Halloween Weekender Thread 26-29 October 2018
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,445
We're here for everyone having a tough weekend 
yeah LHW - I wouldn't even consider going to a wine tasting dinner - I'm not scared, I'm not judgmental - being around events where alcohol is central - has nothing to offer me or my life.
The choices that were once tough now are easy
D
yeah LHW - I wouldn't even consider going to a wine tasting dinner - I'm not scared, I'm not judgmental - being around events where alcohol is central - has nothing to offer me or my life.
The choices that were once tough now are easy
D
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,762
Originally Posted by MidnightBlue 
Speaking about horrors, I need to watch this documentary
If you have a couple of spare moments, google Alex Honnold free solo climbing.
The guy climbs mountain walls without safety rope.
I listened to an interview with him about 3 years ago and he spoke about how he deals with fear if it suddenly strikes him somewhere midway of the climb. He said that it was a trained skill. And he's never appealed to higher power because he doesn't believe in it.
He impressed me a lot to put it mildly.
If you have a couple of spare moments, google Alex Honnold free solo climbing.
The guy climbs mountain walls without safety rope.
I listened to an interview with him about 3 years ago and he spoke about how he deals with fear if it suddenly strikes him somewhere midway of the climb. He said that it was a trained skill. And he's never appealed to higher power because he doesn't believe in it.
He impressed me a lot to put it mildly.
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,762
Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: South Africa
Posts: 1,536
Originally Posted by STDragon
That look scarier to me than a halloween movie. I'd have my hands over my face just as often.
Does anyone remember the movie Cliffhanger? I remember feeling pleasantly exhausted after watching that.
Thanks for The Cult, Sao. Absolutely one of my favorite bands from my younger days (along with Mr Alice Cooper).
Welcome jcmart! Well done on 5 days. Keep at it so that in a week’s time you’ll join us for your second sober weekend.
Saturday morning has arrived! Now for some coffee!
saoutchik
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 16,205
Morning Weekenders, congratulations to everyone who made it through Friday night and if you are one of those people still on the booze treadmill then the good news is that stepping off of it is a relief not a hardship.
Coffee time here, in less than 18 hours British Summer Time will have ended an it will be dark by 5pm. Not a cheery thought...
Coffee time here, in less than 18 hours British Summer Time will have ended an it will be dark by 5pm. Not a cheery thought...
Sober since October
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: In the world in my eyes...Somewhere I've never been before...
Posts: 7,355
Morning, all.
My Saturday self-talk which follows exactly the same scenario every week reminds me of my pre-sobriety talks about having "just one drink":
- Maybe we should skip boxing today. It's Saturday morning, it would be great to spend a lazy day and take every trace of discipline off your back.
- But you will regret if you don't go and feel much better and all energized afterwards.
- But maybe just this time to shake my routine up a little bit.
And so on and so far until I get my gear ready and step outside the apartment.
Jeez.
Sao, such a cool victorian-Dickensish picture. Thank you.
Have a great day, everyone,
My Saturday self-talk which follows exactly the same scenario every week reminds me of my pre-sobriety talks about having "just one drink":
- Maybe we should skip boxing today. It's Saturday morning, it would be great to spend a lazy day and take every trace of discipline off your back.
- But you will regret if you don't go and feel much better and all energized afterwards.
- But maybe just this time to shake my routine up a little bit.
And so on and so far until I get my gear ready and step outside the apartment.
Jeez.
Sao, such a cool victorian-Dickensish picture. Thank you.
Have a great day, everyone,
Mr
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 5,230
I was meaning to say also that you should go for it with the dog MB. One word of advice (caution) would be to go for a dog adapted to your environment (apt or house with garden, size, sportif or not so sportif....)
If I was back two years ago I would have probably chosen something other than an english setter. Despite how much we love marley he is just too sportif. He runs all day long every day. He needs so much space... A labrador will be the next choice I think... They are lazier but for the better !
If I was back two years ago I would have probably chosen something other than an english setter. Despite how much we love marley he is just too sportif. He runs all day long every day. He needs so much space... A labrador will be the next choice I think... They are lazier but for the better !
Sober since October
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: In the world in my eyes...Somewhere I've never been before...
Posts: 7,355
Thank you for advice about a dog, guys.
I took a look at the sites of a couple of shelters yesterday. All the dogs are so cute, it was heart breaking.
I just want my decision to be really well-thought. I live alone and need to take into account such things as going on vacations, business trips, etc.
Boxing is done. It always feels great to score this first victory over myself first thing on Saturday.
I took a look at the sites of a couple of shelters yesterday. All the dogs are so cute, it was heart breaking.
I just want my decision to be really well-thought. I live alone and need to take into account such things as going on vacations, business trips, etc.
Boxing is done. It always feels great to score this first victory over myself first thing on Saturday.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 451
Happy Saturday Weekenders.
JC, five days is great!
MB, we have three dogs (too many, by the way!). It's a big commitment, especially with both of us working. But coming home to dogs and long walks is the very very best! Not sure if you're a cat person, but they're a lot easier and can be loving -- I'm told; I'm not a cat person.
Welcome home, VMan. I have really enjoyed following your trip. And congrats on staying sober -- especially with Irish beer so handy!
Capt, I loved Cliffhanger. Wasn't exactly a quality film, but I was terrified the entire time!
Sao, I'm sipping lovely French roast with you right now!
RUL, we're hoping to get some of that Nor'easter in Vermont today, too!
Hello to Wood, Dream, Textrax, Dee, ST, SeaSlug, and everyone else working through a sober weekend!
JC, five days is great!
MB, we have three dogs (too many, by the way!). It's a big commitment, especially with both of us working. But coming home to dogs and long walks is the very very best! Not sure if you're a cat person, but they're a lot easier and can be loving -- I'm told; I'm not a cat person.
Welcome home, VMan. I have really enjoyed following your trip. And congrats on staying sober -- especially with Irish beer so handy!
Capt, I loved Cliffhanger. Wasn't exactly a quality film, but I was terrified the entire time!
Sao, I'm sipping lovely French roast with you right now!
RUL, we're hoping to get some of that Nor'easter in Vermont today, too!
Hello to Wood, Dream, Textrax, Dee, ST, SeaSlug, and everyone else working through a sober weekend!
Sober since October
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: In the world in my eyes...Somewhere I've never been before...
Posts: 7,355
Originally Posted by zoeydog
Happy Saturday Weekenders.
Not sure if you're a cat person
Not sure if you're a cat person
I bet 3 dogs keep you entertained all the time.
And I am the most "not cat person" which one can imagine))
Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: East Coast US
Posts: 1,832
Happy Saturday to all!
The wind is really whipping here in the Mid Atlantic of the US. The flag pole I have attached to the side of the house has come undone and is barely hanging on to the post. Later on I will head out and try to just take it the rest of the way off.
I’m drinking my Pumpkin Spice coffee this morning noticing how good it tastes. I love the pumpkin/gingerbread spices in things this time of year.
Question for everyone here. Call it my Saturday morning poll. On another recovery site (SMART), a lot of the people tend to refer to their sober days in a different way. For example, someone may say that they are sober 91 out of 99 days, not starting over at a Day 1 if they slip or relapse. They keep counting that way.
What do you all think of that? The premises of course is it puts a more positive spin on things. So if you manage to say sober 91 out of 99 days that is an accomplishment, rather than putting the negative on the eight days where you may have relapsed by starting the count over at Day 1. .
Just curious as to others opinions on this.
The wind is really whipping here in the Mid Atlantic of the US. The flag pole I have attached to the side of the house has come undone and is barely hanging on to the post. Later on I will head out and try to just take it the rest of the way off.
I’m drinking my Pumpkin Spice coffee this morning noticing how good it tastes. I love the pumpkin/gingerbread spices in things this time of year.
Question for everyone here. Call it my Saturday morning poll. On another recovery site (SMART), a lot of the people tend to refer to their sober days in a different way. For example, someone may say that they are sober 91 out of 99 days, not starting over at a Day 1 if they slip or relapse. They keep counting that way.
What do you all think of that? The premises of course is it puts a more positive spin on things. So if you manage to say sober 91 out of 99 days that is an accomplishment, rather than putting the negative on the eight days where you may have relapsed by starting the count over at Day 1. .
Just curious as to others opinions on this.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
I don't give an inch when it comes to my sober time.
The reason I don't is that I was sober for 18 years and started drinking again. I used all those little ploys, "It was just for one day, I've been sober for two weeks," etc.
I don't want to drink again ever.
Your mileage may vary. If you aren't 100% behind staying completely sober, that's certainly your choice. But for me, I want to be sober. I don't ever want to let it slip back into those, "It's okay," thoughts.
When I started up again, I was able to moderate for a very long time. Years, actually. I would have drinks on "special" occasions.
Guess where I ended up in time?
My continuous sober time is precious to me. I don't ever want to make excuses or give myself permission.
The reason I don't is that I was sober for 18 years and started drinking again. I used all those little ploys, "It was just for one day, I've been sober for two weeks," etc.
I don't want to drink again ever.
Your mileage may vary. If you aren't 100% behind staying completely sober, that's certainly your choice. But for me, I want to be sober. I don't ever want to let it slip back into those, "It's okay," thoughts.
When I started up again, I was able to moderate for a very long time. Years, actually. I would have drinks on "special" occasions.
Guess where I ended up in time?
My continuous sober time is precious to me. I don't ever want to make excuses or give myself permission.
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,762
Good morning all. Ukulele lessons in a couple of hours to look forward too.
I'm very happy, and proud, to be able to string together continous sober days after so many years of simply trying to get started. But I would certianly not think any different of someone who counted as '91/99'. It still represents a commitment. Just like I don't think any differently of anyone who comes back here and says 'I slipped, but I'm back'.
That said, for myself tho, I would have to start at day one again. My count of days is one of those things I list as lost if I were to drink again. Just a tiny little piece of the motiation pie.
I'm very happy, and proud, to be able to string together continous sober days after so many years of simply trying to get started. But I would certianly not think any different of someone who counted as '91/99'. It still represents a commitment. Just like I don't think any differently of anyone who comes back here and says 'I slipped, but I'm back'.
That said, for myself tho, I would have to start at day one again. My count of days is one of those things I list as lost if I were to drink again. Just a tiny little piece of the motiation pie.
Sober since October
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: In the world in my eyes...Somewhere I've never been before...
Posts: 7,355
Originally Posted by LoveHateWhine
Question for everyone here. Call it my Saturday morning poll. On another recovery site (SMART), a lot of the people tend to refer to their sober days in a different way. For example, someone may say that they are sober 91 out of 99 days, not starting over at a Day 1 if they slip or relapse. They keep counting that way.
Though I am all in for positive mindset, there are cases when a positive outlook takes a hardly recognized detour on the road of wishful thinking with further deviation to the destination “delusion”.
As applied to sobriety linear scoring doesn’t work.
If my favorite team was scores 99-8 - they are killing it. If I go to the gym with the same ratio of success - I have every right to be proud of myself, etc.
But I we are talking about drinking issues, it’s more like riding through mountain serpentine road with malfunctioning breaks 3 days out of 99.
Would it make sense if someone started reassuring self-talk like: “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You checked the breaks 96 days in a row. You can let it slide just for today”.
Just one day, one minute will be enough for a fatal accident to happen.
And in this case the only acceptable score is 100% or zero options mentality. Because tapping on the shoulder for the previous success will do more harm than good.
And don’t forget about brain and body physiological changes that need a string of continuous time to switch to functioning without alcohol and make it a new normal. In this case it’s like building a bridge foe 91 days in a row and then blowing it up for the next 7 days.
What for?
Hope it makes sense.
Have a good sober day.
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