[TVCasualty]

I used to prepare for trips in a similar fashion. I'd have lots of things I knew to be "trippy" and such gathered for the event, spread out in front of me like the controls of a spaceship, like the trip was something that happened outside of myself.

When the trip started, all that preparation flew out the window real quick. I only trip heavy one of two ways anymore, depending on what I'm after. I either eat a megadose (5-7 grams cubes for me) and immediately walk outside, letting the trip dictate what happens (it will anyway) OR I sit in total darkness indoors with no music/candles/TV/anything. Total sensory deprivation, in other words. That is how the hard-edged visions come for me (like the guy on the Harley who drove into my room and gave me a ride to the intersection of God and Truth once). In darkness/silence, all images and feelings come from within, so much so that inner space seems much larger than the wilderness outside. It can be a white-knuckle ride, but that's the intent.

If I trip indoors, at some point I usually must get up and go outside. By that time I'm over the peak and everything is quietly sublime. I don't even notice any trip toys that might be lying around; a spider in its web or some treebark beats the coolest shiny blinking gizmo by far.

So, my own perspective is that getting one's mind in a contemplative state and having a safe place to be is most important. Trip toys are fun because they remind us of tripping, not because they cause it. I say save yourselves the trouble of hauling gear around, all we need is inside our heads already, except for the bottle of water you should have handy.

And remember, you have to clean it all up at the end! Less is more!