I was going to reply to Drewwyann's "Social Awkwardness Thread", however it started to get really long as I recalled many observations I've had about tripping with others. Anyway, I guess this is a thank you thread, for such a good topic. It got me thinking, I like to think, and think you very much...
Also: About forum etiquette, I don't know if it is improper to have two threads going at once in a Forum, but in any case I do feel like an asshole for posting again, if anyone cares to care.
Anyway:
Tripping with people can be a socially awkward thing, because everyone has a different idea what Tripping is about, what it can do, and how it affects us all differently, internally and externally.
Tripping is a lot like sex. It is like the ultimate act of mental masturbation when done alone, and when two or more people are involved it becomes a delicate orgy of sensations. Just as there are many different angles, perspectives and fetishes surrounding the act of sex, the same is true with tripping.
I have tripped with A LOT of different people. In fact, I usually seek people out to trip with, 99% of the time free of charge. Call it a fetish or what not, but I trip off of the fact I make people trip. Usually every Tuesday for about 3 months now I have been tripping with people. And yes, it has been awkward for me at times, and others at times. People are just different, all parts of the whole.
People sometimes feel uncomfortable around me while tripping mainly because I've done it so much, and it shows. This is of course an event that primarily happens around initiates or people who have only been getting their feet wet for a short while. Also, sometimes I'll "wow" experienced people, mainly because these people don't see the drug much more than a means of having fun/getting fucked up. Awkwardness will set in once I show them I'm coming from a different angle. Some people don't take change well, whatever quality that change may have. You can't change your mind if you mind change.
One time, I was being stared down by the dagger like eyes of 5 people all tripping with me. I was playing guitar and absolutely rocking. They were all dumbfounded, and asking me questions like:"How can you play while tripping?" "Are you as fucked up as I am?" and even a "Did you give us all the Acid, and you took fake acid so you can be sober and a responsible chaperon for us" My response was "LSD is practically made for music, man" and I shrugged and started to try to explain the idiosyncrasies of music and how you can use Acid to dissect it like a frog, and yeah that died fast. Some people can't handle deep conversations while tripping, and there is nothing wrong with that.
I think simply put, Tripping with people is a big deal. There are so many factors that can make it either an Amazing, average or ill-experience, just like sex. To further relate it to sex, I'm a bi-sexual cross dressing sexual lunatic. I sure didn't choose to be that, however I am and I deal. I feel I could get along well with mostly anyone sexually, and with tripping it is no different: I like to trip with people for fun, spirits, music, and everything in between. I enjoy the company of generally all people and it reflects in my Tripping Attitude.
Feeling bad about the way you approach tripping is like feeling bad because you are gay, or something similar. It is like feeling bad about a freckle you might have. Genetics and biology are yourself, and don't sweat it, and don't sweat sweating it. Just like after a bad sexual experience, much good can come: Better self control, better map of consciousness, an appreciation for yourself or the people who mean the most to you in life; there is much to gain so much to the point where bad trips or bad sex almost feels like it was supposed to happen. All semantics aside, it is AT LEAST a learning experience to a better time next time.
Some people are just Tripping Brothers, Psychedelic Soul Mates; A true trip buddy that goes to the same place as you. Others are just a face in the psychedelic crowd, usually adding to the trip, but still not significant, and others are just the perfect anti-particle to ruin a trip. I've seen and done em' all, and it's all good to me, really. Learn sumting, yo.
Know your tripping partners. Know what they like, how they approach the drug, life in general during sobriety. My tripping buddy, after a massive Acid trip basically agreed "we loved each other" one night. Our minds are practically one functioning unit when we are together, and we are able to take the unit places by tripping. We also like tripping with other people, but when we do it we put on the "proverbial" Mind Condom.
Depending on your Tripping Plans, you might want to use protection. Tripping with someone you don't know is a good indication of when to put on the Mind Condom. The mind condom has a gestalt to it that is composed of the "mental tools" of: Not giving a shit, realizing words CAN BE JUST words, resistance, acceptance, and other terms similar. It is like "caring about not caring" You just can't let certain shit get to you; For instance, if someone blows a load into your mind using words (the semen of the psychedelic experience), you either got to know how to cure the dis-ease if the words made you go there, or you better not care. It gets easier...
As a Psychonaut, I cherish these awkward moments; They are points of comparison due to the fact they usually stick out like a sore thumb in your mind. They are points of near infinite exploration and analyzing; At the very least it is events like these that get you thinking, and thinking I think sharpens the mind. Makes it better, harder, faster, stronger. Although, it isn't the size that matters (the size of the dose), it is what you do with it. And that keeps people coming back to me, to trip with me and to get more drugs from me. It is not the size of the Psychedelic Dick, it is how you use it. And good does cum from bad. At least in my experiences.
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I like to think of words like the keys on a musical instrument, just because you play a bad note, or one that didn't really fit in with the song, doesn't really mean you meant to, and it doesn't make it a bad song.
Sometimes (especially when tripping) I hit notes just to see what they sound like, and how they fit into the song. Often times those notes are taken to seriously and people become confused, offended, angry, or just creep'd out.
I think an ideal tripping partner should understand the concept that words, especially those said while in an altered state of mind, don't really mean anything, unless they are meant to mean something.
The words one speaks are not always a direct representation of what one is thinking, especially while tripping since we all know the English language is far to simple to depict what we see and think while in that world.
I often find that when I am tripping and someone asks me something, or I say something to someone, I will by complete accident use a tone that doesn't fit my mood, or my mind will be somewhere else and I will answer with a simple "heh" or nothing at all. Then they get the idea that I am annoyed, bored, angry, ect. with them, when in fact I'm quite pleased with their presence. It's usually not anything a simple smile can't fix, but the thought that someones mood can be swayed so easily with just a few words that meant nothing troubles me.
This is especially apparent when with people besides the usual group of friends. For this reason I tend to either trip alone or with close friends.
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