Mexico

Last weekend I went to Mexico with some friends and fell off.

Getting a pet

I have been checking the classify and Craigslist for a dog recently. I am a little surprise the cost of some of these animal. The range also seems very wide. Looking at english bulldog, the animal range from $400 to $4,000. I can't say I understand the range. The was a two year pit bull for $2,000 and that really confuses me.

Still going

Although I have not post recently, I am still going strong. I no longer feel awkward refusing a beer at a friend's home or just ordering a soda when going out to eat. My weight looks to have stabilized now. I was worried a bit early on.

Great weather

The valley of the sun has been cool the last week. I think the high was 87 yesterday. Sounds hot to some but when you consider that Phoenix set a record of 30 straight days of 110+ degree then you will will welcome the high 80's.

Watching the Arizona\New Mexico Game

I went and watched the UofA game over the weekend at a local bar with some friends. The football team didn't do so well but I appreciate how the bar treated non-drinkers. I didn't need to explain to the bar tender or anyone why I was only drinking soda and was treated like any other patron. I wish the bar across my apartment was that way. When I used to drink there, I would see the owner pressure people to drink more. I was a great customer for him.

1 month

Tomorrow will be 1 month for me. I didn't think I would make it this far. The first week was very tough, I was alway thinking about drinking. I kept coming up with excuses but some how never actually did anything about it. I hope to continue to.

Dry Heat

It's been a little cooler in the valley recently. Gone are the days of 110+. It's strange how you feel 100 is cool after those days. I have been able to go jogging outside at night to keep myself occupy and get a natural high. May be not the best choice of words?

Poker Night

Just came back from playing poker with a few friends and won 20 bucks. The game doesn't seem too different without drink. After a few hands and a joke here or there, I felt like I always do playing poker with friends. It was a great night.

Wine

So I discover I still have alcohol in my apartment today. I found a couple bottle of wine in my closet. I was never a wine drinker and was trying to develop a taste for it. I probably put those bottle there a year ago figuring they can age all they want as I wasn't drinking it. I'll have to drive to Tucson this coming weekend and give them to my parents.

The Departed

I just saw the movie "The Departed" and the incident with the cranberry reminds me of a local bar I used to got to. Some people at the place would give others a hard time when they don't drink. I don't remember seeing too many designate drivers. I say "used to" because I can't see myself going there.

Labor Day

I went down to Tucson to visit my family for the long weekend. We had a fairly typical BBQ except for the beer. I was a little worry about the social drinking that goes on at this type of gathering but my family is making an effort to help me with my addiction. I do feel a little guilty but they seem very happy that I have accepted the fact that I can not drink like other people. It was a very good holiday for me.

I hope every one had a fun and safe holiday!

Weight loss

I have loss about 10 lbs since I stop drinking. My clothes feel looser and my energy level has increase. I am not sure it's due to loss of calories from not drinking or me eating out less. It's probably a little bit of both. I wonder were my weight will end up? Is this typical?

Nothing

So far nothing happen today. I just got back from work and watching the news. May be no news is good news. I have not been tempted lately but then again I have not gone shopping lately either. I hope the bottles are not too shiny.

I kind of feel bad for Senator Craig from Idaho. He may be a hypocrite but it's really his own personal business. I am not even sure he really committed a crime. If some bathroom are pick up joint for gay man then so be it. No one is getting hurt.

No show

My buddy didn't show after calling me yesterday. I didn't call him to see why he didn't. I figure I probably didn't need to hang out with him.

Why did I decide to give up drinking? I got arrested for a DUI a little more than a week ago. The DUI was a blessing really. I would have probably ended up dead if I continue doing what I was doing. I probably would have hurt someone innocent. Sometimes it takes an event for you to wake up. I been thinking clearer.

Since I can't really afford to spend too much time in jail, I am fighting the charges. Sometimes I wish the punishment was lower but other time I don't as it really woke me up.

Feel free to berate me if you like.

Been gone for a few days

It's been awhile, I was at the my parent's place in Tucson. The recent storms damaged several of the trees. The weather was nicer then it's here in Phoenix. The recent rain has really greened up the place. Little yellow flowers are all over the backyard.

When I was in Tucson, an old drinking buddy called me to got out before he has to report to tent city. He was convicted of a DUI. I am not sure it would have been healthy for me to hang out with him. He was looking to party before he has to go. The decision was made for really since I was in Tucson. He call me a few hour ago seeing if I wanted to hang out. He apparently was too drunk on Saturday to report to tent city. The DUI was his second and it's not slowing him down. He went to court today and was able to move the date he report to jail back to Sept. I guess Nicole Richie's 82 mins. in jail shouldn't be surprise. I agreed to meet him later and he already knows I will not be drinking.

Anthony Bourdain

I am watch No Reservation with Anthony Bourdain and he's in Brazil. He's drinking several of local beverage and I can only imagine how good they taste. I generally enjoy seeing him try out the different food but all I can think of was the drinks. I can't sip my scotch or drink a beer to distract myself. I should stop watching this show but I want to maintain my same routine.

Well, to be as close to it as possible to my old routine with out alcohol. I don't think I can go to a bar right now or see any of my drinking buddies. I've never realize how much of my friends drink. I hope writing this blog help me not think about it as much. I will go to the gym a little bit later to keep me busy. That's been a challenge for me as to figure what I will do with my time.

Sleeping

I didn't sleep too well last night. I have read that alcohol doesn't help to sleep but am not sure about it. It could be withdrawn that has me a little restless. I do think about drinking the most right during bed time. I thought about calling someone to talk to but decides against it. The urge was not as bad as in previous nights.

I hope being tired at work doesn't affect my job review. It's kind of strange to think that not drinking would cause it. I am not stupid to think that I should drink because of this.

Starting

It's been 4 days since I've decided to give up drinking. I'm feeling different this time around then in my previous attempts. I have accepted that I can not control my addiction. It feels good, my head is clear. I don't know how long this will last but I would like this to continue.

I am actually not getting much support from my family and friends. Does this sound strange? I guess I was pretty good at hiding it. They think I was being strange when I started going to AA. I've started this blog to document my journey.