"To Infinity and Beyond," My Smoke Report of the 20th Annual Cannabis Cup (2007)

[bandit420]

OH what a treat to come back to! After almost a month's hiatus from the city (more specifically this thread) I come back and get to wallow in the glory of some of the best posts yet! Alas it's late, and I am too tired to respond to all of the things which struck me about the past month's posts (of which I read them all)--but I will say that one of the things that struck the biggest cord with me was the "making it mean something" post. So many people smoke cannabis without even taking a second glance at what it can do for them. If they (and the world???) could just open their minds to the possibilities--the different states of consciousness that one can explore, the world would be a better place (even if only in the cannabis community). A code of conduct for the responsible use of cannabis should be written (I think that NORML has one, actually) But spreading that code of conduct would really be a step in the right direction for US as a community.

Anyways, I give you many thanks for keeping this thread going, AK. It truly is a fantastic piece of work, and I look forward to further exploring your musings in the future.

Peace be with you, fellow blade.

[yeaok]

As so many others have already said, what an epic tale of your trip. You put the whole thing together so well, and even though the herb isnt as legendary as i've always thought it was, i still can't wait to go there in the future.

however, i do hope you got at least a few shots of these Dutch ladies you've been talking about?

Nice work fellow potsmoker.

[AK Infinity]

"Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart,
and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy."

~William Golding - "Lord of the Flies"~

My stool actually trembled underneath me as the crush of them came hurtling down the alleyway - I mean hurtling in an absolutely hurtful way - the way stray stars fall and careless wishes are made from the celestial fray. I sat my spoon down on the bar and looked at Zach and at the lovely bartender as she remarked, "This is why I want to get out of Amsterdam." (More about her later.) They, they, they the unnamable they rushed by the windows screaming. It was this mob of teenagers moving as coolly as a landslide. I sat frozen in my chair for a minute or two as they stormed by the window.

I figured it was atypical when one of the bartenders showed a look of concern as she quickly moved to close the door. The people in the crowd slammed into each other like they were in a mosh pit under the control of heavy beats and primeval sweat.

Anarchy abated?

They crushed by in waves screaming and laughing like mad suicidal lemmings bound for the edge of a cliff. I got up out of my seat, walked toward the door, and slowly opened it hoping to get some sense of what was happening. The curious cat purrs next to calamity. The curious cat purrs underneath unconventionality. The curious cat purrs pure irrationality.

I could hear the tramping sound of hoof beats and out of the corner of my eye I made out the figures of uniformed officers on horseback dispersing the riot. The sound of a few coherent voices amidst the throng screamed something about a fight or no fight or the absurd reasoning of no reason at all. I never figured out why all of that happened but it was definitely unexpected. I took severeal more shots and closed the door, choosing to observe the mêlée from the safety of the window seat.

Black booted order.

As the police on horseback slowly returned the day's daily dose of drama to dull the foot soldiers moved in to get a tighter control of the situation. This is what becomes of civil disobedience in the end, where men of good conscience choose to stand against the onslaught of the cold forces of conformity. All I could see were metaphors for actual life. When rebels rise up to cause a disturbance, even if they do prevail as time goes on and more distance is created from their act of defiance the same corrupting influences of conformity win. People settle into their roles as free men and become slaves to their natures which crave certainty and routine as much or more so than they do the liberating forces of chaos.

I took several more shots of the crowd and the police dispersing it before I returned to my seat as tipsy as a twirling top. I asked Zach if the police that were on foot were as intimidating as they looked, and he replied that they were because he'd felt it.

[AK Infinity]

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams420

So much anticipation.. always leaving with a cliffhanger..

But in all seriousness.. What Zach seems explain sounds about right. Its not all about who has the best pot..which is what it SHOULD be like, its always money. However these coffeshops do need to make some money afterall, they do sell ganj. Not only are they being pressured by internal affairs they are being hounded by external nations. I'm not saying they should sell low quality weed under high quality names, but a lot of these shops are hard to legitimize.

I agree that the Coffeeshops are under pressure but I disagree as to how they've chosen to deal with the problem. This is one of the few times that I find Dutch pragmatism to come up wanting. How the hell can you have such tolerance to marijuana but not allow people to grow it competitively? They let people smoke it freely but forbid anyone from growing, that's just strange as far as I'm concerned. Soma has a case in front of the Dutch Supreme Court that addresses this very contradictory take on things, let's hope he wins.

Originally Posted by sm666

Great there here dude, I've been to the Dam twice, always wondered about the Cup though. + rep

Thanks a lot yo.

Originally Posted by bandit420

OH what a treat to come back to! After almost a month's hiatus from the city (more specifically this thread) I come back and get to wallow in the glory of some of the best posts yet! Alas it's late, and I am too tired to respond to all of the things which struck me about the past month's posts (of which I read them all)--but I will say that one of the things that struck the biggest cord with me was the "making it mean something" post. So many people smoke cannabis without even taking a second glance at what it can do for them. If they (and the world???) could just open their minds to the possibilities--the different states of consciousness that one can explore, the world would be a better place (even if only in the cannabis community). A code of conduct for the responsible use of cannabis should be written (I think that NORML has one, actually) But spreading that code of conduct would really be a step in the right direction for US as a community.

Anyways, I give you many thanks for keeping this thread going, AK. It truly is a fantastic piece of work, and I look forward to further exploring your musings in the future.

Peace be with you, fellow blade.

Thanks a lot bro, I was truly uplifted by your words. I'll keep this story going for as long as possible but I am coming to end of my time in Amsterdam, and my revelations were many. As far as NORML's code of conduct, I was hoping for some a bit more broad that included input from the whole cannabis community.

Originally Posted by yeaok

As so many others have already said, what an epic tale of your trip. You put the whole thing together so well, and even though the herb isnt as legendary as i've always thought it was, i still can't wait to go there in the future.

however, i do hope you got at least a few shots of these Dutch ladies you've been talking about?

Nice work fellow potsmoker.

Thanks for your words. As far as the weed is concerned shop around, and don't forget to sample as much hashish as you can, you won't be disappointed. I would post pictures of Dutch ladies, but I don't have their permission.

Stay green all!

[Fatt Daddy]

i just want this to finish, it seems like a long interval of time between post.

[AK Infinity]

"Tut, tut child! Everything's got a moral, if only you can find it."

~The Duchess - "Alice in Wonderland"~

I discovered Lost in Amsterdam fairly early in my trip and managed to get there almost every day to write. It didn't take one of the bartenders long to notice what I was doing, which prompted her to say about my behavior in a broken Polish accent, "You come in everyday and write, it's like ritual."

I saw her through the looking glass.

I never asked her what her name was, instead I chose to catch it flying through the air after it was uttered by a regular, for this story I'll call her Halina. I could say she was something of a flower, or sunshine, or by moonlight I could call her illuminating but I won't. She was lovely with her cropped blond hair and an intensity that belied a soft beauty that was wise. Many times I sought to find out what was in her eyes with an extended glance--I did not stare I appreciated--but it was as if she not only hid her eyes but her soul.

As quickly as she would appear she would vanish behind the ring of the cash register--ringing singing--or into the buoyant laughter of tourists. Little did I know that while Zach and I talked about Coffeeshops and cannabis tourism she was actually listening in. Zach excused himself to the restroom for a few minutes and during that time Halina approached me quietly saying that she overheard our conversation. I was somewhat surprised about this because she seemed detached and focused solely on her job. She agreed with me about the Coffeeshop scene and tourism in general but also cautioned that more often than not cannabis use in Amsterdam led to people using harder drugs. I didn't agree with her much on the subject but Halina was speaking from her own experience, and I couldn't argue with that.

She continued while looking at me intently with her light blue eyes, "I moved to Amsterdam because I wanted to meeting people from all over the world, but the city is too crazy for me." Just as she spoke those words a final stream of youngster barreled down the alley screaming. "See what I mean," she remarked. Halina's goal was to leave the Dam in a week's time to travel to South America with friends in search of adventure. I told her how much I loved the city so far and she looked at me in confusion, as if what I said was unreasonable. There was a long pause as we looked into each others eyes, perhaps for curiosity or for contempt, dunno. Zach managed to make it back from the restroom and took a seat back on the stool. We bought each other one more round and I was done.

I said my goodbyes and headed back into the city. As I walked through the door I glanced back at Halina and caught her looking at me, it was a strange uncomfortable moment that should have led to something more but my time there was winding down and I needed to buy more seeds so I left.

[sparkdatzoot]

to be perfectly honest mate, i dont think i've ever enjoyed reading a whole single thread as much as this, others are right, your topic has actually opened my mind a bit more and not made me feel so narrow-minded, like there's more to it all, well played AK, ill be watching out for future threads!

[Fatt Daddy]

that was a good post.

[AK Infinity]

I walked along the streets thinking about Halina and her words, perhaps I will never see her again but it was nice to abide in her light if but for a moment. The day of the gray skies was fading letting the artificial light of the neon guide my way. I felt a deep sadness wash over me as the realization that this was my last night in the Dam set in. Still, I'd come all this way to the Cannabis Cup, survived disillusion on so many levels to find myself with a greater understanding of the Dutch scene and that in itself was a pearl of great price. That's the thing I want to stress to you fellow blades, be strong of mind and resolve. If a situation doesn't unfold the way you thought, keep steady and examine it for what it does have instead of what you expected. Just the experience of being in Amsterdam can give you far more than any joint, space cake, or pile of hashish can. Be careful not to cast aside moments that you can learn from simply because they are--on the surface--unappealing.

I made my way to Homegrown Fantaseeds to check out their seed stock. I visited the store some days before but didn't have the time or coherence to dive into what a treasure trove of information lie there.

Homegrown Fantaseeds
Nieuwe Nieuwstraat 25 HS

Again, bear with me, for the purposes of this story I'll call the storekeeper Cobus. Cobus as I was to find, was a realist to the point of being self-deprecating. I questioned him about their seed catalogue and what he recommended, but somehow the Cannabis Cup came up in our conversation. He laughed and then proceed to tell me much of what I had already intuited myself from the experience, but he went a bit further than I thought he would, trying to stop himself along the way. He said that the Cup was a way to scam tourists out of their money--big surprise--and that some of the participants were somewhat greedy and amoral. Now before you go thinking maybe it's sour grapes, Homegrown Fantaseeds has won the Cup before, without inducements to the judges.

He covered the fact that bribery was common and for all practical purposes nullified any victory or prestige any winner would be lavished. I suggested that the Cup might be redeemed if such practices were stopped or if another event could be planned, he laughed, "Forget the Cannabis Cup, just come back with some friends when it's warm and visit the Coffeeshops, and that can be the Cup for you. That way you can sit outside in the sun or the park and enjoy yourselves. It's hard to plan events like this because so many people smoke a lot of dope and don't think straight. I don't even know how to get to the Power Zone anyway." Wow, I wasn't sure how to respond to that because it was simple and imminently practical at the same time. I asked him about Arjan of Greenhouse Seeds and laughed loudly again asking me, "Why is it that any woman that goes to work in his Coffeeshop quits after a short time?" "I have no idea," I answered. He clammed up after that instead letting the suggestion of what he was saying work its way through my imagination.

He didn't have to fill in the blanks because I got the impression immediately from meeting Arjan, that he was an arrogant asshole. It's true he's done a lot to further cannabis genetics but not because of the smoking community but more because he was and is trying to further himself. Cobus said his store could make a lot of money selling his seeds but that they refuse to do business with him and a few other seed breeders around town because they weren't scrupulous as some believe. I pressed him on this and he openly admitted that most of the genetics that could be located in Amsterdam and around the world were all good, that if the grower were studious that almost any seed could lead to bomb weed. In my mind he was basically telling me I could leave his store and go anywhere, that kind of honesty was disarming to say the least.

We spent the next few minutes talking about Mac Dre and the Bay Area rap scene before I decided it was time to leave the store. As I walked away from the counter with a nice seed purchase he asked, "Are you ever going to the Cannabis Cup again?" "Fuck no," I shouted back as I disappeared into the night."

[Degree]

Dude, I've been reading all of these posts.. they're not only well written, but very interesting!
This topic had shed a lot of light on the topics of Amsterdam that I wasn't sure about.

You seem like a very deep and introspective person. Keep tokin'!

+ Rep.

[gnomegrown]

words cannot describe my appreciation for your introspective works here on this thread....

im hoping in the future to furthur my participation in the cannabis culture as it pertains to the public eye, as well as the legislation side of things

i would consider myself an intelluctual person and i would like to use my skills to furthur the cannabis culture in all ways, and you are truly a pioneer to pave the rocky road for future followers

i want to sincerely thank you for my newfound enlightment as it pertains to using myself in our desired culture

[AK Infinity]

I went back to my apartment to smoke a bowl and debrief. It had been an event filled day and I needed a good session or two to recalibrate something that was perfectly comfortable being chaotic. Night doesn't just fall it is felled by the light, night a once great conqueror is laid low by the inevitable. Like Castro thought he could be lord of Cuba forever and it turns out he was just a stilled stir. [Note to Castro: Bro you didn't fail the ridiculous promises of revolutionary peace, you held the future hostage till you died. That's not victory, that's a fucking speed bump.] Those sad things only last as long as your last heartbeat.

The smoke unfurled, or unfolded behind a blindfold of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious emboldened and atrocious. I sorta supped on the green, the way a cow chaws its cud but I couldn't believe I heard night fall with a thud. Ha, ha, ha, ha in an old city the walls fell, I heard em come crushing down hard to the fucking ground and hard to hell. I blazed some stuff and levitated down the stairwell to find some food, what a task to end an interlude.

"Most glorious night! Thou wert not sent for slumber!"

~Lord Byron~

I flowed out onto the streets by Febo--what's a Febo burger---and through the alleyways in a daze in homage to dark days. I ended up by Dam Square--I am not so, I am round rolling more deep than profound. I was lit, so I settled somewhere and started taking pictures for no good reason but nostalgia. It was my last night in the Dam so I just tucked myself into the darkness and reveled.

To infinity and beyond nearly achieved!

[Fatt Daddy]

that was a good one.

[AK Infinity]

Originally Posted by sparkdatzoot

to be perfectly honest mate, i dont think i've ever enjoyed reading a whole single thread as much as this, others are right, your topic has actually opened my mind a bit more and not made me feel so narrow-minded, like there's more to it all, well played AK, ill be watching out for future threads!

Thanks bro.

Originally Posted by Fatt Daddy

that was a good post.

Originally Posted by Degree

Dude, I've been reading all of these posts.. they're not only well written, but very interesting!
This topic had shed a lot of light on the topics of Amsterdam that I wasn't sure about.

You seem like a very deep and introspective person. Keep tokin'!

+ Rep.

I really appreciate your thoughts.

Originally Posted by gnomegrown

words cannot describe my appreciation for your introspective works here on this thread....

im hoping in the future to furthur my participation in the cannabis culture as it pertains to the public eye, as well as the legislation side of things

i would consider myself an intelluctual person and i would like to use my skills to furthur the cannabis culture in all ways, and you are truly a pioneer to pave the rocky road for future followers

i want to sincerely thank you for my newfound enlightment as it pertains to using myself in our desired culture

Thanks and use your abilities to their fullest, the cannabis community is in need of people that not only have high aspirations but the intellect to fulfill them. Too long have false perceptions about cannabis users ruled the media and popular culture, it's time we change that, it's time we made our voices heard.

Stay green all!