Yep, no prizes for guessing this week’s theme is fast gas canisters. But why you might ask? And even what? Well, they’re everywhere for one. After the weekend you always used to see the little metal containers of nitrous oxide in the gutters, scattered like ammo shells on the battlefield. And yet it revealed not fighting in the streets but people partying with balloons. And I know that sounds like an innocent kid’s party but it is far from it..although I do get the impression that it is mainly kids who are getting high with nitrous and when I say kids I mean late teens/20s (yes I am old enough to think of that demographic as kids).
But the little pellets of pleasure are no more and instead you now see these giant fast gas canisters instead. In case you are unaware of this intoxicating experience people are basically using them for a quick buzz. And it is very quick. It gives you a feeling of intense euphoria with a side order in oblivion but it only lasts about 30 seconds. Maybe that’s why they call it fast gas? For the record I have never actually seen anyone use one. I have only seen the leftovers but they sure are getting through a stack of ’em. Especially around here. I am assuming this is happening everywhere but I can’t say for certain. Can anyone confirm if they have found these in their hood as well? I’m just curious..this isn’t an official survey or anything.
The fact that people were getting high off nitrous for me always just proved that some folk will get high no matter what and if they are using products actually designed to make whipped cream then it just goes to show they will do whatever it takes. And that is why you should just legalise everything because illegality sure as shit not stopping anyone. its just driving them to bizarre practises like this.
And I’m definitely not judging anyone’s choice of stimulant, we all do what we gotta do. This ain’t a moral issue, it’s a insight into the needs of the human psyche. The fact that our species has got high since we evolved (and there is a strong argument that we evolved because we got high (( seeTerence Mckenna’s Stoned Ape theory)) just shows that it is integral to our existence.
But my real question is…are the makers of fast gas aware of the miss-use of their product? I mean, they have to be right? They’re making shitloads of sales and they must know that not that many people can be making whipped cream every weekend, right? I mean, we’d all be drowning in the stuff if that were true..they’re not that dumb or naive are they? So I decided to find out. I went onto their website to see what they maintained they were making their product for (yes i still have a lot of time on my hands).
According to the official blurb “one can use these CO2 gas cylinders in various applications, including home brewing, aquariums, specifically for paintball markers, and so much more!” Now to me “so much more!”(exclamation mark very relevant i think) means just one thing..you can get off your face with it too. Am I reading too much into it? I don’t think so. The website’s landing page has this photo on it..
…which to me looks like a girl out at a club raving rather than at home tending to her aquarium or providing cake toppings.
So I guess that concludes this little bit of investigative journalism. No real other purpose other than to shed a lil light on a modern phenomena and I’d amassed all these shots so needed to release them into the world. I find them very photogenic and I love the name which I find ironic as they are always very still when you find them. They actually look quite forlorn at their abandoned spot on the street, used and abused for people’s stimulation needs. Poor things…
This week’s shots focus on little details of randomness found in Hastings. There is oddness lurking in the shadows and a sense of strangeness to the town, especially the old part. There really is a bit of a wicker man vibe going on there. You can sort of imagine woodland rituals taking place under the cover of night. It has (or maybe it always had) attracted a lot of unconventional alternative characters who have made a home there. People who maybe didn’t fit in elsewhere. Old punks, hippies, artists, counter culture oddballs..the misfits have united all in one place. And I have to say that is half the appeal. Maybe I fit into that anti-fit category which is why I feel at home there.
Just in case you were wondering where you were..
I can’t help thinking of the League of Gentleman when I’m there. Mebbe a tad friendlier and hopefully less murdery but still..like this guy on the right. He is possibly one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen. Is that his face? A mask? What the fuck is going on there? And his drum is pure Papa Lazarou..mebbe its best just to visit this place after all..
The first shot and this last shot are taken on the easthill which is a huge sprawling expanse of nature which overlooks the ocean and the old town. It is stunning and one of my favourite places on Earth. When you are up there the rest of the world melts away and it is just you and the elements.
And so concludes our sojourn in Hastings. And as the old song goes..oh I do like to be by the seaside..and hopefully you did. Tiddely-om-pom-pom and all that…back in da hood next week..have a great bank holiday weekend if you in the U.K and see y’all tuesday..
Look’s like someone’s learnt some naughty words..such an eloquent vocabulary..and a master at noughts and crosses too by the looks of things..also love that amongst all the vitriol is a jaunty friendly “hey!”
I shouldn’t really judge..I uttered most of those words yesterday when I couldn’t get my computer to work but guess what? It’s back from the dead..woo hoo! Turns out I was a bit premature in calling the time of death and so much to my relief it lives on..for now.
Anyone need cheering up on a Monday? Sorry did I say cheering up? I meant terrified..
(p.s I know there are some my subscribers (it’s not just you Grant) who still can’t see the photos in the email they receive and I know having a photoless photo blog is somewhat sad but unfortunately its your mail program blocking it cos it thinks its spam but good news awaits…to get around this wordpress have now installed a “read on blog” link which is just under the post title. So don’t delay click away..it might take a couple more seconds but think of the rewards..
All the photographs this week were taken on George Street in Hastings. Its a very picturesque pedestrian street full of bars, cafes and quaint little shops. It is also one of the main thoroughfares of Old Town and so you get an amazing array of characters strolling down there, both locals and tourists. It actually reminded me a lot of Portobello Rd so felt like a home from home and spent a lot of time there watching people go by and capturing the ones you see before you.
Sometimes you don’t realise what a gem of a photo you have until you review it later. It was only after seeing this shot that I spotted the Mr Happy Mug sitting right in front of Mr Grumpy. That is ironic synchronicity at its best. As a photographer you can’t ask for more than that. Although it’s probably me taking his picture who is actually souring his mood…soz mate.
It does seem that almost everyone in Hastings has a dog. Babies are also quite popular, although not everyone seems entirely happy to have them.
The thing about people watching is you believe through observation you can work out what they are thinking but rather than an insight into the minds of others it is much more like holding up a mirror to your own. Let’s all take a moment to reflect on how deep that was…
Like take this dude, he absolutely looks like he’s up to no good. Is that for real or judgemental assumption? Did I just catch him at a bad moment? And is it my imagination that the old guy is getting a grilling from his wife, the latest in a long long line of domestic beration?
I think what I really love about observing and also documenting my fellow man, woman, child and occasional dog is that as I fully immerse my mind in their perceived life it is a holiday from myself. When I dwell on them I am not dwelling on my own life. And let’s be honest we’ve all done that more than enough so I think it’s actually vital to have these welcome breaks from insular thinking by focussing on the internal workings of others. And whether projected or not, it’s still breaks the endless rumination. And that can only be a good thing. Not for them obvs. It’s tantamount to slander but hey ho…
