The High LifeThe High Life

Alcaraz, CynthiaAlcaraz, CynthiaPhoto ObservationPhoto ObservationAnthropology 102Anthropology 102

Dr. Leanna WolfeDr. Leanna WolfeNovember 28,2010November 28,2010

Bare EssentialsBare Essentials

These are two of the most These are two of the most important objects needed to important objects needed to engage in this type of engage in this type of recreational activity.recreational activity.

This here is the cannabis that This here is the cannabis that is kept in a sandwich bag.is kept in a sandwich bag.

This is a regular lighter This is a regular lighter needed to burn the cannabis. needed to burn the cannabis.

The ProcessThe Process

The first thing that was The first thing that was observed was the preparation observed was the preparation process. The “bong” was filled process. The “bong” was filled with regular drinking water with regular drinking water that was poured into an that was poured into an opening found on the upper opening found on the upper most portion of the bong. The most portion of the bong. The cannabis was taken out of the cannabis was taken out of the bag and then “packed” into bag and then “packed” into the “bowl”.the “bowl”.

After the bowl properly filled, it After the bowl properly filled, it was time to take a “hit”. In this was time to take a “hit”. In this picture the girl taking a hit is picture the girl taking a hit is being assisted by a young being assisted by a young man. He lights the cannabis for man. He lights the cannabis for about 5 seconds and then the about 5 seconds and then the young lady inhales the smoke. young lady inhales the smoke. Then the bong is passed in a Then the bong is passed in a clockwise manor to all the clockwise manor to all the other participants.other participants.

Once everyone has had a turn it Once everyone has had a turn it ultimately ends with the first ultimately ends with the first person. After the amount in the person. After the amount in the bowl has been used up, what is bowl has been used up, what is left in the bowl is a substance they left in the bowl is a substance they called “resin”. During the called “resin”. During the observation, the informant who observation, the informant who brought me to this gathering, brought me to this gathering, explained that some people who explained that some people who cannot afford the cannabis smoke cannot afford the cannabis smoke other peoples resin. It was other peoples resin. It was regarded as something low that regarded as something low that should only be done when the should only be done when the person is desperate. person is desperate. In the bottom picture one can In the bottom picture one can appreciate the end result of the appreciate the end result of the burnt up cannabis.burnt up cannabis.

There are other ways to smoke other There are other ways to smoke other than by means of a bong or pipe. than by means of a bong or pipe. One of the ways is illustrated in this One of the ways is illustrated in this picture. The procedure is called picture. The procedure is called “rolling a blunt”. It seems to be that “rolling a blunt”. It seems to be that this is not a task anyone can do. this is not a task anyone can do. Everyone in the room asked this Everyone in the room asked this gentlemen to roll a blunt for them gentlemen to roll a blunt for them because he is “the best”. This is because he is “the best”. This is actually a blunt that already comes actually a blunt that already comes premade but is undone to fill it with premade but is undone to fill it with the cannabis. First the fold of the the cannabis. First the fold of the blunt is found and then pealed back blunt is found and then pealed back to make an opening. The contents to make an opening. The contents are the disposed of in the ash tray. are the disposed of in the ash tray. The cannabis is then placed in the The cannabis is then placed in the blunt and rolled tightly.blunt and rolled tightly.

This picture shows how the blunt This picture shows how the blunt is licked to ensure it stay closed. is licked to ensure it stay closed. The informant said that there are The informant said that there are blunt sheets that are already blunt sheets that are already moist. The reason for using this moist. The reason for using this type of blunt is because it type of blunt is because it contains less chemicals since the contains less chemicals since the wrapping is made from organic wrapping is made from organic materials rather that artificial materials rather that artificial ones, also it has a better taste. ones, also it has a better taste.

After the activity is over they After the activity is over they engaged in conversation with one engaged in conversation with one another. The young woman in the another. The young woman in the jean jacket is talking to some of jean jacket is talking to some of the boys in the back of the room the boys in the back of the room who opted not to be who opted not to be photographed. The other woman photographed. The other woman in the black jacket was talking to in the black jacket was talking to another gentlemen to the left of another gentlemen to the left of her. The conversations where not her. The conversations where not anything specific but rather small anything specific but rather small talk, like “what is this your playing” talk, like “what is this your playing” and “umm, what did you say and “umm, what did you say again, I wasn’t paying attention”again, I wasn’t paying attention”

Something interesting in the room Something interesting in the room was this mushroom lamp. The was this mushroom lamp. The informant said it is a lamp made by informant said it is a lamp made by the owner of the house who was not the owner of the house who was not there at the time. It is sometimes there at the time. It is sometimes used to set the scene and not only used to set the scene and not only does is light up, but was painted with does is light up, but was painted with glow in the dark paint. glow in the dark paint.

Music was a major part of the Music was a major part of the ambience. They where listening to a ambience. They where listening to a type of music called “dubstep”. The type of music called “dubstep”. The informant reports it is a relatively new informant reports it is a relatively new type of music that people at raves are type of music that people at raves are really into.really into.

Another object that was noticed is this laptop sitting on top of a Another object that was noticed is this laptop sitting on top of a DJ table. Cleary noted on the laptop is the acronym “THC”. It DJ table. Cleary noted on the laptop is the acronym “THC”. It stands for, Tetrahydrocannabinol, one of the chemicals found in stands for, Tetrahydrocannabinol, one of the chemicals found in cannabis, as per the informant. The actual spelling of the word cannabis, as per the informant. The actual spelling of the word had to be looked up on the internet using a smart phone. had to be looked up on the internet using a smart phone.