stargazer016

First time in decades decorating the Christmas tree sober. Still managed to break an ornament. Guess I can't blame everything on drinking.

Incontrol15

Lol SG.

Man...I am balancing so much right now. There is no WAY I'd be able to keep this up if I was constantly drunk. And there's no WAY I'd be able to handle the stress of I was hung over or fighting withdrawals.

That was my constant battle. High anxiety or numb. In both cases I was incapacitated.

OMD

That's absolutely right SG. In China, and also in Japan where there is a very strong and unhappy tradition of excessive drinking. I say unhappy because many men (it is always men) drink to oblivion at the same time as working ferocious hours. At the same time it is bordering on offensive if you don't join in - it is very rude for example to let someone pour their own beer into their glass, so you can see how this goes. Unfortunately it is sometimes not just as easy as saying no, when your livelihood as at stake. But, I've developed the workarounds as best I can and don't think I lost too much business on the way. There is no way am I going back to my previous life.

Best wishes
OMD

OMD

Glad to see you're keeping everything together so nicely Inc, and with your usual positive frame of mind. You're killin it!

OMD

Angie247

Just want to say hi and wish everyone well. This is such a great group.

amp123

Hi Angie, hi guys!
I recently heard the 6-12 month period described as the transition from new-normal to just plain normal.

I felt normal today at a fiesta in a town near Jerez (yes, where the sherry and fine wines come from) celebrating the first pressing of next season's wines. I was happy not to be drinking strong wines in the sun at lunchtime and happy I'd be able to drive my family home responsibly after a few hours. It was kind of my wife to pre-empt some problems by taking the wine that was thrust into my hand saying, "great! Shall we share this?". We're getting used to new-normal, both of us. She says she likes me better now. More intelligent, witty and sharp. I like that she likes that. I even managed a couple of " no thanks, I don't drink alcohol"s today. Felt good.

Today was a good day. What I feared might be hard was easy. Hope it's going well with you guys

OMD

Sounds like you had an awesome day Amp. Was just out for dinner with a work colleague, who was already there when I got to the restaurant. The waitress came over and asked if I too wanted a beer. No, says my colleague, this guy's an athlete!!

I'll take that!

Best wishes
OMD
ps nice to hear from you Angie

stargazer016

Hang in there Angie! Things will get better once again for you!

amp123

A rare day off and a few hours of coffee and cakes working out a jazz Christmas Carol set for family and friends. I can't think of a nicer way to spend an afternoon.

Incontrol15

Day off here too. Well, at least from the job that requires me to punch in. I have not touched insurance stuff for a week due to the move. I'll have to work on that today.

So far, I slept in late which was awesome. Had to run out and get smokes...not awesome. Now I'm trying to get motivated. Really tempted to do nothing today. Would be an awesome opportunity to watch some more Last Man on Earth.

Maybe I'll split the difference. I'll troll on SR for a bit then watch LM until I get restless.

Have a great day.

OMD

Hi all,
Nice to see a couple of you taking a day off . In 24 hours I have done 4 planes, 2 dinners and a lunch. One client said of my tomato juice which I ordered before she arrived - I hope there's alcohol in that. I just said yes, loads, and she proceeded to tell me some story about how she berated someone for drinking water the whole time. Pretty dull, but whatever - I made it through a tough 24 hours without drinking. A glass of wine was poured for me and a guy opposite was clearly annoyed that I never touched it. Again, whatever. Happy with my choice.

So today is 8 months sober for me.

Best wishes
OMD
Ps sorry for the dull post. Am tired, time for some rest.

Dee74

congrats OMD

D

SwimKim12

Congratulations on 8 months, OMD! Glad you guys are well

amp123

Well done on notching up 8 months, OMD! Sounds like a difficult couple of days but really seems like you're happy with your decision which is, of course, what it's all about!

Take care!

Incontrol15

Congrats OMD!!

amp123

Just writing up a Christmas card list. Getting in touch with all those people you need to touch base with. Lost quite a few over the last few years. It's not a very long list.

Just thought I'd say that you guys would all have made the list if I knew you in the real world!!! Only a few of us still checking in here, eh? Good to still be on board!!! Keep on keeping on, guys!!!

stargazer016

Congrats OMD! Well done !

OMD

Thanks everyone! You all helped me get there, that's a fact, and to follow up on Amp's comment, you guys would be right at the top of my Christmas list. I am very grateful to you all.

So I am just back from another dinner (that time of year) and there was so much booze flowing it would have been my kind of night. But it was fine, I just had my mocktail and long drink and never once coveted a drink. In fact as the evening wore on it became clearer and clearer that I don't want to be in that position. But I think it's also possible to join in until people get too drunk, so I am going to rengage with some people I used to socialise with, but on my terms.

As for never being able to switch off in a hurry, I have decided that I am ok with that because not using alcohol to switch off means I can switch back on without any trouble. Simple.

So, I actually don't think there's anything to miss about drinking.

Off to sleep now, got another hellish day tomorrow.

I hope you're all well!

OMD

stargazer016

This is spot on OMD! Today is my fifth straight day of getting up at 2:00am for work. The old drinking me would have drank myself into a frenzied coma in order to get enough sleep for work. Now, I might not get quite as much sleep, but it is of higher quality and I start the morning with a cup of coffee, not a hangover. I will take the new me. It is far easier to deal with crazy work schedules sober.

stargazer016

I too am laughing at my ever shrinking Christmas card list. In this day of email and text messaging, the only cards we send out are to people who don't get to see my kids on a regular basis. You folks would definitely be on my list too!

Congrats to everyone still on the April board!