Greetings and Salutations- It's A Fine Day To Share An Introductory Bio
To one and all a good day.
I am a story teller. I am turning 50 years old this year, on this coming September 11. Though I have engaged in a number of pursuits that most people would consider non-conducive to reaching this milestone, still, here I am: an artist, musician, actor, and survivor. First and foremost though, I am a writer, happy to have found a new place to share my work. Finding it where I also have the opportunity to learn about blockchain technology and cryptocurrency is icing on the cake. This introductory essay is to both familiarize myself with the process of posting a story here on Steemit, and to let everyone here know a little bit about me and what I want to do here.
Me, supplimenting my writing and acting income by busking in the NYC subway system.
Addressing Prohibition
I have written and published on a wide variety of topics in an assortment of publications online and in print over time. When I began writing regularly for High Times magazine in 1999, and in 2000 also taking over editing the somewhat controversial website DrugWar.com, that was when my professional writing career really began. "Drugwar reporter" is a job description I am proud of. It took me a lot of years studying, a lot of talking with participants on both sides of the law, and a lot of time spent hard living street style too, for me to gain the perspective I have on our modern prohibition. Years have passed, during which I've attended Congressional hearings, Straight Inc. survivors' conferences, Students for Sensible Drug Policy conventions, and once a confab exposing CIA and other official US government and law enforcement drug trafficking, all the while feeling the War and the insanity it engenders would never end. I often still feel thus.
I edited and contributed to a book titled Under the Influence- the Disinformation Guide to Drugs, published by The Disinformation Company I've written and self-published a memoir of my experiences in streets and cites around the world called, Something in the Way: A True-Life Misadventure Tale....
The front cover of my book Something in the Way
To this day my writing will often focus on stories related to the War, a trove of topics vast and varied from which to choose, as can be seen by the different stories I've had published at Celebstoner.com. With my somewhat radical notions concerning drug laws reform, harm reduction, legalization, and cognitive liberty, my writing can be a bit on the militant side, editorially speaking. It was even a Drug War related story that first introduced me to the concept and use of cryptocurrency, when I wrote about the Silk Road bust, and trial of its creator Ross Ulbricht.
My first book for the Disinformation Company, Under the Influence- the Disinformation Guide to Drugs on sale at the now closed Virgin Megastore at Union Square in Manhattan
Ancient Mysteries, Lost Civilizations
My interests and focus are not solely on what are all too often dark and dreary stories though, not by a long shot. I have a long love affair with the study of, and writing about, Lost Civilizations and ancient mysteries.
Another of my credits is the book I edited and contributed to, Underground- the Disinformation Guide to Ancient Civilizations, Astonishing Archaeology and Hidden History, which was released as *The Disinformation Guide to Ancient Aliens, Lost Civilizations, Astonishing Archaeology and Hidden History in 2013 and early this year was translated into Portuguese, only the second example of my words translated and published in what is to me a foreign tongue.
Checking out The Disinformation Guide to Ancient Aliens, Lost Civilizations, Astonishing Archaeology, and Hidden History
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My second book for the Disinformation Company, The Disinformation Guide to Ancient Aliens, Lost Civilizations, Astonishing Archaeology, and Hidden History translated into Portuguese
All My Animal Familiars
Yet another love of mine is the world of animals. I have, over the course of my 22 years living in New York City, rescued, then either adopted or found homes for many cats, currently sharing a small Brooklyn apartment with a roommate and eight indoor cats, as well as feeding and watching out for one outdoor kitty. Having lived with dogs, cats, lizards, snakes and ferrets, I would feel lost if I didn't have a number of furry familiars in my life. So cats and other animals are often the topic I'll enjoy writing about.
Tarzet and I, hanging out making music together in Brooklyn
Moving Forward
I will bring this introductory essay to a close here. I'm sure that this will be a mutually beneficial experience for all of us here on Steemit. I look forward to reading more about many of my fellow contributors here, and to sharing my stories and articles with you. I'd like to give a shout out to my good friend @soulsistashakti, and thank her publicly for inviting me to check Steemit out for myself. I would also like to thank the folks who had this idea, then got the investors and the developers together to make Steemit a reality.
Until my next post, peace, love, and have a great day.
