Tuna & you: The Early Years

or: The Impact Of Mild & Legal Intoxicants On My Work

A Bacchanalian Introspect

Sometimes the muse just doesn't cut it. Sometimes you need a little boost, whether it be confidence or some simple blockage removal. Sometimes I go for a little red red wine, and sometimes it's a little green green pine....sort of smelling....it fit the rhyme scheme, damnit..... The creativity is omni-present and unconquerable, but it can get a little difficult to sort out the chaos swirling around in my head. The wine offers courage, while the weed offers a slowing of the swirling. One of the happiest votes I ever cast (after voting for Governor Ventura while living in Minneapolis in '98) was in 2018 when we legalized recreational marijuana use here in Michigan. This simple ticking of a box action created the current state of being i had dreamed about in the circle in Brian's basement way back in '96. A block from my house....a marijuana dispensary AND liquor store. There used to be 2 mushroom shops, but they were closed for sketchy sales and I never made it into them. I'm not naïve enough to think that Drugs and Alcohol (capitalized to show reverence, lol)

make me more creative, but I understand that the weed and wine just sort of (refill my glass) open the curtains in my mind....if that makes sense. I have 45 years of insecurity and failures and allowing myself to be beaten down by my own thoughts and parts of the outside world to contend with. old habits are hard to break.

I'd hate to advocate its use to anyone, but it's always worked for me.

Do Not Try This At Home.

Due to each person's individual reactions to either intoxicant, I cannot stress enough to know your limits and act accordingly. I'm at home with people who care about me, and am well-looked-after on the rare instance I am in this state.

Man, them Greeks were onto something.

When I think of all the art and literature and architecture that still survives from Ancient Greek civilization, and think of all the tributes to Bacchus that led to said art, etc. I have read my Bullfinch and Edith Hamilton, and am fairly well-versed in the mythology of Ancient Greece, so I'm sort of a fan-boy and I had never tried wine until this new year (it's the last day of February) and holy cow, where have you been all my life? It brings me joy and just sort of nudges open (relights spliff) the venetian blinds of perception. I understand what led to the jump in civilization that was the Peloponnesian states (As a gamer, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey was a great source of lore, if that's more your thing. I don't judge. I've gleaned life-lessons from Batman comics.) They didn't have the hang-ups, They made the good shit. Oh, and then the French came along and made it better! Huzzah!!!! to them. Viva La France!!!

For The Sober And Recovering.

I love you all and wish nothing but full and lasting recovery for all those suffering.

I was only telling my own story, and in no way diminish yours. I am proud of you for your struggle so far, and mourn the ones that didn't get to see this blog. That...that there's about it. With nothing but the utmost love -'Squito Valdez