[ Features Index | San Francisco | MetroActive Central | Archives ]

One-Card Monte High-Strung Out? By Mark Ewert Do I have a problem with speed? It used to be I did it just to get on the same wavelength as all the people I met out at clubs, and I've had a lot of fun. Now, it seems like my body takes forever to recover from a weekend of partying, and I've been told I've become a lot more negative and critical in general--a change I feel in myself. Since it's hard for me to step outside myself, I was hoping a reading might point me in the right direction. Name withheld, San Francisco The Four of Swords (Reversed) Well, baby, when right side up, the Four of Swords means mental equanimity: things taking care of themselves without a lot of stress and worry on your part. Reversed (upside down), it suggests that you reevaluate your recreational use because it's causing you both stress and worry. Let this be your own rule of thumb in deciding whether or not your speed use has become harmful. Are you stressing? Do minor things wreck your composure? Exactly how tweaked do you get when you're tweaking? Your own comments--let alone those of your friends--seem to suggest your outlook has already begun to change for the worse. Decide for yourself whether your brain is receiving too much irritating static and set your boundaries accordingly . Mr. Ewert can be reached for professional card readings at 415.252.9321 [ San Francisco | MetroActive Central | Archives ]