The 3rd Street Beat Mission Statement
The Third Street Beat is a newsletter written by and created for people with substance use disorder. Our mission is to validate that experience so people know that they are not alone, and to emphasize the many unique roads that we take to recovery. This is an opportunity to share our experiences to creatively support each other. We are non-political, non-denominational, multi-racial, and gender neutral. Our mission is one of recovery and harm reduction, and all experiences are welcome. All the viewpoints herein are personal in nature and related specifically to our contributors’ recovery.
The 3rd Street Beat Editorial Team
The 3rd Street Beat is produced byThe Recovery Center community with assistance from the occupational therapy team.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Gov. Island Picnic pg. 3-6
NO, IT ISTHE HEAT! By J.K pg. 7-9
How To by R.B. pg. 10
Writing by D.W. pg. 11
Writings by P.L. pg. 12-14
10 Things by H.G. pg. 15
Writings by D.W. pg. 16
Anonymous pg. 17
My Favorite Place by T.B. pg. 18
Writing by A.C. pg. 19
Astro Boy by K.S. pg. 20-21
Something I Would Love to Learn by A.T. pg. 22
Untitled by A.T. pg. 23
Life Soundtrack by K.G. pg. 24
Creative Writing pg. 25-26
Chronicles by D.A. pg. 27
Photos by Kevon
Photos by Kevon
Photos by Kevon
Photos by Kevon
NO, IT ISTHE HEAT!
By John M.K.
Many people say of the extreme heat in Arizona “Well, at least it’s a dry heat and not humid.” An old friend of mine who’s now a resident there expanded on that when she informed me that “All that means is that you’ll die in a convection oven instead of a sauna.”
No one reading this needs me to point out to them the horridly brutal weather this city has been experiencing the past month or so. I just want to share my little slice of this Hell.
I turned 62 this past July 27th and really couldn’t enjoy my birthday as I was so enervated by the heat. I don’t want to gloss over that word “enervated.” The high temperatures really did physically drain all the energy out of my system. I mean to the point where I didn’t have the energy to focus my eyes on a book or a DVD movie or a streaming sports or news event. All I could do was listen to music on CDs or podcast shows about current events and culture.
Forget about cooking. My diet consisted mainly of cold cut sandwiches, various types of chicken, potato, and macaroni salad, and cold cereals. (Actually had iced cream for breakfast several times.)
Yes, I have an air conditioner. One of those portable kinds can roll from the bedroom to the living room and back. That can only mitigate the heat engulfing the building so much, though. For instance, I found that if I wanted to, I could bake bread in my hallway!
This got to be an even more serious issue whenever I needed to go outside for provisions. At my age, I’ve found my body simply cannot hold up for long periods exposed to these elements. I’d walk for only 6 or 7 blocks before getting dizzy and breathing heavily. I was worried I’d pass out and crack my head open on the sidewalk. Because of this, I had to curtail my visits to the Recovery Centre completely. I simply couldn’t make the trip into Manhattan from Crown Heights. I eventually had to go to the urgent care facility around the corner from my building. I feared it was heat stroke, or at least heat exhaustion. There wasn’t much they could do for me; just gave me oxygen, which did help reorient me. I kept hydrated, as well. (A FB pal turned me on to Pedialyte, which he said was better than Gatorade and he was right!)
I also invested in a Boost Oxygen Large Natural Aroma 10 Liter Canister that I found on Amazon; only 18 bucks with tax and shipping.
This past week has seen the temperature and humidity drop to human levels, and I was able to come in to Recovery again for the first time in over 2 weeks. By all accounts, we still have over a month of this weather coming. Wishing you all well in it.
Addendum: Well, it’s been almost two weeks since I typed the above words and we’ve seen the climate in NYC return to levels that can sustain civilized human life. (Pause) Don’t get too comfortable. We are now experiencing what has come to be called “Fake Fall.” This occurs when the Summer season has what one weather gal I heard call an “identity crisis.” Your shirt is no longer plastered to your back within seconds of going outdoors. Your electric bill takes a much welcome dip from it no longer including constant A/C use. You can actually bear to eat hot food again. However, this will be short-lived as the ferocious heat and sadistic humidity invariably return before the authenticFall arrives. I found this helpful schematic laying out this syndrome on the platform formerly known as Twitter. These are New York City’s 12 seasons:
■ Winter
■ Fool's Spring
■ Second Winter
■ Spring of Deception
■ Third Winter
■ The Pollening
■ Actual Spring
■ Summer
■ Hell's Front Porch
■ False Fall (YOU ARE HERE)
■ Second Summer
■ Actual Fall
Source:
https://x.com/KR1573N/status/1365437840079925255?lang=en
I advise all of you to NOT start getting out your wool crew neck sweaters and corduroy slacks just yet.
How to make God laugh
Tell HIM your plans!
When ever I constructed
Lofty aspiration
World’s circumstance (knocked) kicked me the pedestal.
-Rock B.
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It’s tough in the beginning as it is with anything. Maybe we see things differently even with everything.
After all the triles and miscomings that happen. We can all agree it won’t be for nothing. It’s safe to say our world isn’t simple. If we give it a try, believing all things are possible.
-Derek W.
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A moment of defeat/success
When I was drinking a lot I thought I would never get off it, I felt defeated and when I start talking about it, things started getting better for me, I felt succeeded, in overcoming my drinking I still have a lot to do, so I go to meeting 3-4 days out of a week.
By Patrick L.
A soundtrack of my life
Just be good to me, song is SOS band, how people spread lies about people and say don’t pay them no mind, and move on with your life.
-Patrick L.
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A memorable encounter with a stranger
When I was walking down street, I was in a bad mood and a woman said good morning, that made me feel good, and left a lasting impression on me.
-Patrick L.
10 thinks that make me smile
by Harry G.
1. Gettin up in the mornin and acknowled in I am alive
2. Findin a penny
3. Eat 1 o my 5 avorite plates o ood
a. Man u salchicken queso y huervos
b. #1 @ McDonald’s
c. 3pc chicken & a corn on the cobb w/ a biscuit at Texas Bur ers and Fries
d. Shrimp ried rice & 4 chicken win s OR
e. Shrimp ried rice w/ curry chicken
4. Lookin at my kids and randkids aces
5. Takin a call rom my mom
6. Meditation or an entire hour
7. Goin to Gabbie’s and Katie’s Groups
8. Lookin at a sunset
9. Goin to see a movie at the theater
Words that I live by
“I can, and I will.”
Something that inspires me
Theres not a thing I can’t do that hasn’t been done. If they can do it, I surely can too. It doesn’t matter what it is, any and everything is possible when we believe not only in ourselves but in each other as well.
I’m inspired by our youth. As a child, we all have so many imaginations and wonders of what we’ll find out there in the world being so vast. Anything is possible regardless of where you are or you’re with. Love, wild adventures, traveling; It’s all out there waiting for every one of us to discover and experience in our own way.
The best advice someone has given me
Our challenges do not define who we are. Life is messy and can be uncertain at times of trouble. Can’t always be sunshine and rainbows so through our troubles we can grow stronger and learn to pick ourselves up along the way. Sometimes its best to let go of the past and keep moving forward.
Derek W.
What is the best advice ever?
Was in book reading saying, when using illegal drugs, you are committing suicide which is biggest sin to do because you are shorting your life span which God gave your life to live until God said your time is up for sure am just saying wow.
# 2- List ten things that make you smile.
1- Having great/good intimate time.
2-Going to mall/area.
3- Going for nice walk seeing different things.
4- Going to beach/swimming.
5- Going to movies.
6- Going to water parks.
7- Going night driving by myself because there no traffic.
8- Having good conversation with woman’s, just talking about any thing or building for future as well too.
9- Taking care of my responsibilities too.
10- Going to any live sports games/watch on tv at any events as well too.
-Anonymous
My Favorite Place in the World
by Terence B.
Cape Cod Massachusetts is my favorite place in the world. My mother took me there on vacation when I was young. We stayed in a beautiful beach cottage right on the ocean. Everyday we would swim in the ocean and picnic on the beach. At night we would go into town and eat at a seafood restaurant and buy saltwater taffy at the candy shop. These memories will last me a lifetime and I am grateful.
I was at a point in my life where recovery had become the cornerstone to my success. At that time I felt really depressed, discouraged, hurt and confused. I had return to active addiction, that included the insanity of a misguided direction. I recognized that I was the main one that needed help. I was always trying to pull others weight, help others that didn’t want my help, and I couldn’t understand why. I felt strong, I didn’t know how weak I was.
Turning to the shelter system I told myself “I am starting from the ground up.” I modify my thoughts and behavioral pattern. Decided to cut everyone off, and learn to love me first, be a friend to me first. I could not respect what I was put through so I learned to respect myself. In fact all of these things is what I am currently practicing.
I’ve always had big dreams and knew I would do “big things.” This is one of the biggest things I’ve done so far. I got away from negative and got with the positive because i was weak and sensitive inside. T.R.C has definitely been a safe haven for me to practice and apply myself for the life I will accomplish.
Thank you TRC!
By Ariel C.
Kevon S.
Astro Boy – New Time
Paradime can you speak to me on the time? Paradox, I figured, captivating triggered derelict direction, pause time is thriving. Seconds is transparent, retrieve the hand of time back into minutes. Translation toxicity, new time clock back. Sketch a raw draft rough! Time is history clearly slacking voyage. Excuse me where is my manners, modification, transformation, new redemption. Role play this four play time. This is a cautious courtesy, don’t play with the time. Interpersonal transforming, taking out the first person out existence.
Emerald – diamonds of animal spirit.
Doves flying with eagles and falcons.
It's a gallery of museum portrait. Art in poetry. Time is anonymous. Exhibit that moment that sparks infatuation, desires flame this passion in a love dream, wake up! Wake up! Yelling back at time. No answer. Then it click, spectators momentarily scratch the surface from hours, minutes, seconds, predominantly defiance, highlight. Conveniently, luxuriously, slipping my time away, patiently, marginalizing, persistence of new time, prevalence, providence, position it distinctly. Steps of distance unique distractions, it steps in time. New step up, apprentice, tribute AM, PM, what a nightmare another is, literature, capturing the morning rise sunrise, sunset, set proficiency profound time. A revelation in century, East, West, North, South, well its aesthetically pleasing, quickly undress me please address new time. Illuminates science sequentially sequence, frequently balance 24, new time has arrived!
PSALM 8:3
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained.
Astro Boy – Living a Lie
I’m living in a lie, maybe a dream. An ongoing nightmare that attracts only fear and incorporating my ancestors lifestyles. Secrets are hidden throughout my bloodline, that swims through generations, a waterfall but no water falling from that drought. To pick back up this lamp that has been dim in my culture, and letting a better guide and good health, that free the wealth in the treasure that leaves colors for the our future, and dreams to activate, to remind us of the better history. History and legacy does have a last name when you add them up together. A family that is familiar with timelines, cycles, and redo on history, the updated calendar that reference decades of historical disaster and once in a million year celebration. Breaking history with a brand new set of news to express and can last a lifetime, impressing the press, giving a force to the media and front cover box office a page that can add to the collection of stories, we sit around the campfire, sing songs and giving each other our funny moments, sharing feelings and shedding tears. We blend to our modern time, and adopt to the emotions of our past and present, to never wake up to our reality.
Something I would love to learn
ByAnthonyT.
There are actually a few things I would learn to do.To start off, I have always loved the sound of instruments that were in the songs coming up, such as the piano and also the guitar, and later learning how to play the bass guitar. My secondary one would be to learn how to play the piano, years back I would sit at the piano and just play with the keyboard and I loved how it sounds. So my desire to learn something would be learning how to play both of the instruments I mentioned. I always loved the instrumental part of songs, not really what was being said.
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No matter how my life has had its ups and downs, I’m always continued to pray to my higher power to pick me up and get through the storms of life. May I not freeze up and just keeping running for my life and keep my eye on the prize which is my higher power. I will continue to stay focused because for me it is a matter of life or death which on I choose.
My Life Music Soundtrack by Each Decade - The 60’s
By Keith G.
Creative Writing Stories
One cold winter, a friendly fox fell in a sinkhole within a mysterious jungle. The sinkhole was so large unfortunately, the fox sunk into oblivion and was never seen again after that day.
I went to one desert island one hot summer day
I saw a friendly fox I saw a giant big scary monster I went back to the boat My friendly fox went back to the trees -SM
Creative Writing Stories Cont.
Once upon a time, in an enchanted forest, Terrance a terrifying troll climbed out from under his bridge.The sun was high in the sky and no tasty travellers had passed all day. He had completely missed breakfast and was not about to go without lunch. He began down the path that went along the river, close to the witch’s gingerbread house. He knew she often had plump children and might be in a sharing mood. He could smell the wonderful smoke rising out of her chimney. His mouth started watering at the thought of a feast.
Just as he turned the bend leading up to the cabin, a playful puppy ran up to say hello. Terry was overjoyed. It was not after all polite to show up at someone’s house empty handed expecting to be fed.
-Mark R.
The story of Rodney and Sage living with me
Rodney his nickname is Hot Rod he is a crack addict and beggar that ask people for money. They call it panhandling it is a hustle than knocking somebody in head and robbing them for their money so you won’t go to jail or get hurt or kill god forbid. I met Rodney at the Foodtown Supermarket on the corner of 145th Street and 8th Ave that they change the name to Frederick Douglas Blvd. So I use to go to the house on 144th and Bradhurst Ave. We use to smoke crack. Rodney will talk to me about his apartment and said my apartment is not a crack house or crack den it is a crack lounge. He was trying to be fancy with his talk and his words. So anyway I use to get my welfare PA. That Public Assistance I get ninety-one dollars and fifty cents every two weeks and food stamps once a month I get two-hundred and ninety-one dollars in food stamps. I will smoke up all money and food stamps up. And Rodney will kick me out of his house when I got broke and don’t have no money. So the landlord that live downstairs on the first floor Rodney live on the second floor so that landlord got sick and tired and fed up with Rodney crack lounge. With the traffic people coming in and out. Talking loud, cussing, fighting, calling Rodney or Hot Rod outside his window. So you will know that Rodney or Hot Rod will hear you and Rodney will tell you to come on up the stairs. So one day or night the landlord had to call the police to get Rodney or Hot Rod out the house to go to jail or prison. Thank god I wasn’t there that day or night Rodney or Hot Rod got raided. So next time will tell you story about Rodney or Hot Rod and girlfriend Sage moving in with me so god bless the city, country, and world
Thank you, Darryl A.
