Changing Times

[~lostgurl~]

SWIM remembers lots of fights at parties in her teen years, it was common practice for bogan skinheads to turn up drunk and crash any social event that they were not invited to. It seemed as if fighting was the only reason they bothered coming at all.

After high school SWIM took off overseas and boy what a culture shock it was for her coming back 5 years later! Drunken parties had been replaced by raves and dance clubs where violence was nowhere to be seen. Ecstasy had become the drug of choice and everyone was smiley and happy, loving and caring. The faces were all familiar but instead of picking fights with anyone who looked at them side ways, these guys were now comfortably part of the ecstasy scene. They were mates with the gay guys, treated the girls with respect and care and everyone felt so lucky to be part of such a wonderful crowd.

Then a few years ago things changed again as methamphetamine became the drug of choice. The lives of those smiley happy skinheads now revolve around buying and selling meth, and finding the money to do so. Criminal activity became the norm for SWIM's associates, gang and clubhouses became the hangouts, and the friends that she had grown so close to would now sell their soul for another bag and rip SWIM off as soon as she turned her back.

It is fairly common now for the guys to carry weapons, and the drunken party fights from her teen years pale in comparison to the stand-over tactics she is now seeing. There are no friends, there is no honesty and even the criminal underworld’s code of practice has long been forgotten.

It would be easy to put the blame solely on the drugs, but if that were the case SWIM would be there with them, and although SWIM is no saint she’s always held onto her her true self. She sunk deeper than she is comfortable with, but she still managed to keep her head above water. She still has a mind and she still has a heart, and well, that’s a lot to be grateful for.

Reputation Comments on this post:

excellent thread

[Nature Boy]

An interesting insight. Many consider the rise of ecstasy use to be one of the key components that dismantled British football hooliganism from the way it existed in the 1980s.

[~lostgurl~]

I would say that is highly likely. These guys were rough, they hated blacks, gays, most minorities really, and they had no respect for women or authority, and that was without the alcohol. Once the drinking started they went looking for a fight. Then to have them change into caring gentlemen, always greeted SWIM with a hug and kiss and treated her with respect, even when they weren't rolling. Pity it all had to change again.

[booyah007]

Good insight. I have a similar theory about how weed helped mold the 60s and 70s, while cocaine destroyed the whole thing in the 80s with bad music and worse hair.

[Lunar Loops]

How does the old saying go? You can't polish a turd.

I think this is true of people. Give a twat a chemical that makes him smiley&happy and at one with all, he's still a twat at heart. Some may change from their experience, but not that many in long lasting terms. Change is NOT impossible, but TRUE change is not common.

I have noticed a change in some people from their early years of drunken brawling. As they grow older and have more responsibilities, their behaviour (if not their attitudes) changes....wife, kids, etc. Some remain the same, but most moderate their behaviour with age and responsibility. Scratch beneath the surface though and those old bigoted attitudes come screaming out (in fact you don't have to scratch very hard).

SWILostgurl has remained with head above water as she is obviously grounded and has always had a healthy respect for others. Her very essence is good. Others have never had a healthy repsect for others and are unlikely to gain it. Tainted from the start.

Yes, I know it isnt quite as cut and dried as that and the yak tells me that he has known many "scallies" that have been essentially good people, but it is generally about respect for others and life in general.

[Rehab Quitter]

swim was sat remenising last night about "the good old days". how people used to get wrecked up and started saying they love each other talking all there unsung passions, believes, fears and generally being very intimate with your mates .

maybe its just swim, but it doesnt seem as furfilling, satisfying, fun as what it used to be im only 21/22 on thursday and maybe im old for my time or i look at the other side (the aftermath) to much.

do any of the vetrans (no offence) still share that same passion for being intoxicated, still like a little kid on xmas

iso drugs have gone down hill alot recently and will increasingly do so on the street could this be a decisive factor for swims longed reluctence to take certain chemicals or is it simple bordum, or maturity

we all want to feel like its our first time again