Serendipity - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Blake · 07-28-2006, 01:58 PM

Crazy cool thing happened last night at the meeting.

There were these couple of new commers there about my age. Before the meeting I was bullshitting with them talking about recovery and just trying to make them feel comfortable.

During the meeting I shared about how I had applied to this culinary school and how I was anxious to hear back and how the addict in me was telling me that I wasn't gonna get in and how I couldn't do it....

After the meeting, the dude caught me outside and said "I can get you a reference to help you get into that school....I worked at most of the better restaurants in New Orleans I have a ton of connections....I can get you a triaining position down there even if you want." I was like...HUH?!?!?! HELL YEAH DUDE!!!!!!!!

come to find out, he's been cooking at NOLA restaurants since he was 15 (he is 25 now) and he had cooked under some really awesome chefs. He was an executive sous chef at the windsor court when it used to be a 5 star/5 diamond establishment. He cooked under Rene Bajeux there and moved with him when he opened up Rene Bistrot. The dude is a wealth of knowledge...and just as interested as I was in his cooking experience, he was in my recovery.....it was really cool, we talked about 45 minutes after the meeting, flip flopping between recovery and cooking....it was like we had known each other for years....He reminded me of the intensity I had about recovery right from the get go.

It was awesome....I feel confident now that this is what I'm supposed to do, that my HP is throwing me signs and for that I'm greatful...

windysan · 07-28-2006, 02:02 PM

Doesn't surprise me that you met a connected dude at an NA meeting. All the kitchens I ever worked in ran on cocaine.

Blake · 07-28-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windysan

Doesn't surprise me that you met a connected dude at an NA meeting. All the kitchens I ever worked in ran on cocaine.

Yeah...I allways worked the FOH when I used to work in restaurants and it was very prevelent up there too.....that was the first thing he said....."your gonna go to culinary school? there is alot of temptation in the restaurant business, that's why I quit"....

windysan · 07-28-2006, 04:04 PM

I kinda remember Brady's. Kinda.

good times

amymarie · 07-28-2006, 04:09 PM

Yay for you Blake! I am so freakin' happy for you....
Keep taking those signs!

Time4Change · 07-28-2006, 04:34 PM

That's a beautiful thang, Blake!

I'm really, really happy for you! You deserve it! It's also super cool when you meet someone like that and really hit it off as friends. Sounds like a good man. Can't wait to hear what happens next! Keep us updated, k?

~ Blake ---->

Hee-hee! You'll be like 7-feet tall in the chef's hat!

Love you!

**Phinneas** · 07-28-2006, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake

It was awesome....I feel confident now that this is what I'm supposed to do, that my HP is throwing me signs and for that I'm greatful...

Crazy cool is right! I love when things like that happen... and I don"t believe in coincidences, either.

So, Blake, restaurants sound like they could be slippery places. I"m sure you"ve thought of that. How to you plan to stay clean in that environment?

Good on you, my friend. I am cheering you on!

Blake · 07-29-2006, 09:31 AM

I JUST GOT HIRED ON AT THE BEST BAKERY IN MY TOWN!!!!!!!!

It's called The Coco Bean and they make the best cakes and pastries around, AND they do their own chocolates too.....lots to learn lots to learn!!!!!!

I'll be working there on the weekends from now till I go to culinary school next year....

amymarie · 07-29-2006, 09:44 AM

Oh wow Blake!
That is awesome...
What an inspiration your life becomes-
Big Hugs!

windysan · 07-29-2006, 11:01 AM

Blake, where is the Coco Bean? I'll stop by.

Blake · 07-29-2006, 11:17 AM

It's on thomas street in hammond, like going out to the airport....kind close to jacmel...little old yellow house that's been converted to a bakery......it's kinda like zoe's in covington, quality cakes and pastries...

windysan · 07-29-2006, 12:41 PM

Gotcha. I know where it is. I've always wanted to stop in there. I go to Tangi often so I'll stop in and introduce myself.

"Hey, do y'all know that recovering junkie guy......"

just kidding, i'll ask for blake

Smyle · 07-29-2006, 04:01 PM

Blake that is wonderful .....I am speechless and so happy for you.....If I am ever in your state i will pop in for some goodies....wow blake you must be on an incredible high .......GO BLAKE !!!!!!

dalin · 07-30-2006, 10:48 PM

cool deal blake.my girlfreind and i both wore chefs hats once.since i had my stroke i had to let it go.she has found another career to.
we will be in baton roughe chrismas...how far are you from there?her sponsor lives there and my folks are in franklin.be there about a week.
it would be cool to meet some internet homies while we are there from toronto

Blake · 07-30-2006, 10:51 PM

cool dude, I'm 30 minutes from BR, let me know when you are down and I'll give you the skinny on the meetings round here...

dalin · 07-30-2006, 10:56 PM

cool deal.......

Blake · 07-30-2006, 10:56 PM

as a matter of fact I was at a function in BR saturday night...

dalin · 07-30-2006, 11:00 PM

hey man......email me your phone number.we have long distance from hell...copy those other step guides from that other sight,the first ones.they are savory aged...and written by gregp...who wrote the traditions in the text.

Blake · 07-30-2006, 11:05 PM

Yeah a certain sponsorship family around here uses them, my current sponsor worked them that way too....but he told me that since I started with the guide, I'll finish with the guide and next time I get the sheets....with all their "definine this word" glory...I'm PMing you my number right now...

upanddownjj · 07-30-2006, 11:07 PM

Thanks Blake for sharing that "God Thing"..that's what I call them...
There are just too many to count since I've been clean...When they happen it is almost like a wind goes through you and you just KNOW!!!

You must be working it, cause it's workin'

I look forward to hearing more about your newcomer friend - you obviously have a purpose in his life as well..
Congrats on the Bakery Job - mmmmmm Chocolate.....xoxo Janni

dalin · 07-30-2006, 11:10 PM

groovy.........another canuck

upanddownjj · 07-30-2006, 11:14 PM

Hey Dalin - I noticed that...How are you ?
I've only been on here a few days - great place eh??

Janni

dalin · 07-30-2006, 11:17 PM

i am doing ok here.trying to print something and knocked over my girlfreinds step work....
but i am ok here

dalin · 07-30-2006, 11:19 PM

how long you been clean?

upanddownjj · 07-30-2006, 11:27 PM

Just took my 7 yr cake in AA last Saturday...8yrs fm the big C

U ?

07-28-2006, 01:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blake I'm an addict. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 1,201	Serendipity Crazy cool thing happened last night at the meeting. There were these couple of new commers there about my age. Before the meeting I was bullshitting with them talking about recovery and just trying to make them feel comfortable. During the meeting I shared about how I had applied to this culinary school and how I was anxious to hear back and how the addict in me was telling me that I wasn't gonna get in and how I couldn't do it.... After the meeting, the dude caught me outside and said "I can get you a reference to help you get into that school....I worked at most of the better restaurants in New Orleans I have a ton of connections....I can get you a triaining position down there even if you want." I was like...HUH?!?!?! HELL YEAH DUDE!!!!!!!! come to find out, he's been cooking at NOLA restaurants since he was 15 (he is 25 now) and he had cooked under some really awesome chefs. He was an executive sous chef at the windsor court when it used to be a 5 star/5 diamond establishment. He cooked under Rene Bajeux there and moved with him when he opened up Rene Bistrot. The dude is a wealth of knowledge...and just as interested as I was in his cooking experience, he was in my recovery.....it was really cool, we talked about 45 minutes after the meeting, flip flopping between recovery and cooking....it was like we had known each other for years....He reminded me of the intensity I had about recovery right from the get go. It was awesome....I feel confident now that this is what I'm supposed to do, that my HP is throwing me signs and for that I'm greatful... __________________ Warning: I'm a sick person so take any advice I may be spewing with a grain of salt, but it's what has worked for me, so far.

07-28-2006, 04:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
amymarie No more hostages Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: houston Posts: 790	Yay for you Blake! I am so freakin' happy for you.... Keep taking those signs! __________________ recovery begins with a willingness to do whatever it takes... and for me that means WHATEVER it takes...

07-28-2006, 04:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Time4Change NA Rocks! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Location Posts: 517	That's a beautiful thang, Blake! I'm really, really happy for you! You deserve it! It's also super cool when you meet someone like that and really hit it off as friends. Sounds like a good man. Can't wait to hear what happens next! Keep us updated, k? ~ Blake ----> Hee-hee! You'll be like 7-feet tall in the chef's hat! Love you! __________________

07-29-2006, 09:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
Blake I'm an addict. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 1,201	I JUST GOT HIRED ON AT THE BEST BAKERY IN MY TOWN!!!!!!!! It's called The Coco Bean and they make the best cakes and pastries around, AND they do their own chocolates too.....lots to learn lots to learn!!!!!! I'll be working there on the weekends from now till I go to culinary school next year.... __________________ Warning: I'm a sick person so take any advice I may be spewing with a grain of salt, but it's what has worked for me, so far.

07-29-2006, 09:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
amymarie No more hostages Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: houston Posts: 790	Oh wow Blake! That is awesome... What an inspiration your life becomes- Big Hugs! __________________ recovery begins with a willingness to do whatever it takes... and for me that means WHATEVER it takes...

07-28-2006, 02:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
windysan Big Idiot Man Child Join Date: May 2004 Location: La Posts: 3,739	Doesn't surprise me that you met a connected dude at an NA meeting. All the kitchens I ever worked in ran on cocaine.

07-28-2006, 04:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
windysan Big Idiot Man Child Join Date: May 2004 Location: La Posts: 3,739	I kinda remember Brady's. Kinda. good times

07-29-2006, 11:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
windysan Big Idiot Man Child Join Date: May 2004 Location: La Posts: 3,739	Blake, where is the Coco Bean? I'll stop by.

07-29-2006, 11:17 AM	#11 (permalink)
Blake I'm an addict. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 1,201	It's on thomas street in hammond, like going out to the airport....kind close to jacmel...little old yellow house that's been converted to a bakery......it's kinda like zoe's in covington, quality cakes and pastries... __________________ Warning: I'm a sick person so take any advice I may be spewing with a grain of salt, but it's what has worked for me, so far.

07-29-2006, 12:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
windysan Big Idiot Man Child Join Date: May 2004 Location: La Posts: 3,739	Gotcha. I know where it is. I've always wanted to stop in there. I go to Tangi often so I'll stop in and introduce myself. "Hey, do y'all know that recovering junkie guy......" just kidding, i'll ask for blake

07-29-2006, 04:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
Smyle Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Newfie-Land, Mo Posts: 1,623	Blake that is wonderful .....I am speechless and so happy for you.....If I am ever in your state i will pop in for some goodies....wow blake you must be on an incredible high .......GO BLAKE !!!!!!

07-30-2006, 10:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
dalin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 275	cool deal blake.my girlfreind and i both wore chefs hats once.since i had my stroke i had to let it go.she has found another career to. we will be in baton roughe chrismas...how far are you from there?her sponsor lives there and my folks are in franklin.be there about a week. it would be cool to meet some internet homies while we are there from toronto

07-30-2006, 10:51 PM	#15 (permalink)
Blake I'm an addict. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 1,201	cool dude, I'm 30 minutes from BR, let me know when you are down and I'll give you the skinny on the meetings round here... __________________ Warning: I'm a sick person so take any advice I may be spewing with a grain of salt, but it's what has worked for me, so far.

07-30-2006, 10:56 PM	#16 (permalink)
dalin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 275	cool deal.......

07-30-2006, 10:56 PM	#17 (permalink)
Blake I'm an addict. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 1,201	as a matter of fact I was at a function in BR saturday night... __________________ Warning: I'm a sick person so take any advice I may be spewing with a grain of salt, but it's what has worked for me, so far.

07-30-2006, 11:00 PM	#18 (permalink)
dalin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 275	hey man......email me your phone number.we have long distance from hell...copy those other step guides from that other sight,the first ones.they are savory aged...and written by gregp...who wrote the traditions in the text.

07-30-2006, 11:05 PM	#19 (permalink)
Blake I'm an addict. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 1,201	Yeah a certain sponsorship family around here uses them, my current sponsor worked them that way too....but he told me that since I started with the guide, I'll finish with the guide and next time I get the sheets....with all their "definine this word" glory...I'm PMing you my number right now... __________________ Warning: I'm a sick person so take any advice I may be spewing with a grain of salt, but it's what has worked for me, so far.

07-30-2006, 11:07 PM	#20 (permalink)
upanddownjj One Day At A Time Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Vancouver, BC Posts: 412	Thanks Blake for sharing that "God Thing"..that's what I call them... There are just too many to count since I've been clean...When they happen it is almost like a wind goes through you and you just KNOW!!! You must be working it, cause it's workin' I look forward to hearing more about your newcomer friend - you obviously have a purpose in his life as well.. Congrats on the Bakery Job - mmmmmm Chocolate.....xoxo Janni

07-30-2006, 11:10 PM	#21 (permalink)
dalin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 275	groovy.........another canuck

07-30-2006, 11:14 PM	#22 (permalink)
upanddownjj One Day At A Time Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Vancouver, BC Posts: 412	Hey Dalin - I noticed that...How are you ? I've only been on here a few days - great place eh?? Janni

07-30-2006, 11:17 PM	#23 (permalink)
dalin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 275	i am doing ok here.trying to print something and knocked over my girlfreinds step work.... but i am ok here

07-30-2006, 11:19 PM	#24 (permalink)
dalin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Mississauga Ontario Posts: 275	how long you been clean?

07-30-2006, 11:27 PM	#25 (permalink)
upanddownjj One Day At A Time Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Vancouver, BC Posts: 412	Just took my 7 yr cake in AA last Saturday...8yrs fm the big C U ?