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Omaha, NE 68104

   Ganja Tales by Craig Pugh

Book Signing at the Aquarian Party, Jan. 26, Omaha, NE

A bash to celebrate the Aquarians of the world, and you know they're a crazy bunch: hippies of the zodiac and all that; non-conformists, rebels ... yeah, good people! And the Aquarian Party, oh what fun--women, whiskey and bands. But hey dude, people in Omaha KNOW how to party. We have to, because if you gave the States an enema, you'd stick the tube in Omaha (an Indian word for "don't bother stopping here").  

SATURDAY, NOV. 4, 2000, LAWRENCE, Kansas  THE PHIL ZONE. It was the neatest shop in Lawrence. November 4 was a fine day to sell "Ganja Tales"  from the sidewalk in front of the store. Our flag and banner (see photo album) made a colorful display, and when I wasn't signing books and talking to people, I was waving the book at people driving by, shouting: "It's a plant--not a crime!" and other crazy things. The whole day was great fun, made even more so by the presence of Sandy, Ian, Sarah, Wayne and many friends, including our oldest and best friend Dennis and the world famous "Welsh Lads," Kevin and Keith. Phil has since closed his shop - saying something about having other world's to explore. Lawrence will miss the Zone. 

Sept. 20, Neil Young, Red Rocks, Colorado

I first heard Neil Young in June, 1970. I was on a custom combine crew somewhere in western Kansas. The only radio station we could get at night on the prairie was WLS out of Chicago, which was pretty cool. So I was cutting wheat, hadn't seen anyone all day except for the truck driver who came every hour and offloaded my grain bin. Me, my combine, everything pitch black except for two lights, and hundreds of acres of wheat. 

Then "Four Dead in Ohio" came on the radio. About that time the truck driver came bumping across the field flashing his brights like a madman. I stopped, he parked and scrambled up the ladder to my cab: "It's that protest song on the radio!" he shouted. "Turn it up!" And he was suddenly dancing a jig on my combine steps, 10 o'clock at night--him and me--alone on the open expanse of the prairie with Neil Young's voice breathing life into us, giving us hope for the future. 

Three months later I was a freshman at Kansas University (Lawrence), and the one album everyone seemed to have was After the Goldrush.  So you see, Neil's part of the fabric of my life. For all of that, Sept. 20 was the first time I've seen him in concert. He's always been my favorite, hands-down, for his durability, his creative powers and his gentle soul.  

Aug. 26, Red Rocks Reggae Fest, Colorado

Click to see a picture of CRAIG at RED ROCKS . Then click your "Back" button to return to this page.

Geez, whatever happened to all this mellow Colorado I've always heard about? At Red Rocks, brothers and sisters, you have to get past the grouch at the gate. She's in charge (a real man-hater), you're not, so listen up. And remember, she has no sympathy for you. They pat you down, they search your stuff, they make you throw fruit and all kinds of things away. I saw one African male leave so pissed off he was cursing in his native tongue and it did not sound pretty! Once you get inside things are cool. Not nearly as many cops as Seattle. The Reggae Festival bands were fun, and we talked to Pam who goes there every year--same time, same place--to rock out to reggae. Special thanks to Carole, who bought a book. To Robin from Ithaca, so nice to meet you.  Kathleen, you rock. See you on tour! 

August 20, Hempfest 2000, Seattle

Wow! Wanna  party in a phone booth? Go to the Hempfest along the waterfront. Meet a cop. They come by boat, bicycle, horse, foot, chopper--you name it. The cops were kind though; some even donated money for the cause. Neither did we see any arrests.  Multiple stages, events. Sensory overload, big crowd. See ya, see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya. My advice is if you don't live in Seattle don't go.

July's Tours:

WHEE 2000, Rainbow Farm Campground, Michigan

The Farm: Regarding the demise of RFC, it was a place where people of all walks of life could relax in peace. The "Powers that Be" just couldn't stand to see that kind of happening . . . people just getting along. We're sorry it was taken away from all of us. And we pray for the souls that were, and are, lost.

Our trip July 14-16 to the Rainbow Farm Campground, Vandalia, MI., was too much fun! We and about a thousand others helped Steve Hager (High Times editor) get his first World Hemp Expo Extravaganja (WHEE Festival) up and running. This first-one-ever featured the Byrds, Rozen Bombs and Hypnotic Clambake, to name a few of the excellent bands. New stage and superb sound system. Trails into woods offer great camping areas, and free showers at entrance lodge provide welcome relief. Staff goes extra mile to accommodate patrons, including delivering firewood for modest fee and removing trash barrels. Marijuana and hemp activists were really knowledgeable and nice; anxious to talk and debate. A place to get your batteries recharged! Get going again about personal rights and freedom! Remember: Ganja is a plant ... not a drug. Drugs are what the pharmaceuticals who run this country and own our politicians are pushing on us. Just say no to those drugs! 

    Special thanks to Rainbow Farm and Bruce (Das Uberjew) for the grins. You guys are the best. Also, Dean and Dan from "Something Different" in Kenosha, WI., Eric Lehtonen  "The Tie Dye Guy", Paz,  J.D. & Theresa -- you're the embodiment of the spirit; Brian and Cher "Port in the Storm" in Gilbertsville, KY -- keep up the work. Bill, Kevin and Mary from "The Hippy Shop" in Toledo, Ohio, Steve from Jacksonville, FL., Daniel and Arden from Ithaca, and the Marshalltown, Iowa, gang:  We love ya all! 

Hempfest 2000, Ontario, Canada

Of course we had to go July 21-23 to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. And why not? Hempfest 2000 (visit www.planetarypride.com) was kicking off. Yeah, we've all heard about the Canadian lifestyle, and it's true. They're light years ahead of the U.S. in the hemp movement. Come up next year (same time, same place) and party with the experts! Fred and Renee, Neil, Steve Bacon and Bruce; Alan Young and Hilton, Larry Duprey and Boris St. Maurice -- you are all great people and we were glad to meet you. To Rob and Allison of the only head shop  (Planetary Pride) in the Soo, thanks for the event, next year will be even better.  And finally, to my American brothers and sisters: the freedoms that our forefathers fought and died for are being taken from us. Think about it.

Ganja Warrior

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"Just curious, are the people all real in the book?  'cause I'd like to meet the guy with the long black hair and the Grateful Dead t-shirt! . . . He sounds really cool."  
    
-- Julie in  Chicago, IL 

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