Since I was apparently the only person not at Outside Lands, I'll try to make myself useful by bringing you some music festival news. A couple of weeks ago (Sept 17-21), there was an event called Symbiosis Gathering at Camp Mather.
The event bills itself as a "synaesthesia of art, music, transformational learning, and sustainable living integrated into an unparalleled extravaganza of fun under the Northern California skies."
Now, I don't know what a "synaesthesia" is, but I'm pretty sure I've never been to one.
And now it looks like I never will.
Because Park Rangers arrested 23 people for misdemeanor drug possession.
What drugs? According to the National Park Service report (via: the Yosemite blog, which is pretty awesome) "hallucinogenic mushrooms, amphetamines, LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, opiates, hydrocodone, nitrous oxide and large amounts of marijuana."
AND JUST BECAUSE: The report also contains this story, "One incident in which a driver failed to pay for or show proof of entrance into the park led rangers on a slow speed pursuit through the park and down a rugged dirt road. When the driver finally stopped but refused to follow rangers’ instructions, she was taken into custody after a taser deployment. A vehicle search revealed hallucinogenic mushrooms, marijuana and also, ironically, a valid entrance pass."
Phil Ginsburg, Director of Rec and Park, confirmed that there will be no synaesthesia next year.
Just when things were getting good.
Synaesthesia is basically a sensory mixup, where you "see sounds" and "taste colors" and is, of course, a common effect of psychedelic drugs. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard the word said in any context where it didn't refer to psychedelic drugs. So I think it's safe to say that this "event" was basically a gigantic shroom party (and was more or less advertised as such). These people need to be a little more subtle. Or a lot more.
Posted by: David K | October 16, 2009 at 00:32
The Rangers (Federal Agents)...are completely OUT OF CONTROL. There is Martial Law in the United States of America...and this is a CLASSIC representation of why/how I can make this claim.
Hello...??
Anyone scared of the Military Like Police Presence in this country yet??
Chris B. Olds
Scared Citizen
Posted by: Chris B. Olds | December 17, 2009 at 17:57