A few days ago, a woman at a meeting was talking about a friend of hers who told her that there were certain things she had to do in recovery to somehow “get it right.” When one goes through the death of a loved one, many will call it your "healing journey" and insist that … Continue reading On Grief, Recovery, and Finding the Right Path
Month: January 2014
Gimme Shelter
I'm Back.
Condoms and Crocodiles
When you grow up as Catholic as I was, chances are you’ve done a fair amount of service work. In my life, I’ve done community service for a number of organizations and some wasn’t even court ordered. Some of it was required as a condition of completion of an academic course, probation or my residence. … Continue reading Condoms and Crocodiles
Strength in Numbers
He leaned in, His fingers craning out His mutilated earlobe near my mouth. “I’m sorry. Didn’t hear you. What was that?” I stared straight ahead. “He called me a joke and squatter.” He laughed to the point that He began wheezing uncontrollably, whiskey flying everywhere. It wasn’t even a room, just a blank white space … Continue reading Strength in Numbers
Puff Daddy Indian Bear
"Did you come up with that name?" “Yes.” Mitch said. We settled in to smoke our cigars. It was a little cigar bar just down the street from the ¾ house. There was a Texas Hold’em game going on the same room, so I felt right at home. I liked Mitch. He moved in to the … Continue reading Puff Daddy Indian Bear
The Introduction
Yesterday I wrote the introduction to a book project I’m working on. I’d tried to write it once before, but it requires me to go into a very dark place where He lives. For any newcomers to this blog, He is the persona that I have created to represent my addiction to alcohol and marijuana. … Continue reading The Introduction
Go Start the Car
“Happy New Year!” “It’s the 6th,” I said and yawned a mighty yawn. “Whatever,” New Year Baby said and ashed his cigar in the trash can. “You’re late. Weren’t you supposed to get here, like 5 days ago,” I said and swung around to a sitting position on the bed. ‘I’m never late. I … Continue reading Go Start the Car
Go Start the Car
“Happy New Year!” “It’s the 6th,” I said and yawned a mighty yawn. “Whatever,” New Year Baby said and ashed his cigar in the trash can. “You’re late. Weren’t you supposed to get here, like 5 days ago,” I said and swung around to a sitting position on the bed. ‘I’m never late. I … Continue reading Go Start the Car
The Horrible Agony of Sitting Still
When the man I thought was my friend told me he was moving backwards, not forwards I had a sucker in my mouth This slid a dagger across my gut “Sorry, Ahab. You’re here for the duration!” He said. I’ve seen guys come and go That’s fine I’ve tried to set a good example For … Continue reading The Horrible Agony of Sitting Still
Who Brought the Sheep Parts 1& 2
The summer before I embarked on my collegiate adventure in Chicago, my brother Dave took me backpacking for the first time. Well, let me go back. It was “backpacking” in the sense that yes, we did indeed load up backpacks with tents and food and camping stoves and many socks and trek out into the … Continue reading Who Brought the Sheep Parts 1& 2
My Zen Brain 