The Power Of Sobriety Thread (POST!) #6
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 3,958
Hi everyone
In my line of work we use about 10 systems, many of them web-based. Technology is great until it breaks. We have a team of people who triage our system issues day in, day out. I am fairly savvy to the department’s technology, but today I pressed the wrong button on my laptop, lost wireless connectivity, and had no idea how to fix it. So.... fortunately the new guy sitting next to me at a meeting saw what was wrong and fixed it without a long wait for the help desk!
I’m not super busy these days and have time to feel. I’ve noticed minor underlying irritability and restlessness. Nothing is going poorly. Alcohol abuse is just one symptom of alcoholism for me. Every day I peel back more layers.
I am working on Step 3, where my higher power’s will (not mine) is done. I like this Step. I didn’t dive into comfort food. I abstained from gossiping or trash talking colleagues who trust me. I didn’t come home and sit under a blanket all night. I didn’t make my friends listen to me rant. I am really proud of this.
I focused on doing work instead of gossipping. When I talked to people, I intentionally kept the topics light. When finished work, I ran errands, tidied up the house, exercised, and listened to the news. I told my close friends I’ve been feeling irritable because I know they care and can support me if I need it.
Grateful for recovery for helping me work through my discomfort today.
In my line of work we use about 10 systems, many of them web-based. Technology is great until it breaks. We have a team of people who triage our system issues day in, day out. I am fairly savvy to the department’s technology, but today I pressed the wrong button on my laptop, lost wireless connectivity, and had no idea how to fix it. So.... fortunately the new guy sitting next to me at a meeting saw what was wrong and fixed it without a long wait for the help desk!
I’m not super busy these days and have time to feel. I’ve noticed minor underlying irritability and restlessness. Nothing is going poorly. Alcohol abuse is just one symptom of alcoholism for me. Every day I peel back more layers.
I am working on Step 3, where my higher power’s will (not mine) is done. I like this Step. I didn’t dive into comfort food. I abstained from gossiping or trash talking colleagues who trust me. I didn’t come home and sit under a blanket all night. I didn’t make my friends listen to me rant. I am really proud of this.
I focused on doing work instead of gossipping. When I talked to people, I intentionally kept the topics light. When finished work, I ran errands, tidied up the house, exercised, and listened to the news. I told my close friends I’ve been feeling irritable because I know they care and can support me if I need it.
Grateful for recovery for helping me work through my discomfort today.
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Ashburn, VA
Posts: 30,196
That’s cool, Glee.
It’s such a powerful myth, that if we don’t act out somehow we’re going to explode.
Usually we’re greatly relieved in the long run if we can manage not to fly off the handle.
To our surprise, we don’t explode and the tension passes.
And if we still need to express ourselves, we can do it more safely.
It’s such a powerful myth, that if we don’t act out somehow we’re going to explode.
Usually we’re greatly relieved in the long run if we can manage not to fly off the handle.
To our surprise, we don’t explode and the tension passes.
And if we still need to express ourselves, we can do it more safely.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 3,958
Originally Posted by Gilmer 
That’s cool, Glee.
It’s such a powerful myth, that if we don’t act out somehow we’re going to explode.
Usually we’re greatly relieved in the long run if we can manage not to fly off the handle.
To our surprise, we don’t explode and the tension passes.
And if we still need to express ourselves, we can do it more safely.
It’s such a powerful myth, that if we don’t act out somehow we’re going to explode.
Usually we’re greatly relieved in the long run if we can manage not to fly off the handle.
To our surprise, we don’t explode and the tension passes.
And if we still need to express ourselves, we can do it more safely.
I hope everyone has a good day
p***enger
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 19,028
Last night I had that social event for which I play secondary hostess. I was so anxious all evening, and convinced I insulted several people -- especially the primary hostess! I went home with a sick stomach, was awake until after 4 a.m. for the second night in a row, still feeling sick this a.m., completely unable to concentrate on work -- and I swear, I wanted a drink more than I have in years! I called the woman and emailed about 4 times. 
I was stuffing chocolate chip cookies in my mouth when she finally called back, thinking there'd been some disaster, not mad at me at all.
Still crazy!
But at least I haven't made any recent enemies, that I know of.
I was stuffing chocolate chip cookies in my mouth when she finally called back, thinking there'd been some disaster, not mad at me at all.
Still crazy!
But at least I haven't made any recent enemies, that I know of.
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Ashburn, VA
Posts: 30,196
I went to the doctor this week, and he referred me to a specialist. He made copies of his notes to take with me, as well as notes from another doctor I saw.
When I read through the other doctor’s notes, I saw the following:
“Thank you for the opportunity to work with this patient, a very pleasant 58-year-old lady.”
That just made my day, that a health professional characterized me behind my back as “very pleasant!”
When I read through the other doctor’s notes, I saw the following:
“Thank you for the opportunity to work with this patient, a very pleasant 58-year-old lady.”
That just made my day, that a health professional characterized me behind my back as “very pleasant!”
Quit 4/17/15
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Pa
Posts: 15,160
I am glad that you made it through your event unscathed except for the self inflicted emotional torments Courage.
I have always found you to be "a very pleasant lady" Gilmer, and I am certainly no doctor!
Spent six hours yesterday on the riding mower and weed whacking 3 plus acres of ground between our houses. Still have a lot to do before the rain moves in later today. Both of our houses have somewhat creaky septic systems, so we are springing for a porta pottie this year, discounted with a tank pumping. It's funny living ten minutes from one of the biggest malls in the country, and not having access to public sewer or gas lines. It's my little piece of country within the burbs.
Best wishes for a good day all!
I have always found you to be "a very pleasant lady" Gilmer, and I am certainly no doctor!
Spent six hours yesterday on the riding mower and weed whacking 3 plus acres of ground between our houses. Still have a lot to do before the rain moves in later today. Both of our houses have somewhat creaky septic systems, so we are springing for a porta pottie this year, discounted with a tank pumping. It's funny living ten minutes from one of the biggest malls in the country, and not having access to public sewer or gas lines. It's my little piece of country within the burbs.
Best wishes for a good day all!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 3,958
GIlmer - Awwww! What a nice thing to “catch” someone saying about you.
Courage - I’m glad your worries didn’t come to fruition. When I play the tape to the end in my imagination, if you’d chosen booze over those cookies, it might not have worked out so well.
Courage - I’m glad your worries didn’t come to fruition. When I play the tape to the end in my imagination, if you’d chosen booze over those cookies, it might not have worked out so well.
non-drinker
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 13,835
Feeling a bit reflective this morning. It was 38 years ago that I first got drunk on beer. It was Memorial Day weekend 1980. I drank a six pack of Blatz beer and the rest is history. Took me 29 years to finally wake up.
Have a great Sunday, you "very pleasant" people!
Have a great Sunday, you "very pleasant" people!
Quit 4/17/15
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Pa
Posts: 15,160
FBL, I know how drinking memories can make one very reflective. Every time I see my college football team on tv, I have those feelings gnaw a bit on my soul. Ah, those local breweries. We had Schaeffer beer here, "The one beer to have when you're having more than one." Cheap sixes and cases. Memorial Day was always a big drinking weekend for me as it was the start of the summer drinking season. Not that I ever drank just seasonally.
It is pouring rain and my yard is looking swampy. The power keeps cycling on and off in the thunderstorms, which means that I am shutting the AC units and computers off.I am sure that this will greatly reduce turnout to our BBQ today, which is actually fine by me. We have opted for frozen meats over fresh, so as to not waste food if not needed, and folks who come usually bring something. We actually sprung for a Porta Pottie this year. No money back on that, lol.
Despite the weather, I am happy to be sharing this journey with everyone here this holiday weekend. Best wishes everyone for a good day!
It is pouring rain and my yard is looking swampy. The power keeps cycling on and off in the thunderstorms, which means that I am shutting the AC units and computers off.I am sure that this will greatly reduce turnout to our BBQ today, which is actually fine by me. We have opted for frozen meats over fresh, so as to not waste food if not needed, and folks who come usually bring something. We actually sprung for a Porta Pottie this year. No money back on that, lol.
Despite the weather, I am happy to be sharing this journey with everyone here this holiday weekend. Best wishes everyone for a good day!
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Ashburn, VA
Posts: 30,196
That’s smart about the frozen meat, SG.
I remember the Schaeffer jingle very well!
FBL, I never heard of Blatz beer till I was an adult—and even then I thought it must be a made-up name!
Does Blatz still exist?
I know Schaeffer doesn’t exist anymore (neither do the wonderful Frank’s sodas: “Is it Frank’s? Thanks!”).
Schlitz is another one that’s defunct that was a national brand. I had some pivotal teenage memories accompanied by the guzzling of Schlitz:
“You only go around once in life; go for all the gusto you can.”
More like “Go for all the stupefied lying around you can!”
I remember the Schaeffer jingle very well!
FBL, I never heard of Blatz beer till I was an adult—and even then I thought it must be a made-up name!
Does Blatz still exist?
I know Schaeffer doesn’t exist anymore (neither do the wonderful Frank’s sodas: “Is it Frank’s? Thanks!”).
Schlitz is another one that’s defunct that was a national brand. I had some pivotal teenage memories accompanied by the guzzling of Schlitz:
“You only go around once in life; go for all the gusto you can.”
More like “Go for all the stupefied lying around you can!”
p***enger
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 19,028
I learned the logic of conditionals from my geometry teacher this way:
Conditional statement: If you're out of Schlitz, you're out of beer.
Inverse: If you're not out of Schlitz, then you're not out of beer. (false)
Converse: If you're out of beer, then you're out of Schlitz. (false)
Contrapositive: If you're not out of beer, then you're not out of Schlitz. (true, ≡)
The crazy thing is that Blatz & Schaeffer drinkers know the original proposition is a lie, which brings us straight into the insanity of the lies drunks tell themselves. Good old Mr. Steinhauser! I wonder if he's with us today?
Conditional statement: If you're out of Schlitz, you're out of beer.
Inverse: If you're not out of Schlitz, then you're not out of beer. (false)
Converse: If you're out of beer, then you're out of Schlitz. (false)
Contrapositive: If you're not out of beer, then you're not out of Schlitz. (true, ≡)
The crazy thing is that Blatz & Schaeffer drinkers know the original proposition is a lie, which brings us straight into the insanity of the lies drunks tell themselves. Good old Mr. Steinhauser! I wonder if he's with us today?
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