America's love affair with altered moods rose sharply with the Hippie Generation. It slowed down with the emergence of 'Mothers Against Drunk Drivers,' (MADD) and the crackdown by police agencies on people who consumed alcohol and then took to the road.
I think my love affair with altered states started when I was six. I learned the rush I could get from drinking coffee and from that point on, coffee and milkshakes -- especially vanilla milkshakes -- were my perfect beverages.
I learned to drink beer after the U.S. Army drafted me and sent me to Ft. Ord, CA. for basic training. There with many other 18 to 20-year-olds, we drank 3.2 beer or whatever it was called, trying to get high.
A U.S. Army Nurse at Ft. Ord took a liking to me and taught me the use of amphetamines. She would borrow a few pills from the dispensary and share them with me. WHOOEEE! I could stay awake for 36 hours and not feel pain.
After being discharged from the Army, I became a gadabout journalist, working in cities and towns across America. I stayed in Tucumcari, N.M. a year working as sports editor for the Tucumcari Daily News. Then I moved to Clovis, N.M., Hobbs, N.M. and finally to Phoenix, AZ. was I tried to be a golden journalist with magical words.
I met an actor, Dick Alexander, and we shared a ranchhouse-type dwelling in north Phoenix. Dick was a regular on Michael Landon's 'Little House on the Prairie.' His best friends were Wilfred Brimley, Nick Nolte, and an alcoholic Indian artist from Scottsdale, AZ. named Shatka Bearstep, who once boasted there was no drug too dangerous for him to try.
Dick appeared in movies and beer commercials. He was in 'Raising Arizona,' 'Bill And Ted's Excellent Adventure,' and 'Maverick,' the Mel Gibson-Jodie Foster-James Garner western comedy filmed at Lake Havasu City, AZ.
He loved telling us stories about Jodie Foster. Over beer and ganja, Dick would regale us with tales about Jodie, whom he called a dictator, and how she smoked little black cigars while commanding her subjects.
'We were all her subjects,' he said. 'We all belonged to Jodie.'
Dick, Shatka and the others knew I was a regular poker player. Around 6 p.m. each evening, I would excuse myself from the party and say I was heading for the American Legion to play poker.
'Try doing it in an altered state,' Dick said. 'It will help you win.'
Since those days in Phoenix, the Nevada State Legislature has legalized marijuana for recreational use in Las Vegas. Since gambling has for years been a liquor-driven industry, I am wondering how marijuana will affect the players and the play. It should be interesting.
I know a lot of poker players who smoke marijuana as a way of relaxation and to mellow out. They are all good players and I have not noticed any aberration in their play due to smoking the plant. It makes me more mellow and less inclined to play 'hard' poker, but that is the extent of marijuana's effect on me.
I smoked marijuana in the Caribbean while working on the islands of St. Kitts, Nevis and St. Maarten. This was the 'blessed herb' of the Caribbean, a powerful plant that the Rastafarians said would connect you with God.
The connections were real and I considered the Rastafarians my friends. Their friendship helped my spiritual growth and allowed me to curtail my drinking habits. I will be forever grateful to the Caribbean for that.
I believe this generation is the generation of altered moods. America is getting away from alcohol and moving toward an altered state. It will be interesting to see how far the shift moves.
Joe Wrinkle 6 years ago
the further away from the booze the better. Truly one of the worst ways to alter ones mental state. It slowly rots your insides and makes livers into milkshakes
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Geno 6 years ago
As to Trdza's remark, sure, clear-headed is always better. But so is living dangerously. Smiles. thanks for writing.
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Geno 6 years ago
Addiction to alcohol is a near sure thing for drinkers. About marijuana, I am not so sure. Marijuana is the best mellow high for a person to have, regardless of what else he might be doing.
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Trdza 6 years ago
Some players can become really addicted to alcohol and drugs while playing. I'm sure it can be helpful from time to time, but in the long term it could be devastating.
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Mil E Na 6 years ago
Interesting story Geno, as always! But, as far as I am concerned, playing 'clear-headed' would always be the best choice :)
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