Halif

I like it a lot! Pitch bending rubbery goodness with good drum track. Could be a soundtrack to a Gumby porn film!!

This is a very interesting thread. I can empathise with Whitewind's feelings of wanting to help, and also with Torsten's, Coin's and other's experiences of things being more complex than meets the eye. Travelling and living in some developing countries (Indonesia and Cambodia, for example) showed me that there are a lot of people who don't have much. Seeing very small children wandering amongst the traffic and pollution, going up to cars with their hands out, made me want to help out in some way. These kids were born into poverty. But what could I do? Bags full of money wouldn't be enough at all. I could go there every day and hand out wads of cash and it wouldn't change anything in the long run. That's where volunteering programs can be really beneficial. As for homeless people in affluent nations like ours: Sometimes there's more choice in people's circumstances than one might expect. I don't think many people would choose to sleep on the street, but sometimes people allow it happen to themselves when their motivation and self-respect has been worn down. Then people who are working for a living can decide whether they want to help support people who are down and out, and ask themselves if they want anything in return. Would you give money to someone if you knew they were going to drink or drug themselves to death with it? If not, why not? Do you want to help them get what they want (oblivion), or are you expecting them to do something that you feel is worthwhile (clean themselves up and become independent again)? A few days ago I was smoking in the street during my lunch break when a homeless guy asked me if I had a spare cigarette. I said I did and got one out for him. He asked me for another one ("one for now, one for later, ok buddy?"), so I gave him two more ("one for now, one for later, and one for dessert" ). Then he asked me for two more. I could have given him the whole pack, or given him the $50 in my pocket, or my bank card and all my meagre savings. Instead I said "enjoy your cigarettes" and left him. Some people will take and take, and actually don't care much about others. People's circumstances are complex, as is the issue of charity. I think it's interesting to ask oneself "What do I want out of this?" before giving something to someone.

haha, yeah, woops Thanks for pointing that out! I'm not very good with time. I guess I'm a bit excited or something. But I',m glad I was wrong because I have to prepare some cuttings to bring along and I still haven't done anything about it.

I would have said that was an odd story but then I noticed that MDPV was involved which kind of makes doing online chat while wearing a rubber suit and gas mask par for the course. Meanwhile, it's good to see that the media is doing its part to lessen confusion and increase awareness about what is actually contained in some of these so-called 'legal highs'... NOT! According to the article: "bath salt" is the name of a drug, which is also known as 'sextacy' and as "legal high". I guess "methylenedioxypyrovalerone" isn't quite as catchy or useful for spreading of misinformation

One week to go... Let's hope the weather is better than it is today! It's cold and I feel like an old man who doesn't want to go outside (and there are some strange looking teenagers standing in the street... I will keep watching them through the curtains in case they do anything unpredictable)

Well said, CBL.

Yeah leave the computer on, and leave the webcam on in case you get busy and then we can watch and post a running commentary! (sorry, too much? )

But make sure you don't have a psycho look on your face while doing that cuz it can really creep people out (not that I've had a problem like that I'm just saying that I imagine it would creep people out... ahhh forget it)

Pics or it didn't happen!

Really? You mean there's a slight difference in shade, or actually different colours? Cuz I've never heard of different colour flowers on the same plant before. Don't over-analyse everything the plant is doing. Over-analysis + speculation + the internet = crazy myths which can be funny and annoying and hard to get rid of. There are some bits of information that I've seen go around and around and never seen any conclusion on. Correlations between sap colour, neck hair, pod size, and alkaloid profile.... confusion and more speculation abound. Bottom line: the only sure-fire way to preserve one's health is to not do anything dangerous or illegal. LOL @ SWIM! I swam once. In the ocean. Don't pour salt-water onto your plants.

hey CBL (sorry, didn't put the symbol in there ) For what it's worth, reading your posts here and the responses given lifts my spirits, because I can see that there are people around who really CARE about EVERYTHING. This thread should be front page news. NEWSFLASH: THERE ARE MANY COMPASSIONATE HUMAN BEINGS ON EARTH! It probably wouldn't sell as many copies as an article with shots of Prince William's Wife's melons (and to be honest, which one I'd buy would depend on how I felt on the day), but it'd make for a nice change and a good reminder that while there are many issues of imbalance in the world, there are many people who are aware of them and want to help bring back the harmony.

I don't think there's any set formula to predicting how big a pod will get based on its size at bloom. The increase in the size of the pod during maturation depends on the strain. Some strains have pods which triple or quadruple in size as they ripen, while others only get a bit bigger. Size isn't really important. Bigger pods sometimes just have more empty space inside them rather than having more seeds or being juicier. And I don't think there's any harm in allowing the plant to receive water after it's dropped its petals. Excessive watering isn't great, but it will need some water in order to develop any other up-and-coming buds.

I really relate to that part of your post, Indigo And Qualia, I absolutely agree that issues of mental instability are multifaceted. I definitely don't want to give the impression that I think it's as simplistic as "just pull up your socks and whistle a merry tune and you'll be fine!". Psychosis terrifies and mystifies me. It's not easy to understand how such an experience can "fit" into life if you have the belief that people choose to be happy or not, as I expressed earlier on. It IS my belief, however, that all of us have somehow created our individual realities through our own power. I really can't express this through words and I'm not really a fan of philosophy (don't hate it, just find it limited - questions generating questions ad infinitum), so I'm not going to try. I just wanted it to be clear that I am not looking down on anyone, and that I know - through experience - how complex and multifaceted an issue mental health is.

That's interesting. If you can be bothered, could you go into more detail about the different cultivars? I didn't know there were different types grown in Tasmania apart from the high-morphine and high-thebaine strains. Also, what's a "landrace" variety? (sorry to be lazy, but I prefer to hear stuff from someone on here than to do a google search, because it's more interactive and we can discuss stuff as it comes up)

Some great comments made here. I think ThunderIdeal, Chilli, and Planthelper have said what I would have said, too. There's lots of truth in that saying: Misery loves company. What you focus on is where you are putting your energy, and what you're going to get more of. What I find sad is that people who are really depressed are often really depressing to be around, and as a result are alone. Some people who are depressed are self-absorbed, consumed in their own unhappiness. It's human nature to be attracted to people who have positive qualities like confidence and a joyous attitude towards life, and to be repelled by people who are a black hole of despair. The company that misery loves is that of one's own negativity. For that reason, it can seem like the odds are unfairly stacked against those who are miserable because it's hard to dig oneself out of a hole so deep that the light above is obscured. Our perspective is, however, our own choice. It may sound trite, but I think it's true that we ultimately choose how we feel. The trouble is the momentum of many years of negative thinking can be so great that it seems impossible for a person to turn it around. In those instances an act of grace is required. I believe the universe does deliver such acts. I also believe the universe helps those who help themselves.

Thanks for posting that. It's really interesting and I love the pictures - especially the one of the Chinese guy in San Francisco with his cat. This line made me say WTF?!, however: "Opium’s really odd. With modern drugs, you take a single hit and you’re hooked for life. You’ll think of nothing else. Opium’s the exact opposite of that. It takes years and years to get addicted. But once it gets its hooks into you, it’s really difficult and painful to get off." Weird perspective. It takes "years and years" to get addicted to opium? Really?

I think Qualia has nailed it in saying "just continue". It can sound like a platitude - even an insult - when you're really low and someone says "hang in there", but that's about the long and short of it. At my worst points I either self-medicated myself to oblivion, or when that was not an option, realised that I had two most simple options: continue, or don't continue. If you go with the first, you get to see the good side again - because it always comes back. Some people experience life in waves and the more times you get through a rough patch, the more you can come to realise that it is transient and will be finished sooner or later. How long have you had these ups and downs? Do you think it was related to the smoke you had? Has drug use ever triggered off experiences like that for you before? Anyway, hope you're feeling better. Take care and "just continue". Surf the waves.

I agree that over-consumption of alcohol tends towards silly behaviour. That doesn't mean it's guaranteed, but I guess the propensity for nasty outbursts would be higher among people who have drank themselves stupid than those who have smoked themselves sky-high on weed or opiated themselves half-unconscious. Some substances just bring out base emotions more readily. I think that's why Australian's (and others, of course) love alcohol - it's like a license to express yourself without restraint. Not many people (myself included) can express themselves honestly and freely. We seem to be a weirdly repressed and self-conscious nation of people. I don't want to offend anyone with this generalisation, it is just my opinion based on my experience as an Aussie who grew up here in a fairly typical suburban scenario. The single biggest variable determining the chaos or control stemming from substance use - in most cases - is the individual. Most people have locked up impulses which can turn into actions given the right trigger, but the nature of those impulses and how deeply buried they are can make a big difference to the outcome of the expression. When I was younger I, like many young Australian males, used to get carried away with alcohol intoxication and sometimes I became obnoxious, aggressive, and generally stupid. I said regrettable, stupid things to people, and at the worst of times lashed out physically - whether that be breaking an object or picking a fight. I was and still am terribly ashamed of those actions which were carried out in a mindless, animalistic state. I know myself a bit better now, and these days I can drink myself unconscious without becoming identified with the fake euphoria, and although I still do regrettable things while drunk, those actions tend to be related to personal actions (smoke too many cigarettes, give myself a spontaneous haircut, etc) rather than directed toward other people or things. Self-awareness is a big factor in how people respond to substances - more important than the substance itself, I believe - and that's a pretty hard thing to measure/regulate. It'd be a big jump in faith if the authorities moved away from the model of 'protecting people from themselves' to fostering personal accountability in return for greater personal liberty.

LOL at the secret passwords! I have one too... Upon approaching someone who we believe may be 'one in the know', we should say "hey, how's it going?" ... Actually, that could get confusing...

^pachanoi is a must-have, indeed! Welcome to the forum. I hope to visit NZ one day - amazing environment and great people (just basing that on the Kiwis I've met). Last time I had enough money for a holiday we (girlfriend and I) were planning a trip to NZ for a week or two, but ended up going to Thailand. We worked out all these activities to do and places to visit in NZ, but then we saw that for the same amount of money (less, actually) we could go and stay in Thailand for a month. We had a good trip, but quality of experience is more important than just length and sometimes I wonder if we should have gone to NZ because things got a bit hazy for me in good ol' T-Land with some blue tablets and cheap alcohol too readily available. Ahhhh... good times... (or were they? To be honest I can't remember but the photos look good!)

Will do. And thanks, Tronica, for your interesting and timely work. The discussion generated in your big thread at BL has been extremely illuminating.

^Yeah that's it exactly (the Channel 7 thing). Frank, you missed out on something crazy silly. Luckily, there's lots of info about it on these boards.

Glorious time to be free

Really nice pictures! The first one in particular blasted my eyes with its radiance! Today has been another pleasant, sunny Spring introduction in Victoria. Went for a walk around the neighbourhood and saw lots of blossoms bursting and wattles shooting their sinus-exploding goodness into the air. It was a fresh, clean day for walking off a bit of a hangover I got yesterday after my brother and I grabbed us some nice bits and pieces from Dan Murphy's. Bit of the old wheat beer and a drop of the old whisky. Seems there's a trend toward making honey whisky products at the moment. I saw lots of that from the big name producers on the shelves yesterday. Must be a bee plague somewhere in the world or something. I'm not much into sweet alcohol but I tried a bit of this Jack Daniel's honey whisky liquer thing that my bro bought and found it quite agreeable. Then again, by that point I'd had a few beers already and was finding most everything agreeable. With weather like we've had the last couple of days, even my hangover today was somewhat agreeable. I just stood, sat, and rolled around in the garden doing not a thing all day. Quite enjoyable actually. Hope everyone else has had a good one to welcome in the season of new beginnings.

I probably couldn't feel much flatter, but thought it'd be nice to just give thanks for the simple fact that it is Saturday and I don't have to do anything. A few days of using doxylamine to get some much needed sleep has left with me with about as much humanity as a piece of driftwood. Actually, I couldn't compete with driftwood right now. That was an overly ambitious comparison. But hey, it's Spring, it's not too gloomy or cold where I am, and I can genuinely say that I am happy to not have to do anything or interact with anyone today. Sometimes that's the greatest gift of all. It's not so bad being an empty vessel when there are no passengers to carry - if you get my drift(wood). Hooray for Spring and for it being a day of rest for some of us! Anyone got anything fun or exciting on this weekend?