Don Juan was my guru from age 17 to about 25 also, long after I knew Carlos had 'made him up'. Under his guidance I experimented by living in a tent in a swamp for many years. When I got money I spent it then lived from wild foods. When I got miserable I had a direct line to Satan. When happy I knew God. I ate more magic mushrooms and datura than anyone I know who is still alive. I let my wisdom teeth grow through and smash the teeth in front of them, without pain killers or anti biotics. I knew pain and the value of pain. I learned to sing and write and talk in a way that freaked people out but attracted them, as I could find parts of them easily they thought nobody ever would.
In the long run, I outlived my initial life expectancy of 28. Things changed. I realised the value of longevity and hard work, travel and relationships. I became much less full of myself and realized though I knew a lot I knew almost nothing more complicated then breathing.
The scariest thing about TEOTWAWKI is death by bacteria. Being eaten alive by staphylococcus. A hideous, painfull, nauseating, excruciating way to go; far worse than starvation or drowning. My greatest fear is actually lack of antibiotics. I would prefer an honest fight with a zombie I can see; to a billion billion stealth zombies swelling up my internal organs until I pop.
Bring on collapse; but don't forget the amoxiclav.



