One piece at a time.

Finished “Reefer Madness” by Eric Schlosser [author of “Fast Food Nation”]. If I had any doubts about decriminalizing marijuana, they’re put to rest now. I don’t advocate smoking it, because it’s a general waste of brain cells, but for god’s sake, let the punishment of possession fit the crime.

Interesting tidbit: My homeland, Ohio, is near the center of the Marijuana Belt — where the vast majority of America’s pot is grown. This explains a lot.

Another interesting tidbit: It’s estimated that a person would have to smoke a hundred pounds of pot a minute for fifteen minutes to induce a lethal response. That’s a fucking lot of weed.

More drugs: Still trying to track down a copy of “Prozac Nation,” having just read Elizabeth Wurtzel’s “Bitch.” I understand they’re making a movie based on PN. [These things are a lot harder to keep track of without television, so bear with me.] I enjoyed “Bitch,” but I think perhaps it was misnamed. A lot of it was about women acting outside societal norms — including just being single. Perhaps not mind-blowing journalism, and it was a bit tangential and self-absorbed, but that’s how I like my books.

Kind of surprised I hadn’t read it yet.

Anyway, my pitiful library branch still only carries assorted Danielle Steeles, so I’ve been having a rough go of it, ‘specially since I can’t bring myself to pay hard money for books. This is sort of related to the New Deal that Iain and I have worked out, in which we both are living like ascetic, spartan monks in order to save up for a freaking house down payment.

I thought we were being frugal before, rolling our own smokes and decorating with milk crates, but apparently we may as well have been chartering jets and holding parties in the VIP lounge.

But all is not lost, dear Reader. Once I ditch the cell phone next week [take that, Verizon, you corporate bossy-butt!] and break myself of the habit of eating [just kidding] it’s smooth sailing.

Stay tuned for more details of my newfound obsession with city life … I’ve decided I want to live like Gordon and Maria on Sesame Street. How sweet is that? Researching brownstone apartments as we speak …

July 27, 2003 | Filed Under other