Sunday, February 24, 2008

NERAASA and angry comments from the peanut gallery...

NERAASA was awesome. I will be a better GSR because of this assembly and not only improve my own life, but the service involvement of my homegroup as well. Pretty simple stuff, if I work it.

I have had to enable my 'comment moderation' button due to a very angry and dangerous blogger named Micky. I came home form the weekend to find his nasty and angry words filling the fields. I apologize for all those who wish to comment freely, but I must now review your words. I have reported him as a spammer, so maybe that will help as well. The gist of his 14 comments (14!) was that AA is the work of Satan and we are all going to burn in hell. All this does is remind me that despite the true christian (small 'C') teachings in the Bible (Love, Tolerance, Forgiveness, etc...) there are some really crazy and violent people out there who use a book of love and kindness to harm to innocent people trying to get well in a way that works for them.

Poor soul. He probably tried AA and wasn't willing to ask for help, so people stopped talking to him. Now he has a resentment and is taking it out on all of us. I've met some of these folks in the flesh and they are truly troubled. I can see the fear on their faces.

Johnnyboy

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Final therapy appointment....and more...

Today was the final day of a 6 year relationship with my therapist. It went well, and we discussed what we had accomplished in that time. I owe him a great deal for my recovery from PTSD and other issues concerning my family, but it was time for me to sever the cord and go out in the world on my own. He gave me tools to live with, and showed me how to use them. I will always look back on this time as an enormous positive influence in my life.

This weekend is the NERAASA Convention in West Atlantic City, NJ. It will be a working weekend of panels, discussions, and service networking for GSO, regional, area, and district AA service folk from all over the Northeast US. It should be pretty big. I'll be driving down with my DCM, co-Alternate DCM, and a few other GSRs. Pretty cool.

I have also finally liased the relationship between my mother and the home companion that will be living with her while I am in the Balkans this summer. A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders with this act. Now I can focus more mental energy on my schoolwork and getting ready to leave for Europe on May 4th.

This sobriety thing rocks!

Johnnyboy

Friday, February 08, 2008

Gods will for me today...

I woke up too late for my own tastes this morning, thus losing a few hours that I could have worked on homework to further my own academic success. Then I received a phone call from another AA who I had asked to call if he wished. I think I might have a new sponsee in this fellow.

I am convinced, at least for the moment, that I should be doing Gods will and not my own. My will has to do with the aforementioned success and laudatory recognition. Gods will involves service, unity, and recovery and in being the hand of AA. I have plenty of time to work on the other stuff that makes my life pleasant and comfortable. But first I have to remember what my primary purpose is. I have been granted another chance at living, but not on my own terms.

Johnnyboy

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Creepy phone call...

I came home from a meeting tonight and sat down to watch some of 'The Wire." At 10:02 PM the phone rang, which is strange because people I know call me on my cell this late at night so they don't wake up mom. The male voice on the other end was garbled slightly, like a bad connection or a voice modulator...He said stuff like, "Stolen from any grocery stores lately?" and "You ain't no marriage counselor" and then finally said "You're nothin', you understand? Nothin'..." I think he had actually called the wrong number, but he wouldn't listen to me, so I hung up. I then dialed *57 and the phone company automatically traced the call and reported it to the police.

On the plus side, I have never robbed a grocery store nor have I ever advised anyone on their marriage. I wonder if the store and marriage thing means that whoever he was hoping to speak to had stolen his wife or something...Innuendo and slang at its most stupid.

It was an adult, not a child, so I don't think it was a prank. I think this person was actually threatening me, or whoever he thought I was. I called the phone company to make sure and they took this very seriously.

I'm spooked by this. I don't like the idea that there is someone out there with my land line number using it like this. I hope I sleep well tonight, but at this point I'm awake for awhile.

Johnnyboy

Friday, February 01, 2008

School, travel, cameras, and the elderly...


I certainly have a full plate these days...Let's get to the procrastination first...

I have three classes, and I am doing the reading, but verrrry sloooowly...I also need to get my butt in gear regrading some writing and reading for the Creative Non-Fiction course. There are essays, short stories, and writing I need to address. I have my first 'telephone class' with my American Civil War teacher next Thursday and I am behind in that reading. I also need to jump on my Asian Studies course work...I am not as behind there...Only 90 days left in the semester...Yikes! What has been holding me back?

I am easily distracted. This week has been a very busy week for mom and her doctor's appointments. She's fine, but it does cut into my day...It can be tiring , too. I have been going to the gym, so that's a plus. Maybe I should stop watching 'The Wire' at night after my meetings and read instead...Wow, what a goddamn concept!

I am also distracted by a new camera in my midst. My father has given me his antique Baby Rolleiflex Twin Reflex. Here's a picture (see above). Those are the myriad lens filters and the carrying case surrounding it. You pop up the hood and look down into a viewfinder. It's a sure thing to use the neck strap...you need both hands to focus and shoot. Another fun thing is that it uses 127 film which is available, but not like going to CVS or anything. Plus there are only 12 shots per roll, and you have to wind the film in by hand, careful not to let the tension up lest the film un-spool and expose itself. Guess where the film is made...?

Croatia. Coincidence? Probably, yes, but still it's kind of cool. Speaking of which, I have heard back from the hotel in Greece for the May convention and my room is all set. All I need to do is show up.

I know that I will have my homework done in time for class. I know that I will be able to have the energy to do all the things I need to do for my mother while still keeping an eye on my own well-being. I know that I will be able to take lovely photos with this unique piece of German engineering.

One item that is interesting to note...Many historians believe that a knowledge and understanding of the Civil War and all of the various whys and wherefores is a necessity to truly understanding what it means to be an American citizen. Could be true. After all, it was the defining moment for the nation in formalizing the union.

Johnnyboy