Claim to fame
Out of context: Reply #36
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- Nairn0
It's curious to me. I'm very wary about going down the route of my own proper claims to fame as they all basically harken to a period in my life long-past. It'd feel a little e-pill-esque to wallow in the memories of a happier, more successful era.
I will mention one though, not a lovely one - I'm pretty goshdarn sure I am in part significantly to blame for the current culture of Hippy Crack (Nitrous Oxide) usage in Britain.
We did a Glasto at the end of the shroom-selling era (2005?) and took a few big-ass tanks of nitrous to sell. I'd ordered bright yellow latex (biodegradable, i figured) balloons, thousands of which we bought. Great incidental marketing as our brand was yellow and brown. 'Just follow the trail...'.
As far as I know, we were the first to really go to town selling NOx at a festival, whereas (somewhat like shrooms) it was something always done, but quietly, on the downlow. We were not quiet.
I will never forget staring out at the end of the main avenue behind the pyramid stage at something like 3am, from the stall we had, at a sea of yellow balloons covering the entiriety of the avenue. Literally - as far as I could see. I felt sick.
I'd witnessed literally thousands of people get off their face right in front of me - quick inhalation and staggering off, blundering through the crowds, recovering, coming back again for more. I'd seen people empty out their last few quid in their wallets for more balloons. Hence 'crack'. I'd seen people I'd previously respected and an other in my employ try and get women, including young adolescents, to flash their tits for free balloons. I kicked two people out when I saw that shit going on. Fucking assholes.
After we'd sold up, we'd made a tidy penny, but I was aghast at what I'd been part of. Filthy business. I resolved there and then that I wanted no more of any of that sort of shit.
Anyway, everthereafter, NOx became a thing, quickly resulting in a change of law in selling it (I still have two tanks I can't fill up - I should probably sell them on eBay) and now the streets of London are filled with nitrous whip cartridges, befouling by fuckhead bastards.
.
Because I'd resolved to leave at that point, I had no part in what came after for the company I'd founded then left. That's when the REAL money came in. Oh well. I have my principles.
*stares at not entirely wonderful bank balance