[firestorm090]

Considering all of the questions I've raised over the last couple days, I decided to go to a meeting last night to check it out for myself, since I haven't been to one in over five years. Truth is, I really enjoyed it. And there were more people there than I've ever seen, approximately fifty people. Seems we have a lot of drunks around here, lol.

After the meeting was over, the nicest thing happened to me. I was outside having a smoke and a guy came up to me and introduced himself, which I did in kind. He told me he hasn't had a drink in over eighteen years and that he comes to this meeting every week. He moved into this area about three years ago and seem to really like it here. Anyway, I told him a little about what I experienced my first time around over five years ago, and he said it took him several attempts in-and-out before it finally started working for him. He asked me if I had a BB, to which I replied that I had tossed it years ago, so then this guy goes back in and insists on buying me another one. I had money, and was planning to buy my own, but he said it's his way of giving back part of what was given to him. Now, that to me is walking the walk and was really amazing to see in action. Then, we talked for about an hour while leaning up against my car, and he told me something I've heard a thousand times, but it finally clicked this time, and that is to take what you need and leave the rest. Huh, geez, sometimes I'm really slow. Anyway, we exchanged numbers and are going to dinner tomorrow night (going dutch, lol.) to celebrate my thirty days, then we're going to a meeting out of town that he likes. I always like road trips, so it should be fun. All-in-all, I found a new friend and now have a BB, so it was a really good night.

Guess I'll start at page one and try this again. Maybe it will work this time, I'm sure going to give it the ole college try!

Despite the dust I stirred up over the last couple days, I did learn a lot from all of you who responded to my requests for help. I am grateful for all of your help, because now I am more open minded and want to make this work. I know thirty days is just a grain of sand in time, but it's more time without a drink than I've had in the last five years, so something is working here. I'm going to try my best to stick with what works, and hopefully make a few friends along the way.