Hi I just found this message board. I just got to 6 months of sober time and it's all getting better. I'm from Miami but currently in Cancun....dangerous city to be in but thankfully I have no desire to drink. I just need to stay away from bars and drunks. I found the AA meeting in Cancun which I have been attending. So far so good.
welcome to the MIP board. I really enjoyed your band's music. noticed that you attended the U. I'm a big redskins fan and of course a fan of Clinton Portis, and Sean Taylor. I almost went down to ST's funeral in Jan. but I couldn't find anyone to drive down with.
Be careful with your sobriety in the music business, that's a slippery occupation. I've lost a few friends to it, and seen others in the program put their music aside to stay sober (including me). One guy in particular (a guitar player) told me that, for him, it was as much about issues with ego as the temptations themselves.
We just started a Sunday morning meeting (10 am) in the chat room. Drop on by.
StPeteDean wrote:Be careful with your sobriety in the music business, that's a slippery occupation. I've lost a few friends to it, and seen others in the program put their music aside to stay sober (including me). One guy in particular (a guitar player) told me that, for him, it was as much about issues with ego as the temptations themselves.
Thais is my situation as well. How many musicians are there here? Thats two i've met in my first post.
at least two more that I know of. sick of being sick, and barrisax. Are you aware of how many profesional musicians that are in making it in AA these days? Listen to what you hear in meetings and the literature. "our primary purpose is to stay sober". Put your sobriety first above all things, because whatever you put in front of your sobriety, you're going to lose anyway if you drink again. Hang in, it's a wonderful ride that will exceed your wildest expectations. Everything that you ever wanted to be or do is possible in sobriety (and a lot more really).
Welcome to MIP, Sean & John. A Fantastic Well Doings in your months of sobriety there. I'm sure that means there's been some great changes going on for you. This message board has helped me so much in staying sober though I've found it has had to be in supplement with meetings & literature for me to practice these new learnings in life & have more peace, support & gratitude. I'm 22mths sober & love the example that all my peers in fellowship set me, even if it's 'what Not to do when...!' None of us are perfect but we're all working at progress together. And that's a wonderful thing that inspires me. I hope you both enjoy what I've been getting too. Welcome to our Fellowship, here for us :) Happy Sober Day! Daniella x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Thanks for the welcome, guys. I actually quit my band a little over a month ago. I realized that I could not tolerate the leader of the band sober. I noticed that in the past 8 years of playing in this particular band, The Druids (thedruids.tv), that the only way I was able to hang in there for so long was by being able to drink, smoke weed, snort coke, or anything so that I would not have to deal with the lead singer in a normal or sober frame of mind.
Now the thing is that this person is still a friend. We just have very different opinions as far as music is concerned. So we are still friends but we no longer work together in a band. Music is my life and I will go back to it. But right now I am focusing on my job. The people at my job were considerate enough to support me through my rehab (45 days at South Miami hospital inpatiet residential program). They now have me in a management postiton working in Cancun. I know that my career depends on my sobriety and I am not about to lose what I have gained in just 6 months.
I got out of rehab January 28th of this year and I did go back to playing in this band. At this poing the band is a cover band, playing other people's music such as the Rolling Stones or Green Day. I played about 30 gigs straight out of rehab and even though I was working around alcohol, I had no desire to drink. That still is working in dangerous territory. On the last night I played with this band I got into an argument with the leader and found myself restless, irritable and discontent again....and guess what?.....If I want to take a drink, the bar is a few feet away.....it was the next day when I called my sponsor and asked him to help me leave the band. With my sponsor's help I was able to split with the band on friendly terms. I also was a bit worn out playing other people's music.
So I feel good about that. In that process I made myself more available and open to different musical avenues. I can go back to playing original music that I actually enjoy instead of having to play covers for a paycheck.
This is only the beginning of my sobriety. I am trying to always keep in mind "easy does it". And little by little it just gets better.
Welcome to you both! I too am a musician, I sing, although anyone that has heard me will beg to differ with me!!!!!! lol
Great that you found the board and I hope you stick around! Its a fun place to share and Ive grown alot from the wisdom of others around here! Learned that Im not alone and we can all do this together!!!
Keep on posting! I love Deans plug on our sunday morning meeting!!! Try to attend!!!! Lani
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
Thanks for the welcome, guys. I actually quit my band a little over a month ago. I realized that I could not tolerate the leader of the band sober. I noticed that in the past 8 years of playing in this particular band, The Druids (thedruids.tv), that the only way I was able to hang in there for so long was by being able to drink, smoke weed, snort coke, or anything so that I would not have to deal with the lead singer in a normal or sober frame of mind.
Now the thing is that this person is still a friend. We just have very different opinions as far as music is concerned. So we are still friends but we no longer work together in a band. Music is my life and I will go back to it. But right now I am focusing on my job. The people at my job were considerate enough to support me through my rehab (45 days at South Miami hospital inpatiet residential program). They now have me in a management postiton working in Cancun. I know that my career depends on my sobriety and I am not about to lose what I have gained in just 6 months.
I got out of rehab January 28th of this year and I did go back to playing in this band. At this poing the band is a cover band, playing other people's music such as the Rolling Stones or Green Day. I played about 30 gigs straight out of rehab and even though I was working around alcohol, I had no desire to drink. That still is working in dangerous territory. On the last night I played with this band I got into an argument with the leader and found myself restless, irritable and discontent again....and guess what?.....If I want to take a drink, the bar is a few feet away.....it was the next day when I called my sponsor and asked him to help me leave the band. With my sponsor's help I was able to split with the band on friendly terms. I also was a bit worn out playing other people's music.
So I feel good about that. In that process I made myself more available and open to different musical avenues. I can go back to playing original music that I actually enjoy instead of having to play covers for a paycheck.
This is only the beginning of my sobriety. I am trying to always keep in mind "easy does it". And little by little it just gets better.
Thanks again, guys, for the warm welcome.
I've found my whole attitude has changed towards music. First, i'm a lot more selective about the projects i'm working in, as far as money or satisfaction. It has to either pay a minimum of $100 or be a really cool project I like playing in. Either way, i'm not hanging around bars like I used to, getting into whatever trouble came my way (you name it). Now I just show up "on time" (1/2 hour before gig) and leave as soon as i'm paid and loaded.
I've also became pretty aware of the vibes i'm putting out with my own music.
"leave as soon as i'm paid and loaded." Hope you meant your van is "loaded" with gear!!!!!!! lol
Couldnt help myself!!!!!
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
