequences, living in a rather conservative area. Facebook doesn't work for me.

On the other hand, Shale's life is an open book! I admire his courage, and I'll consider trying that approach if I ever win the lottery and don't need a job anymore.

 

[Ash-A-Lash]

Hi Shale!

 

[arlecchino]

On the other hand, Shale's life is an open book! I admire his courage, and I'll consider trying that approach if I ever win the lottery and don't need a job anymore.

I could never be so brave. If I were not anonymous online I'd have to move, or live in a ruined condition.

Hi Shale, Karen, And Ash!