Beautiful people and drugs
I just don't get it. I really don't. Maybe its because I'm not one of the beautiful people. And, let me explain what I mean.
I was reading the sports page about Paul Molitor and Dennis Eckersley getting inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Both are deserving of the honor. I can remember watching them play when I was younger. I can remember my dad telling me to watch the way Molitor swings the bat and try to mimic that in my own swing. I remember watching in amazement as the washed up starting pitcher came back to kick ass as a reliever. So, I'm not shocked to learn about them getting inducted into the hall. But, then, I'm reading the story about their speeches. Eckersly talked about his alcoholism and how he beat it and turned into a great closer. Kudos to him for kicking the bottle to the curb. Then, I read about how Molitor admitted struggling with drugs early in his career.
I'm shaking my head at this. I turn to the next story about Ricky Williams retiring. That was a pretty big shock to everyone, I think. Then, I start reading about how he tested positive for marijuana on at least two occasions.
Am I missing something here? Is it because I'm not one of the "beautiful people" that I just don't get it? Talent, riches and a promising career to make even more money - but I think I'd rather have another drink or another hit ... WHAT? Hello? I managed to resist the urge to toke it up my entire life. I managed to bypass doing drugs at parties. Now, the alcoholism - I understand that it is a disease - but I still don't quite get how you let yourself get to the point of hitting rock bottom. God willing, I'll never understand that. Now, I have my demons. Anyone who has seen my ass knows that I enjoy a good brownie fudge sundae one time too many and my self-restraint lacks a bit. But, I just can't imagine tossing away $3.5 million a year (Williams' salary that he would have gotten this year) for a simple joint. I just don't get it.
I have no solutions, no magical answers. Only the shaking of my head ... I just don't understand it. My doctor told me to lose weight to ease the bone spurs (plantar fasciitis) in my feet and to simply be more healthy. I'm working on it and it is not easy. The lure is there. But, I feel like I'm passing the test. I have a 24-pack of Dr Pepper in the garage that I haven't opened. I have a bag of Chips Ahoy in the kitchen that I've only given to the children as snacks. I'm moving toward a more healthy life and kicking my habit of eating for comfort. It is hard and it is not fun. But, I know it is what I have to do to be more healthy and not a lard butt. I want to be around for my husband and children. I guess that is why it baffles me that someone can toss all their God-given talent and the ability to provide a wonderfully comfortable life for their families for drugs. I don't guess I'll ever understand. I hope I never find out by experiencing it first hand.
I was reading the sports page about Paul Molitor and Dennis Eckersley getting inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Both are deserving of the honor. I can remember watching them play when I was younger. I can remember my dad telling me to watch the way Molitor swings the bat and try to mimic that in my own swing. I remember watching in amazement as the washed up starting pitcher came back to kick ass as a reliever. So, I'm not shocked to learn about them getting inducted into the hall. But, then, I'm reading the story about their speeches. Eckersly talked about his alcoholism and how he beat it and turned into a great closer. Kudos to him for kicking the bottle to the curb. Then, I read about how Molitor admitted struggling with drugs early in his career.
I'm shaking my head at this. I turn to the next story about Ricky Williams retiring. That was a pretty big shock to everyone, I think. Then, I start reading about how he tested positive for marijuana on at least two occasions.
Am I missing something here? Is it because I'm not one of the "beautiful people" that I just don't get it? Talent, riches and a promising career to make even more money - but I think I'd rather have another drink or another hit ... WHAT? Hello? I managed to resist the urge to toke it up my entire life. I managed to bypass doing drugs at parties. Now, the alcoholism - I understand that it is a disease - but I still don't quite get how you let yourself get to the point of hitting rock bottom. God willing, I'll never understand that. Now, I have my demons. Anyone who has seen my ass knows that I enjoy a good brownie fudge sundae one time too many and my self-restraint lacks a bit. But, I just can't imagine tossing away $3.5 million a year (Williams' salary that he would have gotten this year) for a simple joint. I just don't get it.
I have no solutions, no magical answers. Only the shaking of my head ... I just don't understand it. My doctor told me to lose weight to ease the bone spurs (plantar fasciitis) in my feet and to simply be more healthy. I'm working on it and it is not easy. The lure is there. But, I feel like I'm passing the test. I have a 24-pack of Dr Pepper in the garage that I haven't opened. I have a bag of Chips Ahoy in the kitchen that I've only given to the children as snacks. I'm moving toward a more healthy life and kicking my habit of eating for comfort. It is hard and it is not fun. But, I know it is what I have to do to be more healthy and not a lard butt. I want to be around for my husband and children. I guess that is why it baffles me that someone can toss all their God-given talent and the ability to provide a wonderfully comfortable life for their families for drugs. I don't guess I'll ever understand. I hope I never find out by experiencing it first hand.
2 Comments:
At 6:44 PM, July 28, 2004,
Uzz said…
Its hard to figure out why these athletes and stars turn to self-medicating...especially in this era of Paxil and Wellbutrin. Movie stars I can understand...they are usually high school grads with dreams of fame and get caught in the web of drugs and alcohol early on...either bottoming out or continuing the behavior even after they become famous. Then again...neither the movie stars or athletes really live in the real world that we all struggle with everyday. Athletes are told from an early age that they are special...unique...better than the commom person. They grow up with a sense of entitlement. Just like the other "beautiful people", they begin to live in a world where money is no object and where hooking up with the hot bods of the night is as power, money and cocaine. Even with all that...I still cannot see how marijuana could be better than making 3.5 mill a year...I tried it many years ago and I never really got anything from it...except hungry and docile. Ricky must have found some really good stuff for him to pull anchor on his career and buy a one way ticket to Asia. Who knows, but all the potheads I know are pretty much people who have lost ambition and are content to lay around and let the world around them float on by.
At 6:46 PM, July 28, 2004,
Uzz said…
Its hard to figure out why these athletes and stars turn to self-medicating...especially in this era of Paxil and Wellbutrin. Movie stars I can understand...they are usually high school grads with dreams of fame and get caught in the web of drugs and alcohol early on...either bottoming out or continuing the behavior even after they become famous. Then again...neither the movie stars or athletes really live in the real world that we all struggle with everyday. Athletes are told from an early age that they are special...unique...better than the commom person. They grow up with a sense of entitlement. Just like the other "beautiful people", they begin to live in a world where money is no object and where hooking up with the hot bods of the night is as power, money and cocaine. Even with all that...I still cannot see how marijuana could be better than making 3.5 mill a year...I tried it many years ago and I never really got anything from it...except hungry and docile. Ricky must have found some really good stuff for him to pull anchor on his career and buy a one way ticket to Asia. Who knows, but all the potheads I know are pretty much people who have lost ambition and are content to lay around and let the world around them float on by.
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