I indulged in a most delicious blueberry scone today; and...some Lindt milk chocolate. Very naughty indeed. When the temps hit 10C yesterday, I noticed many University kids in our nearby city walking very casually in shorts and t-shirts. Now: that's either blind optimism or blind denial. But I like it.

Have a great weekend guys

Everyone have a great weekend!!

We tried to get to Federal Donuts but didn't make it before i left. I made my friend promise to go and give me donut review.

I really want donuts now!

donuts are bad... I recall when I worked I would rarely if ever eat the donuts when someone brought them in. I was a celery and carrot and radish guy... oh my!

what's up wolfie? welcome to the december 2013 band of hooligans...

I did an interview at Lowe's today. I got there a half-hour early. Then the interviewer forgot about me or something. I waited until 14:07 to throw the flag. So my 2 o'clock interviewer shows up at 215. It was a much more serious interview than I had imagined it would be. Some canned questions like a typical interview would be. I might get invited back for a second interview. But I did ask him more questions than he asked me :). A 'temp' job working outside in the garden/landscape department.
Something to get me out of the house until I decide to look for a real job. The guy "warned me" that they do a drug test and background check. Okay.........
except for the recent intake of animal fat, my blood is pure as mountain spring water... ha

Flush that fat with celery and carrots and radishes and you'll be solid.

Just say no to donuts.

Blasphemy! Shun the unbeliever!

Good luck with the interview LBrain. I think it's good to ask questions at interviews. Shows you're switched on and thinking.

Morrning

The Lowes job sounds good, LB. What a great way to transition into spring: dealing with shrubs and sunshine and flowering plants and generally very very happy people. I think the social engagement would be fun. Beats plumbing and electrical!
Just say no to donuts. Love it. Must have that printed on a t-shirt.
'Shun the unbeliever' also deserves its own t-shirt. Just needs the right context, tho. Couldn't wear that one just anywhere.
Echoing LB: welcome, sober wolf. (hooligans indeed)

Interesting that near the end of interview the guy started asking me which one I would prefer since another position was offered since I first applied. And I told him that I applied for that one just a couple hours before I showed up. I think I spent enough time at those places over the past few springs anyway, I may as well make a few bucks too.
I discovered I know more about their products than most of the people that work there.

Have a nice evening everyone

i got the job, weird couple days, yesterday after the interview I run into an old supervisor from work past, he tells me if I need a reference let him know. This morning at the gym I run into an old friend/supervisor from same work past, he gives me his new number in case I need anything, then on my way to grocer, I see an old manager who was recently promoted up the ladder, we chatted for a few minutes, - I don't think I could ask a department head of an organization that "fired" me for a reference. My "firing" was more of a corporate political thing tho... Then I get a call from a place telling me they have an offer for me... not much, but I find it interesting that I'm suddenly running into people from 'work' now. Maybe it's a sign that I should start looking for a job...
I guess it's sttt or get off the pot now.

So I now have a list of 4 high level managers, one plant manager/site VP, and a half dozen supervisors and supervisors from other departments where I used to work willing to vouch for me, even though I was let go. Funny actually.
I was the next best thing since sliced bread, but we're gonna have to let you go. :) Interesting that the big manager commented on how good I look. Yeah, I'm no longer killing myself working 13 hour rotating shifts and drinking every day.

Perhaps Brain is what they are seeing is the real you. I've read your writing for well over a year. You're rising like Lazurus from the grave (a good analogy although I'm not particularly religious anymore) and I admire you for it. You're a good role model for our struggle. I've seen it and now those who know you personally are seeing it. Keep moving forward.

I'm feeling a bit like I'm rising from the grave, too. Beautiful couple of days. Walked a mile yesterday on flat ground and it actually made me sore I'm so out of shape. But to be fair, I'm still in a back brace and considering not more than a month ago I couldn't walk...it's all relative. Some complications have emerged, but it is what it is and I'm just gonna have to live with it. Let's just say I'm making friends with Mr. Cath. Big fun in America. It could be worse and it's hopefully temporary. I just keep reminding myself I'm lucky to even be alive.

I had a dream the other night that included an old friend who drank himself to death a few years ago. Hadn't dreamt about him in awhile. It reminded me of the insane life I used to live, the close calls we shared. I remember once sitting in a bar in SF. He was having a panic attack and was breathing into a bag. We were tripping out mixed with other substances I can't even believe I used to ingest. We had a room but weren't sure if we should try to walk or call an ambulance. He was convinced it was a panic attack but I wasn't so sure. We got to the dirtbag hotel and spent the next few hours sitting on a ledge outside our fifth floor window watching limos drop teenaged hookers onto the street. They'd walk around half naked for a few minutes and jump in another car. I remember getting really emotional that night. We had a room, though, and that was a step up from sleeping in the park, which I had done several times before. Once I snuck into the tea garden in Golden Gate park and slept at the foot of the giant buddha statue. A guard woke me in the morning and was kind enough to simply escort me out after I explained that it seemed safer to climb the fence and sleep in there than the rest of the park. He seemed to understand.

Seems so crazy that I had this other life where I was like a rag in the wind, spending summers high and hitchhiking coast to coast, living on next to nothing and often at the mercy of strangers. Now it seems I'm mostly just trying to keep myself alive.

Friends with Mr. Cath...I like that. Think short term, for sure. You could have an interesting chat today with that friend in your story, Zero, if he was still around. I think we all move through different lives, if we're lucky.Time travel would be cool. How did the week at work go?

I will never "do not donut"! NEVER!!! Mmmmm donuts :-)

Hi soberwolf :-)

Congrats on the job LBrain! That's great news. We're very proud of you :-)

Work was okay. Kind of scattered. Didn't feel like I got much done.

TL, perhaps you would think differently if you lived where I live - in a small town where half the people are obese and the diabetes rate is through the roof. Just saying... All things in moderation (well, maybe not ALL things).

yeah, think short term for Mr Cath for sure. Ease into the activity zero. Slow and steady wins the race.
As for living several lives... A couple I do not wish to revisit. There are definitely distinct chapters in my book.
Tonight I asked the wife if I should take a 10/hr job. Her response: You need to get out of the house. I guess that's a yes then. It should be interesting working at a place that I will spend more than I earn at.

Interesting read on the subject of the possible roots of addiction:
The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Think | Johann Hari
It's a bit long-winded and a tad melodramatic, but some good insight here, I think.