Pregame

[jjeling]

My brother had a few friends over for a sushi party. While the food was being prepared I took a few pictures, which is where this came from, along with food image in another thread. Always liked these kind of pictures as well. Speak your mind. Thanks.

[Marko]

HMMM - this one isn't working for me. Primarily it's not working because there is no main focal point and nothing in the image looks very sharp. The shishah pipe looks to be the sharpest element in the shot, but it's not that sharp and should it be the main element? Also the lighting isn't well controlled. What is causing the shadow on the dude in the striped shirt?
Hope that helps - Marko

[kat]

LOL..well...I want to know what is that thing..lol - I know what I would of used it as but not to sure...lol. (Oh the days of my youth) Not really getting much from the photo though. How was the sushi...? I love sushi and haven't had it for soo long :(

[jjeling]

Thanks Marko. My brothers house has one of the strangest feelings to it. Not 100% why but it does. He has a fake brick wall right behind me in the picture, and it came unglued so its just leaning against the couch. The covers have been torn off the couches and he uses blankets to wrap the cushions. It was built back in the 50's and Im sure it is still original lead paint. The dogs have broken two windows and there is shrink wrap around the rest of them. Mice are inside the house and you can see them occasionally run across the floor. The list could go on and on, but I just want you to get an understanding of the place.
The shadow is probably someone standing in front of a light, then being casted onto the person in the background.
I didnt want a crispy clean picture here because of the above mentioned details. Add those details to what is sitting on the table; the pipe(we call them hookah's), and the beer, I thought it would have worked. I wanted it to feel "less than desirable" and perhaps should have named it that.

[jjeling]

LOL..well...I want to know what is that thing..lol - I know what I would of used it as but not to sure...lol. (Oh the days of my youth) Not really getting much from the photo though. How was the sushi...? I love sushi and haven't had it for soo long :(

Oh believe me Kat it is used the same way you would have used it. Unfortunately, I can't talk any sense into my brother and have some serious issues with for a couple reasons. Not because of what he does, but because of how he does it. It brings too much traffic to his house, and he lives next to a school which is a MAJOR penalty here in the states. He only listens to himself so there isn't much I can do but wait for something to happen.

[kat]

You know jj..one think I can tell you from history, is some people learn before it's too late to turn back and others don't. Just have to hope in either case something is learnt from it!

[Marko]

wow - I'm real naive then. I thought those pipes were actually used for tobacco (sometimes flavoured with apple or other tastes). Here in Montreal, Canada they are absolutely legal and you'll see people from certain communities where the Shisha/Hookah is popular in their culture openly smoking in certain parks around the city. I did not know it could also be used for the less legal activities.

[jjeling]

haha. Marko you are correct. You are correct on their intended purpose. However, like any other tool, hammer, gun, camera, syringe, they can be used in illegal ways. It is not the pipe but the activity for the tobacco substitute that makes it illegal. Less than a mile away in Michigan it is legal for medicinal purposes. The issue around distribution is really exaggerated around schools though.

[Marko]

ok - Interesting - Just learned something new
wait a sec though...."However, like any other tool, hammer, gun, camera, syringe, they can be used in illegal ways. It is not the pipe but the activity for the tobacco substitute that makes it illegal"

so why are guns, cameras, and syringes all LEGAL? and this pipe illegal?
(likely used by the majority for legal tobacco purposes - no? wouldn't a bong be better suited to the illegal activities?)

That's right U.S. drug laws. Best in the world for decreasing the use of recreational drugs. lol.

[jjeling]

haha, sorry for confusing you. The pipe is completely legal, just like guns, cameras, syringes, and hammers. All completely legal, but they can be used for illegal things. But yes, US drug laws are quite entertaining. As far as I know, the results are the complete opposite of their intentions. Along with our prison system, many people go in as "salvagable" citizens. During their time spent behind bars, many fall deeper into the system and will never get out.