Originally Posted by heartcore (Post 6304787)

I just have to say that one of the reasons I so love SR is the Aussie component!

I'm an American & we have our particular angles & shapes, as you have yours. It means a lot to me that this bridge between our cultures is so vital & well-sculpted.

There are many people on this site from Australia whom I have grown to love. (Special shout out to Dee - who blows my mind with his awe-inspiring & loving dedication!)...

Please, if any of you find yourselves ever in New Orleans, I hope you will reach out & allow me to share my amazing, musical, mind-blowing city with you (as your clean & sober sister).

It is a rare gift that our challenges so powerfully cross such vast distance. Proud to hold the thread of connection...(plus, you are all available at strange hours of my night). Appreciated!

Originally Posted by bemyself (Post 6304726)

Apols, Nic, I forgot that you're not 'in' Perth and have friends coming to visit. But still, the beach, some nice prawns / whatever, and maybe a visit to welcome the new citizens, etc could fill much of the day?

Glad you have a friend who's supportive, and who is happy to stand up for you avoiding the crowd. You should be able to work out something do-able. The others can toddle off to do their own thing, perhaps.

Originally Posted by PhoenixJ (Post 6304746)

Still in recovery program. A day has always been booze. I am going to the recovery BBQ here and laying low. I do not feel an inkling of a thought to drink. I know people around me will be- and such people are noisy and disruptive to my peace of mind. So watching doco's.

Originally Posted by Steely (Post 6304761)

Hope to make it to the beach, but will not be forgetting indigenous australians.


Have a great day everyone.

Originally Posted by heartcore (Post 6304789)

Ps. You Aussies all appear to be really awesome pirates of sobriety! Fierce & reckless in your power.

I am full of respect.

Happy Australia Day (whatever that means to you). Just stay clean & sober...

Originally Posted by Delilah1 (Post 6304798)

Hi Nic,

I am another one year who votes for the beach. Pack a picnic, and a cooler full of Pelegríno, iced tea, water, soda. Let the ocean waves take away any anxiety or stress.

Do you have Thursdah and a Friday off, or just Thursday?

Originally Posted by heartcore (Post 6304832)

Aww. Couldn't help the good thoughts about Aussies.

You either have a kick-ass recovery community there, or a disproportionate amount of alcoholics (or both).

You are well represented.

I was taught in school that Aussies are pirates because their origins (as a colonized nation) were as a penal colony. New Orleans also!! They loaded people in chains onto boats from prisons in France (& from Africa) to create this city from swampland. Proudly, during American slavery times, New Orleans was home to an amazing proportion of free blacks, which shaped this culture irrevocably.

This still is a city which is unlike any other in America.

Proud to be part of an outlaw-origin community! That's sort of what SR is too, huh...

We are both carriers of history & transformers of history - all at the same time!
Personally & collectively.

As much as our own struggles seem important, we are all small elements in the tides of the human story. Happy to stand with the pirates!!

Originally Posted by Steely (Post 6304761)

Hope to make it to the beach, but will not be forgetting indigenous australians.


Have a great day everyone.

Originally Posted by Scruffanie (Post 6304861)

Hi Nic,

Great post and I also love the diversity of this forum. It has helped me so much, especially during my sleepless nights. It has been great to have 'round the clock' support - whether I'm posting or just reading for comfort.

I don't have plans as yet, but think I'll do some pottering around the house and catch up with family. I'll also spend some time with the real Scruffanie (see profile pic) :)

At 47 days I'm definitely not ready to be around masses of people drinking. I do not feel that I would drink but why take the risk right?

A picnic with your boys at the beach sounds lovely and relaxing.

Whatever you all do, have a wonderful day.

Scruff

Originally Posted by tufty13 (Post 6304898)

That's beautiful steely. I like that a lot.

I'm finishing up at about three on the Wednesday, driving south for three hours, grabbing a motel and then up early on Thursday morning for four days of solid bushwalking. Camping under the stars in kangaroo valley. Can't wait.