Code Amber was created in 1996 after an Arlington Texas child, Amber Hagerman was kidnapped while riding her bicycle. Amber was brutally murdered, and Arlington Texas residents were outraged, calling for more exposure, appealing to Dallas Texas radio stations - to start broadcasting these 'special alerts' more promptly and massively so that situations like the murder of Amber Hagerman could be avoided in the future.
Response to this appeal occurred immediately as Texas Radio stations partnered up with local law-enforcement groups in Northern Texas. A massive system of 'alert' went 'live' on August 23, 2002 - after the TX Region had been pushing this idea and broadcasting alerts whenever possible since '96. After less than a year of the 'live' widespread launch, in April of 2003 President Bush adjusted the alert program to make it a National program.
An Amber Alert organization and system has also been developed to cover Canadian regions - for obvious reasons of 'proximity' of the two countries to each other.
I witnessed a successful Amber Alert in the area of Calgary, Alberta, Canada - about 1 year ago. I am not positive in remembering the exact time, but I vividly remember the details about the success of the Alert issued. I was actually shocked (because the Alert System is relatively new) by how effective it turned out to be at the time!
In this instance, an infant had been removed from a home, from her mother who required intensive treatment for Addiction and Lifestyle problems and also treatment for Psychological/Behavioral issues. The mother was granted visitation rights and bolted with the baby. The Amber Alert went out within an hour or two of the occurrence, and within 36 hours, the mother, herself, heeded the messages from the Amber Alerts. Realizing that the entire region from British Columbia to Nova Scotia (particularly in the Calgary--Red-Deer--Edmonton area) was receiving constant Amber Alerts on TV-station tickers and billboards - not to mention constant Radio-broadcast messages, sometimes at every 15 minute mark, the mother made arrangements very quickly to return her baby into care facilities. , so the child was recovered unharmed!
What does the Code Amber Alert program have to do with this blog?
Not much...
And - A LOT!
As displayed in the Amber Alert account just mentioned, the kidnapper was the child's own mother. And - an Addict.
Sometimes, under duress, and under the multi-faceted chaos that addiction brings, people don't behave in ways that are acceptable. To my knowledge, the mother took her child back for the same reason any GOOD MOTHER would want to retrieve their child from someone else's care (because it is the child they love, whose life - along with theirs, they dream of the future about - regardless that they aren't managing to take care of the child well). The baby was removed from the woman's household due to her addiction lifestyle issues, in part, and also - she likely acted on impulse as most addicts WILL while they are contemplating or are in the first stages of Addiction Recovery.
Life isn't easy in the beginning stages of recovery. The main issue is that people in the first stages of recovery are plainly PANICKY! They have got a million and a half things about life, habits, morals, and behaviors to re-learn! Often, this is a simply OVERWHELMING TIME - a time that some addicts don't endure in order to become 'healthy.'
Most Addicts aren't bad people. Their behaviors and lifestyle are very awful and bad. The woman who kidnapped her baby, in her mind, only 'took back' her child. In the minds of the authorities, she 'committed a crime.' Either way, it was not safe for that infant to be with her mother at a certain time. Hopefully now, the mother has gained a better lifestyle - she probably wasn't an inherently 'bad person' at all. The fact that she was overwhelmed and 'took back' her child is more of an indication of her overwhelmed state (overwhelmed that the child she loved was taken from her) rather than a sign that she was an evil type of criminal. Regardless, the Amber Alert helped in the return of the infant so that the woman's 'lifestyle' and 'addict habits' did not put the child in further and continued jeopardy.
I recall, once I heard the original Alert - and that the woman in question was an addict who had just recently been ordered to turn her child over to protective services - I wasn't worried that the woman in question was some kind of awful criminal. I was only worried that she would be using drugs while the child was with her and that she might be negligent with the child and cause harm in that way.
I just prayed for her to realize the seriousness of the Amber Alert and come to grips with the fact that her child needed to be 'out of her care' for a while until she could get herself straightened out. I never became 'outraged' like some of my peers did when they heard details of the Code Amber Alert...probably because I have experience with turning over a child to a better home while I dealt with Addiction issues, myself.
(Well *gasp* that last sentence was more than I was GOING TO disclose lol but I'll leave it in! 'Cos it's 'on-topic' with this particular post!)
Thankfully - in this instance, the effects of this Code Amber Alert turned out positive!
I think the decision to place the Alert system tickers on this blog is altogether relevant and you will see them in the column to the right from now on.
Please interact with me freely if you should ever see the Alert ticker blacked out and not operational. It may take a moment to load but should then display, basically, it's 'purpose' in the message area - unless there is a current 'Code Amber Alert' in progress - in which case, the details of the message will have a YELLOW/Amber background with details about the Alert in progress.
Thank you, ahead of time for your co-operation!
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
About Women For Sobriety (Men For Sobriety, Too)
Women For Sobriety's "New Life" program is for those who would like something in addition to 12 Step programs or who would like some guiding principles instead of a 12 Step program.
WFS is a self-help program that adheres to 13 main principles/statements and accompanying affirmations:
1. I have a life-threatening problem that once had me.
Affirmation: I now take charge of my life. I accept the responsibility.
2. Negative thoughts destroy only myself.
Affirmation: My first conscious act must be to remove negativity from my life.
3. Happiness is a habit I will develop.
Affirmation: Happiness is created, not waited for.
4. Problems bother me only to the degree I permit them to.
Affirmation: I now better understand my problems and do not permit problems to overwhelm me.
5. I am what I think.
Affirmation: I am a capable, competent, caring, compassionate woman.
6. Life can be ordinary or it can be great.
Affirmation: Greatness is mine by a conscious effort.
7. Love can change the course of my world.
Affirmation: Caring becomes all important.
8. The fundamental object of life is emotional and spiritual growth.
Affirmation: Daily I put my life into a proper order, knowing which are the priorities.
9. The past is gone forever.
Affirmation: No longer will I be victimized by the past, I am a new person.
10. All love given returns.
Affirmation: I will learn to know that others love me.
11. Enthusiasm is my daily exercise.
Affirmation: I treasure all moments of my new life.
12. I am a competent woman and have much to give life.
Affirmation: This is what I am and I shall know it always.
13. I am responsible for myself and for my actions.
Affirmation: I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.
These 13 items are to be used as tools to help in gaining and maintaining recovery - a more manageable and balanced lifestyle. In this, it is suggested that a person rises 15 minutes earlier each day in order to place these 'tools' into use. Go through the Thirteen Affirmations at the start of the day, meditating upon the meaning of each. Then take a single statement (alternating on different days) and use the statement 'mindfully' for the entire day. At the end of the day, review the use of the statement and determine, if possible, its effects upon your day and your actions.
WFS has been around since July 1976 and is both an organization and a self-help program. Women For Sobriety, as the title indicates is a program for women, however, there is also a program called Men For Sobriety (MFS) which is similar in nature and, of course, is for Men who are trying to put their lives back together or maintain lives that they've put back on track after the experiences of addiction.
The WFS and MFS programs, based upon the Thirteen Statements above are programs intended to promote positivity, spiritual, emotional and personal growth. These programs have been effective in helping individuals to overcome alcoholism (and other addiction) and learn to live healthier lifestyles.
The Thirteen Statements should not conflict with other programs of recovery and can be used alongside other programs if an individual so chooses to utilize multiple methods of recovery. The Thirteen Statements approach that WFS (and MFS) uses is currently being used in many clinics, treatment facilities, womens (and mens) centres, hospitals, self-help groups and many other places where alcoholics (addicts) are discovering how to overcome addiction.
The WFS and MFS are programs that each attempt to deal with some specifics of gender where addictions are concerned - because life for men and for women in society is, in fact, different. Men have pressures and situations that don't follow the same for women and vice versa.
For example, many men may not have the 'child-care' stresses that women might have and therefore, in the WFS group, women can address women's issues during their 'recovery gatherings' with a freedom that might not be possible in a both-gender setting. By comparison, men may have 'main household provider' issues that they can feel free to speak about within their male-oriented group. In this, the MFS group can more fully meet the needs of men who are trying to deal with addiction and recovery issues, where they may feel that other 'programs' aren't able to meet certain 'safe discussion' or other support needs.
This post is intended to provide information mainly about the Women For Sobriety program, however, I thought it important to mention that although WFS is a gender-specific group, this doesn't mean that Men are excluded entirely from a similar form of support and self-help opportunity. Since I would not naturally, as a female, attend a Men For Sobriety meeting or gathering, I have limited information about the program but I am working on some correspondence with men involved in the MFS group. I hope to have permission very soon to write about some experiences (maintaining anonymity, of course) with the MFS self-help organization and recovery program.
I have attended WFS meeting locally and found many of the affirmations to be helpful in my own recovery - and I use the affirmations along with other recovery principles from other programs.
WFS is a self-help program that adheres to 13 main principles/statements and accompanying affirmations:
1. I have a life-threatening problem that once had me.
Affirmation: I now take charge of my life. I accept the responsibility.
2. Negative thoughts destroy only myself.
Affirmation: My first conscious act must be to remove negativity from my life.
3. Happiness is a habit I will develop.
Affirmation: Happiness is created, not waited for.
4. Problems bother me only to the degree I permit them to.
Affirmation: I now better understand my problems and do not permit problems to overwhelm me.
5. I am what I think.
Affirmation: I am a capable, competent, caring, compassionate woman.
6. Life can be ordinary or it can be great.
Affirmation: Greatness is mine by a conscious effort.
7. Love can change the course of my world.
Affirmation: Caring becomes all important.
8. The fundamental object of life is emotional and spiritual growth.
Affirmation: Daily I put my life into a proper order, knowing which are the priorities.
9. The past is gone forever.
Affirmation: No longer will I be victimized by the past, I am a new person.
10. All love given returns.
Affirmation: I will learn to know that others love me.
11. Enthusiasm is my daily exercise.
Affirmation: I treasure all moments of my new life.
12. I am a competent woman and have much to give life.
Affirmation: This is what I am and I shall know it always.
13. I am responsible for myself and for my actions.
Affirmation: I am in charge of my mind, my thoughts, and my life.
These 13 items are to be used as tools to help in gaining and maintaining recovery - a more manageable and balanced lifestyle. In this, it is suggested that a person rises 15 minutes earlier each day in order to place these 'tools' into use. Go through the Thirteen Affirmations at the start of the day, meditating upon the meaning of each. Then take a single statement (alternating on different days) and use the statement 'mindfully' for the entire day. At the end of the day, review the use of the statement and determine, if possible, its effects upon your day and your actions.
WFS has been around since July 1976 and is both an organization and a self-help program. Women For Sobriety, as the title indicates is a program for women, however, there is also a program called Men For Sobriety (MFS) which is similar in nature and, of course, is for Men who are trying to put their lives back together or maintain lives that they've put back on track after the experiences of addiction.
The WFS and MFS programs, based upon the Thirteen Statements above are programs intended to promote positivity, spiritual, emotional and personal growth. These programs have been effective in helping individuals to overcome alcoholism (and other addiction) and learn to live healthier lifestyles.
The Thirteen Statements should not conflict with other programs of recovery and can be used alongside other programs if an individual so chooses to utilize multiple methods of recovery. The Thirteen Statements approach that WFS (and MFS) uses is currently being used in many clinics, treatment facilities, womens (and mens) centres, hospitals, self-help groups and many other places where alcoholics (addicts) are discovering how to overcome addiction.
The WFS and MFS are programs that each attempt to deal with some specifics of gender where addictions are concerned - because life for men and for women in society is, in fact, different. Men have pressures and situations that don't follow the same for women and vice versa.
For example, many men may not have the 'child-care' stresses that women might have and therefore, in the WFS group, women can address women's issues during their 'recovery gatherings' with a freedom that might not be possible in a both-gender setting. By comparison, men may have 'main household provider' issues that they can feel free to speak about within their male-oriented group. In this, the MFS group can more fully meet the needs of men who are trying to deal with addiction and recovery issues, where they may feel that other 'programs' aren't able to meet certain 'safe discussion' or other support needs.
This post is intended to provide information mainly about the Women For Sobriety program, however, I thought it important to mention that although WFS is a gender-specific group, this doesn't mean that Men are excluded entirely from a similar form of support and self-help opportunity. Since I would not naturally, as a female, attend a Men For Sobriety meeting or gathering, I have limited information about the program but I am working on some correspondence with men involved in the MFS group. I hope to have permission very soon to write about some experiences (maintaining anonymity, of course) with the MFS self-help organization and recovery program.
I have attended WFS meeting locally and found many of the affirmations to be helpful in my own recovery - and I use the affirmations along with other recovery principles from other programs.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
1950's Anti-Drug Video (The Terrible Truth)
Here's an interesting Anti-Drug Video from the 1950's
It's a little CHEESY but was probably a pretty shocking view in its time!
It's about 10 minutes long...
Allow the video to load fully so it runs smoothly
It's mainly about Heroin addiction
It's a little CHEESY but was probably a pretty shocking view in its time!
It's about 10 minutes long...
Allow the video to load fully so it runs smoothly
It's mainly about Heroin addiction
Sunday, May 6, 2007
About SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery is a program that concentrates on 4 main areas of Recovery
(S.mart M.anagement A.nd R.ecovery T.raining - SMART!)
1. Enhancing and Maintaining Motivation to Abstain
2. Coping with Urges
3. Problem Solving (the management of thoughts, feelings and behaviors)
4. Lifestyle Balance (Balancing short and long term satisfaction) Smart Recovery facilitators teach how to deal with the above four points.
The assumptions that SMART RECOVERY folk have concerning why a person becomes an addict have to do with both substance use as well as engaging in certain activities. All people experience degrees of addictive/addiction behaviors, however, those who find that their lives are facing too great a degree of negative consequence according to these behaviors of addiction, may benefit from accessing SMART RECOVERY principles and help.
Smart Recovery attempts to help individuals 'gain libertation from' addictive behaviors.
In simpler terms, Smart Recovery deals with
1-maintaining motivation, 2-coping with craving,
3-thinking rationally, and 4-leading a balanced lifestyle.
Smart Recovery draws much of its information from the psychology field, in the area of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).
In this, out of control behaviors surrounding addiction are less a disease - and more like 'complex maladaptive behaviors.'
Though these concepts of 'addiction' differ from 12 Step principles, Smart Recovery doesn't
EXCLUDE the use of 12-Step principles in anybody's recovery.
Many 'Treatment' and 'Rehab' centres utilize 12 Step methods - but there are some who advocate use of Smart Recovery methods. As well, some places utilize an array of other principles, programs, methods and theories. There are all kinds of addicts, all kinds of personal reasons why people are addicted to drugs, substances, and activities. Whichever methods work to combat addictive behaviors in anyone's life should be used as fully and beneficially as possible.
On the SMART Recovery website there is a 'Tool Chest' if you're interested in checking it out:
The SMART Recovery Tool Chest Page
You'll need a PDF Reader to use the free downloadable documents on the SMART Recovery website's Tool Chest page.
If you don't have a PDF Reader, you can grab Adobe products:
ADOBE READER and Other ADOBE PRODUCTS
You should be able to download a free trial/evaluation copy of the Adobe software, however, if you find you can't use the Adobe Reader software - for whatever reasons - here are some other PDF Readers that will work:
VisageSoft eXPert PDF and Other Products
and
Foxit Reader/Software
Now, just to warn you - I've never used the eXPert PDF product, so I can't recommend it highly. I have used the Foxit software and it's really good software, nicely navigable and easy to use. You can get both the latter products for free.
Anyhow - check out the SMART Recovery tools. Even if you're dead-set on 12-Step programs, there are some awesome downloadable 'checklists' and things at the SMART RECOVERY website that are really effective for keeping track of behaviors. 12-Step methods are also about changing behaviors, so it can't hurt to go grab some extra tools!
Let me know how you liked the Smart Recovery site! (It's easy to navigate!)
(S.mart M.anagement A.nd R.ecovery T.raining - SMART!)
1. Enhancing and Maintaining Motivation to Abstain
2. Coping with Urges
3. Problem Solving (the management of thoughts, feelings and behaviors)
4. Lifestyle Balance (Balancing short and long term satisfaction) Smart Recovery facilitators teach how to deal with the above four points.
The assumptions that SMART RECOVERY folk have concerning why a person becomes an addict have to do with both substance use as well as engaging in certain activities. All people experience degrees of addictive/addiction behaviors, however, those who find that their lives are facing too great a degree of negative consequence according to these behaviors of addiction, may benefit from accessing SMART RECOVERY principles and help.
Smart Recovery attempts to help individuals 'gain libertation from' addictive behaviors.
In simpler terms, Smart Recovery deals with
1-maintaining motivation, 2-coping with craving,
3-thinking rationally, and 4-leading a balanced lifestyle.
Smart Recovery draws much of its information from the psychology field, in the area of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).
In this, out of control behaviors surrounding addiction are less a disease - and more like 'complex maladaptive behaviors.'
Though these concepts of 'addiction' differ from 12 Step principles, Smart Recovery doesn't
EXCLUDE the use of 12-Step principles in anybody's recovery.
Many 'Treatment' and 'Rehab' centres utilize 12 Step methods - but there are some who advocate use of Smart Recovery methods. As well, some places utilize an array of other principles, programs, methods and theories. There are all kinds of addicts, all kinds of personal reasons why people are addicted to drugs, substances, and activities. Whichever methods work to combat addictive behaviors in anyone's life should be used as fully and beneficially as possible.
On the SMART Recovery website there is a 'Tool Chest' if you're interested in checking it out:
The SMART Recovery Tool Chest Page
You'll need a PDF Reader to use the free downloadable documents on the SMART Recovery website's Tool Chest page.
If you don't have a PDF Reader, you can grab Adobe products:
ADOBE READER and Other ADOBE PRODUCTS
You should be able to download a free trial/evaluation copy of the Adobe software, however, if you find you can't use the Adobe Reader software - for whatever reasons - here are some other PDF Readers that will work:
VisageSoft eXPert PDF and Other Products
and
Foxit Reader/Software
Now, just to warn you - I've never used the eXPert PDF product, so I can't recommend it highly. I have used the Foxit software and it's really good software, nicely navigable and easy to use. You can get both the latter products for free.
Anyhow - check out the SMART Recovery tools. Even if you're dead-set on 12-Step programs, there are some awesome downloadable 'checklists' and things at the SMART RECOVERY website that are really effective for keeping track of behaviors. 12-Step methods are also about changing behaviors, so it can't hurt to go grab some extra tools!
Let me know how you liked the Smart Recovery site! (It's easy to navigate!)
Survey Says Drug Use Down In Teens
A survey conducted by the University of Michigan, with funding from NIDA (National Institute on Druge Abuse) says that drug use in teens is continuing a decline that began about a decade ago.
*thumbsup* Good news, eh?
Though alcohol and illicit drug use is down, the research still turned up a reasonably high level of prescription drug abuse in teens, so it has been suggested that the area of prescription medication abuse still requires attention and care.
8th - 10th - and 12th grade students participated in the survey/study from across the USA.
Though less than a quarter percent of younger 8th grade students admitted to experimenting with "illicit drugs," very close to HALF the older, 12th grade students had taken "illicit drugs."
Alcohol use declined and the study showed that Marijuana was the most widely used "illicit" drug.
The link for the report is available:
2006 US Teen Drug Use Survey (available from Hazelden.org )
I have further questions about this survey - particularly - about the use of the term 'illicit' drugs.
I have worries that even if the numbers are correct, maybe certain conclusions of the study are NOT CORRECT.
For instance, if we determine that 'illicit' drugs equals 'illegal' drugs - then some 12th graders who drink aren't using 'illicit' drugs if they are of legal drinking age. Don't some of the US States have the age of 19 set for their legal drinking age? If the forms they fill for the surveys - or the questions they're asked in person - contain the term 'illicit/illegal' drugs, and they're drinking but not using ILLEGAL drugs, then certain data might not be well reflected in the final result of the study.
Also - DOH! Everything is illegal and illicit to an 8th grader! lol
There are few doubts that 8th graders are nowhere NEAR legal age for drinking. So even if they had a beer, they did something illicit and illegal.
Anyway, those last couple of viewpoints aren't the REAL POINT here.
Just tossing those in to see if other people ever question some of these 'studies.' I mean - not that the studies are bad or good or anything else. I just always wonder about how to go about getting CORRECT information.
In the media, if you took that same survey and applied only a portion of it in a certain newscast or something, I'm sure you could come out with a statement saying something like, "8th graders showed the lowest drug use around 21%, however, 12th graders graduated on to more serious drugs and abuses at nearly 50%..."
I just wonder about this stuff, is all - because I recently did see a 'survey report' in print - in an established, popular newspaper which attributed teen drug use to broken homes - BUT - the data was faulty, as far as I am concerned
The survey was made up of participants that were kids MOSTLY FROM BROKEN HOMES and the survey was conducted from a TEEN RESOURCE and COUNSELLING SUPPORT CENTRE, where kids were specifically referred there FROM BROKEN HOMES. The centre has a specific program for children from broken homes - for them to 'network' and 'support' other kids specifically with similar backgrounds. That itself isn't any kind of problem. Saying a certain conclusion of a survey based on a mainly 'select' group - is kind of a problem for me.
Just thought I would put that 'OUT THERE'
Not trying to undermine the details of this survey tho' - just expressing that I think it's a good idea to 'research the research' sometimes.
And that's what I'm off to do!
Apparently, this site: "Monitoring The Future"
Has more details about the study, so that's where I'm off to now...
Just to check the research methodology.
Later *waves*
Have a grrrrrrr8 Day!
*thumbsup* Good news, eh?
Though alcohol and illicit drug use is down, the research still turned up a reasonably high level of prescription drug abuse in teens, so it has been suggested that the area of prescription medication abuse still requires attention and care.
8th - 10th - and 12th grade students participated in the survey/study from across the USA.
Though less than a quarter percent of younger 8th grade students admitted to experimenting with "illicit drugs," very close to HALF the older, 12th grade students had taken "illicit drugs."
Alcohol use declined and the study showed that Marijuana was the most widely used "illicit" drug.
The link for the report is available:
2006 US Teen Drug Use Survey (available from Hazelden.org )
I have further questions about this survey - particularly - about the use of the term 'illicit' drugs.
I have worries that even if the numbers are correct, maybe certain conclusions of the study are NOT CORRECT.
For instance, if we determine that 'illicit' drugs equals 'illegal' drugs - then some 12th graders who drink aren't using 'illicit' drugs if they are of legal drinking age. Don't some of the US States have the age of 19 set for their legal drinking age? If the forms they fill for the surveys - or the questions they're asked in person - contain the term 'illicit/illegal' drugs, and they're drinking but not using ILLEGAL drugs, then certain data might not be well reflected in the final result of the study.
Also - DOH! Everything is illegal and illicit to an 8th grader! lol
There are few doubts that 8th graders are nowhere NEAR legal age for drinking. So even if they had a beer, they did something illicit and illegal.
Anyway, those last couple of viewpoints aren't the REAL POINT here.
Just tossing those in to see if other people ever question some of these 'studies.' I mean - not that the studies are bad or good or anything else. I just always wonder about how to go about getting CORRECT information.
In the media, if you took that same survey and applied only a portion of it in a certain newscast or something, I'm sure you could come out with a statement saying something like, "8th graders showed the lowest drug use around 21%, however, 12th graders graduated on to more serious drugs and abuses at nearly 50%..."
I just wonder about this stuff, is all - because I recently did see a 'survey report' in print - in an established, popular newspaper which attributed teen drug use to broken homes - BUT - the data was faulty, as far as I am concerned
The survey was made up of participants that were kids MOSTLY FROM BROKEN HOMES and the survey was conducted from a TEEN RESOURCE and COUNSELLING SUPPORT CENTRE, where kids were specifically referred there FROM BROKEN HOMES. The centre has a specific program for children from broken homes - for them to 'network' and 'support' other kids specifically with similar backgrounds. That itself isn't any kind of problem. Saying a certain conclusion of a survey based on a mainly 'select' group - is kind of a problem for me.
Just thought I would put that 'OUT THERE'
Not trying to undermine the details of this survey tho' - just expressing that I think it's a good idea to 'research the research' sometimes.
And that's what I'm off to do!
Apparently, this site: "Monitoring The Future"
Has more details about the study, so that's where I'm off to now...
Just to check the research methodology.
Later *waves*
Have a grrrrrrr8 Day!
Friday, May 4, 2007
Alcohol Surveys
Hey People!
I don't know if you ever receive these - or how many 'mailing lists' you're on - but I just received almost a DOZEN 'spam-mail' surveys in the past day.
ALL of this spam pertains to surveys wanting to know my preferences for certain alcoholic beverages! All stuff I cannot drink.
Haha!
Darn - now that I am sober and recovering, I am not going to win the following prizes:
* a 1.5Gig MP3 Player
* 12 Free Hardcover books with the purchase of 1 book for only $4.99US
* a package of coupons redeemable at some USA location that I can't get to (for Wine products)
* a Coors Light cooler
* a ('nother beer company) ballcap w/matching T-shirt
* sports tickets for 2 to some US game that I can't get to anyway (lol)
* $100 cash, redeemable with 6 (Beer brand) proofs of purchase
And a Kokanee bottle opener if I just print a coupon out and take it to a participating liquor store haha.
I'm kinda ticked off 'bout losing that MP3 Player - however, the money I save by not drinking ought to allow me to buy a whole bunch of batteries now for my old MP3 Player, eh?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh It's good to be sober tho'.....
Have a great day!
I don't know if you ever receive these - or how many 'mailing lists' you're on - but I just received almost a DOZEN 'spam-mail' surveys in the past day.
ALL of this spam pertains to surveys wanting to know my preferences for certain alcoholic beverages! All stuff I cannot drink.
Haha!
Darn - now that I am sober and recovering, I am not going to win the following prizes:
* a 1.5Gig MP3 Player
* 12 Free Hardcover books with the purchase of 1 book for only $4.99US
* a package of coupons redeemable at some USA location that I can't get to (for Wine products)
* a Coors Light cooler
* a ('nother beer company) ballcap w/matching T-shirt
* sports tickets for 2 to some US game that I can't get to anyway (lol)
* $100 cash, redeemable with 6 (Beer brand) proofs of purchase
And a Kokanee bottle opener if I just print a coupon out and take it to a participating liquor store haha.
I'm kinda ticked off 'bout losing that MP3 Player - however, the money I save by not drinking ought to allow me to buy a whole bunch of batteries now for my old MP3 Player, eh?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh It's good to be sober tho'.....
Have a great day!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Still laughing about the Spiders
Alcoholic and Crackhead Spiders beware! We KNOW what you're up to - we're on to you bigtime!
I am trying to track down whoever it was that engineered that Spiders On Drugs video! lol
I want to enlist that person to help make 'Anti-Drug' videos especially for my blog.
If anyone out there has a lead on who actually did that, let me know.
'Til then - please continue to pray for the Crack Spider's Bytch!
(co-dependency sucks, I imagine - whether you're a spider or not eh? Not that I know what it's like to be a spider or a Crack Spider's Bytch)
LOL
teeray~~
I am trying to track down whoever it was that engineered that Spiders On Drugs video! lol
I want to enlist that person to help make 'Anti-Drug' videos especially for my blog.
If anyone out there has a lead on who actually did that, let me know.
'Til then - please continue to pray for the Crack Spider's Bytch!
(co-dependency sucks, I imagine - whether you're a spider or not eh? Not that I know what it's like to be a spider or a Crack Spider's Bytch)
LOL
teeray~~
"Daily Dose" Will Be At The Bottom
I decided recently to start posting some common 'Daily' messages that can be found in 12-Step Literature.
Since I read literature about addictions from more than one 12-Step organization, I already realized that sometimes I'll post from 'Daily Reflections' material, sometimes from other recovery sources, so just be aware that 'Daily Dose' could be from N.A., G.A., A.A., M.A., or any other recovery source - including, from time to time, an 'Alternate' recovery source such as a 16-Step (Charlotte Kasl) or SMART Recovery information.
I realize that I only posted to the blog twice, as well...
I had posted on a daily basis since I started last week - but left almost every post in 'draft' mode until I could figure out which kind of daily message would be most appreciated. I wondered whether to offer a short daily 'menu' of AA, NA, and an Alternative daily reading each day (which left me tryin' to decide WHICH Alternative source would be best) - to try to cover different perspectives...lol
Leave it to me, a recovering addict - to make things complicated!
Haha - a friend finally told me, "For gosh-sakes - just put whatever you want - down at the BOTTOM and readers can choose to look or not. That way you won't offend anyone by occasionally switching sources." Of course, she also rolled her eyes at me.
I deserve that, I suppose, haha
So that's how I'll do it now, anyway - I'll just change the form at the bottom each day.
Any die-hard 12-Step members who really REALLY dislike other sources - won't have to read the Daily Dose at the top of the blog. They won't need to sort through any of the 'complications' that I had been wondering about. Anything 'Daily' will now be found at the bottom of the blog under that psychedelic-looking banner I recently made. By the way - don't look at that for a long time if you have relapsed and are 'on something' because it will make you pass out pretty quickly lol.
NO I WAS NOT ON SOMETHING WHEN I MADE THAT
haha
I like it - it's staying.
BTW - putting the "Daily Dose" at the bottom, having explained that there will be several sources I will draw from - now also gives me license to select different DAYS, too (I decided this 'cos it's MY BLOG)...so if I'm havin' a really bad day and want to be reminded of something SWEET - I might post a July 15th Sunny-time 'Daily' reading in the middle of December's snowstorms during the Xmas season or something. Xmas isn't my favourite time of year at all, so thank goodness it's only May right now - 'cos I won't have to do any 'adjusting' for a while lol.
Readers beware muhahaha
(I also left a typo in this post that I noticed after I hit 'publish' - but I'm gonna still leave it there just to see if anyone even notices it HAHA - I'm thinkin' my OCD-inspired friend will find it, and I MEAN THAT with the greatest kindness 'odc-friend.' Wow I came back all the way through the 'edit' process in blogger just to type that I am not going to change my typo lol)
Just for Today...
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee HAPPY!!
Since I read literature about addictions from more than one 12-Step organization, I already realized that sometimes I'll post from 'Daily Reflections' material, sometimes from other recovery sources, so just be aware that 'Daily Dose' could be from N.A., G.A., A.A., M.A., or any other recovery source - including, from time to time, an 'Alternate' recovery source such as a 16-Step (Charlotte Kasl) or SMART Recovery information.
I realize that I only posted to the blog twice, as well...
I had posted on a daily basis since I started last week - but left almost every post in 'draft' mode until I could figure out which kind of daily message would be most appreciated. I wondered whether to offer a short daily 'menu' of AA, NA, and an Alternative daily reading each day (which left me tryin' to decide WHICH Alternative source would be best) - to try to cover different perspectives...lol
Leave it to me, a recovering addict - to make things complicated!
Haha - a friend finally told me, "For gosh-sakes - just put whatever you want - down at the BOTTOM and readers can choose to look or not. That way you won't offend anyone by occasionally switching sources." Of course, she also rolled her eyes at me.
I deserve that, I suppose, haha
So that's how I'll do it now, anyway - I'll just change the form at the bottom each day.
Any die-hard 12-Step members who really REALLY dislike other sources - won't have to read the Daily Dose at the top of the blog. They won't need to sort through any of the 'complications' that I had been wondering about. Anything 'Daily' will now be found at the bottom of the blog under that psychedelic-looking banner I recently made. By the way - don't look at that for a long time if you have relapsed and are 'on something' because it will make you pass out pretty quickly lol.
NO I WAS NOT ON SOMETHING WHEN I MADE THAT
haha
I like it - it's staying.
BTW - putting the "Daily Dose" at the bottom, having explained that there will be several sources I will draw from - now also gives me license to select different DAYS, too (I decided this 'cos it's MY BLOG)...so if I'm havin' a really bad day and want to be reminded of something SWEET - I might post a July 15th Sunny-time 'Daily' reading in the middle of December's snowstorms during the Xmas season or something. Xmas isn't my favourite time of year at all, so thank goodness it's only May right now - 'cos I won't have to do any 'adjusting' for a while lol.
Readers beware muhahaha
(I also left a typo in this post that I noticed after I hit 'publish' - but I'm gonna still leave it there just to see if anyone even notices it HAHA - I'm thinkin' my OCD-inspired friend will find it, and I MEAN THAT with the greatest kindness 'odc-friend.' Wow I came back all the way through the 'edit' process in blogger just to type that I am not going to change my typo lol)
Just for Today...
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee HAPPY!!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Spiders On Drugs Video
This ROX!
Watch Very Closely.
Someone needs to help these poor Arachnids. (Alcoholic and Crack Addict Spiders OHNO!)
Watch Very Closely.
Someone needs to help these poor Arachnids. (Alcoholic and Crack Addict Spiders OHNO!)
Sunday, April 29, 2007
April 29/07 Daily Dose From Bill's Book
DAILY REFLECTION FOR APRIL 29
"GROUP AUTONOMY"
Some may think that we have carried the principle of
group autonomy to extremes. For example, in its
original "long form," Tradition Four declares: "Any
two or three gathered together for sobriety may call
themselves an A.A. group, provided that as a group
they have no other affiliation" . . . But this ultra-
liberty is not so risky as it looks.
A.A. COMES OF AGE pp. 104-105
"GROUP AUTONOMY"
Some may think that we have carried the principle of
group autonomy to extremes. For example, in its
original "long form," Tradition Four declares: "Any
two or three gathered together for sobriety may call
themselves an A.A. group, provided that as a group
they have no other affiliation" . . . But this ultra-
liberty is not so risky as it looks.
A.A. COMES OF AGE pp. 104-105
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
