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I'm going to a bar tonight

Old 08-01-2015, 02:51 PM
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I'm going to a bar tonight

A friend of mine is throwing a birthday party for his elderly mother and has invited a ton of people to our local VFW. I feel I need to go out of professional courtesy. He is also a contractor and I do work for him, and have for 6-7 years. My plan is for my wife and I to go, find him to let him know we showed up, maybe have a soda, and book it.
I know I will run into a million people I haven't seen for awhile and will be asked a thousand times "what happened to your legs?". I have already told the story 100's of times, don't feel like telling it 100 more.

....so that's the plan.
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Old 08-01-2015, 03:08 PM
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Always good to have a plan for these things Jeff!!
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Old 08-01-2015, 03:23 PM
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Sounds like you've got a plan in place, Jeff.

I'm a big believer in the "brief appearances" approach when there are social events where others will be drinking. And I get where you're coming from about questions re: your injury.

Glad to know your wife will be with you. Have a nice time. Enjoy a soda pop and rest in the assurance that you continue to be making the right decisions.
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Old 08-01-2015, 03:30 PM
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Great that you have a plan in mind, Jeff.
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Old 08-01-2015, 03:30 PM
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Good plan and I wouldn't be there long either. 7 years sober and I know that I wouldn't drink but, the trill of hanging out where booze is served has been long gone for many years.
MM
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Old 08-01-2015, 03:32 PM
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Given the fact that you DO have an injury, your mindset of late (re: sobriety) has been kind of "ho hum," and you really don't seem to be in the mood to go, can't you just send your regards, maybe even referencing the legs as an excuse? I'm sure your friend will understand.

I say this become I'm pulling for you and my heart sank when I saw the title of this thread.
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Old 08-01-2015, 03:36 PM
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Make appearance and GET OUT
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Old 08-01-2015, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Cathryn2001 View Post
Given the fact that you DO have an injury, your mindset of late (re: sobriety) has been kind of "ho hum," and you really don't seem to be in the mood to go, can't you just send your regards, maybe even referencing the legs as an excuse? I'm sure your friend will understand.
Jeff, your plan is good but this one is better
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Old 08-01-2015, 03:52 PM
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If there is any chance you might slip up I would cancel. Sounds like it's going to be more work than fun. Good luck stay sober
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Old 08-01-2015, 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Cathryn2001 View Post
Given the fact that you DO have an injury, your mindset of late (re: sobriety) has been kind of "ho hum," and you really don't seem to be in the mood to go, can't you just send your regards, maybe even referencing the legs as an excuse? I'm sure your friend will understand.

I say this become I'm pulling for you and my heart sank when I saw the title of this thread.
I believe I could, it would be very acceptable. Sorry about giving you a scare.
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Old 08-01-2015, 04:00 PM
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Hi Jeff

I'm not gonna blow smoke here - I feel you could send your regrets and pass on this one too, with noone being offended in the slightest.

But, you seem determined....

Have some strategies planned out for those awkward questions.

Have a strategy in place in case just one starts to sound like a good idea.

Have a great escape plan too.

D
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Old 08-01-2015, 04:00 PM
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I will confess to all of you, 3 months ago, I would go up there with the best intentions of getting out of there at a reasonable hour and relatively sober. But the more likely scenario would be me staying until the very end and having a sore stomach in the morning from laughing so much, because we are just a bunch of middle aged country boys who all grew up together in this town. The storytelling would go on forever.

For example, like the time one of the guys thought he'd take his motocross bike for a spin at about 1AM at a halloween party he was having. Wiped out pretty bad (of course) and we had to call the cops. The first thing the cop see's pulling up to the scene is one of our friends in a full hot pink gorilla suit, (and this guy is about 6'5") head, paws the whole works, waving the cop over to the scene. You just have to trust me on this......it was pretty damn funny.
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Old 08-01-2015, 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Dee74 View Post
Hi Jeff

I'm not gonna blow smoke here - I feel you could send your regrets and pass on this one too, with noone being offended in the slightest.

But, you seem determined....

Have some strategies planned out for those awkward questions.

Have a strategy in place in case just one starts to sound like a good idea.

Have a great escape plan too.

D
I am determined to go as a professional courtesy, but I am MORE determined to get home at see the UFC fights tonight. So, I will be getting out of there.
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Old 08-01-2015, 05:10 PM
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Soda water lime and cranberry. It worked well for me a few weeks ago at the bar. When your buddies give you $hit tell them your watching your figure. When the thought comes about having a drink. Think of it as lighting a fireworks display that may seem fun but goes horibbly wrong. Its all amirage. Do the right thing Jeff. You got this so own it.
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Old 08-01-2015, 05:49 PM
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For me, a soda or juice would be bad news - too much sugar. My alcohol addiction is compounded with an intolerance of sugar so one has been feeding the other forever and that is what derailed me back in 2013. My back up plan in social settings is club soda or water - and actually every day too - NO SUGAR in any way shape or form because I am too damn scared it will kickstart me backwards. Just me....
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Old 08-02-2015, 12:39 AM
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Congrats Jeff
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Old 08-02-2015, 10:30 AM
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So how'd it go?
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Old 08-02-2015, 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Jillian2563 View Post
So how'd it go?
Hi Jillian, went fine. Made my appearance, stayed about 40 minutes and got out of there. I created another thread regarding it.
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Old 08-02-2015, 11:51 AM
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Good on you jeff
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Old 08-02-2015, 12:35 PM
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Great stuff Jeff!!
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