Just Say No

Maybe a theme will emerge as I get a few things written down. Maybe not.

***

I read recently that in the "just say no" 80s, marijuana usage among high schoolers declined sharply.

Nancy Reagan's slogan was laughable and unrealistic, or at least that's how I remember the consensus from the time. Yet the article I read tried to make a case for how it made it uncool in some way. Somehow this approach affected some teens to the extent that they genuinely saw it in an unfavorable light.

The idea, according to the article, is that primary (aka preventative) education needs to focus on taking the glamor out of drug use. We're seeing the effects of this popular opinion on cigarette usage right now. It's dirty, it's smelly, it's bad for you, and it's expensive. Fewer teens smoke now than in years past.

If anyone had seen this man stumble off of the train in Ft. Worth Saturday afternoon as I awaited MOBB and THEGIRL, they wouldn't have thought of drug use as being the least bit glamorous.



He went straight to the pay phone at first, and he kept... sinking. He kept dropping from an upright stance to a crouch. He'd catch himself, straighten up, then start all over.

I went outside to wait for the girls, and soon he was out there too, hunched over a bench, clearly affected. He clutched a plastic bag and a prescription pill bottle.

Many people noticed him. Security, which had three days prior given me lip twice about my four-year-old daring to play on the tile floor there, simply asked, "HEY--are you all right?" before moving on and doing nothing.

Two women griped at him. I couldn't quite catch the words, but the tone was clear. As they left, he stumbled after them, waving the bottle. I'm guessing he meant to justify his condition to them by showing that it was medicine.

***

Happy Birthday, Toland. I hope it's been a great one for you. If you end up in jail again, don't call me this time. I'm blocking your calls.

***

Spam seems to have recurring themes. They finally got the spam filter for our office email working pretty well. Prior to that we got lots of solicitations for Viagra and Cialis.

I keep an eye on my spam box on Yahoo mail because sometimes it's a bit overzealous. And you know, these days the spammers are convinced that:

1. My name is Jerry Forsyth

and

2. My colon needs cleansing

***

BB's current therapy: Neil Young. I'm enjoying the stuff Ken got for me.

***

I'm going to be in Washington for the 2008 National Migration Conference next week. I do enjoy the fact that I get to travel for my job, I really do.

***

Anyway, tomorrow's Friday. Here's wishing you all some caffeinated love, and a mighty fine weekend.