February 24, 2002
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
11am The worship service was lead by drums and guitar--a fun switch from hymns, and they even asked the congregation to stand for a song called "Teach me to Dance." No one got their freak on with any kind of dancing, but it was a good start. It was especially interesting cuz Pastor Don had made two comments earlier in the morning about Baptists not being allowed to dance.
I sat up in the balcony reading Naked Lunch, by William Burroughs, a book Shonah loaned. "The title means exactly what the words say: Naked Lunch--a frozen moment when everyone sees what is on the end of every fork."
Thus far, William has just talked about his 15 year addiction to junk. "Junk" he says is: morphine, heroin, demerol, and opium, among others I have not heard of. He also remarks, "when I speak of drug addiction I do not refer to Marijuana or any preparation of hashish, mescaline, LSD6, Sacred Mushrooms or any other drug of the hallucinogen group... There is no evidence that the use of any hallucinogen results in physical dependence. The action of these drugs is physiologically opposite to the action of junk. A lamentable confusion between the two classes of drugs has arisen owing to the zeal of the U.S. and other narcotic departments."
"The more junk you use the less you have and the more you have the more you use. All the hallucinogen drugs are considered sacred by those who use them---there are Peyote Cults and Bannisteria Cults, Hashish Cults and Mushroom Cults--"the Sacred Mushrooms of Mexico enable a man to see God" --but no one ever suggested that junk is sacred. There are no opium cults. Opium is profane and quantitative like money."
2pm. First day of rock climbing this year. On Minkey Wall, I lead Warm and Sultry Evening(5.8), then Tom lead Salt 'n' Pepper (5.8). Azure sky, no wind and warm rock made for a heavenly day. Fingers only got cold when jammin' deep cracks where the sun don't shine.
On Stata Factor wall, Tom lead Granite Planet (5.11c), then I continued leading on the second pitch of Psychic Hotline(5.10). Sitting on the throne at the top, with legs dangling over the edge of the cliff, 600 feet above the valley floor, it was a perfect moment. Often, I feel anxious, not completely fulfilled, like there is something better I could be doing, but not when climbing. After an amazing lead, I feel a great sense of accomplishment and peace-- like anything is possible and I am where I am supposed to be. It is where I feel most free.
8pm. Recording "Traveler's Dream" at the university radio station with Tom and Christina.
