In Reply to: Tis the Season posted by CB on October 11, 2005 at 13:22:01:
Gee, I'd like to know what kind of alcohol your family was drinking that made everyone mellow. I'd understand everyone mellowing out if it was a bong they were sharing rather than a bottle. Perhaps it's that your family members were moderate, responsible drinkers. My childhood experience, though, was similar to CB's. My memories are cluttered with alcohol-fueled traumas of one sort or another, including driving and gun deaths, serious injury, assaults, thefts and other crimes, and all the other mayhem that usually accompanies alcoholism. My grandmother once told me that she wished her handful of boys (my uncles) had discovered pot long before they did. She was convinced that they would not have gotten into the trouble they did if they had consumed pot instead of alcohol. As it turned out, most of them did settle down once they began to use pot regularly.
From my experience, if I was once again an innocent kid I'd far rather be raised and influenced by potheads than alcoholics. With the potheads they might forget to pay the heating bill and I'd get cold, though that is a stereotype I don't subscribe to (so why perpetuate it here, dumbass, you ask?) -- I know some very accomplished potheads. But with the alcoholics I might get beaten or raped, or lose one of them to jail or the grave.
This is starting to sound like a rant, sorry. Please don't think I'm trying to pick a fight. I was just triggered reading CB's post about Christmas and alcohol. I dread that holiday; not the time off, but the incessant religiosity. I'm glad for you that you are now able to enjoy it.
Now Halloween. Ya, I can get into a little face painting or other disguise, scaring little kids and rotting their teeth. ;) This year, inspired by the hilarious TV series Dead Like Me, I will be a Grim Reaper!! Apparently, I've got the grim part down already.