After many months of research, lurking, listening to Terence McKenna podcasts, etc., I finally feel comfortable asking to join the fold
My interest goes waaaay back to my High School days - almost 40 years ago. I remember reading about the spice in the "High Times Encylopedia of Drugs", or some such title, and was instantly captivated about the description of DMT. In restrospect, it's funny how totally high-level and (unintentionally) superficial that description was - probably laughable to read it today. I remember hearing of the "Businessman's Trip", and wondering how that was even possible. In those days, I was the typical high school enthusiastic user (abuser, more appropriately) of a variety of consciousness alternating substances - all that faded, over time, as my focus turned to the more mundane expectations of a college grad.
So, here we are - years later - and a dormant interest was somehow activated. I don't even know how - it's almost seems like I was being pulled into this interest by an overwhelming curiosity of unknown origins. The more I learned (I am a very cautious, risk-adverse type, so I do
a lot of research before I jump into anything), the stronger the curiosity became. Over time, too, I have developed a better appreciation for our world, and our relationship to it - that brings about so many more questions, to be sure. I do not consider myself religious (I think that man has harmed himself much with the advent of organized religion, but that's another discussion), but do have a good measure of what might be called evolving spirituality - feeding that is why I am here. I hope to share my experiences, and continue to learn from yours.
I just completed my first extraction of ACRB, with somewhat interesting and humorous results. I look forward to being able to share that journey, and some pictures of the end result, with you all. I have been a home brewer for over 25 years (ok, I still indulge in a few IPAs - India Pale Ales, that is), and enjoy process and procedures as well as improving them. I hope that I will be able to make some contributions to the community based upon my experience with extractions. I'm no chemist, but I do take good, detailed notes and document my procedures pretty well - hopefully, some of that may be of interest to others (I do stuff like monitor my water bath temperatures throughout the process ...).
In any event - sorry for the novel, folks, but it truly is great to introduce myself a bit. I'm sure we'll learn more about each other as things unfold, too. It's great to be here, and thanks to all of you who make this place what it is.