Date 87 - More creative living through chemistry?

originally posted Saturday, November 12, 2005

Despite my need for a break, I was eagerly anticipating my date with B this week. It would be a refreshing change to be out with a known entity and someone that has friends in common with me. Sure to be a good time and might be exactly the type of pick-me-up I needed.

B had a birthday this week and he offered up a nice and varied selection of different activities depending on the day that would work best for my schedule. Very thoughtful! Is that what happens when you hit 41?

We opted for a Friday night concert at the Glenn at the Backyard. The band Storyville was playing some kind of reunion show. I'm not familiar with the band, but I've seen lead singer Malford Milligan before and the guy absolutely rocks! My voice instructor asked me to go see him once as homework and I was awed. Malford puts it all out there - no holding back. It was a no-brainer to choose the concert.

When I arrived at the venue it was completely unrecognizable. This place used to be secluded. You could even see the stars in the sky in addition to the ones on stage. No longer. They've developed the hell out of the area now, and they're not quitting anytime soon. I wore sturdy shoes in anticipation of hiking a long distance from a remote parking spot but there was no need to since it's now surrounded by big strip malls and parking lots.

I was actually a little nervous pre-date, but I felt totally relaxed once I got there. B is not really physically remarkable: 5'10", brownish hair (what's left of it). He's a lot of fun though and that definitely ups his appeal: intelligent, politically aware and opinionated. Refreshing.

What wasn't refreshing was chemical ingestion prior to the show. It's certainly food for thought. I suppose it was good that he asked me if I minded him using something. I asked what the something was and he told me. Wow. Um...? Geez! Seriously? I wished he had just done it before I arrived so I wouldn't have to think about it. This was hard stuff. Scary stuff, in my opinion. It's thought provoking about where one draws the line. If alcohol is OK, or pot is OK, then what about harder things?

B is successful and self employed in a creative job. He's an impressive guy but the chemical usage immediately made me feel like we inhabited separate worlds. I envy the creative world he lives in and the freedom it gives him, but if this is what it means then maybe I am better off remaining a corporate drone.

Who am I to begrudge him his "birthday treat"? I had my own car, so I wouldn't have to worry about getting home safely, but I had to wonder how often he does this sort of thing and what it really does for him. Also, I can certainly understand wanting to have some caffeine or alcohol to help with a date (to bring the energy up, or round off any sharp edges) but is a date with me so stressful as to require hard drugs?

We grabbed some BBQ sandwiches inside and a couple of drinks and headed up to the stage. Storyville rocked. Dave, the lead guitarist was really impressive. It was a fun night. We stuck around a bit after the show and talked for awhile. He wanted to head somewhere else to hang out and talk more but I was pretty tired. I didn't notice any difference in his behavior over the course of the evening but sadly, the drugs definitely had the effect of changing my perception of him.