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.

Dangers of Smoking

While the obvious issue of people walking on my drawings is a fairly high occurance, as is the risk of bird strike. Perhaps the biggest worry is the smoker who disposes of their cigarette without bothering to put it out.

No wonder bushfire season is a problem, especially when people used to a more moist environment go traveling.

In my case it is a daily battle to kick cigarette butts away just on the ick factor alone, but every now and then a lit cigarette will head towards the drawings. In most cases I have managed to intercept the offending material.

As of today, I have missed spotting 2 lit cigarettes. The first causing a small burn on the “Said Hanrahan” panorama and the 2nd causing a deeper burn in the “Waltzing Matilda” panorama which is nearing completion.

One of the days I am probably going to look up and find a panorama on fire.

The fact that the panoramas inspired by the works of poets/writers are the ones damaged to date is highlighted by the stereotype of writers. Huddled over their typewriters with cigarette between their teeth.

The simple fact that lit cigarettes are being tossed, in many cases without the smoker paying attention to where they are throwing it is what is really frightening.

I have in the past had a lit cigarette flicked into my face as a smoker entered a shop. My fear is that one of these days, such an action is going to land in a pram.

If your going to smoke, then ensure you do the right thing.

Dispose of your rubbish in a thoughtful manner.

Teenage Smokers the Ultimate Annoyance

Personally I do not care if the kids want to stick “Dead D***s” in their mouths and puff away thinking they are top stuff. Their parents generation did it and the generation before them did it so meh.

What does annoy me is the spit that tends to follow.

Or more to the point, the constant spitting where I am currently busking (having spit the length of my panoramas which are about 16 feet long is just a tad disgusting) or where I normally set up. The first impacting on anyone coming near me and the later impacting my ability to set up.

In either case, my ability to survive is impacted (I have lost count of the hours of drawing I missed out on)

And if my ability to survive and create doesn’t concern you, take note that if I can’t set up in a spot where I can hand out the free prints, then that’s a loss someone else is experiencing (perhaps even yourself)

So to any teen out there who may be offended at the above response … By all means, swallow your spit (which probably tastes like crap which is why your constantly spitting when you smoke) and know that the disgust you feel at such an idea is the same way I feel when your all but spitting on me.

Happy you like my work, be happier if you were to show me (and others) a little more respect. After all, if you were not spitting, I wouldn’t feel the need to post this (and I would get more drawing done)

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For the record, I do not smoke and while for the most part I will try to shut up regarding the whole smoking issue, some things are a little outside my tolerance zone.

Thank you.