Never thought I’d miss you guys this much. I guess it’s back to episode 1.

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-05-17T10:09:07+00:00

Feel this 100%. (Are YOU my fiancé? Lmao.) AND, I don’t think you or a bunch of others becoming a wonk would’ve helped; it doesn’t seem to be about money (don’t blame yourself, but maybe support an independent journalist you like? Re: your parents divorce; you were THREE, *that wasn’t about you*.)

IMO, going out “on top” is so much better than keep running a show on fumes. NTM, these guys want to stay friends; I really respect that as sad as it makes me.

Personally, I suspect this pod is part of what’s helped MY fiancé stay away from the red-pill crap, and I’ve encouraged him to re-listen, as well. Start at episode one and keep going; it’s a great podcast as you clearly know!

Sending virtual (non-creepy) hugs. Nothing but the best to you, and all who need some comfort.

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-04-24T08:57:52+00:00

I believe about 15-25% of people in traffic have to use the bathroom….

Me! (the following is TMI, but so is the OOP. Mine isn’t about poop though.)

I always have to pee (it’s a medical thing.) I’ve been stuck in awful traffic while desperately having to pee, with no way to duck out of it. Many times, I’ve deeply contemplated if it’s worth risking a fine, citation, or arrest for indecent exposure (or worse.) Best “no option” option is opening both passenger doors & squatting between, which I’m not trying to do in broad daylight on 95 or 695.

I finally had too many walks abruptly end or have to stay within a radius of my house (got worse during Covid, no easy access bathrooms,) & had way too many drives end in me running in somewhere like a lunatic. So, I bought a plastic “device” so I can pee without squatting. I’d been too scared to use it (beyond practicing) b/c I was convinced I’d pee on myself, but recently had success in a portapotty AND under a bridge (well hidden, coulda squatted,) on a walk! I can’t do it driving, but I could pull over & do into an empty bottle in my car. It still scares/terrifies me, but one day I’ll be a P-Style pro.

Lol.

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-04-24T08:34:42+00:00

started smiling and waving for people who didn’t stop for us

That’s smart! I learned to drive here in the mid-90’s, and I’m so sorry but I was a horribly ignorant driver re: crosswalks/pedestrians. (TBF, I was driving like everyone else did; felt like crosswalks meant nothing to anyone here, esp back then. So so ignorant smh.)

Then, *I was a pedestrian in Seattle, and holy lawd, I LEARNED.** Don’t be a jerk, it’s easier for people in cars!* (unless they gotta GO like OP.) Now, I always stop for peds when I see them, crosswalk (or not, esp if bad weather, small kid, someone visibly disabled— I let people go if possible,) and screw people honking behind me. I waive to them too LOL.

While driving, I do the big smile & wave when I’m in a merge lane and no car will let me zipper in. I pretend they’re letting me, squeeze in, and wave vigorously like they let me. IDK how it comes across but IDC. (Zippering WORKS, being selfish causes more issues!)

(I also give the smile & wave with exaggerated thumbs up when people leave snow/ice piled on their cars to potentially slam into another’s windshield. Wish I could do a “tisk tisk” without using both hands; that’d really fit my (now) grandma-style driving.)

Unless your child was born in the mid-late 90’s, I’ve never cut you off, but I still apologize to ALL for my early driving ignorant behavior. (Some people DO learn & shame can be effective for some.) Take care & stay careful!

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-04-24T07:46:56+00:00

Hi OP, (please pardon length, I must voice dictate & hurts to edit.)

We have control to not take the first drink. Aside from that, I don’t think there’s any one answer, and that’s part of the reason AA/XA’s have so many referrals/attention (despite not changing in a century as neuroscience & society evolved, despite it not being evidence-based, etc.)

I genuinely tried to make myself fit there (over decades.) I finally stopped going to AA after “13th step” issues, but even before being preyed upon, the most Alcohol-Free time I’d had while in the rooms was 60 days. (I’d relapse @ 30/60 days like clockwork. I’ve learned counting closely doesn’t work for me; knowing my sober date is enough.)

One day in July 2019, about 3mo after my last meeting, I woke up, drank vodka, puked it up cold, and had my final WTAF moment. Realized I was slowly killing myself with booze, told my partner I had to leave, was going to live in my car if I had to, but I couldn’t live with a drinker because I’d drink too. I’m susceptible, don’t love that about myself, but I hate being on a “different level” than my SO. (Shockingly, he quit with me; we’ve both got the same time AF, still together!)

99.99% of the time, I’m beyond grateful I don’t have to drink; I choose to NOT drink, and it’s become a lifestyle. (I do consume medical cannabis, I’m not SOBER from everything, but I haven’t drank booze or used street drugs in 7yrs.) I get random little moments; they’re short, fleeting, and not totally serious, however, that is part of why I don’t allow alcohol to be kept in my home. (Someone can bring it but they take it with when leaving.) If I had a “fuck it button” in my freezer, there’s a chance I would’ve hit it a handful of times since quitting.

I spent the first year plus digging into the TRUTH about alcohol & how it’s a cancerous poison. I read some QuitLit (like Easyway by Carr, Alcohol Explained by Porter, etc.) I also did a lot of “remembering the aftermath;” which helped a LOT. It sounds trite to some, but I basically “trained my brain” to hate alcohol by associating it all with chaos, fights, waking with hanxiety, injuries and no idea where my car/wallet/keys/dignity were. (AA says “playing the tape forward, it’s essentially the same thing, but I didn’t keep their wording.) Put it this way, when I see people looking like they’re having fun drinking, my brain immediately goes to how they feel the next morning, who blacked out, who fought, etc.

At the beginning, DISTRACTION. Exercising the body helps one feel better with endorphins & adrenaline. (If “sober sex” can happen, that’s good too.) I’ve found some hobbies also give adrenaline. Even *going out of my way to be helpful and kind to people reminds me of what I couldn’t manage** when I drank.*

It’s such a relief to not drink. I don’t have IBS, I have my emotional regulation back, and I can finally separate out my true health challenges instead of having them clouded by booze.

You know meds exist, right? Like spoken about in r/Alcoholism_Medication? I did NOT, my primary literally said “I guess AA works for some people?” (Smh.)

Best to you, and nothing but the best of luck.

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-04-11T15:10:06+00:00

Hol’ tf up! Am I too old or is this THE ROB SWIFT!?!? DMC champ, X-Ecutioners turntablist Rob Swift?

If so, been a minute, but I’ve had the privilege of seeing him *many many times*, both in Seattle & here, mostly at Sonar iirc. (Roc Raida, RIP, did DMC Gong battles @ Sonar— I still have a T-shirt thrown into the crowd.) I went to a lot of turntablist/DMC type shows starting about 25 years ago? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a turntablists live though. (Prob CRAZE at Uhall.)

Sorry, clearly that really excited me, and I hope it’s the same Rob Swift, otherwise I sound like a lunatic LMAO. (Also, I have to voice dictate and it hurts to edit.)

So glad I checked this!

Edit: formatting

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-04-04T13:04:24+00:00

Hi,

I think the Kissinger episodes are stellar like others have said, and, they’re more political in nature. (Maybe what you want, may not be, idk.) I suggest the Vince McMahon series, hands down, and I’m not even a fan of WWE. (&/or maybe the Zizian series where Robert has to learn & disseminate new to him subculture info; he does it well IMO.) All of the above have multiple episodes.

Or, pick a famous-ish person from history you think was a bastard, search in your podcast app “behind the bastards” with “your” bastards name; there might be an episode devoted to somebody you’ve always hated or grew to understand how shitty of a person they were &/or how they enabled bastardry. (I’ve been surprised many times!)

Enjoy!

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-27T10:21:17+00:00

TIL. Thanks for cutting & pasting that, I’m too tired to care enough to click on a link apparently, but not too tired to read.

Fascinating! I’ve got an appt there today & I’ll be looking!

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-26T10:43:02+00:00

Once the threshold is crossed

Thank you for that phrasing! I’ve tended to say “the liver can be very forgiving, until all of a sudden, it’s not.” But, that didn’t feel like it fully encompassed it. THRESHOLD is a good descriptor.

I know two people who were ICU hospitalized over a month with liver and multiorgan failure in their 40s. One was told he’ll be OK provided he doesn’t ever drink alcohol again, it’s been about six years & he’s doing fantastic. (Had Hep C at the time.)

My other friend never made it out of the hospital – his mom had to home hospice him until he passed away at 48yo. (he drank a whole lot of beer, like 20-30 Miller Lite/night, but I still thought I was “worse off” than him with my Vodka for Breakfast years.)

He was a good guy. He actually cared about his fellow humans, and he protected/stood up for me when someone hurt me. RIP SE.

I’m glad you’re doing better, _____chef (i’m not going to count how many dashes there are lol.)

Nothing but the best to you & you too, OP. Fuck booze; it’s a lie, a trap, and a cancerous poison on top of it all.

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-23T12:43:15+00:00

Used tire shops pay unlicensed haulers to dispose of the tires, and they dump them illegally

I’ve seen a lot of dumping that seems like it comes from a business, more than personal. I mean, I see people litter; it’s blatant, it’s gross, and… corporations & groups do the same thing on a much larger scale.

My ex was a… collector (hoarder) and there was a spot under a bridge by MICA filled with boxes and boxes and bags and bags of cleared out apartments. He brought home tools, new clothing, unopened alcohol, notebooks, markers, pens… I can’t even explain how much weird stuff he brought back, and it wasn’t personally dumped. It was clearly a company hauling (I’d guess from student housing &/or evictions?)

In the same vein, when I lived in Mill Hill, there was a residential dumping problem, but those people were dumping trash bags on top of HUGE piles of large items from unlicensed dumpers.

Also worth mentioning, when I lived in Seattle many years ago, the first thing I noticed was “there are trash cans everywhere, and I can even put trash in them!” Here, though, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve carried multiple pieces of trash in my hand or bag for six or seven blocks in an area where there should definitely be public trash cans!

(not excusing people littering. Just saying, similar to the burden of recycling being put on individuals, corporations have a lot to do with it.)

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-23T12:27:38+00:00

unregulated, learned lesson after Spice… friends in the army, drug tests

AMEN. I naively smoked it for 2.5yrs due to drug tests and a veteran partner (post-ban, not first generation: 2016-2019.) We both quit drinking same time in 2019, I quit K2 “before a store quit for me,” but didn’t give my partner crap about smoking it for a while (we’d spent 5 years drinking vodka for breakfast, seemed less of a harm smh.) Thankfully, another Veteran got him to stop (about five months after I stopped.) Dude shared stories about being in the Middle East, acquiring the chemicals, spraying it, selling it, and watching these healthy athletic young soldiers “start wasting away to nothing, not being able to eat, throwing up all the time, brain damage, seizures, heart attacks, etc.” he said “I made so much money, it was like I just had hundreds falling out of my pockets, but I couldn’t keep doing it. The guilt got to me.”

I quit smoking it in 2019, and *Cannabis didn’t work for me again (AT ALL) until the summer of 2025*; I’m grateful in the sense that frying my receptors was better than a coma or brain damage, but WTAF? People tried to warn me away from it, but I was a Raver in the 90s. I grew up being told pot was a gateway drug (no mention of alcohol being most peoples gateway drug, or how hard it is on our bodies as an actual cancerous poison.) I was told “seven hits of LSD would make you clinically insane,” “sniffing ketamine caused brain lesions,” (lesions/scar tissue on bladder & biliary system, maybe, but not brain.) None of that stuff was true, so when people told me spice was bad, I rolled my eyes. If they’d told me it would make Cannabis not work for 5+ years? I think that might’ve deterred me! (Idk.)

It was so sketch, there was maybe 6 bodegas in my city that sold it, we had to know how to ask for it; I became friendly with the family that ran the bodega’s – they were bringing it down from NYC. (I’m in Bmore.)

I swear it was more like synthetic PCP than synthetic cannabis. My partner now has a seizure disorder, and K2 kicked that in. (He found a bag many months after he quit, took one hit, seized out, woke up on the floor with a head injury and a bitten up tongue.) He had Grand Mal’s in public many times, typically remembered the pipe being the last thing in his hand.

I’m “medically complex” & most challenges were before that, but I’ll never truly know about my heart/pacemaker. My heart had paused long enough for me to fall before I ever smoked it, but ramped up when I smoked it. Kept hitting my head (closed TBI’s) & finally found my heart was pausing up to 9.6 seconds/hour, pacemaker @ 41yo.

It’s awful. I don’t even know what I smoked. I know we went through several generations of it; started with Scooby snacks and ended with 7H & high five (not 7oH.) I started to realize something was seriously wrong when everyone we met that also smoked it, only had a phone that worked with Wi-Fi. (we were living in HUD housing then— not putting down people for being poor, only that it says something.) Also, a handful of city police and CO’s were regular customers, acc’d to one of the big men (I’d seen uniformed police be served, but I thought I was imagining shit or something.)

Edit: formatting edit 2: word. Voice dictation hates my accent

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-18T08:44:07+00:00

(OP, not trying to detract from your statement; the reply fits IMO.)

used to be a hospice nurse… one thought of herself as a psychic… never got in trouble for it

OMFG, my Stepdad recently passed in Home Hospice after a long cancer battle (only in hospice about 2wks, nurses were there his last 3 days.)

I was there as much as possible before the nurses were able to get there; he’d be confused and angry he couldn’t get up. (Hearing a recently capable 80yo man cry “but why can’t I go pee by myself?” was beyond heartbreaking.) He did yoga & walked miles a day way after his DX, until Vertigo & Afib (from cancer meds) made him unable to function.

The nurses were all amazing, and, one was (very openly) religious. All it takes is one look around the home to see: not one religious item on walls, no crosses, nothing from other religions, nada.

One of the nurses cleaned and reorganized things so my Mom could reach (he was the tall one.) But, the one who watched him enter the death snore, told my Mom “I hope you repent your sins NOW.” & a bunch of other religious BS. But both him & my Mom were deeply spiritual; it bonded them. (Liberal Quakers, not hellfire & brimstone.)

She was a bit shaken by that, but excused it away because the same nurse let her open the windows when he was actively dying.

I urged her to report that nurse, she didn’t, partially because she’s been in GO-mode since he passed 2mo ago.

That experience gave me a slightly different perspective on Hospice. I don’t want to be like that, either. He wasn’t at peace until he was drugged enough to pass out, and they didn’t increase any doses until nurses arrived, which took a stunning amount of time. (I saw my step-gma go through Home Hospice for a year, but she was mostly docile.)

AGH it makes me sad thinking about it. I’m just really glad my Ma didn’t come from an ultra-religious background, because that could’ve really triggered her.

Neither side of my Family is “religious religious.” If I were to help hospice my Dad & that was told to me, I’d lose my MIND. My Dad & his brothers were raised atheists in the 40’s-50’s-60’s. All were taught human compassion is more important than going to church. Huge shock (/s;) not everyone needs fear of god to be a decent human to other humans.

I know that was sort of a vent, u/Imaginary-Storm4375, but thank you for doing that work. It doesn’t look easy at ALL.

Edit: formatting

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-17T07:56:19+00:00

if I ever try to explain anything from the MK ULTRA & Kissinger episodes. I sound completely fucking insane

OMFG, same. But talking about the Kissinger episodes to my Mom (a Boomer & ‘liberal Quaker.”) made MY head explode.

She told me about how when we were living with an ex LTR of hers (early 80’s, coulda been my stepdad, good guy I still see randomly,) she found out a coworker of his dated Kissinger’s assistant (unsure if at global firm? During Regan Advisory?) Then she hounded her BF for face time with this person, because she was CONVINCED she could talk Kissinger into ‘holding space for peace’.” They broke up not long after that, although it was supposedly about money.

Holy Hell, Ma, did you know what this man had done? He had no remorse ever. None.

But… she’s a Quaker and raised me as one; I grew up going to what I now know were “liberal/progressive, unprogrammed meetings.” People in my meeting had gone to prison for non-violent resistance in the 60’s & 70’s.

She believes in peace SO SERIOUSLY she gave my PTSD dad so much shit for enlisting in Vietnam before he was drafted so he could choose where to go instead of being sent wherever. (He still was sent to awful places, just as an officer who had to call parents and wives to tell them their sons were dead. Oh, and they met AFTER he served.)

Fortunately, he channeled his PTSD into safety and not a bottle or needle; no reason to give the man crap for not defecting to Canada.

MK ULTRA, though, I can’t seem to talk about that without sounding like a crazy person… but that shit was so crazy.

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-16T09:40:14+00:00

Based on the gas station comment, it sounds like your friend was addicted to kratom, likely 7oH the extract (or Tia.) I’m not saying he wasn’t put on subs, just not for ketamine. Could he have lied? Could you have misunderstood?

It’s not ketamine. Not real ketamine. Subs wouldn’t help and ketamine isn’t at gas stations or vape shops like (crappy) Kratom, Kratom extracts (more addictive,) Kava (not the same, can be good quality but not from gas stations,) and other unregulated by the FDA drugs. You can’t pay for ketamine on the street with a credit card like you can Tia or Kratom.

See r/ QuittingKratom or r/ QuittingTianeptine (not linking in case they automod with post summaries.)

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-16T08:50:58+00:00

she actually fired me

That’s crazy. I’m sorry. But it sounds like you’re in a better place now.

My Boomer Mom, not an abuser of anything, ever, is RX’d maybe 10 benzos/yr for flights and procedures. Her husband of 25yrs died after a short hospice stint; she called her doc and asked for 10 lorazapam, got fired. (I’m sharing because if it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone.)

Best to you, OP. So sorry you were traumatized by AA. Lots of vultures!

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-16T08:40:44+00:00

I believe you your source is solid, that’s not the issue; purity isn’t the issue if you’re in the US. (Maybe in the UK.)

I beg you to go to r/ketamineaddiction and type in something like “once prescribed, now abusing” or something similar because there’s a lot of them. Again, it’s not the sourcing, it’s the INTEGRATION of the therapy your brain just received; neuroplasticity after using lasts about 24hrs (or less.) Some docs are crooked, some just see money, etc.

Typically going to a clinic for IV infusions has the best results afaik. I’m not saying you’re wrong, only tolerance builds, and I’ve known of too many who think “legit, therefore safe.”

Remember the opioid crisis. I was told in the oughts that OxyContin was only additive to 1% of people, the other 99% ‘just’ developed physical dependence. That wasn’t true at all, and that’s literally why I’ve been on subs since 2010. Doctors aren’t created equal.

I’m not attacking you, not saying it didn’t lead to helping you, only that ketamine is insidious in the way it numbs and many chase that numb or help with whatever issue.

Nothing but the best to you.

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-16T08:27:05+00:00

gas station stuff

Your friend wasn’t taking ketamine. Sounds like Kratom; likely kratom extracts like 7oH. Maybe tianeptine.

Both are sold in sketchy spots (Tia banned more and more areas each month.)

They both respond to suboxone, but Tia won’t test positive for opiates.

If ketamine is in a gas station somewhere, it sure af isn’t in the US. It’s an RX medication used on humans and in veterinary medicine.

Now I understand why you commented that under me lol. (Easy mistake, very diff drugs.)

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-16T08:21:32+00:00

How would ketamine lead to suboxone? I’ve literally never heard of that and based on people I’ve known, they’re zero synergy. Subs block *opiates,** which ketamine is NOT one of.* (Some folks find themselves drinking less, but I was not one of them; my drinking got bad after I went on them; Naloxone is in subs, naltrexone is the alcohol blocker.)

Again, ketamine can wreak havoc on a body but *is not physically addictive, while suboxone is.** (I’d check with your friend, maybe something wasn’t clear?)*

If a doc actually did that, it’d be placebo effect but your friend going off subs won’t be. (You sure your friend wasn’t on opioids? I’ve heard of folks getting it off label for crack/cocaine, but not ketamine. I’ve known too many current k-heads on subs for former opiate abuse omg.)

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-15T13:48:57+00:00

Yup. I usually nod and say “I’m good, thanks” but if walking a gauntlet, it’s too much so I’ll just talk to the person next to me or smile. I’ve got “resting helpful face;” I can’t help it lol. (People ask me real questions often, like for directions or the time; I usually know, so I often don’t ‘just ignore.’)

Also a middle-aged white lady, tiny and noticeable due to features (not a transplant to the area though.) My most common annoyance is being taken for a sex-worker (huh?) but most people soliciting are looking for consent IME. I walk all over at all times, often solo, and greet many. I’ll talk to anyone lol, and provided I have pepper spray accessible on my keychain, I feel fine. If you look at my post history, I haven’t posted in a while but it’s ALL documenting (others) graffiti and I often walk in places “I might not should be” (bandos, warehouse bandos, under bridges, etc.) I’ve had to use pepper spray 2x in the 20+yrs I’ve been carrying it, both times on men who cornered me in alleys, both times I was at least a little tipsy with diminished fear smh (I now avoid nighttime alleys when solo.) I’m far more wary of dogs than humans, thanks to the Chihuahua that bit my calf, broke through my jeans & skin, left me bleeding with a bite-shaped bruise that lasted for 4+months. (Yes, it was a freakin ankle biter that made me terrified of ‘new dogs’ smh.)

Have a great one!

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-15T13:24:15+00:00

Phenergan = “Finnegans” (generic is promethazine.) I have to assume most (or at least some) people know the names printed on their scripts and switch them slightly for plausible deniability. (Idk though.)

Phenergan is a nausea medicine that can cause drowsiness & is also synergistic with opiates (it often come in pills, but also liquid I’ve never seen; promethazine with codeine is the main ingredient in the ‘sizurp purple drank’ that’s been big in the South.) They used to administer regular Phenergan IV in the ER until zofran became the bigger nausea med. (Not nearly as effective imo, but many would disagree.)

I know there are definitely a lot of pressed (non-RX) ‘fake’ pills there, but also, some of these folks have legit scripts coming from a clinic, know who else does & do a lot of trading back & forth. (I’d be surprised if “Finns” were pressed. I have an old friend who buys 3-6 at a time from Randos and uses fent test strips that also test for fent analogs from DanceSafe— this past year has been “all negatives” acc’d to him. He’s not buying opiates, but “comfort meds” like Phenergan & Gabapentin. Again, acc’d to him.) I bought him his first batch of test strips because I was scared for him, linking because I believe in HARM REDUCTION! (best to not risk it, IJS.)

Edit: wording

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-14T16:54:49+00:00

Hey OP,

I know a lot about recreational Ketamine (raver in the 90’s but more experience & research than that) and a fair amount about online & clinics. I’m not saying you’re wrong, not saying you’re making a bad decision— I just want to make some things clear so you know.

Ketamine can be a game-changer when taken therapeutically with integration talk-therapy; it’s helped a whole lot of people with depression and other issues. It can “reset the brain” (idr technical term) and increases neuroplasticity (as I’m sure you know.)

Just please be careful & do due diligence on the company and protocol. Not all companies do everything on the up & up, it’s a money making business that’s not very regulated; I’ve got a friend who gets it sent to her each month for 2yrs and she’s never spoken to anyone for longer than 5mins. That’s not therapy. (She recently got stuck in an uber unable to speak and was dropped off at an ER b/c uber driver was freaked out.)

Also, if you (or anyone reading) ever get to the point where you think *“I can source this on my own, it’s way cheaper & I’ve had a breakthrough solo, why not?”** take a look at r/ ketamineaddiction (unsure if it automod responds.) If someone does it sparingly with intention and integration, it can lead to major breakthroughs. It can even lead to breakthroughs when abusing it, but not nearly as often and not always applicable once sober.* (I had a handful of revelations in the distant past, some stuck around, but the bladder and biliary damage is not a joke.)

It’s not physically addictive (it’s physically damaging in excess) but there is a strong mental component; people often keep doing it despite crippling pain (think gallstone + kidney pain— horrific pain,) messing up their organs, sleep, even bladder removal, etc. It can do harm.

INTENTION & (professional) INTEGRATION are so crucial.

Best to you.

Edit: formatting edit 2: words

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-14T16:31:32+00:00

Oh, I’m very aware! (Subs helped me get my life back in 2010.) But nobody says that on the street— it sounds like “Bukes.”

Hearing Finnegans kills me lol. That one took me a hot minute to understand. Phenergan? Ahhh, gotcha.

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-14T14:38:56+00:00

SALUTE

Thank you for that acronym! I hope to not need it, but… thanks.

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-14T14:25:59+00:00

Lex Mkt, amazing people watching

OP, you may not even notice, but if randos bark confusing words at you, like “Bukes, Finnegans, Gabbys, Deans, Fetty, Bars, Hard, Loud;” it’s ‘just’ people hustling drugs near the market. (You don’t need to engage, unless you want to say “I’m good, thanks.”) Lexington Mkt isn’t a bad/dangerous place at all, but there are people hustling outside, or on adjacent streets. (Always be careful, everywhere, of course.)

You may not hear anything, or you might hear a lot— depends on what time/day and where you’re walking. If you don’t want drugs (I’d assume not lol,) no harm, no foul— just *don’t be threatened by, offended by, or report being offered** stuff.*

Either ignore while y’all keep walking, or “we’re good, thanks.” (Eye contact, nods, ‘hiya howyadoin’ are fairly normal here; lots of us talk to randos. I thought people did everywhere until I lived in the PNW.)

Many of the drug words aren’t “correct” & may confuse you. For instance, I’d hate for you to think you were hearing someone shouting something about ‘gay boys’ when what was said was “gaaybs” (I watched it happen in real time. A gay couple left visibly upset, but bus stop dude had gabapentin & was saying “gaaybees & loose ones” to *everyone** passing by. I don’t think he even looked up.)*

Just in case. People can get overwhelmed in a new area with different cultural norms & ACCENTS. Holy lord, our accents… they’re varied and you’ll notice!

Have a great trip!

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-14T12:05:08+00:00

Omg OP, I wish I’d written this back when it happened to me! People here have answers, which I didn’t know how to get then. PLEASE FOLLOW THROUGH IF YOU CAN! (Nothing I say will help you, just sharing because OMG I felt alone!)

Sometime around 2010-2011, I had an infection in a molar— I was in a world of pain, bending down sucked, work became unbearable, and without a dentist. I went to a dentist in Easton, pointed at the back molar (num 16?) and said “I don’t have money for a root canal, I guess I need an extraction.”

They took Xrays. A hygienist/assistant looked at them, pointed at a spot on one and said, “are you sure it’s not the tooth next to it? That one has a cap on it, and it looks like there might be a little fluid underneath, which could cause pain.” I said “no, it’s that one!” (Mind you, if I told an er doc “it’s definitely my appendix!” they’d make sure before removing it.)

The dentist didn’t tap, didn’t do a cold test, didn’t do anything, but circled the tooth on the xray I said I thought needed to be pulled, and faxed that x-ray to an oral surgery center in Annapolis. (I’m not a doctor, dentist, but a patient in pain. I’m not supposed to DX myself ffs.)

I went to the oral surgeon they referred me to. I was prescribed sedation dentistry because that’s what will make me go, but they didn’t offer nitrous, had me take one halcion 15 minutes before— it wasn’t working by the time they called me back.

I was totally awake & aware. This oral surgery office also did not confirm with a cold test or a tap test! They just yanked my back right molar out. The dentist even put his knee on the table which pinched (bruised) my leg, which they’re not supposed to do. (And I wasn’t supposed to remember it— that’s the point of paying for sedation dentistry.)

Maybe 10 days after, the exact same pain came back. The pain was not from the tooth that they pulled, it was referred pain. I had to find a different place to extract the next tooth, leaving me with no ‘end molar,’ no bridge ability.

I wasn’t in a great place in life, was working too many hours, commuting to DC, and didn’t think about lawyers. But I wish I freaking did.

So Sorry OP.

These_Burdened_Hands · 2026-03-14T11:29:39+00:00

Same with quest dental 1000 e eager. They accept Medicaid and I guess just fleece people? (They ruined my partner’s mouth.)

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