Class of January 2020 PART 3
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Colorado
Posts: 702
venuscat, great advice regarding planning. I’m curious regarding what you said about alcohol availability in America. How does that differ from Australia?
When I moved to Colorado, there was a law that liquor couldn’t be sold in grocery stores, and they could only carry beer that was under a certain alcohol volume. If you wanted liquor, you had to go to a liquor store. Anyway, they passed a law a couple of years ago to change this, so now grocery stores can carry everything. I thought it was so inconvenient, the way it used to be. Now that I’m sober, I wish it would go back to how it was.
ETA: just saw your other post.
good idea - I won’t look at the scale and will tell them not to tell me. I have enough on my plate right now (no pun intended, lol).
When I moved to Colorado, there was a law that liquor couldn’t be sold in grocery stores, and they could only carry beer that was under a certain alcohol volume. If you wanted liquor, you had to go to a liquor store. Anyway, they passed a law a couple of years ago to change this, so now grocery stores can carry everything. I thought it was so inconvenient, the way it used to be. Now that I’m sober, I wish it would go back to how it was.
ETA: just saw your other post.
good idea - I won’t look at the scale and will tell them not to tell me. I have enough on my plate right now (no pun intended, lol).
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: German Village, Columbus with my love ♥
Posts: 88,506
Ok, so here is how it's different.... (and I lived in Melbourne).
In supermarkets where there is an alcohol section, it is called the bottle shop and it is either in the supermarket in an entirely separate attached room, or in another shop next door to the supermarket. But it is not mixed in with all of the food and other items.....you don't face beer when you enter and exit, and at end-of-shelf displays. (That one made my eyes pop out).
The BIGGEST difference is the alcohol content. Before coming here I didn't know that such high amounts in beer was even possible. Australians drink a lot of beer (in general) but it is usually around 5-6% or under. Rare to see higher alcohol beer (well, it was this was when I left 3 years ago).
And then there is the huge buy alcohol online thing here and get as much as you want delivered without anyone batting an eye. You can't buy cigarettes online from the supermarket, but alcohol? No problem.
Now you can do this in Melbourne Aus as well, but there are limits. Or there used to be. Maybe not anymore, not sure.
In supermarkets where there is an alcohol section, it is called the bottle shop and it is either in the supermarket in an entirely separate attached room, or in another shop next door to the supermarket. But it is not mixed in with all of the food and other items.....you don't face beer when you enter and exit, and at end-of-shelf displays. (That one made my eyes pop out).
The BIGGEST difference is the alcohol content. Before coming here I didn't know that such high amounts in beer was even possible. Australians drink a lot of beer (in general) but it is usually around 5-6% or under. Rare to see higher alcohol beer (well, it was this was when I left 3 years ago).
And then there is the huge buy alcohol online thing here and get as much as you want delivered without anyone batting an eye. You can't buy cigarettes online from the supermarket, but alcohol? No problem.
Now you can do this in Melbourne Aus as well, but there are limits. Or there used to be. Maybe not anymore, not sure.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,425
Originally Posted by venuscat 
I had to cut down my coffee.....no caffeine after 1pm ever now. And no food for a good 2 hours before bed. I try....don't always make that one. xx
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,425
Originally Posted by Cynix
Morning Cityboy,
Just a warning about grapefruit juice for some people if like me you have high bp and are on certain meds as grapefruit can react with some high blood pressure meds and i know the alcohol actually lowered my bp when drinking but would go through the roof next day or on previous attempts to quit.
Not sure about NA drinks too early for me yet probably need to stay away from social events etc until in a better place i have seen them help some people though.
Just a warning about grapefruit juice for some people if like me you have high bp and are on certain meds as grapefruit can react with some high blood pressure meds and i know the alcohol actually lowered my bp when drinking but would go through the roof next day or on previous attempts to quit.
Not sure about NA drinks too early for me yet probably need to stay away from social events etc until in a better place i have seen them help some people though.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,425
Originally Posted by DaisyBelle7
Good morning all!
Willow68, we have 2 rescued cats, 1 rescued dog that we believe to be a lab/pit mix, and our puppy is a Yorkshire terrier. My husband and I have always been “big dog people”, but let me tell you... this little firecracker has stolen our hearts. She’s a doll, but yes, very high maintenance at this point. I’m glad you had an enjoyable Australia Day, and that you had the strength to stay sober. Well done!
MrWolfie68, I hope you feel better soon.
I have my pre-op appointment for my foot surgery today. Surgery scheduled for 2/11. Anxious that I’ll have to get on the scales today. I don’t want to know what I weigh. I’ve been over indulging in sugar and junk food for the last 2 weeks.
Willow68, we have 2 rescued cats, 1 rescued dog that we believe to be a lab/pit mix, and our puppy is a Yorkshire terrier. My husband and I have always been “big dog people”, but let me tell you... this little firecracker has stolen our hearts. She’s a doll, but yes, very high maintenance at this point. I’m glad you had an enjoyable Australia Day, and that you had the strength to stay sober. Well done!
MrWolfie68, I hope you feel better soon.
I have my pre-op appointment for my foot surgery today. Surgery scheduled for 2/11. Anxious that I’ll have to get on the scales today. I don’t want to know what I weigh. I’ve been over indulging in sugar and junk food for the last 2 weeks.
My wife and I are dog people. Our kid loves dogs by default. My cur dog that I mentioned yesterday came to us after the severe Florida fire season in 1998. I befriended a cracker family that lived very close to a large fire I worked on and one of their cur dogs had like 15 puppies toward the end of that terrible time. They kept asking me if I wanted a puppy. On the way home from the very last day of working those terrible fires I stopped by their house. They had saved one of the puppies for me and I couldn't bring myself to say no. My wife says that it had me wrapped around it's little finger from day one. I can still scarcely think of her with a straight face. Its so easy to become hopelessly attached to them.
Have a great day everyone.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,195
Here I am completely sober, well rested and capable. I am not craving a drink and haven't even entertained the thought. However, I have a lot of problems to address and the stress/anxiety created when I start to often drives me back to drinking.
I have a lot of barriers when it comes to employment due to the red flags I raise. I have to lie during interviews and on my CV to even be considered. Then I have to hope they don't do background checks. If I am honest, I won't even get an interview. I have done over 100 interviews with companies from all sorts of industries. I often know what they are going to ask me before they even say it. That's just from constant interviewing. I haven't been interviewing for the last few years because I am just not employable anymore at 43 and with the baggage I bring.
This is why I can't stay sober. I feel hopeless.
I have a lot of barriers when it comes to employment due to the red flags I raise. I have to lie during interviews and on my CV to even be considered. Then I have to hope they don't do background checks. If I am honest, I won't even get an interview. I have done over 100 interviews with companies from all sorts of industries. I often know what they are going to ask me before they even say it. That's just from constant interviewing. I haven't been interviewing for the last few years because I am just not employable anymore at 43 and with the baggage I bring.
This is why I can't stay sober. I feel hopeless.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: NC
Posts: 5,160
Wastinglife, you say you havent interviewed in a few years?
Why not give it another go?
If you are in the US the economy is booming and people are struggling to hire so maybe someone will cut you a break.
Just dont drink. Everyone here will tell you, you know yourself, thats not the answer.
Why not give it another go?
If you are in the US the economy is booming and people are struggling to hire so maybe someone will cut you a break.
Just dont drink. Everyone here will tell you, you know yourself, thats not the answer.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: German Village, Columbus with my love ♥
Posts: 88,506
Glad you found a good counsellor dear ff. 
s xx
Oh gosh Wasting....I hear you. Our past can really create some obstacles on the job front. And feeling that you have to lie is just so stressful....I really do get it. It's tough in the US re DUIs and all of the consequences (I mean the way it affects your employment opportunities....there doesn't seem to be room for time served, and forgiveness and understanding).
I don't know what you do professionally....I am very sure you are good at it though. Very good.
Is there any room for honesty?
Are there no employers who would respond well to that?
I guess not many, but maybe?
And is there any way you can be your own boss?
Contract yourself out as a specialist maybe?
Just thinking out loud... I know this is tough.
I also know that drinking will just compound the problem.
(I did that for years and made it all worse).
I just know there has to be a way for you to get past this and find work that makes you happy again. s xx ❤️
s xxOh gosh Wasting....I hear you. Our past can really create some obstacles on the job front. And feeling that you have to lie is just so stressful....I really do get it. It's tough in the US re DUIs and all of the consequences (I mean the way it affects your employment opportunities....there doesn't seem to be room for time served, and forgiveness and understanding).
I don't know what you do professionally....I am very sure you are good at it though. Very good.
Is there any room for honesty?
Are there no employers who would respond well to that?
I guess not many, but maybe?
And is there any way you can be your own boss?
Contract yourself out as a specialist maybe?
Just thinking out loud... I know this is tough.
I also know that drinking will just compound the problem.
(I did that for years and made it all worse).
I just know there has to be a way for you to get past this and find work that makes you happy again.
s xx ❤️
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,195
I used to work in finance. I can't pass their background checks. DUI on my record which is a criminal record. Also a bankruptcy. No financial company will hire me. Had many turn me away. No other experience besides finance really. It's like a doctor who loses their medical license. What would they do if they can't practice medicine??
I have done over 100 interviews so this is not a case of "keep trying, I'm sure you'll find something". I have put myself out there time and time again. I am just not an attractive potential employee. I am more of a liability to a company rather than an asset. They don't even know I am an alcoholic with ADHD.
I have done over 100 interviews so this is not a case of "keep trying, I'm sure you'll find something". I have put myself out there time and time again. I am just not an attractive potential employee. I am more of a liability to a company rather than an asset. They don't even know I am an alcoholic with ADHD.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,425
Originally Posted by fishkiller
Wastinglife, you say you havent interviewed in a few years?
Why not give it another go?
If you are in the US the economy is booming and people are struggling to hire so maybe someone will cut you a break.
Just dont drink. Everyone here will tell you, you know yourself, thats not the answer.
Why not give it another go?
If you are in the US the economy is booming and people are struggling to hire so maybe someone will cut you a break.
Just dont drink. Everyone here will tell you, you know yourself, thats not the answer.
I'll add that with the very few interviews I do, if I suspect someone is deliberately misrepresenting something it's a red flag.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Toronto
Posts: 3,195
I should mention that my last 5 jobs all ended with me being fired within 6 months of being hired. Twice I was drinking on the job. Other jobs I was fired indirectly because of drinking. These were inside sales jobs with no background checks. But I hate sales and I was drinking.
10 years of large gaps, whole years of unemployment. No references because all my former employers can't say anything positive.
There is no way to sugar-coat my work history. It's obvious I am an alcoholic if the truth is told. If I lie, I can easily be caught out. Which had happened before and the job offer was rescinded. I am screwed and it is a hopeless situation.
10 years of large gaps, whole years of unemployment. No references because all my former employers can't say anything positive.
There is no way to sugar-coat my work history. It's obvious I am an alcoholic if the truth is told. If I lie, I can easily be caught out. Which had happened before and the job offer was rescinded. I am screwed and it is a hopeless situation.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: German Village, Columbus with my love ♥
Posts: 88,506
I had to think about that for a bit. s
I tossed it around my head and even looked a few things up, but this is a tough one.
I guess the answer might be that a doctor who can no longer be a doctor can take the knowledge and passion and create a new career. Even though it is not an easy thing to do at all. But it's possible, yes? s
sI tossed it around my head and even looked a few things up, but this is a tough one.
I guess the answer might be that a doctor who can no longer be a doctor can take the knowledge and passion and create a new career. Even though it is not an easy thing to do at all. But it's possible, yes?
s
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: German Village, Columbus with my love ♥
Posts: 88,506
Originally Posted by Wastinglife
I should mention that my last 5 jobs all ended with me being fired within 6 months of being hired. Twice I was drinking on the job. Other jobs I was fired indirectly because of drinking. These were inside sales jobs with no background checks. But I hate sales and I was drinking.
10 years of large gaps, whole years of unemployment. No references because all my former employers can't say anything positive.
There is no way to sugar-coat my work history. It's obvious I am an alcoholic if the truth is told. If I lie, I can easily be caught out. Which had happened before and the job offer was rescinded. I am screwed and it is a hopeless situation.
10 years of large gaps, whole years of unemployment. No references because all my former employers can't say anything positive.
There is no way to sugar-coat my work history. It's obvious I am an alcoholic if the truth is told. If I lie, I can easily be caught out. Which had happened before and the job offer was rescinded. I am screwed and it is a hopeless situation.
Now I am employable again. Really.
It is not hopeless love. I promise you.
s xxxxxxxxxxxx
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: German Village, Columbus with my love ♥
Posts: 88,506
Also.....maybe we should PM and I can start telling you the HORRENDOUS things I did.....might make you feel better. I KNOW I am not the person who did all of those things....I wasn't that person when I did them....I was completely INSANE and running on alcohol fumes. I barely ate.
I have a lot of days when the past kicks me in the head again and tells me I will never be good enough or never deserve a great life. And sometimes I get swept up and start to believe that stuff is true....but it just isn't. I am a good and caring person now, and I try to do the right thing every single day.
So do you.
And every day you stay true to yourself, your belief will grow.
And new opportunities will present themselves.
Really. xx s ❤️
I have a lot of days when the past kicks me in the head again and tells me I will never be good enough or never deserve a great life. And sometimes I get swept up and start to believe that stuff is true....but it just isn't. I am a good and caring person now, and I try to do the right thing every single day.
So do you.
And every day you stay true to yourself, your belief will grow.
And new opportunities will present themselves.
Really. xx
s ❤️
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,425
No worries, just throwing this out for you to do with what you will. One of my now best friends worked with me at entry level field work back years ago. He was on probation for illegal substance use and I had to write the letters to his probation officer. He moved back home and got hired on with the city agency at the absolute bottom of the totem pole. Now he's in middle management and told me he was going to be away all this week at an administration workshop they wanted him to go to. Don't say that there's no hope.
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