#helpful advice from your Goth Auntie's Dad

[gothiccharmschool]

Can we get more of those talking down folks that are hallucinating tips

Ha! My Dad will be so proud. A collection of tips he gave me:

If the tripping person says they've developed superpowers, help them test it out in baby steps. Have them jump off the curb instead of trying to fly off the roof. Stick their face underwater in the sink to determine if they've developed gills, instead of heading for a pool or beach.

If they see entities and are freaking out, have them start singing a childhood song at it. Suggest one that you know so you can sing along with them.

If they're having a bad trip, tell them to imagine a ring/door/portal and go through it, because that will take them to a friendlier place.

No, don't waste drugs on the cat/dog/whatever the household animal is. They won't appreciate them.

For those who missed the post this conversation came from: my Dad was in Haight Ashbury in the mid- 1960s, and he told me stories and gave me advice. This is also the reason I've never taken hallucinogens; after he described the effects to me, I said "So it's just like when I haven't slept for a few days, got it".

[crowstown]

Dirk had had a really long day, he was once again strugling at school, and that was saying something because he was really smart and he knew it. But then, keeping up with delayed schoolwork and house chores was tiring him a lot.

So that night when he was supposed to pick up Lilith from rehearsal , he ended up taking a nap that ended up with actual sleep. But then at midnight the noise of wood knocking woke him up.

“What the...”

— Dad? 

— Go back to sleep, Dirk.  — Can’t you sleep? - asked Dirk - want me to make something?  — No Dirk, I just need you to get back to sleep.  — What’s that? - he pointed at the unpaid bills piled at the table.  — It’s none of your business, son - said Darren and then faced Dirk who was standing behind him. 

— Oh? So now is none of my business - he said bitterly - so when i get kicked out of school, when i’m about get kicked out of my house is none of my business?  — Yes - said the older Dreamer with angry voice - I’am your father and I’m gonna find the way to get out of this.  — How? Selling your paintings? To who? Because i don’t see miss Goth and her friends coming over to ask for them. You need to get out, look for a real job!

— Well if you don’t like it why don’t you do something? Uh? You’re just always complaining but at the end you’re the same, a useless little shit! You’re just with that girlfriend of you, what are you planing? make her pregnant so you can live at her house for free this time? You’re sixteen Dirk, you can get yourself a real job too! 

— Yes! But you are supposed to be the adult here, and you say I’m useless?!  Who do you think keeps this fucking house runing? Where do you think the groceries on that freezer come from? The Watcher? I do schoolwork for my old classmates to get money for that! 

— Well no-fucking-body asked you to! 

— But i want to keep eating, and having a life!

— Fine have it somewhere else, I always knew you where this selfish!  

— Really?!

Darren said nothing just stared at him. Dirk went to his room and quietly closed the door. Ever since his mom died they both had said horrible things in the worse situations for them. He did mean that things but also knew that wasn’t the best moment or the way to say it. 

“Fuck”

No longer after that he heard his dad going upstairs. Sometimes he really wanted to give up. 

— Hey - he said trying his hushed voice to be louder so they could heard him - I know it’s late but... do you think i still can crash there? ... sweet, yeah!

— Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you up - said Martin.  — It’s ok... what time is it?  — It’s half past ten, you should go downstairs, mom is making lunch — Yeah, thanks. 

He didn’t remember the last time he had sleepover at some friend house, he always was too afraid of  his dad hurting himself or leaving while he was out. But last night he was really mad and that party wasn’t that bad after a couple of drinks.

— ‘morning - he said in small voice 

— Darling! Come here! - said the Rubens' mom when she saw him, Jessica was a really good friend of his mom so she was really fond of him, she also tried to pull him under her wing but he kept pushing everyone out, every damn people he felt saw him with pity.

— You good? - said while she wraped him in a hug - Lunch is ready, take a sit, i made a lot so you can eat as much as you want ok?  — Love, let the boy get some air! 

— So, how was the party, boys? Did you had fun? - Joshua grumbled, while Dirk and Martin nodded with their mouths full.

— We ran into Mickey - Martin said carefully, and everyone kept quite - I spoke a little with him, said uncle Joe lost his job at the bar a couple of days ago. 

— Uh, no surprise there my dear brother was always a lazy ass, speaking of which how’s your dad doing Dirk? Has he found a job?

— Dad! - said the twins at the same time 

— What?! He quit his job didn’t he? - his wife and kids made faces at him. 

— Actually, Mr. Ruben, dad is doing great! - said Dirk putting his best fake smile on his face - Do you know Miss Cassandra Goth? she’s the daughter of Bella and Dr. Goth. She helped dad to put  an art exhibition on The Deh’Javu Modern Art Museum, they’re inviting some important people there, so they can buy dad’s art, he’s probably opening a gallery after that. 

— Wow, that sounds wonderful boy, but not many people buy expensive art just because. 

— And dad’s knows it, that’s why an art expert is helping him. 

— How are you doing in school sweetie? Is it good?

— Well, our team isn’t the best... yet - he smiled at Mr. Ruben and all of them put a smile and started talking about how this was their worse season. 

— Hey dad, maybe now that we're four we could play a little match?

“We’re four? was he invisible?”

— Well that was fun but i think i should go home now, dad wants me home for diner - he lied. 

— Why don’t you take a bath before, sweetheart? - Dirk cleaned out some sweat of his forehead with his sleeve - Boys, let Dirk have some clothes before he goes home. 

— Yeah, what about auntie’s sweater, Josh?

— Sure, that could work. 

Walking back home was a bittersweet sensation, he almost forgot everything about his dad there but at the same time he knew they only got each other. And that his dad wasn’t feeling good but he still loved him, right?. 

— Oh, man!

“Well, at least i know that he ate”

— Dad, I’m back. - Darren mumbled something that was like an “all right”

— Ok. I’m going to be downstairs, in case you need anything. 

“He loves me right?”

— Hey girlfriend!... I know i’m very sorry but i fell asleep. 

— Wow, so you in a big fancy dinner with the Llamas! Are you going to meet Joe Carr?... so what?! Your dad is important Lilith let him have his moment, if it were me i would be very proud, not like my dad... Gnomes aren’t THAT good... yeah of course but...- Lilith started a monologue about the Gnomes so he blurted out the thing he was thinking ever since last night

— Lil’s I’m thinking of runing away... 

— Ok, ok wait but, what do you think? Is it a good idea?... - when she started rambling about an explanations he knew this call wasn’t a good idea - hey are you going to ask for an autograph? 

— I really don’t want to talk about it. I just want to know what do you think..I know you need context but i don't want to give it to you, or at least not over the phone... would you call me later? ok, ok, Bye then!... Lils?

“... the fuck am I doing?”

— Hi mom... i know that this is really dumb but i need to talk to someone and Lilith’s not home... also she probably isn’t the best person to ask for an advice. 

— I know is not his fault to feel that way, man you always told me that but somehow i didn’t listen... did you... ever felt like this? Tired and angry? Did you also wanted to run away? Man i’m thinking about every time i was a brat because of dad’s mood... I’m sorry. 

— Yes mom, of course I love him but sometimes he’s too much... everyone is too much, even Lilith! And I do love her so ever much but... sometimes i want to talk about it with someone who doesn’t think parents sucks. 

— Yes, you’re right I should stay until he’s better. Jessica is great you know, I like her because she always have fun stories about you. Do you miss me there? 

— Thanks mom, your a great listener!

Credits for the fabulous uni parents

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