tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post550370529696107757..comments2023-09-16T05:02:33.288-06:00Comments on McGowdoghouse: What if... I/We walked away from A.A.?McGowdoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16866948381728741656noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-90269500820961575242013-08-10T16:31:52.668-06:002013-08-10T16:31:52.668-06:00I will add something that has helped me, I heard i...I will add something that has helped me, I heard if from a guy I admire (now very sick physically after a operation went bad) in what may have been his last qualification. He had about 40 years then. "The Big Book may get you sober but it won't keep you sober." He went on to talk about needing to learn from the experiences of people who have gone thru stuff in life (divorce, the death of their parents or children, etc.) and stayed sober using the spiritual principles. I would add that you have to find out for yourself by sincere trial and error what works to keep you physically sober and emotionally sober. Meetings can do that but there may be a point where they don't work the way they used to. Doing the steps over again may not be the answer either. Entering therapy late in sobriety has helped me. Working on a different notion of my higher power (God as I understand Him) and trying to maintain a better contact has worked. That doesn't mean I won't have the thought of a drink-- that's just proof I'm an alcoholic. But still, it's a work in progress, we have to change, and continue to change, I think, and that takes some courage. AA is part of that, but not the whole thing. MrKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949516842525839731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-81161858793382208302013-08-10T16:19:21.755-06:002013-08-10T16:19:21.755-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.MrKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949516842525839731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-6004191461171386092013-08-10T16:15:54.064-06:002013-08-10T16:15:54.064-06:00I am trying to get down to one meeting a week, alt...I am trying to get down to one meeting a week, although last night, out of the blue I thought of drinking (a little thought) was on the street looking into a bar and got a text from a newcomer. There was a meeting across the street just starting and I invited him to join me as he was int the neighborhood. I walked in, they had just started. I hadn't been in that particular room in about 28 years, since my first year in AA. (Sober the whole time.) He didn't show up, but I did. Tonight I will take a "slipper" to a meeting in the same neighborhood. I am tired of the ego drivers in AA, those who preach that there is only one way (via the Big Book). I like the Big Book and use it for sponsorship but realize it's not the full story. There is life lessons. I am sickened by those who brag in AA about the number of people they have sponsored and the number of fifth steps they have heard. This is tiring me out, I just don't want to hear it. The episode last night was unusual, in 28 I have almost never thought of drinking. I pray and meditate every morning, I sponsor guys, I have done the steps. Oddly enough the meeting last night, although technically a beginners meeting, was full of guys with decades of sobreity and willing to talk about emotional sobriety in a humble and honest way, and to admit that AA had not held all the solutions for them. I will go back to that meeting now and again. I have about four or five meetings I make the circle in at this point depending on my schedule. I gave up a homegroup when it became too hard to listen to the bragging and when I started to put up a false persona, the sober guy who had it all figured out. I hated myself for that. Once or twice a week, loosely done, work with some newcomers or slippers. But the braggarts and ego drivers in AA are worse now then they have ever been,MrKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949516842525839731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-84682950685446301772012-02-08T16:53:49.422-07:002012-02-08T16:53:49.422-07:00They told me that if I was a drunken horse thief a...They told me that if I was a drunken horse thief and I sobered up I would just be a regular horse thief.<br /><br />Who wants to be 'regular' anyway ?Tony Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06015153103133728577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-63954813034488021392012-02-08T16:52:34.899-07:002012-02-08T16:52:34.899-07:00"My reliance has never been on people or meet..."My reliance has never been on people or meetings anyways."<br /><br />+1<br /><br />Funny thing.<br />That's pretty much what the book says too......<br /><br />Still, I like AA.<br />But I see where you're coming from and I was never one to assume lack of AA attendance meant drinking.<br /><br />If I thought that I'd think I was in a cult and be an anti-AA or something.....Tony Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06015153103133728577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-70333277915013062842012-02-08T07:26:30.880-07:002012-02-08T07:26:30.880-07:00A.A. never converted me into a boyscout either.
B...A.A. never converted me into a boyscout either.<br /><br />But if that works for you... that's cool too.McGowdoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16866948381728741656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-68755007402287872022012-02-07T19:34:23.122-07:002012-02-07T19:34:23.122-07:00Now I can get behind this thinking. Thanks Rob.Now I can get behind this thinking. Thanks Rob.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-31545419382654908562012-02-07T19:32:49.190-07:002012-02-07T19:32:49.190-07:00WoW, that is one way of looking at it.
Kool, Colt...WoW, that is one way of looking at it. <br />Kool, Colter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-40111033214872638402012-02-07T18:34:36.839-07:002012-02-07T18:34:36.839-07:00I've walked away from AA,I'm happy, I'...I've walked away from AA,I'm happy, I'm also not drinking. I'm of the mind that the not drinking is the result of the 12 step work I've done and continue to maintain discipline with. You are right Colter, AA will be fine without me, and I in turn will be fine without AA. My reliance has never been on people or meetings anyways.Rob Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13051571565294672514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-74340804804396689572012-02-07T10:19:31.592-07:002012-02-07T10:19:31.592-07:00Originally, among the Oxford groupers who had beco...Originally, among the Oxford groupers who had become dissatisfied with their lives, surrendered to God and began anew, being sober was just one aspect of living a much larger, decided life. <br /><br />If you see an AA member who has stopped going to meetings and he quickly explains that he's happy and not drinking then that should tell you all you need to know; he missed the point to begin with. That’s not hard to do because generally speaking, AA over-specializes in "not drinking". We forget the commitment to "new thinking". <br /><br />But leave it to the unwise alcoholic mind to set out to prove him or herself an "exception to the rule". It is after all, a voluntary program, AA marches on without us.<br /><br /><br />ColterColterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17394584466042799024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-75829241035665706912012-01-31T08:48:32.179-07:002012-01-31T08:48:32.179-07:00Maybe everybody left...
I was at my soon to be fo...Maybe everybody left...<br /><br />I was at my soon to be former home group last night..I didn't want to go, but I have a commitment that will be finished in a few weeks. <br /><br />The old fire isn't there and I can't muster it up. Funny thing is, once I made peace with that and decided not to listen to the old "AA guilty conscience" that is really a fear of losing an imagined image, I'm OK with it. <br /><br />Topic last night was from Chapter 7, page 89, about how life takes on new new meaning, loneliness vanishes, a fellowship grows up about you, etc. Most who shared either waxed nostalgic for an old experience or expressed wishful thinking about an experience they haven't had yet. I touched on a my past experience just a bit, but what I mostly talked about how the ego gets attached to what I do in AA and measures my worth by how many people I sponsor and how many people the people I sponsor are sponsoring and how we sell that to AA members-that if they aren't sponsoring a ton of people then they must be doing something wrong. More of that good 'ol AA guilt. Fuck that. <br /><br />One reason I'm about done with AA. It's become too much of an institution, too much of a religion unto itself.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00211168798498974739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-82025045066949113582012-01-30T17:40:06.173-07:002012-01-30T17:40:06.173-07:00Awfully quiet in here, hope all is well. All good ...Awfully quiet in here, hope all is well. All good on this end, looking forward to the game next week, should be a good one.Rob Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13051571565294672514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-14382050699997408132012-01-19T20:32:49.743-07:002012-01-19T20:32:49.743-07:00...and just what have you been sucking on, MAry?...and just what have you been sucking on, MAry?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-37373042502416914812012-01-19T12:31:17.485-07:002012-01-19T12:31:17.485-07:00So when I delete my browsing history temp internet...So when I delete my browsing history temp internet files, I can view comments, otherwise my web page locks up.<br /><br />I had a parakeet once. Named him Brutus. I went on a four day ski trip and came back home and he was snuffed. Looks like the poor little guy was constipated, took one last huge dump and croaked. I don't think I quite cried over the incident. But I did give hime a decent burial in the back yard.McGowdoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16866948381728741656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-88017347670595129052012-01-19T06:24:27.348-07:002012-01-19T06:24:27.348-07:00Parakeets taste a lot like a bald eagle, actually....Parakeets taste a lot like a bald eagle, actually. At least it does to me. I prepare it like I do my spotted owl. They can be a little dry, you a good marinade is essentialMAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06577571051554788069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-58139617545230764262012-01-19T06:05:19.737-07:002012-01-19T06:05:19.737-07:00How did he prepare the Parakeet? If done properly ...How did he prepare the Parakeet? If done properly I imagine it would be quite tasty, probably tastes like chicken.Rob Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13051571565294672514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-74829961229033254092012-01-19T05:54:29.426-07:002012-01-19T05:54:29.426-07:00So in the daily update, Rotten Ralph is a Seneca w...So in the daily update, Rotten Ralph is a Seneca warrior. Of course, I should have known that, as "Rotten Ralph" is a proud and oft used name among the Seneca people. Me thinks he's been sucking a 'lil too much on his peace pipe. <br /><br />And now Danny has been reincarnated as "Claude." <br /><br />I haven't been around this much delusion since my college roommate got strung out on PCP, and ate his pet parakeet.MAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06577571051554788069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-41791159231568057782012-01-17T16:24:29.709-07:002012-01-17T16:24:29.709-07:00Did you count me twice ?Did you count me twice ?Tony Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06015153103133728577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-57364853684971168502012-01-16T23:21:50.417-07:002012-01-16T23:21:50.417-07:00Good talk with ya MA.
My computer still sucks and...Good talk with ya MA.<br /><br />My computer still sucks and have to respond via phone.<br /><br />Went to and chaired a good meeting tonight.<br /><br />I may make a topic/new post about it tomorrow.<br /><br />Good night all.<br /><br />When we retire at night...McGowdoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16866948381728741656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-62732052678611535592012-01-16T22:00:26.774-07:002012-01-16T22:00:26.774-07:00Anyway, to get back to the topic of this thread:
L...Anyway, to get back to the topic of this thread:<br />Leaving AA when the time is right is one matter when one has some sort of spiritual program in place, and quite another when there is no spirituality present.<br />Without God, the recovering alcoholic has only their own "strengths" to sustain them during hard times, and these are very questionable strengths, to say the least (where were they when the person was drinking?). <br />I don't believe that anyone can stay sober indefinitely on simple willpower alone, unless they have found a way back to Eden. <br />I learned that the hard way, as I posted a few weeks ago. I haven't been to an AA meeting in a couple of years, but I daily communicate with God as I currently see Him to be.<br />I say "currently" because my understanding of God is slowly and constantly growing. Today's meditation while hiking through the woods was about harmony versus chaos, the meaning of those words (two sides of the same coin perhaps), and what it all means to me.<br />It helps me to stay sober, even if the answers elude me for so long and I pity the person who lacks the ability to put their false pride aside and communicate with God.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-85900495446382220382012-01-16T21:41:55.882-07:002012-01-16T21:41:55.882-07:00I really didn't expect an honest answer from y...I really didn't expect an honest answer from you MA, and I certainly didn't get one.<br />For those just tuning in, The "Chief" remark he made was just another slur from the ST proprietor on my Seneca ancestry. I'm not bothered by it though, considering the nature of the source.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-54913678109718438002012-01-16T16:58:07.442-07:002012-01-16T16:58:07.442-07:00Must be something about eight years that draws us ...Must be something about eight years that draws us together. <br /><br />Re: Football. Acceptance is the answer to all my problems. Giants will meet Patriots in the Super Bowl. Accept it. <br /><br />And I'm with MA about the Cowboys. But maybe that's unrealistic expectations? <br /><br />And sorry MA, but the "adorable" gave you away. 'Fess up.joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16266375123411463390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-68954628908869731132012-01-16T16:19:05.448-07:002012-01-16T16:19:05.448-07:00I'm still bitter about the Giants beating the ...I'm still bitter about the Giants beating the Cowboys and knocking them out of the playoffs. and living among the Patriots fans has made me bitter toward them. I don't know who to root for. I'm really just bitter toward everything football wise. So, for Rob's sake, I'll reluctantly root for the Pats. I also hate Eli, which helps with that.MAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06577571051554788069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-25041578196853451592012-01-16T14:46:17.102-07:002012-01-16T14:46:17.102-07:00I haven't been to a meeting in over a month, I...I haven't been to a meeting in over a month, I am better off for it.I'm coming up on 8 years sober and feel fantastic, most days my insides match my outsides. I have no plans on returning to AA,I don't rule it out, but I'm ok with how things currently are. It's about how I conduct myself and how I live. <br /><br />On this blog I am pretty much a sarcastic asshole, who loves to stir the pot, this is the luxury that cyberspace anonymity provides, in real life, I'm actually fairly quite and reserved.<br /><br />Regarding Football,<br />Brady is a better quarterback, definite hall of famer, we'll see about ELI, If he can secure another Superbowl win maybe..I hope we don't have to face the Giants, I'll tell you why. The Pats of 07'were phenomenal, they were blowing the doors off their opponents. The last regular season against the Giants was a barn burner, I think the final was 42-35. The Giants saw they could actually compete against us and came into the Super Bowl Hungry. The Pats record is deceiving 13-3 could easily be 10-6. Our prevent zone defense blows, it was good to see some adjustments in our secondary and guys actually playing their assignments.We have improved throughout the season but I am not convinced this is our year. We'll see, I could be wrong. There are some teams that we always play like shit against, Miami, Jets, Buffalo and the Giants in particular.Rob Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13051571565294672514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3181024902947380214.post-91006146821755950392012-01-16T13:50:21.509-07:002012-01-16T13:50:21.509-07:00Yooooo!!! No reason to get hyped Rob. Eli and Tom ...Yooooo!!! No reason to get hyped Rob. Eli and Tom are both great quarterbacks. <br />I would rather play the Patriots then the Ravens. <br />In your case you would rather play the Giants the the 49's. I'll you why. 2007 you guys beat us in the last game of the season if you remember. Then we came back and beat you in the Super Bowl. Well if things should work out again as they did in 2007 then, we beat you back a month and half ago so you folks should beat us in the Super Bowl.<br />Nnnnnnoottttt!!! :) <br />Though I will agree Love, Warren, Wilfork and Nickovitch(mspl'd lol) make for a awesome front four, take out Nicko (outside linebacker) and you still have Anderson, Ellis and Diederich to back up. <br />So your 4-3 or 3-4 packages are looking great. <br />Your line-backing crew has molded together also with Patrick Chung back as safety. <br />Fucking new England defense is there you just had a lot of injuries. <br />Your big question is if Tom Brady can keep his shit together when he is getting hit and under a lot of pressure.<br />Dopey mutherfucker has proved he can do it in the big game.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com