DAILY QUOTA:

"And if tonight my soul may find her peace
in sleep, and sink in good oblivion,
and in the morning wake like a new-opened flower
then I have been dipped again in God, and new-created."
- D H Lawrence

"Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, 'Where have I gone wrong?' Then a voice says to me, 'This is going to take more than one night.'"
- Charlie Brown

QUICK E-QUIP:

Anxious
A drunk is at the bar Friday afternoon. As soon as happy hour's over, he plans on going home and drinking alone all weekend, just to relax. Staggering home from the bar he starts getting anxious -- although he's already well stocked, he thinks he should pick up another bottle, just in case. So he darts into a store and says to the clerk, "I'm having some people over so give me a big bottle of gin." The clerk takes one look at him and says, "Buddy, you look like you've had enough, I can't sell you a bottle." The drunk is outraged, "You guys kill me! If it wasn't for people drinking, you would be out of business! And you can't sell me a bottle because I've been drinking?" The clerk explains: "I can't sell you a bottle because this is a harware store."

New links just added to dryblog:

AA Meetings and Fellowship: Alano Club Online

Carrying the 12 step message with music 24/7: 12 Step Radio.com

Official website of the birthplace of Bill W: Wilson House

DAILY QUOTA:

"You are a child of the Universe, no less than the moon and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should."
- Max Ehrmann

"If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs."
- David Daye

QUICK E-QUIP:

The grassy knoll
A drunk had been at the bar drinking all evening and knew he would be in trouble with his wife when he got home. It took him a couple more drinks to think of a good excuse, a couple more to celebrate coming up with his grand idea, one for the road, and then off he went home. As he approached the house he stopped at a grassy knoll, took off his shoes, rubbed them around in the grass, put them back on and then psyched himself up for his big entrance. He swung the front door open and announced, "Sorry I'm late dear, but I was at the bar drinking!" His wife took one look at his shoes and said: "You're just saying that to get on my nerves. I can tell you've been out golfing all evening."

DAILY QUOTA:

"There is no data on the future."
- Laurel Cutler

"Statistics in the hands of an engineer are like a lamp post to a drunk — they're used more for support than illumination."
- A E Housman

QUICK E-QUIP:

Big shot
A drunk lived his life as a real big shot. Fancy clothes, expensive cars, big cigars, and most importantly well-aged whisky. He never married and had no children, so he promised all his nephews and nieces handsome inheritances. When his final last call came, and the drunk went to that big bar in the sky, it came out that he lived on mostly borrowed money and left his family nothing -- all that time he was just putting on heirs.

__________________________

Link:

Dick B's Early AA Materials and Bible Roots: AA History

DAILY QUOTA:

"The delirium typically lasts from 3 to 6 days and is generally followed by a deep sleep. When a person awakens, few symptoms -- aside from possible slight remorse -- remain, but frequently the individual is badly scared and may not resume drinking for several weeks or months. Usually, however, drinking is eventually resumed, followed by a return to the hospital with a new attack."
- Butcher et al, 'Abnormal Psychology'

"They don't shoot the wounded at AA."
- Larry Hagman

DAILY QUOTA:

"Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action."
- Benjamin Disraeli

"I consider getting drunk and having a hangover as doing something, so we’ve definitely been keeping ourselves busy."
- Isaac Brock, of the band 'Modest Mouse'

QUICK E-QUIP:

Cut off
A drunk was having a busy Monday morning. It wasn't even noon and the bartender had already cut him off. He was told to finish his drink and then be on his way. This called for a plan of action! So when the bartender wasn't looking, he plopped himself down at a corner table thinking maybe he'd have better luck with the waitress. She took one look at him and said, "Sorry, but you've had enough and the bartender already cut you off -- do you want to get me into trouble?" The drunk replied: "I'm flattered sweetheart, but right now I just want a drink."

_________________________

Resources:

Alcoholism and addictions forum: Sober Recovery Help

Treatment center information: Sober Recovery Info

Journal for a New Way of Life: Recovery Times

Keeping it simple forum: KISchat

Anne Kelly's intoxicating hour of sobriety: Recovery Radio

Alcoholism, Addiction and Recovery News: Recovery Net Radio

American Council on Alcoholism: ACA

Boaters Against Drunk Driving: BADD

DAILY QUOTA:

"The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly."
- GK Chesterton

"I would see cats coming out of the club so tipsy and drunk that they're two-stepping."
- J-Kwon, Rapper

QUICK E-QUIP:

Hard of hearing
A bartender placed a coaster in front of a drunk and offered, "What can I get you?" The drunk cupped his ear, "I'm hard of hearing, say what?" The bartender repeated himself, only louder, "WHAT CAN I GET YOU?" The drunk nodded, "Right! A pint of your finest." The barkeep placed the beer down and asked, "Another fellow is coming on shift so would you mind if I collect for the pint?" The drunk got flustered, "What? I can't hear you! What did you say?" The barkeep spoke up, "IT'S $2.95 FOR THE BEER." The drunk gave him $3 and announced, "Keep the change, my good man!" The bartender was polite about the measly 5¢ tip, "Oh, thanks." The drunk shook his head, "Eh? That's what? You need to talk louder!" The bartender repeated "THANKS," then turned away and muttered under his breath, "Cheap, drunk and deaf, what a combination!" The drunk shot back: "I heard that."

___________________________

Resources:

How much is too much? Online test: Alcohol Screening

A space of serenity: Awake's

Interesting links and helpful AA resources: Recovery Rest Stop

DAILY QUOTA:

"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship."
- Louisa May Alcott

"So I'd like to know where, you got the notion
To rock the boat, don't rock the boat baby."
- Hues Corporation, lyrics

QUICK E-QUIP:

Big Fish
As always, a drunk went on his annual fishing trip alone. Others had their own cock-eyed ideas and just got in the way, but he knew the right way to do it! He was always successful at the right fishing spot, using the right bait, and drinking the right whisky. Only this time he didn't land a single fish and decided to go into the closest town and drown his sorrows at the local pub. Sitting there, he noticed a huge fish mounted on the wall behind the bar. The salmon must have been at least fifteen pounds, and he could have sworn it was put there just to mock him! The more he drank, the less he believed anyone but him could have caught such a big fish. Suddenly, the truth dawned on him. He stood up, pounded his fist on the bar, and declared: "Whoever caught this fish is exaggerating."

DAILY QUOTA:

"As much as that was a success in helping with the withdrawal symptoms of heroin addiction, it didn’t treat the root cause -- which is that I have an addictive personality. So I went straight on to hard liquor. From the devil to the deep blue sea."
- Eric Clapton

"Drunk fisherman; polluted sea."
- Breton proverb

QUICK E-QUIP:

Fifteen pounds
A drunk was at the bar, boasting about the big fish he caught, "I'm telling you, that salmon weighed fifteen pounds!" The bartender asked, "Really? Do you have any witnesses who saw this fifteen pound fish?" The drunk replied: "Of course, otherwise it would have weighed twenty pounds."

DAILY QUOTA:

"Do not look at wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
At the last it bites like a serpent,
and stings like an adder.
Your eyes will see strange things,
and your mind utter perverse things.
You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
like one who lies on the top of a mast.
'They struck me,' you will say,
'but I was not hurt;
they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
I will seek another drink.'"
- Proverbs 23:31-35

"Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory."
- Albert Schweitzer

DAILY QUOTA:

"You'd be surprised how much fun you can have sober -- when you get the hang of it."
- 'Days of Wine and Roses'

"Did you ever walk into a room and forget why you walked in? I think that's how dogs spend their lives."
- Sue Murphy

QUICK E-QUIP:

Monday morning
A drunk wanted to clear his mind for the busy week ahead, so he decided to go to the bar Monday morning. The bartender was in a sarcastic mood, "Hi stranger, we haven't seen you since Saturday night! Did you enjoy the weekend?" The drunk replied: "It must have been great, I can't remember any of it."

________________________

Resources:

The "original" 12 step program for alcoholism/addiction recovery: Back To Basics

Alcohol-stuff, addiction-stuff, people-stuff, relationship-stuff: Lifestuff

Unofficial United Kingdom AA website: Molly's AA in the UK

Alcohol and alcoholism recovery tools: Sober 24

Promoting scientific knowledge on alcoholism: Research Society

DAILY QUOTA:

The Mouse on the Barroom Floor
"Some Guinness was spilt on the barroom floor,
When the pub was shut for the night;
Out of his hole crept a wee brown mouse,
And stood in the pale moonlight.
He lapped up the frothy brew from the floor,
Then back on his haunches he sat;
And all night long you could hear him roar:
'Bring on the (bleeping) cat!'"
- Irish poem, Author Unknown

"...it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance."
- Shakespeare, 'Macbeth'

QUICK E-QUIP:

Regular
A drunk walked into his regular watering hole to sit on his regular stool and drink his regular swill. But not much else was regular in the drunk's life. For example, on that particular day he was sporting two new black eyes. The bartender commented, "Whoa, who gave you those shiners?" The drunk snapped back: "Nobody gave them to me -- I had to fight for them."

DAILY QUOTA:

"You can't put a throttle on a bottle;
You have to put a throttle on yourself.
Mr Aristotle and some others let drop,
A lot of words of wisdom of when to stop.
They called it the Golden Mean;
I'm here to say that it's good advice today.
I don't want any more;
I just don't want any more.
I had an awful lot a little while ago;
Enough to keep me going if I take it slow..."
- Weldon Kees lyrics, 'I Don't Want Any More'

"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."
- Author Unknown

QUICK E-QUIP:

Kielbasa
A downtown street vendor was selling kielbasa-sausage-on-a-bun, when a drunk staggered up and ordered, "Give me a juicy plain one, I have my own fixings to put on it." What happened next was unexpected. The drunk took a small bottle of whisky out of his jacket pocket, poured some over the plain kielbasa, and started to chow down, exclaiming, "Mmm, the breakfast of champions!" The vendor was disgusted and couldn't believe what he was witnessing: "In all my days, I never sausage a thing."

DAILY QUOTA:

"Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music. The world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself."
- Henry Miller

"It's all too much, too grim, too lovely -- it's general chaos."
- Edward Gorey

QUICK E-QUIP:

Deal with the devil
A drunk was down on his luck and had no money for his daily swill. He said to himself, "I would do anything for a drink!" Instantly, the devil appeared and made him a proposition,"I can not only give you a drink, but I can fix it so you will always have more booze than you can drink for the rest of your life! But you must agree that when your time on earth is through, your soul will be mine for eternity." The drunk thought about it for a moment and asked: "So what's the catch?"

DAILY QUOTA:

"If I knew what I was so anxious about, I wouldn't be so anxious."
- Mignon McLaughlin

"If you’re an alcoholic, the physical bottom line is, if I had a drink today and if the last time I had a drink was eight and a half years ago, my body has not stopped drinking. It’s as simple as that. I’d be (bleeped) in three minutes. Whichever way, whether it’s 12 steps, nutrition, scientology, it’s all there. I mix them all, man. You’ve got to entertain your body in wellness as much as in sickness."
- Andrew Loog Oldham

DAILY QUOTA:

"A religious awakening which does not awaken the sleeper to love, has roused him in vain."
- Jessamyn West

"What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork."
- Pearl Bailey

QUICK E-QUIP:

Easter Service
A drunk managed to stay dry Easter morning so he could make it to church. After the service he was ready for a drink, when the preacher pulled him aside and said, "It's good to see you here again. You would make a good soldier in the Lord's Army!" The drunk replied, "I've been in the Lord's Army for years now." The pastor didn't understand, "Then why do we only see you at Christmas and Easter?" The drunk put his arm around the pastor's shoulders and whispered: "Shhh...I'm in the secret service."

_____________________

Resources:

Dedicated to healing from alcoholism, addictions, trauma: Recovery Web

Helping others find what they are looking for: First Step Recovery Zone

AA meetings online: Staying Cyber

Serving rapidly growing online AA Groups: Online Intergroup

Initiative to improve access to alcohol treatment: Ensuring Solutions
_____________________

Wishing everyone sober serenity this Easter season!

-- New posts resume Monday, April 12, 2004 --

DAILY QUOTA:

"Love one another as I have loved you."
- Jesus

"A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
- William James

QUICK E-QUIP:

Brain part 2
A brain walked into a bar and asked, "What do I do to get a drink?" The bartender had an idea, "For starters, how do I know you're real? It's not everyday that a brain walks into a bar and orders a drink! Maybe I got a bad pickled egg and I'm hallucinating all of this!" The brain assured him, "I drink, therefore I am." Still, the bartender refused, "Even if you are real I can't serve you. This is a respectable place! Sorry, I can't have you killing exposed brain cells with alcohol." The brain objected, "That's not fair! You know I can't cover myself with a hat because I don't have a head! Aside from that, I'm not out to damage all of them, just the troublesome terrorist cells." The bartender wasn't amused and insisted that no meant no. That's when the brain became suspicious, "I think I know what's going on here -- it's not me specifically, you're just prejudiced against human organs in general." With that, the bartender started showing the brain out the door: "No one walks into my bar and accuses me of being prejudiced. I have nothing against organs, I have several myself. I assure you, this is strictly a brain matter."

_______

New Link
Just added to the dryblog links section on the right,
A place of Help, Hope and Healing: 12 Step Cyber Cafe
_______

DAILY QUOTA:

"Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them."
--Albert Einstein

"When did I realize I was God? Well, I was praying and I suddenly realized I was talking to myself."
- Peter O'Toole

QUICK E-QUIP:

Brain part 1
A brain walked into a bar and ordered a drink. The bartender was shocked and refused to serve it, "Sorry, it seems to me you've had enough." The brain didn't get it, "What do you mean I've had enough? I just got here!" The bartender didn't budge, "Look, it's obvious you're out of your head." (continued tomorrow)

DAILY QUOTA:

"A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition."
- William Arthur Ward

"I will never drink another beer as long as I live....boy, what a great time!"
- Jackie Gleason as Ralph Kramden

DAILY QUOTA:

"The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you're in control of you life. If you don't, life controls you."
- Anthony Robbins

"Always remember that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me."
- Winston Churchill

QUICK E-QUIP:

Golf Club
A golf club walked into a bar and ordered a drink. The bartender asked, "Are you sure that's a good idea?" The golf club thought so, "Don't worry about me, just give me a drink!" But the bartender was genuinely concerned: "Aren't you driving later?"

________

Resources:

- Resource site for recovering alcoholics and addictions: Nuggetville

- Audio archivists of 12 Step Tapes & CD's: Upper Room Communications
________

DAILY QUOTA:

"Cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also."
- Jesus

"Life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it."
- Tom Lehrer

QUICK E-QUIP:

Self-Pity
A drunk was busy sitting on the couch drinking and feeling sorry for himself. The more drunk he got, the more he whined, "Nobody likes me, they all think I'm such a loser." His wife disagreed: "You can't seriously believe that everyone feels that way -- there are lots of people who have never met you."

Review
A review of dryblog has recently been published online by a third-party non-addiction website. It states, "While the topic of dryblog is mostly alcoholism, it's free of the typical trash-talk you might hear at a bar. You can safely tell your friends about it." Truth be told, no such review exists: Happy April Fool's Day! But if you do find this site lacking in trash-talk, blame it on sobriety! And whether you're a regular visitor or just drop by occasionally, thanks kindly: This blog's for you!

DAILY QUOTA:

"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he isn't -- a sense of humor was provided to console him for what he is."
- Horace Walpole

Rule #62: "Don't take yourself too damn seriously."
- 'Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions' p. 149

QUICK E-QUIP:

Forgot wife's birthday
A drunk managed to totally forget his wife's birthday, again. Only this time, instead of giving him the usual silent treatment, she really let him have it, "You forgot our anniversary, too! And the kids' birthdays! And my mother's birthday! You're so inconsiderate! We always, always think of you on your special day!" The drunk felt bad, sort of, but didn't know exactly what she meant. He was afraid to ask, but did anyway, "On which day do you always think of me?" His wife spelled it out for him: "You drunken buffoon, on April Fool's Day."