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My name is Ben
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VJBENJAMIN
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
37
Posted : Feb 18, 2011 00:51:40
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Family.....Some of you may know me, some of you not....I have been heavily involved in the Psy scene now for several years....Performing as a Visual Artist and Being part of a Production Crew throwing events in the Ohio/PA area......
I have battled a serious Drug addiction for the last few years and recently gave up fighting ad did what i needed to do and got off drugs.....Life has dramatically improved for myself, my wife and daughter, and the people around me....
There are many things that I had to give up or put to the side to be able to make this happen....There are certain things I am Unwilling to give up....One of them being the trance family I have grown to love......I have been seriously jonesing for a good party.....Especially now that festival season is right around the corner with some really good things here on the east coast popping up.....
I am not good at being a spectator.....i need some level of involvement.....I have been trying to figure out where i can fit in and help, but not put myself at unnecessary risk of making some bad decisions.....
The other night i was driving to work and a idea dawned on me and i wanted some input from you all....
My idea was this......
What if im not the only person in a similar situation......love the music and scene, but afraid of making decisions that i know are not healthy for me being immersed in an environment where it would be VERY easy to make the wrong choice.....What if I could provide a place, a safe haven if you will, for people like myself to be able to go at the party where they could feel "safe" from those influences, maybe lend an ear to someone having a difficult time with making the right choice for them.....
So im thinking about setting up a "sanctuary" with free hot drinks, coffee, tea, chai, etc and a place to chill that is Mood,Mind altering chemical free.....Any and all would be welcome to come hang, just be respectful of what is being done and keep any of that other stuff in your pocket...
DISCLAIMER:
Please do not think I have anything against said chemicals......I believe said substances are vehicles, and can take you to great places, Just for ME, i have a hard to keeping myself under control while riding in such vehicles.......this was very difficult to come to terms with and i lost nearly all of myself trying...
thoughts? comments?
thanks for reading |
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vector_0
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
113
Posts :
1189
Posted : Feb 18, 2011 01:21
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VJBENJAMIN
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
37
Posted : Feb 18, 2011 01:25
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Id rather not go into specifics......Can I leave it with all of them? lol....seriously though, ive tried limiting it to certain ones but several times now it leads me back to the few that destroy me.... |
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rich
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
103
Posts :
2184
Posted : Feb 18, 2011 01:38
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Cool initiative Ben! I can picture something like that working out great. I've always felt one of the benefits of this music we love is pushing to better ourselves, and this definitely sounds like that.
Good luck to you and best of health!
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DanVapid
Moderator
Started Topics :
32
Posts :
736
Posted : Feb 18, 2011 04:56
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Wow. What a great post! I think a lot of people could benefit from this. Overall, I think things need to clean up a bit. Good music is enough on it's own (most of the time)! Emphasize quality in putting on our gatherings, and people will feel less need to overcompensate with party enhancers. In this environment, a "sanctuary" runs less risk of being divisive or isolating, and may not even be necessary! |
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DanVapid
Moderator
Started Topics :
32
Posts :
736
Posted : Feb 18, 2011 05:15
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Quote:
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On 2011-02-18 01:38, rich wrote:
I've always felt one of the benefits of this music we love is pushing to better ourselves, and this definitely sounds like that.
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Well said... |
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MR VOMERS
Moderator
Started Topics :
36
Posts :
2094
Posted : Feb 18, 2011 15:27
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we would love to have said sanctuary at worldbridge, Ben.
Anything else i can do to support, i will!
Much love!
 WARNING: The Reality Master General has determined that Mr. Vomit may significantly alter your reality. Usage of the knowledge provided by Mr. Vomit may be perceived as dangerous and subversive by those in authority. |
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MR VOMERS
Moderator
Started Topics :
36
Posts :
2094
Posted : Feb 18, 2011 15:28
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Hats off to you btw....i myself struggled with Meth for 6 years or so...and have now been off of it for 6!
Bravo!
WARNING: The Reality Master General has determined that Mr. Vomit may significantly alter your reality. Usage of the knowledge provided by Mr. Vomit may be perceived as dangerous and subversive by those in authority. |
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Pauldo
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
11
Posts :
155
Posted : Feb 19, 2011 04:10
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Hey Ben,
Pauldo here, from Chicago now down in Austin. Good to see you surface again. Sorry to here that you had an issue. My heart aches for you on that.
My brain however is pretty damn proud of you for laying it out there and addressing what you needed to address. If any community can support and accept you it would be this one I hope. Y'all plan on making it to Sacred Earth, first weekend of June? I plan on flying up for it.
Peace,
Pauldo |
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Pauldo
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
11
Posts :
155
Posted : Feb 19, 2011 04:12
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Say hi to Jen! I forget your little one's name 
...I do remember she liked playing with the nipples on my mannequin.  |
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VJBENJAMIN
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
37
Posted : Feb 19, 2011 04:37
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Thanks for the positive feedback everyone....Its good to know that i may be able to continue down the road and still be part of the most colorful, energetic, beautiful, creative and intelligent group of folks ive had the pleasure of knowing.
Pauldo, Hey whats up man, good to hear from you. Ill let Jen know you said Hi, I wonder if Ana remembers Madusa......and her nipples lol.
Cinder, man i know allll about that......WorldBridge is a STRONG possibility......can I get you contact info though PM? |
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vaxination
Started Topics :
2
Posts :
262
Posted : Feb 19, 2011 11:59
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I find that beer and mate (tea) are my drugs of choice these days. beer is likely not part of your regimen if you are going total sober, but thats my personal kick, not nearly as extreme as some but I find after a good bit of sleep deprivation, the combo is pretty awesome and I can sleep whenever I want = ]
so hooray for mostly sober dancing!
.:.vaxination.:.
vaxination@gmail.com
esoteric generation/beatnik productions |
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Scatter
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
142
Posted : Feb 22, 2011 08:21
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A sanctuary at a party? Why not have the party be the sanctuary? I feel it would be hard to keep mind altering substances "out" of a certain dedicated area at a party...meaning you'd have a hard time keeping people who were under the influence out of that area (or even know if anyone is under the influence). It seems to me that allowing people under the influence into this area would defeat the purpose of the area, which means you'd be isolating and alienating people at the same time...which might cause some problems.
I've thought about this a lot, actually. What I want to see is a dedicated party where the no substance rule is actually enforced 100% and not just posted on a flyer and sort of kept in check. A party that people go into pledging to stay sober and keep others sober. Like you said, certain substances can be a vehicle (and I'm not necessarily talking illegal ones here) for an enhanced experience, but I'm thinking if the major intention of a party were to be completely alcohol/drug free, we might see a whole new level of enhanced experience... one that relies completely on the music, the people, and the environment to transport and trance out participants without anything else "muddying up the mixture" so to speak. I think something really special could happen.
www.soundcloud.com/holographic-by-nature |
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Shiranui
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
116
Posts :
1219
Posted : Feb 22, 2011 16:50
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It's not that I don't like the idea of a substance-free event, it's just that I don't like the idea of a party having "rules" "enforced" |
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VJBENJAMIN
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
37
Posted : Feb 22, 2011 23:08
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Quote:
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On 2011-02-22 08:21, Scatter wrote:
A sanctuary at a party? Why not have the party be the sanctuary? I feel it would be hard to keep mind altering substances "out" of a certain dedicated area at a party...meaning you'd have a hard time keeping people who were under the influence out of that area (or even know if anyone is under the influence). It seems to me that allowing people under the influence into this area would defeat the purpose of the area, which means you'd be isolating and alienating people at the same time...which might cause some problems.
I've thought about this a lot, actually. What I want to see is a dedicated party where the no substance rule is actually enforced 100% and not just posted on a flyer and sort of kept in check. A party that people go into pledging to stay sober and keep others sober. Like you said, certain substances can be a vehicle (and I'm not necessarily talking illegal ones here) for an enhanced experience, but I'm thinking if the major intention of a party were to be completely alcohol/drug free, we might see a whole new level of enhanced experience... one that relies completely on the music, the people, and the environment to transport and trance out participants without anything else "muddying up the mixture" so to speak. I think something really special could happen.
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to clarify......
Anyone would be able to come into said "area" It would be suggested that no open use of chemicals in that area........I believe in this community and feel that MOST people would respect this suggestion.....
i mean, i wouldnt want to rope off an area or anything.....it would mostly be a place where someone could count on some sort of support of some kind.....
I also dont think a "sober" party would work.....its not like i would expect people not in my situation to conform to me.........Im all for people enjoying this or that....wish i still could.... |
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