I Worked Through Some Shit, Pt 2: The Fog

We eventually moved on from the ruins. I saw mushrooms growing under an Asian tree. We made our way to the highest point in the garden, then meandered down to the Japanese pines. While everything did look cool, I was too nervous to really appreciate anything. Then we looked in the sky and saw a massive bird. A red-tailed hawk, I was told. The hawk landed on the top of one of the pines, where it was clear just how big it really was. We sprawled on the grass and watched the hawk, at one point recording its squawking and playing it back to try to get its attention. No success. Probably for the best. Then it was time to get moving. We had to get to the fog.

Things started to feel more and more interesting en route to fog. A sign said there were foggy ruins over in an adjacent park, but we decided the walk was too far. Foggy hills for us. We reached a tree that was planted in 1917. Or 1907? I don't remember the year, but I do remember that I started feeling the full-body effects of the tab at this point.

By the time we made it to the fog zone, the fog had just ended. We had hit the 2.75 side of our 1-in-3.75 chance of getting there while fog was happening. No worry. We find a place nearby to sit. I take out the 5-way splitter, we each break out our earbuds, and Rob puts on a playlist. He wanted us to hear a song transition. The first song is classical music, which feels somewhere between beautiful and goofy. The classical music transitions into Every Planet We Reach is Dead. Then it's time for fog.

Brandon wants to be there when the fog starts. Rob and I hang back, as to enter the area whilst fog is already happening. Once Brandon walks off, Rob and I discuss the rising imperitance that we call a Lyft immediately after this fog. Because shit is starting to elevate. Anyways, fog time is here.

A family of children is frolicking through the fog. Rob and I enter, overwhelmed with visual sensation, trying not to lose our shit. There is thick fog rolling through the forest. (Realizing as I write this that it was totally reminiscent of that time we tripped on the broken mountain road.) Anyways, time to play the find-Brandon game.

We find him. We explore the fog. I try fog with music, Animal Collective's live version of Softest Voice. It's hot fire, but I like being out in the world-soundscape more.

The fog is amazing. When it's over, it's time to get the fuck back to a safe base because shit is only getting crazier. We saunter over to the nearby park entrance and Rob orders a Lyft. We wait. At one point my hand just forgets to continue holding the steel water bottle I've been carrying around. It slams onto the concrete. The sound is jarring and startles a man walking by. I defend myself, saying "that's the first time that's happened." We start to almost lose our shit laughing and in the same second I see our Lyft pull up.

I Worked Through Some Shit, Pt 1: Beginnings

The two of us met up with our friend at the end of the line. We crossed the street and wandered down a path brimming with dense green life. Once we reached the tree garden, we veered off the main path, then veered off trail entirely, until we came upon the stone ruins of what was once the foundation of a house. We settled, and waited for all human activity on the trail still in view to pass. When the moment was as good as any, he removed some foil from a pack of gum.

I looked at tab in the foil handed to me. Expecting plain white, I was surprised by the small, intricate art. It was purple and a brownish orange, and was that a triangle with an eye in it? Too anxious to examine for much longer, I cut to the chase and put the tab in my mouth. For better or worse, the deed was done. The die were cast. I was on my way.