BIG Bird

This mother is incredible. The new Airbus A380 dwarfs a conventional 747. Depending on its configuration, it seats from 555 up to 800 travellers.


for perspective, look at the size of the people near the wheels

I remember my first flight on a big, wide-body. It was a DC-10 from Houston to Munich. I was about 20 years old and had only flown on domestic flights til then. I was so friggin' impressed. And still am to this day. It's amazing that something that large can get off the ground.

Interesting reading if you click on the above link.

Remember CHOCOlate ?

"Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two, but can't remember what they are."--Matt Lauer

thanks dryblog

Spring has sprung

I don't have a yard, but this is in front of my townhouse. Looks like the cold fronts may finally be done for the season. High temp in Houston today is gonna be about 85F.





Have a great day !!

Hangovers

I ran across this description of one man's hangover experience. Credit for this quote goes both to Namenlosen Trinker and Shade.

"I've been trying to think of my worst hangover, but since I went from hangovers curable by pizza and Advil, to hangovers curable by pizza, beer and Advil to alcohol poisoning curable by massive amounts of Gatorade and sleep and puking, to alcohol withdrawal with profuse sweating and shaking too badly to even be able to take a shower, to alcohol induced DTs including drastic audio and visual halucinations, and finally to DTs with seizures which had to be treated by massive doses of Librium, I just can't put my "worst hangover" story into perspective."

Dreamin'

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, doing anything you want, where would you be and what would you be doing? Right now.

comments please

Irony or Hypocrisy

Please correct me if I have my facts wrong.

Terry Schiavo has been brain-dead for about 15 years. She has lived only through force-feeding through a tube, unable to communicate or make any meaningful movement.

Her husband and lifetime partner now believes it is time to "let her go" to her maker. By law, he has the final say in this matter. That right has now been upheld through the court system.

Her parents (who love her very much) want her to remain alive, albeit in a vegetative state. The court system has denied them this right, giving it instead to her legally sancitoned partner.

Am I correct so far? HUH?

Allow me to turn the table upside down, please.

If Terry were a lesbian with a lifetime partner, her parents would have the right, by law, to make this life or death decision. Ignore the lifetime partner (who loves her very much).

Is this irony? Is this hypocrisy? Or is it just a bunch of right-wing politicians attempting to force their beliefs on the rest of us? Whether we like it or not.

Anti-Virus Virus

For the past 3 days, my little puter had a virus. No, not the flu that's been going around Houston.

I am NOT a computer geek and know only enough to get by so I needed help in removing this thing. A friend did that for me.

FYI -- the generic name for this thing is Bloodhound Exploit 6. It had embedded itself in one of my anti-virus programs -- PC cillin. The effect was to slow the operations of my computer down to a crawl. Apparently no permanent damage was done but it was hell to find the location of it.

It was kind of like another character defect -- it slowed me down and made me rather ineffective. With patience and working the proper steps, it was removed when it became time to remove it. By not over-reacting, a calmness and trust prevailed and I had faith that it would eventually be gone. A complete scan this monring revealed no defect but I know that it can come back if I do not continue to practice the program that saved my life and my computer. (is this reaching too far?) LOL

Gay Patriot Silenced

I know some of you may think this is a good idea at first, but if so, you'd better think twice. I have copied and pasted this blog from fellow blogger littlegreenfootballs.


GayPatriot, the anonymous gay Republican blogger, has officially signed off. In a statement, no explanation was given. With GayPatriot’s permission, I am now able to recount the real story.
On Friday, GayPatriot posted “WANTED: GAY TERRORISTS” in which he identified gay activists and bloggers John Aravosis (Americablog) and Michael Rogers (BlogActive) as terrorists.
Wanted for crimes against the gay community. Wanted for repeatedly conducting outing witch hunts against gays who do not believe in radical liberal anti-American ideals. For repeated violations of privacy of gay Americans. For conducting systematic civil liberties attacks on gay Americans.
WANTED! Let’s do something about these gay terrorists who have infected our community with their hatred and self-loathing bigotry of gay Americans who wish to live their lives in peace. [WANTED: GAY TERRORISTS - GayPatriot - 03-25-05]
As many of you know, Rogers is the host and agent of a widely publicized “outing campaign” at BlogActive.com targeting closeted gay Republicans. One of the most notable results of this campaign was the dramatic retirement of a Republican Virginia Congressman, Ed Schrock. The most recent outing was that of Ken Mehlman, the new chairman of the Republican National Committee. Whatever you believe about the practice, it is difficult to ignore the political impact the campaign has had over the past year.
According to GayPatriot, who is also a client of mine, Michael Rogers called GayPatriot’s place of employment on Friday immediately following the post above and spoke to GayPatriot’s secretary and boss. GayPatriot had no idea Rogers would go to such measures and shared with me that both he and his secretary were very upset by the calls but that his boss was understanding.
Later on that day, Rogers personally called me and recounted much of the same account, adding that he had also called the police and is working with the authorities on the matter. Rogers expressed feeling threatened by the post and compared it to posts by anti-abortionists who posted the names of doctors performing them.
Rogers also said he asked GayPatriot to remove the post and replace it with a post about non-violence or he would launch a national boycott of GayPatriot’s corporate employer and pursue any and all avenues necessary to protect himself. By the time Rogers had called, GayPatriot had already made the decision to remove the post and also remove GayPatriot from the blogosphere.
GayPatriot was silenced.

Not Just Ms Doubtfire

Whether you like him or not, I think you gotta admit that Robin Williams is one of this generation's incredible comic minds.

He was featured on INSIDE THE ACTOR'S STUDIO Sunday night. Host James Lipton actually got to ask very few questions becuase Williams acted out each answer for as many laughs as he could get. Great stuff.

This is NOT a porn site

Not a porn site, but I do love a good picture. Or two.

Something For Everyone ...





Happy EASTER and if you don't celebrate this holiday, please make note that Baseball Season begins next week.

Relationships

As my head seems to be clearing a little more each day, recovering from 32+ years of chemical abuse, it seems to me that the essence of Life is Relationships.

Relationships with my Higher Power.
Relationships with my Family.
Relationships with my friends, both close friends and acquaintances.
Relationships with those whom I don't consider my friends.
Relationships with complete strangers.

So today I ponder these guidelines and how they may apply to me.

I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you.
No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make you cry.
Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can't have them.
Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile.
To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
Don't waste your time on a man/woman, who isn't willing to waste their time on you.
Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the person, we will know how to be grateful.
Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened.
There's always going to be people that hurt you so what you have to do is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you trust next time around.
Make yourself a better person and know who you are before you try and know someone else and expect them to know you.
Don't try so hard, the best things come when you least expect them to.

Dress Your Dog for Easter

Is your dog gay? He / She should be dressed properly for Easter. Here's how to do it.

Get Me Out of Myself

A Short Prayer to my Higher Power (just for today)

Help me remember that that the jerk who cut me off in traffic last night, is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help me to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind me, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that I can only imagine in my worst nightmares.

Help me to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking my shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind me each day that, of all the gifts you give me, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those I hold dear. Open my heart not to just those who are close to me, but to all humanity. Let me be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

For a Great Friday ...

Instructions for Life:

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements, involve great risks.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the Three R's: Respect for self // Respect for others // Responsibility for all your actions
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some alone time every day.
9. Open arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life, then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation of your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Wall Fillers

I finally finished some more of the art pieces I've been working on. Got 'em framed and hung. In fact, they are well-hung. But I digress.

These certainly aren't anything great, but they're mine and they were cheap to make. And they are original.

Exercise

I know. I know. Exercise is important. Hell, I have a degree in Physical Education. That's not to be confused with Physical Action. Now I am an active member of AARP so I gotta start thinking about doing something. hmmmmm ...

Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional 5 months in a nursing home at $5000 per month.

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. Now she’s 97 years old and we don’t know where she is.

The only reason I would take up exercising is so thatI could hear heavy breathing again.

I joined a health club last year, spent about $400. Haven’t lost a pound. Apparently you have to go there.

Have a Laugh

Politics aside, a friend, lonestarsteve, has this on his blog and I am sure he'd want me to share it with you. Somebody spent a bit of time on this and it's pretty funny.

Land of Newfie's

Today is Chamber of Commerce weather in Houston. Low temp this morning about 48 and it's gonna be about 78 degrees this afternoon. Not a cloud to be seen anywhere.

It got me to thinking about the months I spent in St John's, Newfoundland. Newfie land is the eastern most part of North America. I spent from June - October there back in 2000 and 2001. Today's weather in Houston is similar to the weather in St John's in August. Rarely does the temperature there get over the mid-70's; only in a severe heat wave. Here are a few pix of the most scenic city I've ever been in. And the most wonderful people too.




houses on Church Hill


The Harbour


Downtown and Icebergs

Big Pussy in a Small Room

self-explanatory



my cats taking a break

Walking the Drunk

The object of this game is to keep the drunk man walking without falling over. You help him by manipulating your mouse, but you can't see your mouse working it.

I know I've had a few nights like this guy.

The Twelve Rewards

We can all have

Hope, instead of desperation;

Faith, instead of despair;

Courage, instead of fear;

Peace of Mind, instead of confusion;

Self-respect, instead of self-contempt;

Self-confidence, instead of helplessness;

The respect of others, instead of their pity and contempt;

A clean conscience, instead of a sense of guilt;

Real friendships, instead of loneliness;

A clean pattern of life, instead of a purposeless existence;

the love and understanding of our families, instead of their doubts and fears;

and the freedom of a happy life, instead of the bondage of an alcoholic obsession.

All this and more through AA, are we grateful enough? Gratitude will continue the miracle of your sobriety, I found that out.

as written by Ann C. of Niles, Ohio - sober April 1, 1948

Live or Let Die

My friend and fellow-recoverer, Scott W., posted a wonderful writing yesterday regarding the Terri Shciavo fiasco. While outwardly the politicians have made this a political issue, it boils down to another attempt by the so-called Christian-Right to take over this country and to Hell (their Hell) with all of us who don't agree with them.


"The thing that irks me about all religion is how confoundedly right they all are"
Bill W. -- co-founder, Alcoholics Anonymous

Aerial Beauty

I've flown a lot of miles. A lot of miles.

I was thinking about the most beautiful sights I've seen --- from 35,000 feet ...

1) The snow-covered Swiss Alps on a clear winter day
2) The small islands of the Caribbean -- different shades of blue & green waters
3) the southern tip of Greenland with all the icebergs
4) the Sahara Desert

How about you? What is the most beautiful sight you've seen from a plane?

But for the grace of God ...

Saturday Night is Speaker Night @ Lambda Center. AA speakers, that is. I never miss this as I consider it very special to my recovery -- to be able to hear another alcoholic tell their own story of What it was like, What happened and What it is like now.

It never ceases to amaze me how we took so frickin' many paths to get to the same place.

After the meeting was over I was hanging around and someone called my name. I turned around and there was Jason. Wow. Jason. We hugged for a minute.

Me: “Wow dude. It’s been more than a year, hasn’t it?”
J: “Yeah. January of last year when I left Houston. I just came in on a
bus from Texarkana last night. On my way to rehab in Beaumont.”
Me: “That’s great Jason. So it hasn’t gone too well at home, huh?”
J: “I just can’t seem to put together more than about 60 days clean. I
keep losing jobs and my Dad kicked me out of the house again.”
Me: “If you’ve been in town all day, why didn’t you call me? We could have
hung out.”
J: “I got in last night at the bus station and didn’t have any place to
stay, so I went to the bar and had a few drinks. I met up with an old
friend from Club Houston. He gave me a free pass so I stayed at the
baths last night. I’ve been doing crack since noon today.”
Me: “That sounds familiar.”
J: “I came by here to kill some time. My bus leaves for Beaumont at 3
o’clock in the morning. So I’m gonna hang out here til they lock the
doors and maybe someone will give me a ride to the bus station.”
Me: “Well, best of luck. Houston’s probably not a good place for you even
though they tell us geographical changes don’t work.”

It was really nice to see Jason again. He didn't look too bad, actually. He wasn't all skinny with a hollowed-out face like I've seen him with before. But he had that look of panic written all over him. He was scared, I'm sure.

My immediate dilemma was this: How much am I supposed to do for this guy? In the past, I have done a lot for him; helped him move, gave him furniture, gave him rides, talked for many, many hours with him, tried to help him detox once off crystal meth at my house and ended up calling 911 to take him to the hospital. It took 6 paramedics to get him in the ambulance.

Jason has never been willing to Do Whatever It Takes to let it go, to let it work.

At 34 years old, maybe he's never had enough consequences. I don't know.

I gave him another hug and a kiss and said I had to go home.

I hope he made it to the bus station.

Compassion

sponsor training

Cunning Linguist

Being the world’s greatest speller while some of you are the world’s worst, this is wonderful, can’t wait until it is accepted.

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Talolty amzanig huh?

Tax Dollars @ Work

Here's a couple of fotos of Air Force aircraft in storage. These aircraft are presumably no longer in service.

This is the facility in Tucson, Arizona / Davis-Monthan AFB.


B-52's and A7's

Expectations

In case you expected me to post today, here it is. I found this on the net and would like to share it with you.

In the course of living, many people are disappointed when others do not live up (or down) to their expectations. In order to be happy, some expectations must be dropped. These unrealistic and unhealthy expectations are three of the main culprits.

1. Do not EXPECT appreciation. When others say, "Thank you," or in any way show their gratitude, be happy. It is a gift!
2. Do not EXPECT others to make you happy. They simply cannot do that. Make yourself happy and share your joy with others.
3. Do not expect NOT to be let down. At times, people will simply not come through for you in the way you need. Forgive them and move on. Get rid of these three expectations and you will be getting rid of daily disappointment!"

Crusty Toast o' the day ...

An Irishman's Philosophy:

There are only two things to worry about:

Either you are well or you are sick. If you are well, then there is nothing to worry about. But if you are sick, there are two things to worry about:

Either you will get well or you will die. If you get well, then there is nothing to worry about. But if you die, there are two things to worry about:

Either you will go to heaven or you will go to hell. If you go to heaven, then you have nothing to worry about. But if you go to hell, you'll be so damn busy shaking hands with all your friends, then you won't have time to worry!

Top O' the Morning

Paddy's Day

Today is my 51st birthday, so I may not blog about anything serious.

If you're in Houston and have the chance, go by Griff's and enjoy the festivities. It's the 40th Annual St Patrick's Day Festival, the oldest and best in Texas. Go early to avoid the long line to get in.


An Irishman who had a little too much to drink is driving home from the city one night and, of course, his car is weaving violently all over the road. A cop pulls him over.

"So," says the cop to the driver, "where have ya been?"

"Why, I've been to the pub of course," slurs the drunk.

"Well," says the cop, "it looks like you've had quite a few to drink this evening."

"I did all right," the drunk says with a smile.

"Did you know," says the cop, standing straight and folding his arms across his chest, "that a few intersections back, your wife fell out of your car?"

"Oh, thank heavens," sighs the drunk. "For a minute there, I thought I'd gone deaf."

$$$$ Court $$$$

First, it was O. J.

Today, Robert Blake.

Next, Mikey Jackson.

I guess now Scott Petersen knows that he just didn't have enough money for the "right" law team.

Ronan Tynan

AMERICA'S TENOR

Dr. Ronan Tynan click for his official website

I had heard him sing the National Anthem at Yankee's baseball games. Quite impressive voice. That's all I knew about him though. Last week, he was featured on ABC's Primetime Live.

WOW!

This guy is an inspirational story for the ages. Grew up in Ireland. Had both legs amputated at age 20. Got his medical degree after the amputation. Participated in the Paralympics and holds 14 world records. And now he's the hottest tenor in the world.

U2’s Bono knows it. “When Ronan sings the clouds cry but the sun turns up sooner than it would have,” he has written, in a liner note for Ronan, the tenor’s new recording for Decca. “He sang for my father, Bob, as we put him in the ground, and it felt like shelter. The wind died down, the rain stopped for the loudest, softest voice we have … a great Irish tenor.”

Where My Life Was Saved

I got sober @ Lambda Center. Houston. Texas. 2003.

Lambda was formed in 1978 for the Gay & Lesbian community here as a recovery center for AA and Al-Anon. It was formed by alcoholics, for alcoholics. Lambda operates according to the Twelve Traditions of AA.

It really is a wonderful place to be, virtually a second home to many of us. Currently, Lambda hosts 47 AA, Al-Anon and CMA meetings each week. Attendance varies, but I would not be surprised if 1000 of us are there at some point each week.

There are 3 meeting rooms. One seats about 20, the most used room seats 50 and the Big Room seats over 100. This room has a stage and podium and sound system. Most fundraisers take place here along with speaker meetings and large dinners. There are times when all 3 rooms are being used concurrently. There's also a library with over 400 books about recovery. Free to those who wish to read. We have a full and newly remodeled kitchen. The Coffee Bar sells Starbuck's and assorted candies along with AA-approved literature. And, of course, there's the smoking lounge. Of course.

All of this is free. It operates totally on donations. We are self-supporting. Lambda celebrates 27 years in operation next month, April 18-24 -- Founder's Week. Just in case you find yourself in town, please drop by for a visit. And a meeting.

Shady Characters

Seamus & Paddy

Seamus and Paddy were on their way home from the pub. They were stumblin' up the country road in near darkness.

"Seamus, I think we've stumbled into the graveyard - look, I can see a stone here that says a man lived to 105!"

"Glory be Malarki, was it anybody we knew?"

"No, twas somebody named 'Miles from Dublin'"

Rewards

A recovering friend of mine celebrated his One-Year Birthday today. One year without any alcohol or drugs. Of course, we hugged and laughed about it. Congrats all around.

He felt overwhelmed with gratitude for the AA program. Another friend got his one-month chip/medallion today. Thirty days clean and sober. While talking about those milestones after the meeting, I realized something I had not thought about before.

Not to downplay my one-year of sobriety, but I really think that when I had my first month of sobriety, it was more special to me than my one-year birthday. You see, before I stopped drinking, I literally could not go for one day without a drink, or more accurately, many drinks. Thirty-two years of drinking had become quite an addiction.

After a week sober, I remember telling my best friend that I was going to try for a whole month to stay sober. I did not know if I could do it, but I was going to really try. When October 5, 2003 rolled around, I stood up proudly and walked to the front of the room at my home group and was given my one-month chip. I know I had a tear in my eye.

That was just one of the infinite rewards of being sober. They keep coming. And I keep coming back.

The Trial Continues

*** WARNING ... If you are under 4 years old, please do not look at this ***

The Michael Jackson trial continues today. Mikey did his laundry and has a fresh set of pj's to wear. My Neverland spies somehow managed to shoot me a copy of this piece of crucial evidence.


NEVERLAND EXHIBIT "S"

Top O' the Morning

Just 3 more days til St Patrick's Day. (more about the significance of that to me later)

Into a Belfast pub comes Paddy Murphy, looking like he'd just been run over by a train. His arm is in a sling, his nose is broken, his face is cut and bruised and he's walking with a limp.

"What happened to you?" asks Sean, the bartender.

“Jamie O'Conner and me had a fight", says Paddy.

"That little sod, O'Conner," says Sean, "he couldn't do that to you, he must have had something in his hand."

"That he did," says Paddy, "a shovel is what he had, and a terrible lickin' he gave me with it."

"Well," says Sean, "you should have defended yourself. Didn't you have something in your hand?"

"That I did," said Paddy. "Mrs. O'Conner's breast, and a thing of beauty it was, but useless in a fight."

weekend dAAveArt

my productions for the weekend. whatcha think?


dAAveArt 3


dAAveArt 4

dAAveArt 5

My Little Tool Box

Many of us alcoholics have short memories. Very short memories. That certainly includes moi. Some months ago, I wrote a list of the tools in my Personal Tool Box. It helps me to remember the things I have to do as a recovering alcoholic. I add to it when I hear something new that can help me.

For the uninformed, this tool box is a device used when things are going good. And when things aren't going so good. It contains strategies I can implement 1) to keep from taking that first drink 2) to help carry the message to other alcoholics. Here's the stuff in my tool box today:


· Go to an AA meeting
· Steps 1 – 12
· The Serenity Prayer
· The Twelve Principles
1. Honesty
2. Hope
3. Faith
4. Courage
5. Integrity
6. Willingness
7. Humility
8. Brotherly Love
9. Discipline
10. Perseverance
11. Awareness of God
12. Service
· Call my sponsor or another person in recovery
· Meet with my sponsor as regularly as possible
· Change people, places and things as necessary
· My sobriety is my priority above all else
· The chip in my pocket
· Beware of H.A.L.T. (hungry, angry, lonely, tired)
· Pause when agitated
· Prayer
· Go to an AA meeting
· Meditate
· Set boundaries and keep them
· Read the literature
· Service work
· Remember what got me here
· Forgive
· Let it go
· Spend time alone
· Keep it simple
· Restraint of pen and tongue
· Do not take other people’s inventory
· Try not to judge others
· Go to an AA meeting
· Make the effort, especially when I don’t want to
· Don’t give up
· Avoid expectations
· Journal or write
· Gratitude list
· Be compassionate and tolerant
· Live and let live
· I can start my day over at any time
· Remember that some others are sicker than I am
· Know that most people (in recovery) are trying their best
· Don’t take the bait
· Go to an AA meeting
· Do not turn down any reasonable request
· Where and when possible, avoid stressful situations
· This too shall pass
· Give out and collect phone numbers
· At meetings, meet and greet people I don’t know
· Be consistent

Did I mention that I have a short memory?

Right & Wrong

I just love the so-called Christian Right.



Their long traditions and values of IGNORANCE, INTOLERANCE and DENIAL seem to be serving them well. Their HONESTY and INTEGRITY are second to none. Not to mention the wonderful examples of successful marriages. Both of them.





The priesthood sets the shining example for young men as they struggle through puberty with a helping hand. And, of course, not to be outdone by the Loving Christians, Muslims will take a back seat to no one. Some day they may even recognize that half of their population is worthy of their attention and respect outside of the bedroom.

Enough. For now. I'm just gonna stay sober today.

Cheap Bastard

In my townhome, there are stairways that go directly to the 3rd floor (to non-Americans, that's from the ground floor to the 2nd floor). It's a long, straight shot upwards. The wall that runs along that stairway needs some type of art on it. I've been looking around at places for things I like, but it all costs too much for my meager stash of dollars. So I am experimenting with my own productions.

I have never done this sort of thing before / it's all new to me. I don't feel comfortable with a brush (yet) so I am only using spray paint. So I'm gonna post pix of stuff as it is finished.

Please don't laugh too hard. At least it's free.


dAAveArt 2.2

Passion

For more than three decades, I drank a lot. I drank to get drunk. I drank to oblivion. I drank with a passion.

Today, in recovery from alcoholism, I approach sobriety in much the same way – with a passion.

PASSION can be broken down as follows:

VISION – define the objective – whether it’s sobriety, a job, a relationship or washing the dishes each night, there must be an objective, an end result.

HOPE – the belief that I can accomplish the objective; otherwise known as faith

FULFILLMENT – the wonderful feeling of accomplishment; a job well done

In some areas such as sobriety or a relationship, the “objective” may never be finished. Instead, there are steps along the journey that may be accomplished as the journey continues.

More money. More problems.

For those of you who seem to like all things $,$$$,$$$,$$$.00, here's a listing of some of the world's 2005 billionaires.


poor man's baby stroller

Go West

"I think that's how Chicago got started. Bunch of people in New York said, 'Gee, I'm enjoying the crime and the poverty, but it just isn't cold enough. Let's go west.'"

--Richard Jeni

RO RO RO your Blog

Gleaning this information from Postcards from Hell's Kitchen, you may, or may not, be interested to know that ROSIE O'DONNELL (formerly Rosie) is now blogging.

I have linked her here for a one-time favor? to those who may want to read her. I read some of it but really don't care to go back there. But, that's just me. I did not watch her; don't care to read her.

Billy

I was 23 years old when I first moved to Montose. That's here in Houston.

I had met a guy at the Montrose Mining Company, playing pool. We became quick friends and discovered that we were both wanting to find a new apartment. One thing led to another and wham, bam, thank you, sir. We moved in together. That was in 1977.


Billy - circa 1982

Billy and I lived with each other on and off for 6 years. We split a couple of times to live with boyfriends, but wound up getting back together. We were never lovers, just bestest friends.

He was, and still is, a great guy to know. Billy lives in Florida now, actually since about 1990. We keep in touch infrequently via e-mail but have not seen each other in about 15 years. Billy is funny, witty, compassionate. And he isn't an alcoholic. I miss him.

Money Cents

Why do you have to “put your two cents in”...but it’s only a “penny for your thoughts?”

Where’s that extra penny going?

Life as it Happens ...

I got laid-off from my job / career in November 2002. I was in the oil exploration industry for 20 years. After being laid-off, my drinking progressed to the "out of control" level. In September 2003, I stopped drinking through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Since then I have dedicated my daily living to sobriety.

I have, however, continued to search for the "right" employment. Since most of my experience is oil-related, and most of that was overseas, that is where I've focused my search. Last November, almost 2 years to the day after being laid-off, I interviewed for a position in Nigeria, West Africa. I had a second interview a couple of weeks later. The owner of the company has been travelling extensively since the beginning of January and was not in a position to hire for the available job. Finally, I spoke with him today and he told me that he just hired someone who is already "in-country."

That's fine. Little does he know that I have spent 4 months waiting for a decision from him. I actually had second thoughts about going to work for someone who couldn't seem to make a decision. I guess this is the way it was meant to happen. I pretty much "let it go" months ago and was only waiting for an answer.

Back to the job search. Where's that damn lottery ticket?

Intervention

I really liked the new series on A&E Sunday night, Intervention.



It is what you might think it is. They follow the lives of a couple of 20-something's as they spiral down the drain with their particular chemical addictions. Finally, when it can't get much worse, the families bring in an Interventionist. Off to rehab they go.

It's done with pretty good quality with respect to those involved. My biggest problem with Reality TV is --- How real can it be when people have a couple of camera crews in their face(s) 18 hours a day? I just try to overlook that aspect and enjoy it for what it's worth.

Catch it if you can; Sunday night @ 10p Eastern, 9p Central.

It would be a good follow-up to Desperate Housewives if they ever show that again.

Insanity

I suppose there are many definitions and forms of insanity. In AA, we say that it is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Other abbreviated definitions might include:

-- extreme foolishness or senselessness
-- the inability to think straight
-- madness
-- lunacy
-- dementia
-- irrationality

I'm sure you can come up with other words to describe it. Whatever. This is my blog though.

Looking back, one of the more insane things I did when drinking (amongst many) was back in 1996. Due to lifelong neglect of personal dental hygeine in addition to a natural tendency towards weak gums, it became time to acquire dentures. I was fitted for the new set of teeth and it took about a month for them to be ready.

Finally, they arrived and it was time to just do it. My appointment was at 9am. The dentist gave the appropriate deadening shots which numbed/paralyzed the lower half of my face and head. A few minutes later, he began pulling teeth. One at a time. The lower ones came out very easily as the disease was worse on the lowers. Most of the uppers came out easy as well. There were 3 or 4 which took some extra pulling power, but they eventually came out too.

At 10am, it was done. Through. I had not one tooth in my head. The dentures were placed inside and they were a fine fit. I walked out of the office by 10:30am, new teeth in place and a little bleeding still happening. Well placed gauze soaked it up.

So what did this good alcoholic do? I drove directly (Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect Two-Hundred Dollars) to Griff's, my pub. Ordered my regular pint of Shiner Bock, but with one difference. "Helen, put a straw in it please!"

That, my friends, is fuckin' insane!

Consenting Males*

Confucius say ...

"To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right."


daveart, 2005


* blog draw

My Luxury Tank

When I was growing up, I was a car nut. I started driving at age 4 on my Dad's lap. Every September the new models would come out and he'd take me to some of the local dealerships to look at all the new cars. I dreamed of having each and every one. Just dreamed and dreamed.

So, as a young kid, I collected model cars. Hundreds of 'em. Back in the '60's they came already assembled and in just about every make and model made by GM, Ford and Chrysler. They were 1/32nd scale. I can still identify most makes from that era. Not like the cars of today. I gave away that collection when I was about 25. I can't imagine what it would be worth today.

In 1983, I had the chance to buy a party car. Had a little extra money and went for it. Bought a 1965 Lincoln Continental. It was in very good condition except for the brakes.

I had the brakes worked on several times but there was always a problem. I kept it for only a couple of years and sold it at a loss.

That car met just about every gay bar in Houston. We could pile 6 or 7 guys in there and go on bar crawls. The pic below is from a road trip to Austin.

Great car. Great fun.


1965 Lincoln Continental

The Journey Continues

18 Months of Sobriety
sept 5 2003 --- march 5 2005

Half Measures

"Half measures availed us nothing."

In AA meetings, we hear that every time we go. To overcome this disease, to put it into remission, I had to make a commitment to DO WHATEVER IT TAKES."

At first, I only went to the meetings. Afterward, I would head to the bar and continue just as I always did. Drink to oblivion, showing off my 24-hour desire chip (from AA) to anyone who would gaze upon it. It provided a few good laughs as I bellied up to the bar. Those first 3 months of meetings, I actually increased my alcoholic-intake hours from about 15 hours a day to 18 hours each day. Who'd of thunk it was possible?

I was convinced that AA and quitting drinking was just not going to work for me. After all, I was still at it, wasn't I. Stronger than ever. The days got longer, the daily tears flowed faster and more often; in essence, life just got worse. I didn't really think I could stop nor did I want to. I was only making a half-ass attempt to change. And it did not work.

I had no sponsor, no praying in my life, no spirituality. Only some meetings under my belt. I had no use whatsoever for the Twelve Steps of AA. So I couldn't get sober. Not for 24 hours. Hell, hardly for 12 hours. Then I hit my alcoholic bottom, allowed God into my life and it happened. HE took that obsession from me -- instantly.

From that moment, I knew what I needed to do because I had absorbed the knowledge that was necessary to stay stopped. I had to take the action and just not drink for 24 hours. I now understood what half-measures really meant.

That moment occurred 18 months ago - TODAY. Tomorrow, I celebrate 540 days without an alcoholic drink! A true miracle of God and my willingness to "DO WHATEVER IT TAKES."

"HALF MEASURES AVAILED ME NOTHING."

Score! Now!

Here's a neat test of COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS of the ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

Below are my results. Let me know how you did.

You scored 93% Beginner, 86% Intermediate, 100% Advanced, and 66% Expert!

You have an extremely good understanding of beginner, intermediate, and advanced level commonly confused English words, getting at least 75% of each of these three levels' questions correct. This is an exceptional score. Remember, these are commonly confused English words, which means most people don't use them properly. You got an extremely respectable score.

Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it!

Happy Birthday DOUG !

Doug's Yearbook Foto - 1973

We went to Waltrip High School in Houston, Texas. I escaped in '72, Doug in '73. They even gave both of us diplomas.

Today Doug is FIFTY YEARS OLD!!! 50!!! hahaha

We had so many great times together. Did most of the stuff 2 teenage guys do. We drank together, smoked together, drove around town sober and drunk together, went to ballgames together. We never double-dated. I don't know til this day if he ever thought about that. Back in those days, I don't know if Doug knew I was gay. He found out a couple of years later after I came out. And he never judged me. Just continued to be a friend. That's what a friend does.

As is usually the case, our lives took us in seperate directions. Doug got married and now has 3 grown kids and they all live in California. We still send occasional emails back and forth and I sent him one today for his birthday. Maybe he'll even read this. I hope so.

He's a wonderful memory in my life and always will be. Doug's parents are great people too. They tolerated our behavior, somehow. We weren't easy to stomach, I'm sure.

Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOUG !!!


1984

Ready to Die?

Don't know what's in store for today? How about tomorrow?

When ya gonna die? HUH? HUH?

This site tells you exactly how much time you have left to read blogs.

Why BLOG?

I enjoy sharing in AA meetings. If called upon, I share my Experience, Strength and Hope with others. Sometimes, it makes sense, sometimes not.

I enjoy writing. With this blog, it is similar to sharing in a meeting for me. But in using this forum, I have the luxury of additional time to think and the ability to edit.

On this blog, if I don't feel like tackling a particular topic, I may insert a joke or picture. I do that because I'm a smart-ass.

Why do YOU blog? Discuss please.

Chop Chop

Karate is a form of marital arts in which people who have had years and years of training can, using only their hands and feet, make some of the worst movies in the history of the world.