NYC Robert: Wisdom Tooth

I did not want to get out of bed today. I wasn't interested in talking to, or being around anyone because today was the day I had to get my wisdom tooth removed. Ouch! Since I knew food wouldn't be much of an option after the procedure I ate as much as I could for breakfast.

Today was national drive slow day. I knew that because I'm only 15 minutes away from the dentist and I was running late. As I glanced down at the speedometer it read 45 mph. WTF!! Since I'm the nicest person in the world I didn't honk my horn, instead I just went with the flow. I also called the dentist to let them know that I would be five minutes late. Their office is very strict, and what made that more obvious was the conversation I had about being five minutes late. The lady said "you can only be five minutes, no more." As I listened to her aggressive tone of voice I thought to myself, "Who the fuck is the bitch talking to?" However, I responded "Okay." Driving with aggression at 45 mph is the best feeling ever. Not! At the office I still felt the tension in the ladies voice. I say to myself "What the fuck did I do?" You may think she was having a bad day, but actually every time I spoke to her it was the same way. Maybe I missed the memo on how to have a conversation with secretaries that are annoyed with life. Anyway, as I sat in an empty waiting room, I wondered why they played classical music.

The lady came to the door, and said "Michael, we're ready for you." I thought to myself, "really I'm the only one here, who the fuck else would you be ready for?" I walked down the hall and went to the third door on my left. There I was instructed to sit in a chair and place a tube that contained nitric oxide around my nose. I looked to my right and saw an X-ray of my maxilla, I also saw the destruction that was about to take place. It took a while for the NO2 to circulate my body, in that time I made small talk with the dentist and his assistant. The talk was mainly about the Nitric Oxide I was inhaling and how funny it was making me feel. I also noticed the music and how calm it made me feel. In a way I wanted to laugh because of the irony, but couldn't. At that moment they knew the chemicals were taking an affect. That's when I got about ten injections in the upper and lower regions of my wisdom teeth.

The nitric oxide was really doing the trick; at times I would close my eyes and begin to fall asleep. Other times, I would watch the dentist use various tools to chisel around the tooth until he could pull it out. The procedure lasted about fifteen minutes, and the only thing I had felt was the numbness in my mouth. I actually got a verbal award by having big wisdom teeth. They even allowed me to keep them. Let's go teeth!! I found that to be very fascinating. Who would have thought that my mouth housed big teeth? Awesome!

Before my day ended I had to get my pain medication. I went to my local Wal-Mart, but they wanted too much information so I decided to go my CVS. However, before I left I decided to get body wash, deodorant, and peroxide. After getting my hygenol supplies I went to join the checkout line. While I was walking this lady steam rolled right in front of me. She then turned around and said, "I'm sorry I didn't see you there." Let’s back up...I'm walking to the checkout line and I'm clearly in front of her. As I stare at the line I notice frizzy hair crossing my path. Damn! This bitch just cut me. She apologized, but all I could do was stare and say, "don't worry about." Kicker is I got her back. Another line had opened up, and I notice her trying to go over there. Whoops! I shimmied right on down. "Next!" The clerk said. Ha-ha bitch..

Well until next time my brothers and sisters
One love.

Jersey Cambell's dia numero siete y ocho

Excuse me boys and girls, I forgot to set the tone for my last post. Can't have a history of cocaine lesson without some Eric Clapton.

The scope of cocaine use in medical products is well documented, and from what we know of the drug so far, all claims made by doctors and drug manufacturers in the late 1800s are somewhat legitimate.

By 1905 snorting coke became popular. By 1910 the first cases of nasal damage from snorting is found in medical journal and seen in hospitals. in 1912 the US Government reported 5,000 cocaine related fatalities in one year.

The tide began to turn during the great moral panic of the early 20th century. Blacks, Mexicans, and Filipinos were pissing on the moral fabric of America. Cocaine was being linked to derelicts, gamblers, prostitutes, pimps, burglars, blacks, and other low-class members of society. Some doctors and social scientists even went so far as to say that many interracial rapes were by cocaine- craving black men. (Side note: they also pinned the image of the mad black man onto marijuana as well. Cocaine makes some sense, but weed? Indoctrination and manipulation knows no bounds.)

The Harrison Narcotics Act was passed into law in December, 1914. The law regulated and taxed the production, importation, and distribution of opiates and coca leaves. Lets look at the events that led up to the passing of this legislation (brace yourself for a history lesson). I'll spare us all the explanation of the opiate condition in America.

The Journal of American Medicine published an editorial stating that the niggers from the south were using coke. Newspapers ran with this idea and started talking about how the coke caused the niggers to rape white women and could even improve their shooting accuracy. A scary thought indeed. If most of the rape cases in the south against our precious white women were by cocaine-crazed black men, we must regulate the drug to ensure the safety of our people. This is basically how they were able to outlaw marijuana too. Lies and propaganda. Linking a drug to a perceived threatening class or race often fueled American's perception on that drug. (It's not just America though. In the 19th century the Chinese regarded opium as a tool of Western domination, and used that in their anti-opium campaigns.)

Accoridng to the Harrison Act, cocaine was still illegal for distribution and use, but for registered companies and individuals it was as legal as discrimination and segregation. So while you could still get it prescribed by doctors, you wouldn't find any cocaine cigarettes at the local grocery. But the public fear of the drug had already been planted in the minds of the people. Cocaine use declined steadily through the 1930s, when the New York City Mayor's Committee on drug addiction declared that cocaine was no longer a societal problem, if it ever was.

NYC ROBERT, Another day:

8/22/11

Sleeping is probably the most relaxed state for us animals. Why? Because we don’t have to do anything, it’s a time for enjoyment and peace. However, this country has actually taken away that enjoyment with the most annoying sound ever, a device that is so annoying to man- the ALARM CLOCK… This device wakes you when you’re either just about to get laid in your dream, or about to win the lottery. Who ever made this shit must have not thought it fully through. I think alarm clocks can be more than that device that sits next to your bed. For instance, the train passing your house every morning at a specific time, a parent yelling "WAKE UP!!!", or a fucking lawn mower. Yup it’s Monday, and those guys are back at it. Fucking Awesome!!!

While I laid in bed listening to that annoying lawn mower sound buzzing, I began to think of my daily plan. I planned to clean my car, go to CVS, and lastly, pay my school bill. My car had this very awful smell. I thought a rat died in there. Luckily, I discovered the smell was coming from a bottle. I say “luckily” because all I had to do was get rid of the bottle and then the problem was solved, I also got some air fresheners.

(Driving to my school) It's not uncommon for the LIE (Long Island Expressway) to be backed up at any given hour of the day, especially around lunch time. I take the side road, which goes right through the traffic. While driving I glanced through my rear view mirror and noticed a MAD MAN driving. His eagerness nearly killed me. As the light strikes yellow I prepare to stop, at the same time this nut changes right into my lane. Thankfully there wasn't someone to my right otherwise this dumbass would have driven right into me. He then reverses his car because he was in the way of traffic. He tries to have a conversation about traffic lights. I stare at this fool and wonder if he knew that he nearly killed me.

Finally at school, the bursar's office was backed up (nothing unusual). I stood in line for about twenty minutes when a lady came out and said "if you’re paying by check just drop it off here." Damn was that good to hear!!! After paying my bill I got very hungry so I walked over to the local campus lunch spot called Totz. While there I got in to a conversation with Christy and Tori, we talked about dating and relationships. I didn't really have an in depth conversation with the two ladies because they were eating and I was a bit in a rush. To describe the ladies Christy had dirty blonde hair, and mentioned that she was married. Tori, had curly hair, but didn’t mention her relationship status, however, I’m sure she has a boyfriend. I gave them my blog information, as they seemed a bit interested to read it.

The day went well and obviously not much went on, but not to fret tomorrow’s a new day.

Jersey Campbell's dia numbero cinco y seis

Ask any druggie who knows his history (they're not as rare as you think) what year he would like to time travel to. I guarantee that the 1800s will be in the top three responses. Aside from the puritans and social reformers lambasting drunkards and denouncing alcohol, a minor cold would grant you access to at least a shot of some opiates. The question is not what was available, it's what wasn't available. Coke, heroine, opium, morphine, quaaludes, cigarettes (what could bogeys cure? Asthma of course!), alcohol, chloroform, marijuana, soda, amphetamines, barbiturates, and various other quack remedies could be had over the counter (I miss the good ole days). Most of these drugs are now illegal.

Have a pain? Here's some cocaine!

The "miracle drug"s heyday in the 1800s saw it prescribed by the country's best physicians for exhaustion, depression, and morphine addiction. It was also available in many patent medicines. Come to think of it, from what we know of the coca leaf and cocaine, it would definitely work to alleviate exhaustion and depression. We should look into getting that back into drugstores. It can't be much worse than what is already sold at your local CVS.

Every manufacturer wanted to hop on the cocaine bandwagon during this time. Italian doctor Paolo Mantegazza went to Peru in 1859, witnessed the natives chewing coca leaves, and of course had to try it himself. You'd do the same thing. He wrote a paper on the coca leaf describing its effects which was later read by a French chemist by the name of Angelo Mariani.

in 1863 Mariani began selling Vin Mariani Wine which had been treated with coca leaves.

Back then, instead of buying an 8-ball and booze, you'd get them in one shot.

The bandwagon continued to grow into the 1880's as Frederick Allen created the now renowned soft drink Coca-Cola. It is said to have contained a "pinch" of coca leaf. No wonder people liked it so much.

Also in 1885 manufacturer Parke-Davis (once America's oldest and largest drug maker) sold cocaine cigarettes, power, and injections. The company claimed that their coke products would "supply the place of food, make the coward brave, the silent eloquent, and render the sufferer insensitive to pain." "Oh really? We've known this for over 3,000 years," said the Bolivian slave.

The father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud was an early advocate for cocaine, believing that it was a safe and useful tonic that could cure depression and sexual impotence (boy was he right). So what Freud may have been a coke-head? Who wasn't back then? Thomas Edison also promoted cocaine use during his day.

The wonder drug's time in medicinal substances and carbonated drinks was relatively short lived as scientists and physicians finally discovered that this shit was kinda unhealthy. By the 1920s there were enough regulations to halt the use of cocaine in medicine, effectively protecting the public from partying too much. Damn government, always tryna stop us from having a good time.

Until next time. Peace and Coke... I mean, "Love."

NYC Robert: Sometimes meeting new people is easier than it may seem

8/20/11

It was so silent in my house I probably could’ve been woken by a pin drop. What actually woke me was the religion of our new technology, the joyful sound we all enjoy, the precious sound of a fucking iphone text message. Nice!!! I honestly wish I’m never woken by that annoying iphone text sound again. Anyway, I thought it was only 7 am, but as I glance at the clock it reads 8:20. All I could think of was getting to work by 9:00 am. Already it’s clear I’m having a damn good morning. Obviously I didn’t have much time to get ready so I quickly got dressed and ate some breakfast. Luckily, I was out the door within 20 minutes.

At work it was a regular Saturday (not much going on). I would get many regulars, who would come in mainly to chat. Today, Eric came in to see what was on clearance. Eric is a financial adviser, who in his spare time seeks discounts on electronic merchandise such as cameras, camcorders, and TV’s. Lately, he's been coming in and has been a mentor to me. So far he and I have discussed a lot of his past. Like when he used to live in Barbados and was very financially set. So set he owned very expensive cars, lived on the beach, and traveled to countries like people go to the grocery store. Eric had a very interesting past. These days he's taking it really easy. His reason for that is mainly because he reads the bible a lot. It’s taught him not to be so wild and rambunctious... If you’re wondering how that happened, just think of a bachelor living in the Caribbean with a lot of money. As our conversation grew, I then discussed my ventures a bit too, mainly on my challenge of meeting new people. Eric then mentions something very wise-the Book of Solomon. He tells me how Solomon had many women, but mentions that they were just metaphorical weights on his shoulders. The pleasure they brought would be of a mere fifteen, twenty, or thirty minutes, and then what? He stares at what he just did and feels no different than he did before, except a bit worse. By Eric mentioning this, I thought he may have taken what I said a bit wrong. But either way what he said was very insightful. You may assume I know Eric very well however, today was the first time I found out his name. After he left I really thought of the words by Solomon, and how I could use them.

The day was the day, but by night the dogs come out to play.

Later that day my friends and I venture to a barbecue, there we met Ashleigh, along with her family and friends. I got into a brief conversation with Ashleigh about her take on one of my blogs. She had great input, but was so bombarded with tending to her guests that we postponed the conversation for later. After the cake had been cut, and the drinks had been drunken, my friends and I decided to head out. But before we did of course we had to say our goodbye's. During this time a fellow comrade of mine, who happens to be a KAPPA assumed that some girl was astounded by that. I disagreed. Later I asked him why he thought he KAPPANESS made him more desirable, and we kind of bumped heads. I guess when you have two cocky guys so close to one another that’s bound to happen. But everything is cool folks

.

Onto our other lame adventure, Nautical Mile, there we found a bar that didn't close at 2am. Anyway, while at the bar I wanted to find out more about what women think about dating and relationships. It wasn't long before I was talking to three ladies on the subject. I didn't get their demographics, but their perspectives were different than Nicky and Emily, who I mentioned in a previous post. So I kept listening and talking. I learned more about the women's mind, and although I will never fully figure it out, I find that this helps. Of the three ladies I found out one is in a relationship, another is a teacher, and the last is a bartender. The Bartender had a lot to say and she said she hears a lot of stories on relationships. I figured that because people get drunk and talk to the bartender, so that made a lot of sense. After listening to all of these ladies I felt that I had a lot of insightful information and that would help me in my next relationship blog. I said my goodbye's and finally the night had ended.

NYC Robert: Does who I met today fit the definition of a stranger

This post is for 8/19/11

It's been about four years or more since I've had a conversation with this person, and we've known each other since we were eight years old. Back then we hung out all the time, played basketball, rode bikes, and just kicked it. Today, saying "hello" would seem like I was talking to a stranger. I hadn't really thought of it because when I'd see him I'd wave, but casually. We also never really spoke much in the later years of high school. Honestly, I felt that we grew and turned in different path's. He had his friends, and I had mine. You could also say he was a lot more popular than I was, which meant that he carried with him a group of people I wasn't too fond of. Ironically though a lot of people he was friends with didn't have the same smarts as him. He always wanted to be a business man. I remember when we were kids that's all he would speak of. And although he was a gifted basketball player, making it to the league wasn't his dream.

Today I was driving down the road as I always do, and I guess he said to himself "enough is enough." He runs out into the road and stops me. I was very shocked! He begins going hysterical at my disrespectful behavior because I never say hello. As we began to talk, I noticed that he was very frustrated that I never stopped to have a conversation with him. As I mentioned before we hadn't spoken in long time. Clearly though their was a lot of things we could have discussed. He asked me many question mainly on what I'm doing in life now and what I want to do later.

For those of you who don't know I'm currently pursuing a bachelor's of science in physical education. It wasn't my first choice, and if I discuss my other majors it will take a while. But I chose it because working with kids is a lot of fun and it brings me joy. The second reason is that I could also be a personal trainer. Just killed two birds with one stone. The only sad part is that since I've changed my major so much and none of them were tied together, I still have two years left of school. After that though I want to get a Doctorate in Dietetics. If you ever have a conversation with me on healthy eating and general health you'll discover that to be my true passion, and gift.

Now back to my conversation with this old friend. I then asked him what's going on in his life. He told me he just got a job on Wall St., and it wasn't easy. It took him lots of trips to city, and money he didn't have. From the way he described it it's almost like he would go to various interviews and stand in front of businesses all day until he got his shot, almost like the movie with Chris Gardener played by Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happiness." Well someone once said getting a job is a job itself. But its good his hard work paid off. Our conversation got interrupted by a family member of his needing a ride somewhere. And I was also heading out. I hope my acts of being a stranger to him, and others will part.

Well my fellow brothers and sisters until next time

One love.