Right about now, exactly 20 years ago I set down a half glass of beer. I had no idea at the time that I wouldn't have a drink of alcohol for 20 years. I had no plans to go to AA the next day - but that's where I wound up. That was just a day, and today is just another day, and tomorrow will be just another day. That's a total of 7305 days. I'm sure glad I didn't contemplate that number on day one. I just wanted out of the rut, and was willing to become stupid, boring and glum to get out of it. Thankfully I didn't have to... although not everyone might thing so... LOL.
So some of us pause for a moment to indulge, announce, and be grateful... and I remember the first time I heard about someone with 20+ years. He was at my meeting tonight when I announced my own 20. He has 44 years now. That told me that it works, if you keep coming back. So that's why I share...
Thanks for 20 years and this way of life that has brought so many good things to me, and my family.
Right about now, exactly 20 years ago I set down a half glass of beer. I had no idea at the time that I wouldn't have a drink of alcohol for 20 years. I had no plans to go to AA the next day - but that's where I wound up.
So isn't your anniverary tomorrow
just kidding, Congrats on 20 big ones!! In four months, God willing, I'll be right behind you.
I don't know how most people count but I made my anniversary the 6th, the day I went to my first meeting. At the time it was only 19 hours since my last drink - which was around 1:00 am on the 6th.
So yeah, I had my first 24 hours at 1 am on the 7th - so at that point I had one day. Add 364 days to that and I have a year, which ends up being 1 am on the 6th
So I did announce 5 hours early at my home group last night, which would have evoked a comment from my sponsor God rest his soul, but that wasn't necessary since about 5 amateur impressionists in the group (myself included) can do a pretty good imitation of his voice, and did so.
But the web gives me the opportunity to announce my anniversary right up to the minute. As if that means squat... LOL.
Congrats on 20 years!!! What great news!!!! You are a true inspiration and proof that it works.....
__________________
"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 everybody for the replies. Friday night I went to my daughter's home group (first time I've been there). I got there early and the lady who was there asked if it was my first meeting, and I had to say well - it's a celebration of my first meeting! So for 15 minutes we talked and I also got to explain to her about my daughter's nickname and her middle name.... which she put to good use when she got there. That'll teach her to show up for a meeting at the last minute
So I've had a great weekend... the snow is melting, my GF got to stay over instead of being stuck at home, just had a great time overall.
Wow... tomorrow is... ODAAT all over again. 20 years not due to any greatness on my part. My greatness got me dug into the rut. My HP brought me to AA and the 20 years is a) a gift and b) experience. My ongoing responsibility is to pass on both - and I will need my HP's guidance to do it. I think if I keep coming back I'll get enough. ODAAT makes all kind of sense if I think of it like food. I can't eat a year's worth of food in one day. I'd be dead... and even if I could eat it all, in a few weeks after I'd starve to death. I need to eat enough food for today. That's all. Well, actually I probably eat 2 days worth every day... LOL . That's my other big life challenge. I used to think being fat was worse than being a drunk. I only drank for 13 years... I've been fat for 41. But that's my X-wife talking. If I die fat and sober, it beats skinny and drunk.
Oh well... that's the nice thing about on line forums, I can't see people roll their eyes or look at their watches when I'm talking
Hey barry, how about an anonymous youtube video of your sax playing . Our not so anonymous NA board friend in India (UK right now studying for his masters) posted one of his fab sax playing. When I grow up, I want to be a sax player.
Actually, I don't have any way to do videos right now. However check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBTgY8gJBPw - that is definitely not me. That kid is waaay younger and waaaay skinnier. And he's playing an alto sax, not a big fat baritone. But, he *is* playing a tune I have been working on, to the exact same music and arrangement. TBQH, this kid can kick my ass on technique - I'm rather familiar with this tune, and the kid is *nailing* the licks. But, he's doing some inappropriate bending for a big band rock tune, and his overall tone and intonation isn't that hot. IMO I can do better on intonation and playing it straight, but I'm busted on those high speed licks. Unfortunately I don't have the time to put into it, if I could work it an hour a day, in 3-4 weeks I'd probably have it. At the rate I'm going, more like a year to never. But, it's still fun and challenging. At my level of skill -- 11 years playing on a part-time, amateur basis and not working hard enough - it's hard to find something that isn't either too easy and boring, or is just knock-down, road rash experience. Some of these tunes are like being tied behind a moving car - you can keep up until the first time you trip, then you just get drug through the rocks!
Anyway it's a cool tune and I'm working on others from the same band/book. Reminds me of the stuff I used to play in high school in the jazz band... although on a completely different instrument.
WOO HOO!!!!
