Views on drugs

As far as I am concerned, if you want to do drugs that is your business. The only rule being that you don’t make it someone else’s problem.

And that last part is the catch.

Chances are you will have people who care about you (no matter your personal opinion on the matter) who will be upset at any harm you may cause yourself or others.

But from my perspective, it is very easy for someone to go from having a good time to being a problem.

No matter what people think, I do not do drugs having no need for such a crutch to let loose my imagination (obviously I do wonder what I might create under the influence, but then I feel I would not be a part of the creative process so what is the point)

My reasons for not doing drugs is simple…

1. I do not like needles! So don’t even think about offering me one because you will not like the response if you don’t get the hint.

2. I do not smoke! And for the record, being around marijuana gives me a headache.

3. One of the ingredients drugs may be cut with, I am allergic to…fatally allergic to.

4. Far too many druggies and alcoholics have threatened violence against me and those I care about…

The excuse “It isn’t me, it is the [insert substance abuse] at fault” is just that, an excuse.

The fact that anyone uses that excuse says it all.

If you are going to do drugs or drink, know how it affects you (and not just how you think it affects you) and know when enough is enough.

And remember, whatever you do affects others.

I can prove that by simply drawing…and that is just using a pen.

Some drugs are illegal for a reason, some are legal…either way, miss-using/abusing drugs is a potential recipe for disaster.

Be responsible for your choices whatever they happen to be.

Just a little disturbing

People wanting to talk to you about what you do while you’re busking is pretty stock standard. It typically means that they find you interesting which is a good thing.

The only drawback to chatting with people being that if you’re not doing your thing whatever it may be, then you’re not making money. People donate because they see you doing stuff (or in the case of buskers playing statue, not doing stuff)

There are ways to discourage people from talking to you if you really feel the need to focus on what you are doing (musicians can play, statues can keep quiet and street artists can wear earphones) but for the most part, I like to make myself available.

The problem only exists when someone wishes to monopolize your time, especially if they are not all there because they are high on something or just a little of balance mentally.

One individual who drops by occassionaly crossed the line by making me wary of him. He wanted to chat and kept peering at what had been drawn by sticking his nose mere millimeters away from the paper.

The combination of showing me his drawings (reminiscent of some of a friends drawings in some aspects) which included a fascination for genitals (both male & female) and his sudden drapping himself over me while he hugged me was a little uncomfortable (there are hugs and then there is trying to merge with someone). The worrying part though was his commentary about the warmth of my aura and how he wanted to bask in its glory while trying to eat it up.

To say I was a little put off is an understatement.

His constant chatting, telling me to tell him to “f” off if he is annoying me, promptly followed by him getting teary eyed and emotional for me being so mean when he said he had no money but wanted to throw some in and I told him not to worry about it a bit of a warning sign.

The previous time I saw him (prior to this time), he kept hanging around the donation bowl peering intently at the money. Several times he reached for the bowl only to stop when he saw me looking at him. He would then move to another spot but continue to look over at the bowl rather than anything else.

There are two obvious options…

One he is simply mentally unbalanced or two, he is on drugs. Perhaps even both.

I am leaning towards the idea he is on drugs.

Welcome to a very good reason why I choose not to do drugs.

The Never Ending Battle Against Thieves

It is a hard fact of life that if you have something, someone out there probably wants it and given the opportunity will take it against your will.

There are two things most at risk…
Your equipment and your money.

I have little in the way of equipment to worry about, but money is an entirely different issue and at times it seems I am being robbed on a daily basis.

The problem comes down to your container.

Simply put, the more secure you make it, the less donations you may receive, though if your lucky you may instead receive larger denominations.

I began with a cup which was smashed when someone kicked it.

A cardboard box worked well enough except when it got wet.

I moved to an “unbreakable” salad bowl with padding which someone picked up and walked off with the entire contents. (I replaced it with a fat cheaper salad bowl)

Hmmm…what to do…what to do…

Welcome to my continuing evolution for securing the donation bowl…

1. Fish Trap: Because of people simply grabbing money, I placed the bowl in a fish trap which helped avoid the risk of wind blowing any notes away…but as it turned out, failed to stop the thieves who would simply push the trap down to grab the money.

2. Chain: After a thief walked off with the bowl, I now chain the bowl to my bag (which for the record is rather heavy, requiring a trolley to transport)

3. Metal Waste Basket: To stop thieves from pushing the fish trap down, I added a standard office wire waste basket…stopped the thief though they made a go for the money, warping the basket in the process.

4. Add 2 extra baskets: Needing additional strength to the framework, I simply added 2 more baskets…the thieves then used the added strength of the setup to force their hand through the netting instead.

5. Metal Grill and Padlocks: Adding a 4th waste basket for additional strength, I then placed a metal grill (a serving tray of some sort) with stands that fit snugly in the top of the baskets…this I held in place with padlocks…1 securing the grill to the baskets and a second to secure the fish trap to the grill to guide money thrown in to the centre.

Still getting thieves attempting to steal (lost my Easter egg I had in the bottom the other day)

Currently considering adding the following options when finances allow…

6. Cash Catcher: Simply put, a sleeve that will allow money to drop in, but will catch money if someone tries to tip it out.

7. Mirrors to keep a better eye on the bowl (thieves typically take note of such things)

My favorite idea though is…

8. Notebook with an 11 hour battery and a couple of pin hole wireless security cameras (one in the basket to show attempts made from inside where you can’t see and the second watching the outside of the basket)

The idea is simple…

Record the thief in action…print up a poster or three with the thieves picture on it (you want to be sure the attempt was a genuine one and not your imagination which is why a camera in the bowl which you then tape up where you are busking (a lot of thieves hang out in the areas they steal in…some even working or living in the area).

And to get the point across…name and shame by uploading to YouTube.

The problem though, being cost and a need to get your facts right (you do not want to accuse someone who is innocent, let alone someone who may be supporting you.

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Another idea is to use one of those handbag alarms you can buy, to place under your bowl which will go off if someone picks it up.

In the end, you need to be more aware than you may be.

One rule exists…

You have money in the open?

Someone will try to take it.

Junkie Delusions…

I survived the winter in Central tunnel, though at the time I wasn’t paying rent so bad days were not a huge issue as I had a little leeway, but the biggest concern are the junkies who frequent the area.

One such individual would pass by, stopping to look at the prints and in a quiet voice ask for a picture. No problems, always happy to help someone out with a print.

But then there were the times when he was drunk and high on something, where he would get aggressive.

And because of the visual impact I had, he would focus his attention on me…never a fun moment.

I think over a period of a month, he would threaten to bash me several times with the worst of it being the times he threatened to stab and cut me up for daring to think about his girlfriend (who I didn’t know as I had never seen him with anyone that I recall)

The time I called the police for assistance, the response was less than helpful, advising me to vacate the area as I would be in the wrong if I responded in any way unless he swung first.

Not exactly eager to be stabbed I would avoid the tunnel for three (?) days…not something I could afford to do.

During those days I ran through my options for self-defence, many of which would get me into trouble.

Finally I settled on purchasing a small portable torch the size of my fist. With 16 LEDs, it was very bright, just the thing to use against a junkie, after all, if they are coming at you, they need to see you.

When a couple of police officers wandered past, I would even mention my “defence”…which when the officer took the torch from me to look over, resulted in a dubious look as to its validity for the use I intended.

Sure it was a metal casing, but being the size of my fist, certainly of no use to swing as a weapon (which was the point to operate within the rules regarding weapons for self-defence…specifically, you can’t have any. So no tasers, pepper spray or knives boys and girls) and the tunnel was well lit so of what use is a torch?

Thankfully I have never had cause to use it for defence, though that may be because I have avoided the tunnel for the past few months while the days have been fairly good weather wise (though recently I have been thinking I may need to return as the winter approaches)