Drugs 101

There's a wide range of substances that can have various effects. They can be broadly categorized with unique properties and consequences.

Depressants

Depressants, also known as sedatives, are drugs that slow down the central nervous system. They have a calming and relaxing effect and are often prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. Some common examples of depressants include benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium), barbiturates, and certain sleep medications. When used, these drugs can lead to decreased blood pressure and heart rate, and in extreme cases, respiratory depression.

Stimulants

Stimulants rev up the central nervous system, leading to increased alertness, energy, and a sense of euphoria. Popular stimulants include amphetamines (e.g., Adderall), methamphetamine (meth), and cocaine. They can raise blood pressure and heart rate, and chronic use can have serious health consequences, including cardiovascular issues and mental health problems.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens profoundly alter perception, thoughts, and feelings, often causing vivid hallucinations. One of the most famous hallucinogens is LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), which can lead to intense visual and sensory experiences. Another well-known hallucinogenic substance is magic mushrooms (containing psilocybin). They can have unpredictable effects on mental health and may exacerbate underlying mental health conditions.

Opioids

Opioids are powerful pain relievers derived from the opium poppy plant. Common opioids include oxycodone, codeine, and fentanyl. They work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing pain perception, but they can also induce a sense of euphoria. Opioid abuse has led to a devastating epidemic of dependence and overdose deaths in recent years.

Cannabis

Cannabis, often referred to as marijuana or weed, is a psychoactive drug that has gained increasing acceptance for both medical and recreational use in recent years. Its effects can vary widely, from relaxation and heightened sensory perception to anxiety and impaired coordination. Long-term cannabis use may affect mental health, particularly in susceptible individuals.

Inhalants

Inhalants encompass a wide range of volatile substances that produce chemical vapors that can be inhaled to induce a psychoactive, often euphoric, effect. These substances can include household items like paint thinner and aerosol sprays. Inhalant use can have serious and immediate health risks, including damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and other vital organs.

MDMA

MDMA, also known as ecstasy or "Molly," is a synthetic drug that combines stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. It is often associated with use in party or club settings due to its capacity to enhance mood and social interaction. However, misuse can lead to dehydration, overheating, and serotonin depletion, affecting mental health.

Methadone and Methamphetamine

Methadone is a medication used to treat opioid dependence by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Methamphetamine, on the other hand, is a powerful stimulant commonly referred to as "meth." Both substances have significant potential for use and dependence, with long-term use adversely impacting physical and mental health.

Ketamine

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used in medical settings but is also used recreationally for its hallucinogenic properties. Its effects can include altered perception of time and space, detachment from the body, and vivid hallucinations. Long-term misuse can harm mental health and lead to a condition known as "Ketamine bladder syndrome.”

So, Big Pharma is spending billions of dollars on advertising on TV and everywhere else to tell us to "ask your doctor" about blah blah blah. The messages are loaded with warnings and mostly formulaic with occasional lame music and dancing with presumed happy users. Below is a partial list of drugs I've noted in the last few weeks. (I don't think any doctor can answer all these question.)

Jardiance (Diabetes), Lybalkvi (scitzophrenic "push back"), Rinvoq (UC), Entresto (Heart Failure), Skyrizi (Chrone's D), Rexulti (anti depression), Caplyta (Bi Polar), Otezla (Psoriasis), Ozempic (type 2 Diabetes), Paxlovid (Covid), Ultomiris (Myasthenia Gravis), Nyvgart (ask your neurologist), Tremfaya (Arthritis), Mavyret (Hep C), Zeposia (UC), Rybelsus (type 2 Diabetes), Qulipa (Migraine), Vraylar (depression), Cosentyx (crone's ask your dermatologist), Entyvio (releif/remission of...), Kesimpta (RMS), KisQali (Breast Cancer), Cemtesa (over active bladder), Shingrix (Shingles), Quvinviq (fall asleep), Vervenio, Trulicity (type 2 Diabetes), Dupixent (Eczema), Austedo, Kisquali.  

Today 3-30-25

It's your birthday, Bing.

Not a big thing.

You smile and say;

It's just another day.

But when those kids of ours clock another year;

From you, we're sure to hear.

Cookies, candles and cake;

Love lives from the moment you awake.

Not taking for granted, any single moment in time;

Because this time is for all time.

Ingredients carefully chosen as you bake;

Every measure you take;

Because in retrospect we just might find;

Those little gestures, while they are so very kind;

Are sweeter than sugar and as good as gold.

Tastes to remember until we are old.

"Don't know why I love you like I do

I just do." 

 

A New Poem

 

Discontent

What? How absurd, 

You forgot your user name and password!

Click the bate;

You won't have to wait.

It's FREE, for a while anyway:

If you just act today.

Your input doesn't match our files.

Try back after a while.

Oh, Just TAP your card.

It's not hard.

Are you a member?

You don't remember? 

Just log in. 

Sign up. Sign on. Let's begin.

Operators are standing by. 

Just kidding. You know why.

Would you mind completing a brief questionnaire?

Are you still there?

We've got a great net promoter score, you know.

Our Algorithm clearly shows... 

Nothing but AI. 

Do all the humans have to die?

Once we were worried about seats on the bus.

What about the rest of us?

Billionaire. Oligarch. Narcissist.

Not a good time to be a helpless Pacifist!

What do you mean - great?

OMG I hope is not too late.

Humanity. Tranquility. Civility. 

Just looking for some Harmony. 

All we are saying is: Give Peace a Chance 

Give Peace a Chance.

Trite but True.

What can we do?

Sorry Gen Z. 

Afraid it might just be up to thee.

 

 

Immigrants, Ashcan and Grief at SLAM

 

In the City Park c. 1934 Raphael Soyer - The artist came to New York City in 1912 as one of the many Jewish immigrants who fled persecution and violence in Russia. 

Girl with a Dag, 1914 by Frank Weston Benson (American 1862-1951). Like many artists in his generation he left his teaching duties there to enjoy Summers painting  en plein air. His Summer home was in North Haven, Maine.

Woman Standing Near a Pond 1880 by Edward Mitchell Bannister (American 1828-1901) The artist, an African American stated the descrimination he eperienced multiplied his artistic struggles ten-fold. He became one of the premier landscape artists of his day. He won a bronze at the Philadelphis Centenniel Exposition in 1876.  

Portrait of Charlotte Cram, 1900 by John Singer Sargeant (Ameican born Italy 1856-1925) Painted in his London studio of 7 year old Charlotte.

Young Woman in Green c. 1915 by William J. Glackens (1870-1938) Glackens, a Central high school friend from Philadelphia Alfred C Barnes gave Glackens $20,000 to purchase Art in Paris (he returned with over 30 pieces - the beginning of the infamous Barnes Collection). Glackens was one of the original EIGHT that were of the Ashcan School (lead by Robert Henri and including Prendergast, Lawson, Sloan, Luks)  

Smelt Brook Falls, 1937 by Marsden Hartly (American1877-1943) Hartley lived with Mason family in Nova Scotia when, in 1936, two of his grown sons and a cousin drown in a boating accident. Channeling grief in a series of brooding landscapes and seacapes of which this is one. 

Houston Street, 1917 by George Luks (1867-1933) Luks and others like him were often called the Ashcan School because their works included the grays and soot that spread over the streets. 

Road Down the Palisades c. 1911 by Ernest Lawson (1873-1939) Characteristic of his best landscapes with thickly applied paint the Hudson River is seen beyond the road. 

The Tenth Street Studio, 1880 by William Meritt Chase (1848-1916)  Chase was known as an exponent of Impressionism and as teacher. He established the Chase School which later became the Parsons School of Design.

Betalo Rubino, Dramatic Dancer, 1916 by Robert Henri (Ameican 1865-1929) Henri, a teacher and painter as a young man studied in Paris and identified strongly with the Impressionists. He was born Robert Henry Cozad and was a central figure in the Ashcan School of American Realism (a movement in stark contrast to the idealized and romantized depictions of the Gilden Age. 

Bat Mitzvah

 

Sally likes to orchestrate and organize things. 

The Rabbi at Temple Reyim notes the joy it brings.

Family and friends bear witness on this day.

The girl enters adulthood in her own special way.

Apps and micro brew at Trillium - hearty;

Newton is abuzz, while Boston reenacts a tea party

Shaboozey and more on an art makers' space dance floor

Into the night, you couldn't ask for more.

We all know it's all about you;

But - What will baby sister do?

I'm sure it will be no surprise; 

By your example, she too will rise.

Time does fly, or so it seems; 

I want to thank the Academy for all it means.

When it's Nora's turn to take the spotlight;

Once again we'll dance into the night. 

Note: Sam and Norman were brothers. They married Toby and Muriel, respectively. Sam and Toby beget: Randy, Lynn and Deborah. Norman and Muriel beget: Peggy, Jane and Hope. Peggy married Bill and they became parents to Sydney. Sydney married Tal - Now they are parents to Bat Mitzvah girl Sally and her younger sister Nora. Mazel Tov, Sally!

Bill Schwartz & Akiva Gross (grandfathers), Max and Perry Schatzow (cousins); Caroline Wexler & Dave Podolsky (NYC and NoFo friends); Kate Leffel, Adele Kudish, Bethany Wexler (NY friends); Rachel Jessen (aunt), Brett Kaufman (Tal's best friend); Mimi Ellis (NYC/NoFo friend); William Cohen, Jane Stevens, Jed Cohen, Harrison Cohen Stephanie Manning (aunts and uncles); Dalia Kliman, Oren Levin, Natalie Menipaz, Violet Segall and other Schechter friends); Lindsey Desey, Ben Morgan, Erica Zendell (cousins); Allan Wexler and Beth & John Wittenburg, Eve& Mike Katz (Tal's cousins); Peggy and Bill Schwartz (nana & pop pop); Sydney & Tal (parents) SALLY GROSS (Bat Mitzvah girl) 

TORAH READERS - 1-7

Nora Gross (sister)

Note: Shabot Shalom! Temple Rayim! In Hebrew, the word reyim means friends, bat mitzvah means daughter of the commandments - at age 12 girls take on the responsibilities of a Jewish adult.

Dem Kids is 8

 

2016 was a banner year for us. Lawton was born in Tampa and James was born in Saint Louis. Both boys turned 8 in 2024. They mark time for me as I recall some of those special moments that just kind of happen.

Fast Forward to 2024 

Lindsey brought Lawton to Saint Louis to see Andrew Morstein in the Saint Louis Opera Company's production of The Barber of Seville. During that weekend visit Lawton showed his creativity in Papa's apartment studio. He created a mosaic that turned out to be a cardinal. 

Visiting New Jersey for Father's Day weekend over the Summer I was able to enjoy a trip to Purple Glaze in Asbury Park with James and Ben.  

Meanwhile, Dave Shogren honored Wes Morgan Mosaic Art with a commission for cover illustration for his CD Album release. 

Fast Forward 2025

I was most fortunate to receive and accept an invitation to Sally Gross Bat Mitzvah in Boston (Newton) on March 1, 2025. It created a perfect opportunity for me to to roam the halls of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. The Bat Mitzvah itself was nearly 3 hours long but I had to express to the Rabbi gratitude for making the occasion joyous and welcoming for me (Catholic from Saint Louis).

Lawton is a ball of energy who started referring to me as "old man" as in "come on old man". He also conned me into drafting a Will in which I promised him: NOTHING. Ha. His mom made sure he got to see a number of historic sights and more than sufficient experience to please his teacher with a Power Point presentation. 

James smiles with a show of a missing baby tooth. He fits in with cousins and all at the kids table. I was compelled to grab his shoulders and look him in the eye to say, "James, You are amazing!"

at the busy Bat Mitzvah party venue. His response: "Why?" Therein it a point of difference between 8 year-olds. One would recognize such a compliment with a shrug and an implied "I know" and the other is just starting to find his super power. 

 

 

Becoming Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin formed in London in 1968. The band comprised Robert Plant (vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), John Paul Jones (bass and keyboards) and John Bonham (drums). With a heavy, guitar-driven sound and drawing from influences including blues and folk music, Led Zeppelin are cited as a progenitor of hard rock and heavy metal. They significantly influenced the music industry, particularly in the development of album-oriented rock and stadium rock.

Interviews, performances and never-before-seen footage provide insight into the origins of Led Zeppelin and their meteoric rise to musical stardom.

Release date: February 5, 2025 (USA) Director: Bernard MacMahon Distributed by: Sony Pictures Classics Music by: Led Zeppelin Production companies: Big Beach; Paradise Pictures

I really enjoyed this movie. I laughed to myself recalling the Zeppelin tribute band I saw with John Kristofeld and his brother last year at the Lake of the Ozarks. (We also enjoyed boat ride courtesy Chris Galloway with Melissa). 

And I enjoyed seeing Galloway's band, Tiny Moose as opening act for Robert Plant and Allison Krause at the Ozark Amphitheater on June 4, 2024 with Dave and Linda Shogern and Al Funk. (Tiny Moose also performed at the LHS class of 74 Reunion at the Music Box in Cleveland Friday night July 26, 2024). 

As luck would have it, Lisa Grimm of Integrity (and the UMSL Marketing Review Board) got me a ticket to see the Celebration of Led Zeppelin show at the Pageant in University City on Saturday February 22, 2025. It will be fun to again immerse in that music and that time. 

Note: I actually got two tickets to see the Led Zeppelin Celebration at the Pageant but I didn't know I had the extra ticket until I picked up at Will Call on Friday. Tom Shaughnessy declined because his son was home from school (family). Darryl Vandever regrets because he wasn't feeling well (flu), Dave Shogren was beat after returning from trip to India (jet lag). 

Malaprop

The Pallisades by Ashcan School Artist Ernest Lawson from early 20th century. (on view at the Saint Louis Art Museum)

   

mal·a·prop

/ˈmaləˌpräp/

noun

1. the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect, as in, for example, “dance a flamingo ” (instead of flamenco )

Comedian Norm Crosby* used to say "I resemble that remark" which is a good example of a malaprop when delivered brings a smile but is pretty plain to understand what the speaker meant.

My wife once chided me when she didn't like something I said or did with the phrase "Your attitude is rancid". When I pointed out that word was not communicating what she wanted to say, she tried to defend it with a more comprehensive flurry of adjectives that told me that my behavior was rotten, tainted or just not right. It makes me smile still when I think of her using that phrase. I try now to have a sweeter disposition that might never again be so repugnant as spoiled meat.

I have had quite a few conversations about fine art with friends since I am big fan of art available for public viewing in my hometown art museum and whenever I have time as I travel to other cities. Janie has one of those predicable art responses at times. She is not impressed with a Mark Rothko color field painting, saying that she feels that as a viewer, she is entitled to know what she likes. Never mind how this tends to discount the study of art history, art criticism, curators, popular culture and perhaps hundreds of factors that qualify a work as art (or not). She reduces her experience of the Rothko with a cousin to "a child could do that" with her summary review - It looks like a lampshade. This is a fair comment I suppose but It might be dismissed in an intellectual discussion of of post war artists commenting on the New York School and/or on the heels of the breakthrough of the action painting of Abstract Expressionists like Jackson Pollock. 

Never mind the art talk. I find myself preaching about the importance of the story teller. Janie has heard me preach about this nearly as often as my references to fine art viewing. It might be precisely why she's inadvertently cooked up her own malaprop. (I think she is unaware of it, but here goes.) Janie, in the middle of a conversation of no specific purpose, states "Like you say: the truth is in the eye of the beholder." Well this one kind belongs in a safe among the best examples. It feels like I am the origin since my insistence the "the truth belongs to the teller" and her insistence that art is determined by "what I like" as in "the eye of the beholder". 

So the expression gets a bit jumbled but in an artful way when she says - "As you say, truth is in the eye of the beholder." (Maybe this is more a mixed metaphor than a malaprop. It's amusing nevertheless.)

*Norman Lawrence Crosby (September 15, 1927 – November 7, 2020) was an American comedian born in Boston, Massachusetts. He was often referred to as "The Master of Malaprop".

1.