domide

Nice work! The painting is impressive enough.. you seem very talented. Is that animal skin?

I wish so badly that I could be there, but unfortunatly (or not so unfortunatly) im up north on the date. Hope all goes well, you guys

I'm really hoping to make it to this as well. I usually go to exodus most years but I think this looks like the way to go. Looks like there will be a wide range of entertainment there If anybody wants to meet up and talk botany send a pm!

I would be really interested in coming. I've managed to miss the last two

It's nice to know there are some like-minded people at uq. I'm starting botany over there next year.. We should set up a club

Good point. There was this girl in primary school that everybody used to tease because she wasn't allowed to watch tv. I guess at that age there is a lot of pressure to be a "normal" kid. Give it a go Gom, it's going to be sunday the 21st at the gold coast. Tickets are $115 and more on the door.

Wow, that looks like mad fun, i really wish i could make it. You should try to get into contact with sez through his email that is posted. That would be your best bet.

That's right, thats why i would hock it.. It currently is serving a much better purpose as a coffee table at the moment

Out of curiousity, does anybody know how quickly the tickets sell out to the gold coast BDO? Anybody else going there? I've gone on such a big spending spree with festivals for this summer that i've made myself completly broke for the month at least :/ I might have to hock my tv. Anything to see tool.

Hooray, can't wait either. Their new album is really really damn good.. can definatly hear the king crimson influences. I've heard so many reviews of their brilliant live performances. Going to a be a big weekend, methinks.. Mars Volta on thursday and Earthcore on friday. Bring it on!!

I'm not really a sucessful quitter either - its only been a month now. I've tried to quit a few times before and the main difference between now and the other times is that I think of myself as a non-smoker now. The other times I thought that as soon as i got over my addiction I could maybe still have a cigarette every so often. Then i would start regularly smoking again and be back 30 a day within a couple of weeks. Another important thing is that you don't feel like shit if you light one up. Make sure you enjoy it and get back into the mindset of trying to get out of the habit. Having one cigarette (or a pack) doesnt mean that you have screwed all your hard work up. Just try not and do it again next time. I must admit that i am using patches, which i think have helped a great deal.. fortunatly i haven't noticed any of bad side effects that come with it. So yeah, remember that the craving only lasts for three minutes.. be strong and focus on why you want to quit. It is one of the most addictive substances around but if you put your mind to it, it should be easy to rid yourself of the habit. Keep your mouth and hands busy - take up gum chewing and juggling random things, and tapping. Does wonders for the irratability. You can do it, magicmushroom

Hooray the meet is getting closer and closer and i can't contain my excitement for much longer. Does anybody have any idea if there are BBQ's at mt cootha? Wouldn't mind having some sort of lunch there. I'll bring some meat and bread along and if anybody else wants to contribute that would be great I'll be there at 11.00 and my mobile is 0406610890 if anybody wants to track the group down . Where do you guys usually meet? At the cafe?

Sounds like a plan

Oh wow, thats fanatastic Darren, congratulations on your debut. If i get a copy of it will you sign it for me? BTW - Was lovely you to see you on sunday, great set too. I think it was the only one i danced to all weekend

Happy birthday boys Did you end up celebrating your day at the beach Dodie?? Wish i could have been there to give you a birthday hug.. maybe this weekend, hey

Oh great, the 23rd would be much better for me as well. Will be not completely wrecked from previous night party then

Hooray, a meet and its on sunday. I'll be there for sure

Oh me too.. wish i could go. I have to work from 2.00pm onwards. Will anybody be still be going on sunday??

Wow, I agree EGA was intense beyond words. Been trying to pull myself together all week so I can start to process all the things that happened. I'd also like to thank all the organisers and Ronny (sorry i didnt get to talk to you for much ) for putting so so much effort into the weekend. It was more than I could ever have expected.. I went into the event thinking that I knew so much about ethnobotany but my arrogance was quickly eradicated. There's so many people that were so well educated in what they were doing and everybody was really enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge. I feel about ten times more pationate about what im doing now I know that there are so many other like-minded people out there. So yeh - thanks everybody for contributing, was probably the most influential and fun weekends of my life!! Looking forward to next year.. BTW was lovely meeting you dodie.. you too amulte, thanks for encourging me to post ;)

Beautiful photos btw, Ronnie . The place looks magical. Counting the days down now. Does anybody have any idea how long it takes to get from avalon to the site? May be renting a hire car if cash persists.

Wow, wandjina, i dont know where to start. I can agree with you assuming that sexism wouldn't be an issue in the ethnobotany community and being slightly dissapointed. I've been involved in the meetings since i was 16 and have been intimidated by the ratio of men to women. The majority of members have been very supporting and definatly have never taken my gender as negative. However a few people here and there have really offended me in the way they assume that i have no knowledge in ethnobotany due to my gender/age. women in the community are frequently referred to as 'so-and-sos lady', or girlfriend...its like they have no identity except as an appendage to whoever... This has happened to me at least three times - both male friends were new to ethnobotany and were treated with far more respect than I was. One other interesting thing I have noticed is the competitiveness between some (very few) of the guys..who has the most amount of x plants, who has most knowledge in x subject, who has consumed the most amount of x substance. The dick measuring contests are never ending and they really irk me because they conflict the nature of the meetings, to learn and to teach others. I guess this is a factor coupled with my extreme shyness, that has always prevented me from getting fully committed in the community. I don't want to come of as somebody who blames men for everything - there have been many more guys who have supported me and made me feel so welcome here. However, there definatly appears to be a problem. I think the womens lecture will be good starting place, especially if we get to hear the opinions of some men.

rev, are you referring to me??

I read the article in Vice magazine as well and meant to read up on sometime. Thanks for reminding me "Stoned on Stones" "It was the most intense hallucinogenic experience that I've ever had, and I've done every trip there is," says Icelandic writer Smari Einarsson. "DMT, peyote...you name it. We have these magic mushrooms here that grow wild. I've eaten those more times thank I can count. They cannot even come close to the effect of these rocks." Volcanic rocks, which cover the Icelandic landscape, have been getting local kids high for five years now, ever since a local artist did a performance piece called Rock Soup. Jon Sigmundson's art piece was meant to make a commentary on Icelanders' high standard of living, which he believes relies on taking for granted third-world suffering. He made rock soup, he said in a written statement, to "try and live on nothing." The serendiptous discovery he made is that these rocks get you fuggin' wasted. It is actually the lichen that lives on the rocks that gets you off. You take a few stones, boil them in a pot of water, strain it all through a colander, and drink it down like tea. Some people add ginger and honey, but it has a nice taste undiluted. It's very earthy. People who have "taken stones," as it's called, share strikingly similar stories. "Trolls," says a young Icelandic girl who was interviewed at local Reykjavik bar Sirkus.She'll only give her first name, which is Essa. "Every time we do stones, we see the same group of trolls. They are no unkind, but they aren't overly friendly either," she says. "Mostly what they do is advise you. You always come away from a stones trip with a question that you had on your mind answered. You also the most vivd colors ever. It's like living in Fantasia!" PAUL LUP-TZE Don't know if that sounds like THC induced trip with the trolls and all. Fascinating stuff!

Would be very keen too. Does anybody have any topic suggestions? What would be the best time to start, Would it still be on a saturday? Damn all you lucky people that are going the camping trip!! Still, no excuse not the show up to the meet.. no such thing as ethnobotany overdose!

Help!! Winter seems to taken toll on my acacias. I live on the range (south-east qld) and at the moment im getting bad frosts . I was wondering if there is anything i can do to save my 40 potted acacias.. they are all about 30-40cm tall and exposed to full sun-light. I've been watering them about every 2nd day and they only seem to be getting worse (yellow and losing leaves). Also, is tobacco and hwbr frost tolerate as well.. they dont seem be coping.Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks