Not too scary ...

I have decided to give my participation in hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy a rest for the time being. I may resume in the future but only time will tell.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I seem to have woken up sober again today!

for more reminders about the necessity for me to participate in my recovery program --
it won't just happen!

that we had 20 people at lunch yesterday after the noon AA meeting

for technology that allows people to communicate in so many ways over such long distances

for a new topic on SOBRIETY SOCIETY; drop by and leave a comment please

for good progress on bathroom remodelling project #2 during the first week; 5 more weeks to go (hopefully)

Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.
~ anonymous

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

My first bathroom remodelling project is finally complete after 7 weeks.
Click on the picture for a slideshow. It's a small bathroom, only 5'X7', so take that into account. It was difficult to get good pictures without a special lens.

HERE is the HNT website


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for my Mom -- she is bed-ridden and cannot speak or walk (due to a stroke). She barely has the strength to write and can only make a few illegible scratches on paper. Yesterday I spent about an hour trying to decipher some marks on a piece of paper. Finally, I figured it out. She was trying to spell "book" and wanted me to read Joel Osteen's new book to her. She saw it on TV and knew about it from that media. Once I knew what she wanted, we both laughed about the difficulty in our communication. We go through this almost every week.

that often I don't have a clue about the next right thing to do, but I almost always know the next wrong thing to do

that I have always had enough to eat and a place to sleep

that, as a recovering alcoholic, I will always have a place to go, wherever I am

that the bathroom you may have looked at (above) is finally done; one more to go

Humor is tragedy plus time.
-- Mark Twain

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

I did not get around to creating a picture for today. Sorry.

This is a rerun from last year. It's one of my favorites.

HNT website


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I will always be accountable - to me!

that I've never had to sleep outside because I had no other place to sleep

that my health allows me to do just about anything I wish

that most situations don't require me to repair them

that I am much more aware today of the ways I try to manipulate people

that (once again) I will be telling a little bit of my experience, strength and hope on Saturday night @ Lambda (they only give me an hour, so I'll have to keep it short)

It is vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.
-Aesop

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

In the beginning, the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous would pass a hat during a meeting with the hope that a few attendees would contribute a coin or two.

In the years since, it's common to donate a dollar bill at a meeting. With rising costs everywhere we look, today many groups ask that we donate 2 dollars.

We all give what we can, but part of the magic of AA is the freedom we all have. I don't have to donate any money at all if I don't feel like it.

look at some personal pictures of more givers HERE


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I am usually comfortable with who I am

that I had the privelege of hearing a man with 9 months of sobriety tell how he came to be in AA. He is another reminder of the daily miracle we are all blessed with.

that I was born with so much

for changes ...
... in my thinking
... in my actions

to see a lot of visual progress in my bathroom remodelling project

If you observe a really happy man you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, educating his son, growing double dahlias in his garden. He will not be searching for happiness as if it were a collar button that has rolled under the radiator.
-W. Beran Wolfe

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

FRIENDS

HERE are some of my HNT friends

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I don't have a clue what my life will look like a year from now, so I'll just keep trudging the road

for the gratitude lists that I continue to receive from various people in recovery

that some of my old behavior is history and nothing but a memory

that Hayden arrived in Atlanta safely and on time

for multiple reruns of The Twilight Zone on the Sci-Fi channel

the tile man starts work today @ the bathroom remodel


Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.
-Carl Bard

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

With the enactment of a new Houston city ordinance, Lambda Center is now a non-smoking facility.

Sure glad I stopped smoking when I did. It's just one less thing I have to deal with.

Visit a few other friends whose lives have gone up in smoke, some of whom are flamers...

CLICK HERE


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that, for me, reality comes with responsibility

that all problems have solutions

that many solutions don't happen the way I want or envision

for good ideas from my therapist

for Hayden's support at meetings

for all the comments left here yeterday by Pam, Mary Christine, Scott W, Shannon, las, peanut, lisa, drew's sis, anonymous, syd, johno, kathy lynne and tab

that I may get a break on my health/medical insurance policy now because of stopping smoking

for memories of watching The Flintstone's when I was about 6 years old (1960) and that Walt Disney brought programs to me in living color

To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end in life.
-Baruch Spinoza

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

foot massage.
good.

more GOOD stuff HERE

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the things I am passionate about ...
... sobriety
... Hayden
... Lambda Center

that when I set proper boundaries for myself, the less chance there is for people to shame me into doing things for them

that honesty and denial usually don't belong in the same sentence
(except this one, of course)

that yesterday, Ben C. told us a little bit of his story in a most articulate manner and he told it with great clarity, enthusiasm and honesty

that Hayden made it home from Canada safely, although a few hours late

that we (Hayden and I) have a lot of potential life-changing things to discuss, but none of it requires immediate decisions

It may be that those who do most, dream most.
-Stephen Leacock

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

A couple of months ago it looked like I might have to have a type of by-pass surgery in my legs, especially the left one. After 36 years of heavy smoking, the arteries were sufficiently blocked as to prevent adequate blood flow. The condition is known as Peripheral Artery Disease.

I began a strenuous workout program on June 1. I have had very little exercise since I was in my early 20's, about 30 years ago.

After 2 months of exercise, the arteries have opened up enough that the vascular surgeon told me that surgery will not be required as long as I continue to get proper exercise AND as long as I don't start smoking again.

for a different view & more miracles, CLICK HERE


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I got to hear Ginger tell us about a small bit of her incredible life as she grew up in New York, over 20 years ago. Today, she is sober for more than 23 years.

that I have learned to take my time and consider multiple possibilities and consequences before making decisions

that I was able to take a friend to the Astros baseball game last night --
we had a great time!

that sometime, it's just easier and more efficient to get things done when I take the bull by the horns and do it myself!

I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure—try to please everybody.
-Herbert Bayard Swope

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

Cool Slideshows!

CLICK HERE for the HNT website


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

to hear some Experience, Strength & Hope from my therapist at the mid-day AA meeting yesterday

that I can be of help to others when asked

that Hayden and I were able to work out a major difference of opinion which might have ended our friendship

for a pretty good diagnosis/prognosis from a Vascular Surgeon regarding my Peripheral Artery Disease. Surgery will not be needed because of the improvement which is due to the fact that (a) I stopped smoking last year (b) I am getting daily exercise. When I began working out in early June, I could only do 5 minutes on the treadmill at a very slow speed before my calves would totally lock up and become inoperable. Today, I can walk as long as I want at a much quicker pace with minimal soreness, if any.

I have overwhelming feelings of feeling useless and unwanted at times. I am grateful that I can stay sober through these times. I'm also grateful that I have an appointment with my therapist today. LOL

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

Click on the pic for a closeup.

Click HERE to go to the HNT site.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a peaceful and serene day and being OK with being single again

for the healing powers of verbalization

that my sponsor shared a bit of his E, S & H at the noon meeting yesterday

that Hayden made it safely to Canada last night although his flight was delayed by over 3 hours

to have my home back to myself (and the cats), which is how it needs to stay (at least for awhile)

that today, I shall make lemonade

A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.
-Benjamin Franklin

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

I'm sitting in front of The Fortress in Alexandria, Egypt (2000 A.D.).

I was lucky enough to work there for 3+ months.

These days, I work at home staying sober through the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

see more galaxy travellers HERE

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the obvious and not-so-obvious connections/relationships between all of the 12 steps of A.A.

for a very nice impromptu meeting with my sponsor

that I got to hear the story of a guy who has spent some rough months in recovery at a halfway house

that I've lost 13 pounds in the 2 months since beginning working out and adopting a new diet; 9 pounds to go to meet my ideal weight

Life is a compromise of what your ego wants to do, what experience tells you to do, and what your nerves let you do.
-Bruce Crampton

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

My sister has 2 English Bulldogs.
This is Casey. He's about 2 years old now.

GO HERE to see another view and all the other HNT pics for today.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful
for the discussion topix of the 2 AA meetings I attended yesterday; one was about the God of my understanding and how that has evolved during my recovery, and the other topic was about where I am at in my recovery today

that the more often I attempt to do the next right thing, the more comfortable it seems to be

that if I want to feel good about myself, I can't be an asshole to other people

that my life seems to be following some sort of a plan of which I have little control

We are not punished for our sins, we are punished by our sins.
(Buddha)

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

Massage Therapy
is only one of the many
therapeutic techniques at my disposal

see more people who could probably use some therapy HERE


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a friend who had a fortune cookkie that read, "All your problems are self-made." It provided a wonderful hour of discussion at an AA meeting.

for all of the people who played a part in getting me to where I am now;
the good AND the bad!

that here in Houston (so far) we've had a mild summer, trading high temps for a whole lot of rain

for a very pleasant day with Hayden as he joined me for AA fellowship during a meeting and after for lunch, then we did some good old fashioned shopping after which we visited with neighbors until nearly time for bed -- this is sooo different from my days and nights alone

"I once knew an alcoholic who, having read about the evils of drink, gave up reading."
Denial Is Not a River in Egypt

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

There's not much nAAked about this picture, but that's just as well since we're inside a London pub.

This is Kenny and me last Saturday. After reading each other's blogs for 2.5 years, we finally got to meet.
(that's got to be the worst picture I've taken in a while, but I am using it anyway)

see more pix at HNT

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

laughter, acceptance and low-fat foods

to get back into my regular meeting routine; it's absolutely necessary for my peace of mind

for all the things I don't need

that Hayden arrives today for an extended stay

for the beauty left by Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson

One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are.
-Gail Godwin

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

All dressed up and nowhere to go.
Except for the Gay Pride Parade last weekend.

see more fashion trendsetters at HNT

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I was present to hear the short, 30-minute AA story of a guy who seems to be working a fine program of recovery

for a situation that occurred yesterday afternoon when my program worked me! I was able to put pause when agitated into action, which meant doing absolutely nothing besides pausing.
It worked.
My old self would have been cussing and slamming doors and otherwise making a complete fool of myself. For no reason.

that a friend had 8 years of sobriety before relapsing last year. Since then, he's not been able (or willing) to stay sober more than a few weeks consecutively. Watching his life unravel is painful but at least he keeps comng back. His example reminds me how difficult it can be to return to the rooms, giving me just a little more motivation to stay the course I sail today.

that I will eat lunch with my sister today - something we rarely do any more

for the discipline (or is it motivation?) to go to the gym and work out on days I don't have scheduled with my personal trainer

"It takes less time to do things right than to explain why you did it wrong." -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

no explanation necessary

you may need some details to figure out my friends though

CLICK HERE

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that today is my sister's birthday - Happy Birthday Lisa

that no person can take away my higher power, my sobriety nor my memories

for another new blogger from Lambda Center -- please drop by and meet Peanut and say howdy when you get a chance @ Life Safari

that I am not a procrastinator by nature; however, I usually have a certain number of projects or things I want to get done each day. In sobriety, I've learned that if I don't get everything done today, it's OK. There's always tomorrow.

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."
-- Anne Bradstreet

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

This picture leaves nothing to the imagination.

And it's right to the point.

see other sickos HERE

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a really insightful meeting about Living in Sobriety -- isn't this what we're really all about?

for the opportunity to listen to the AA story of an 18 year-old girl yesterday -- she has now been sober for 3+ years and I find that amazing!!

that my physical trainer took me to a little higher level yesterday -- I had forgotten what burning muscles felt like

that when I am in England next month, I will not be exposed to any GEICO /caveman commercials

"Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold."
-Maurice Setter

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

"relaxin' at the airport yesterday"

see more great pix @ the HNT site


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I am home from visiting Trinidad; had a great time because we did very little although we stayed busy. Mos importantly, I did not drink nor did I have any tempatation whatsoever to drink any alcohol or smoke a cigarette.
This still absolutely amazes me.

that I can now say, without a doubt, that the program of Alcoholics Anonymous works me!

that Hayden keeps me on my toes; someday I may be a ballerina
You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was.-Abraham Lincoln

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

At Lambda Center in Houston, AA anniversaries are celebrated on the last Saturday of the month. In May, there were 29 celebrants with a total of 311 years of sobriety. Everyone gets some cake. Their friends do too. ummmmmmmmmmm

See more of the hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy bloggers HERE

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for small AA meetings -- by small, I mean 4 or 5 people, maybe 8 or 10. The morning meeting I attend is one of those. Yesterday, we began with just 3 at 6:30am. There were 2 stragglers, so by 6:50am there were 5 of us. One of those was a visitor from out of town who arrived the previous night and needed a meeting. It was his first time in Houston and he found us on the internet. We discussed "having a conscience in sobriety" and the discussion went strong until we broke at 7:30am. Great stuff!!

that I got to hear the superb presentation of the AA story of a person two years into her recovery

that I'm returning this morning for my first full workout with my new trainer, who just happens to be quite pleasing on the eyes

"We promise according to our hopes and perform according to our fears."
-- Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld

A Man of Few Words

HOW AN OLD TIMER GREETS A NEWCOMER

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for the past four years of life. He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became an alcoholic while attending college. Things have only gone down hill since. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative A.A. club. They want to develop a meeting for the students but are not sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The meeting has already started and so Bill starts looking around the room for a seat. The room is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, the well dressed people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the front of the e room, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.

About this time, the evening's speaker realizes that from way at the back of the meeting, an "old timer" is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the "old timer" is in his eighties, and has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A spiritual man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy. Everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The meeting is utterly silent except for the clicking of the old man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The speaker can't even continue the meeting until the "old timer" does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and welcomes him so he doesn't feel outcast and alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion.
When the speaker gains control, he says,

"What I'm about to say, you will never remember.
What you have just seen, you will never forget."


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I remain ...

sober
teachable
happy
serene
open-minded
consistent
available
loving
interested
passionate
honest
tolerant
compassionate
willing
retired

Tomorrow is HNT. Dust off your cameras. Remember that the goal is to include at least a small fraction of your body in the picture.
That's what makes HNT unique.

I'd rather be a failure at something I enjoy than a success at something I hate.
-George Burns