birthday present." He wouldn't

My Best Birthday Present - Timothy Leary My Best Birthday Present I haven't celebratedmy birthday in decades. Sure, when you're a kid it's exciting to add ayear to your age, have your parents gather your friends, blow out the candles,and get presents, but today I turn 49 and the last thing on earth I feellike doing is celebrating, much less blowing out a fire. Nothing very specialabout November 10th other than it is the day that Stanley found Livingston.Okay, I wouldn't mind a present or two, but that's more a matter of actuallyneeding stuff than thinking I deserve any sort of reward just for havingsurvived another year. I've always felt it was a wee bit egomaniacal tothrow yourself a big birthday party. Nothing wrong with celebrating others,but when it comes to celebrating yourself, it shouldn't be in public. Fifteen years ago todayit was also my birthday and, as normal, I was doing what I always do, whatI still do, what I'm doing right now, writing at my computer, with absolutelyno plans for the day. When you don't have a plan, there's nothing to deviatefrom. You can do whatever you want without fear of failure because howcan you fail when you don't have any goal in mind? Whatever happens, happens,and it's good or bad on its own terms. The higher you get your hopes up,the further you have to fall, so I never count on anything. If somethingbad happens, too bad. If something good happens, it's a gift. There was a knock atthe door. I opened it and there was Timothy Leary who said "Hi, I'm yourbirthday present." He wouldn't explain how or why this came to be, or whoin particular was bestowing him upon me. He was simply there, and he wouldhang out for at least an hour. All he would tell me was that he was toldI was someone he should meet. Whenever you meet someonefamous in a personal situation, it's hard to know how to behave, particularlyif they're enormous media stars. After all, you've spent hours gazing atthem, thinking about them, perhaps days or weeks staring at their image.Imagine the hundreds of hours you've spent with certain stars broadcastregularly into your living room. They feel like a friend, like you actuallyknow them. They're not and you don't, but it's a hard feeling to shakewhen they're standing right in front of you, coming into your house, sittingon your sofa, checking the place out while waiting for you to bring thema drink. No matter how many memories you have of them, they have none ofyou. To them, you are a total stranger. Treat them like a fan would andyou risk becoming part of their teeming crowd of lookie loos. Treat themlike you don't know who they are and they could get insulted. No way tomake a friend. Friendships deserve an even playing field, so it's hardto think of yourself as the friend of a celebrity until they know as muchabout you as you know about them. Which is why celebrities are SO interestedwhen you interrupt them somewhere in public and tell them about your uncleSid's gall bladder operation. I wanted to be friendswith Timothy Leary so he had a hell of a lot of catching up to do becausehe knew nothing about me and I knew a lot about him, or at least I thoughtI did. I shifted into show-and-tell mode, whipping out a book of Polaroidsfor him to peruse. He enjoyed my madness immensely and I proceeded to tellhim something I'm sure he heard a million times. My life was profoundlychanged by his research into psychedelia, combined with reading Tom Wolfe's"The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test," the Beatles, and meeting a guy namedMario in 1970 who claimed to be the husband of the actual Alice that ArloGuthrie sang about but who supported his acting habit by selling acid atLee Strasberg's studio where I happened to be studying at the time. But I digress. Thefirst and foremost influence that Timothy Leary had upon me was my art,which simply didn't exist. Before my first acid trip, I wasn't an artist.I had never played guitar, had certainly never created any impressionism,and hadn't written a single word other than school assignments. Maybe Iwould have discovered these talents on my own, but if my Polaroids remindyou of acid flashbacks, welcome to the club. On acid, what I do to my Polaroids,you can do to reality. Move it around a little. Make big things look small,small things look big, marvel at the infinite depths you're capable ofperceiving, as though reality were a 3D comic book and for the first timeyou were looking at it with the red-and-blue glasses. Pre-acid, I was onlyinterested in being an actor, moving to New York to study with Lee Strasberg,and getting in a Broadway play. On acid, I actually attempted to give aperformance from Spoon River Anthology in front of the man himself, a performancehe declared "interesting," a performance that convinced me that actingwas a very strange profession. While personally communicating with theinfinite miracles of the universe, I had a very hard time convincing myselfthat the most important thing I could be doing was pretending to be a fictionalcharacter while reciting dialogue written by a writer I'd never met. Post-acidI walked home from the Village to my boarding house at 39th and Park, pickedup my roommate's guitar and started playing. It wasn't long before I wasa better guitar player than actor, and I ended up composing music for severaloff-Broadway shows. Way off Broadway. The Company Theater at La Cienegaand Pico in Los Angeles to be precise. Other acid trips wereless eventful and I stopped taking it, but not before playing with my firstSX-70 Polaroid camera and discovering I didn't need acid to change realityto my own specifications. We talked and talked.He wasn't a drug addled guru and I wasn't an acid burnout. He was extremelyintelligent. My vision of Leary had been fogged by his media image, andI had forgotten that he was a Harvard professor. Luckily, some others forgottoo and that's how he escaped from prison. The most amazing story he toldme was this one... When he was bustedby the Feds for possession of one single joint of pot and sentenced to20 years in a Federal penitentiary, the prison officials did what theyalways did with new prisoners, they gave him a psychological test to determinewhether he would go to a minimum or maximum security prison. He passedthe test with flying colors and was sent to minimum security where he promptlyescaped. What the officials didn't know was that Leary himself wrote thepsychological test for the Federal prison system when still at Harvard,so he knew exactly what answers to give. After a couple hours,my birthday present had to leave, but in his new life as Hollywood gadflyI kept running into him over the years at video shows and art galleries.I'm glad he lived long enough to experience the Internet, and if you haven'tseen his site, it's still up at http://leary.com/ and well worth a peek. Excuse me, there'sthe door. Emulsional Problems

Buy Gift Certificates 100%

GoCollect.com - The Web's Widest Selection Of Collectibles & Gifts Browse 70621 Products Today! Click Here to Login/Register It pays to GoCollect! Click for Rewards Shopping Cart Your Account Customer Service Featured Stores: CowParade | Fresh Flowers | Candles | Framed Art | Halloween -- SEARCH --· Boyds Collection · Charming Tails · Cherished Teddies · CowParade - Official Site! · Department 56 · Dreamsicles · Fresh Flowers · Gund · Harmony Kingdom · Jim Shore · Just the Right Shoe · Lenox Classics · Lladro · Mary Phillips Designs · M.I. Hummel · Pooh & Friends · Precious Moments · Seraphim Classics · Snowbabies · Swarovski Crystal · Thomas Kinkade Art · Walt Disney Classics · Waterford · Willow Tree · Yankee Candles $10 Off PLUS Free Shipping! Click for details. -- GoCollect.com Gift Certificates $75 Gift Certificate Same As Cash!!! FREE With GoCollect Gift Certificate Purchase: White Linen Gift Card & Envelope Personalized Gift Message Removable Gift Certificate Card Colorful & Fun FREE upgraded shipping for Christmas delivery*** --- GoCollect Gift Certificates are the perfect gift with over 70,000 Collectibles from over 250 of your favorite brands! Can't decide what to get them? Let them choose... Give them the gift of the Web's Widest Selection of Collectibles & Gifts! GoCollect offers FREE Shipping & Gifts on orders over $75, 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee, an exciting Rewards Program and Fresh Flowers for any occasion! Great For: Empty Stockings! Under the Tree! In a card! Holiday Fun! Perfect For: Family & Friends Co-Workers & Collectors Last Minute Gifts When You Can't Decide! *Enter your personalized gift message when prompted at checkout. **Gift certificates are not refundable for cash and may not be applied to prior purchases. ***Order by 12 noon EST on December 23rd for Christmas Delivery --- Other Gift Certificate Denominations Night-Owls Get TRIPLE Reward Points NOW - Plus FREE Shipping!!! Click for more. --- Order by Phone (800) 920-4947 · 9am - 6pm EST Mon-Fri -- Please Note: We will be closed Monday, July 4, 2005 in observance of Independence Day. -- Order Toll Free (800) 920-4947 9am - 10pm EST Mon-Sun Customer Service (800) 318-8188 9am - 6pm EST Mon-Fri Sell Your Collection - NEW Auction Alternative! Click for more. -- Affiliate Network Retailer Network Secondary Market Store Locator Contact Information Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Buy Gift Certificates 100% Customer Commitment & Satisfaction Guarantee ©2005 GoCollect Inc. All rights reserved. The GoCollect mark and logo are trademarks of GoCollect Inc. Not receiving replies or emails? Click here .

Shower Gifts Articles Baby

Shower Gifts - Gifts BW gifts | gifts Resources | Add URL Wine Gifts & Baskets From the casual wine drinker to the serious enthusiast, we have a gift that will make them smile. Our selection includes premium wine, gourmet baskets, distinctive champagne sets & the very finest California and Northwest wines. Shower Gifts Articles Baby Shower Gifts Giving gifts for a baby shower can be an art! Remember to have fun when giving gifts with these great ideas...( Continue Reading ) Baby Shower Gifts, Prenatal Testing Baby Shower Gifts, Prenatal Testing Robin's Nest Newsletter...( Continue Reading ) Top Baby Shower Gifts I recommend these great baby shower gifts to anyone who's looking for ideas when they attend their next baby shower....( Continue Reading ) Giving Vibrators as Shower Gifts Vibrators make great gifts at both wedding and baby showers....( Continue Reading ) Thanking Coworkers A fun way to quickly thank coworkers for shower gifts....( Continue Reading ) Shower Gifts Directory Links volunteer appreciation gifts first anniversary wedding gifts black greek gifts corporate logo gifts house warming gifts childrens christmas gifts valentine gifts for boys traditional indian wedding gifts second year anniversary gifts creative gifts male valentines gifts holiday gifts simple gifts midi basket gifts gift baskets las vegas bachelorette gag gifts virtual birthday gifts 40th birthday gifts collectibles gifts gifts delivered erotic valentine gifts wedding gifts for bridesmaids cat lover gifts easter gifts unusual holiday gifts colorado gift baskets 4th anniversary gifts bar mitzvah gifts inspirational gifts www sears com gifts second wedding anniversary gifts gifts for a bridal shower gifts online golf gifts for dad golf novelty gifts spiritual gifts test online popular christmas gifts food gift baskets chicago gift baskets champagne gift baskets bike baskets leather anniversary gifts personalized golf gifts wedding anniversary yearly gifts spiritual gifts questionaire Popular Search Terms: Gifts BW © 2004 Gifts BW All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. This site is not related to Brajeshwar or Brajeshwar.com in anyway, shape or form

Gifts For Women Articles

Golf Gifts For Women - Gifts BW gifts | gifts Resources | Add URL Wine Gifts & Baskets From the casual wine drinker to the serious enthusiast, we have a gift that will make them smile. Our selection includes premium wine, gourmet baskets, distinctive champagne sets & the very finest California and Northwest wines. Golf Gifts For Women Articles Golf Gifts - Find Ideas for Great Golf Gifts Need ideas for the golfer in your life? Or maybe the golfer in your life is you. No matter who you are shopping for, you'll find ideas and recommendations for great golf gifts here....( Continue Reading ) Golf Books, Gifts and Miscellaneous Reviews and News Find reviews and news about golf books, golf gifts and gadgets and other miscellaneous reviews and news....( Continue Reading ) Gifts for Women Looking for Valentine's Day gifts for women? Here are five suggestions to give the perfect gift this Valentine's day for the woman in your life....( Continue Reading ) Five Healthy Tips for Improving Your Score We all know that a proper diet and good fitness can improve your golf game. You might not have known that the way you eat this morning - or even during a round - can improve your game, too. Golf......( Continue Reading ) Phoenix, AZ - TopPicks An index of TopPicks for the Phoenix, AZ guide site....( Continue Reading ) Golf Gifts For Women Directory Links one month anniversary gifts christmas gifts for moms ibm matching gifts horse theme gifts diwali gifts to india gift baskets in michigan mothers day gifts india twelve days of christmas gifts gifts for writers cat lovers gifts ideas for mothers day gifts american sign language gifts gifts for expectant mothers greek gifts teacher thank you gifts gift food baskets what are my spiritual gifts nut gift baskets rakhi gifts to india japanese gifts com traditional anniversary gifts by year country baskets great grandma gifts holiday homemade gifts collectibles and gifts for valor personalized gifts for him irish christmas gifts gifts business 7 gifts of the holy spirit wholesale baskets wedding bridesmaid gifts easter gift baskets special birthday gifts photo gifts easter gifts for babies bachelor party gag gifts send gifts to dubai gifts for wedding anniversaries basket gifts simple gifts shaker texas tech gifts best electronic gifts appropriate anniversary gifts great holiday gifts gifts for teenagers Popular Search Terms: Gifts BW © 2004 Gifts BW All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. This site is not related to Brajeshwar or Brajeshwar.com in anyway, shape or form

Teacher Gifts To Make

Teacher Gifts To Make - Gifts BW gifts | gifts Resources | Add URL Wine Gifts & Baskets From the casual wine drinker to the serious enthusiast, we have a gift that will make them smile. Our selection includes premium wine, gourmet baskets, distinctive champagne sets & the very finest California and Northwest wines. Teacher Gifts To Make Articles Teacher Gifts: Creative Ideas To Honor Your Kid's Teacher or Provider Forget the coffee mug. Resist candy. If you're looking for a creative gift idea for your kid's teacher to celebrate the end of the school year, a special holiday or occasion, or just to say "thank you," consider these practical and personal suggestio...( Continue Reading ) Teacher Gifts: Creative Ideas To Honor Your Kid's Teacher or Provider The school year can't possibly be winding down yet...can it? But, then again, as spring carnivals, end-of-year parties, and spring assessments and tests commence, it's a sure sign that the end of the year can't be too far away. In......( Continue Reading ) Teacher Gifts Tips Christmas tips on what to get your children's teachers for Christmas....( Continue Reading ) 10 Top Teacher/Caregiver Gifts for Under $25 You absolutely love your child's caregiver or teacher and want to give him or her something to show your gratitude. But, what can you give that will express your appreciation without breaking the bank? Luckily, the choices are seemingly unlimited. Ju...( Continue Reading ) Before You Buy Consumer advice for teachers and students on self-assessment, study guides, teacher gifts, learning software and more....( Continue Reading ) Teacher Gifts To Make Directory Links cheap fathers day gifts gift baskets mail gift baskets in colorado taylor gifts com gift baskets florida 50th wedding gifts christmas gifts children gifts to make for mothers day order gifts online gifts for less man gifts food gift baskets test for spiritual gifts flower fruit baskets best teacher gifts baby birth gifts birthday gifts for moms pewter baby gifts personalized gifts for kids gifts wedding teenage christmas gifts valentines day homemade gifts make gift baskets christmas gifts for parents designer baby gifts all good gifts gifts for the best man christmas gifts for teenage girls cool birthday gifts wedding gifts for dad gifts online uk personalized corporate gifts wicker baskets unique get well gifts top holiday gifts business gift baskets valentines day gifts for women great gifts in 30 minutes gift baskets of arizona christian spiritual gifts test high school graduation gifts for boys teenage girl gifts bear gifts gifts for fathers good graduation gifts Popular Search Terms: Gifts BW © 2004 Gifts BW All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. This site is not related to Brajeshwar or Brajeshwar.com in anyway, shape or form