Ketch - just look at these totals...totally reasonable. I'm not sure what your pre-TSM baseline was, but I have to imagine it was up in the 90's. This is incredible progress no matter what your timeline looks like. While blacking out in general is never good, the fact that you mildly BOC'ed on only 8 units is a testment to how much your tolerance has changed during your treatment...which is only possible through a pretty severe reduction in units. That in itself is evidence that you've come a long way. We're both kinda in the same boat right now (AF days piling up...along with some big nights), so it's important that we continue to reinforce the positives for each other.

I'm not familiar with your industry, but I have to imagine that this PA job is giving you some good exposure and can help line up a producer-level job in the future. Gotta pay your dues, right?

Good things are gonna continue to happen for you. Just keep it up for another 8 weeks, stay warm and keep away from the Jager.

Hopefully you'll be reunited with your pup, soon.

-H

P.S. Is this the fellow 1/28-er that you're meeting up with...my boy, RICK ROSS?!

Hey Ketch,

I'm so glad to catch up on your progress thread. Sounds like you are really progressing. And I'm sure a slip up here and there won't deter you. It is a wonderful feeling to regain control and it looks like you are well on your way.

I so enjoy reading about your production adventures. Sounds like you have a really great job although I know you miss your fuzzy doggy. Hopefully you can get back to him soon.

Keep going and good luch with your match.com person. I hope its a winning combination.

Hi Ketch

You are doing great! Nearly a year - you've shown remarkable perserverance. (Just like me!) That is fantastic news about your video for "Hell's Kitchen". I hope it leads to something good. Likewise with match.com. Your doggy must be missing you too. Just imagine the happy reunion.

Enjoy your weekend sans Jaeger. Down at our local pool hall/bowling alley they were advertising Jaeger with something else (energy drink?) for $9. I've never tried it and briefly thought perhaps I should. Then I thought of where it led you and changed my mind....

Cheers
Sticky

Thanks guys for your responses. Sticky, those Jagermeister and Red Bull (energy drink) combinations are known as "Jager Bombs" here..... stay away. Stay far, far away!

Speaking of far away, I got marching orders last night upon my production manager's return from having helped his Canadian counterpart set up shop in Winnipeg that I am going to Prudoe Bay in order to replace an associate producer who has been working solo up there. It's actually a promotion, though I think it's my production manager's way of getting me out of his hair as I find his personality and approach both gruff and militant in nature.

Fine by me. I wrote my executive producer friend and told him the news spinning it as a major positive. I explained that I was moving up in the world and going into the field which is great because I am a producer at heart anyway.

Gosh life is strange.

Wouldn't you know it.... there is absolutely NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED in Prudoe Bay, Alaska. I'll be there for the remainder of the shoot-- 8 weeks. I am asking that the producer whom I am replacing kindly leave his camera behind so I can shoot and submit some exterior shots, time lapses and other footage.

Just bought $125.00 worth of food that I will not need. Go figure. Just when I think it's safe to settle in..... oh well.

I've been AF for the past two days, starting February clean and sober. 8 weeks is a long time of forced sobriety, however, so I will be sure to indulge hugely before I depart. Maybe tonight.

You guys have any thoughts about my sudden change in this production? You think it's for the best????

,

Ketchikan1

Hi there Ketch,

I just googled & Wikipedia'd Prudhoe Bay...OMG. How are YOU feeling about going to such a remote place for 8 weeks? Are you a reader, or can otherwise entertain yourself? Of course, you seem very outgoing, so I know you will make friends there, but it looks like social opportunities & activities will be limited. Hmmm...it might be an interesting interlude for you, a sabbatical kind of. 8 weeks AF, wow. I wonder how that will affect the extinction process.

Is this an "offer" that you can take, or can you say you want to stay where you are? Would this be an opportunity to take Ripley with you?

There is a lot to consider, and I'm sure forum people here who know you much better than I will have some opinions. Then again, 8 weeks isn't forever.

You have provided a lot of entertainment and inspiration recently, w/ your successes w/ the job & TSM; I, for one, appreciate your updates.

Chrissie

Hi, Ketch! Hope all is well in the great, frozen north. An oddity of Alaska is the native villages that allow NO alcohol. As anyone who has ever been to Alaska knows, the natives simply can’t drink. As I understand it, they can eat a VERY high fat diet, one that would make most of us deathly ill. But, as a trade off they can’t drink.

At least they don’t sit in “the ROOMS” and whine about it. They decided it wasn’t something they should do. But, as a friend of mine says, they smoke pot like it’s nobody's business! Go figure!

Anyway, it’s a forced period of AF days. Who knows what will happen to the fair Ketch in the great north, she may find no cravings! I hope that is what happens!

Good luck! Don’t drive so fast. And stay away from the yellow snow!

Be safe!

Hey Ketch -- What an adventure up there! I'm very familiar with the production industry so my advice, at this stage of your career, is to go where they tell you. PAs have to be good soldiers. But I'm sure you already know that and are already on your way.

What great work you are doing with your life!

Natural producers are a breed apart -- making things happen is second nature. You're doing that on all fronts.

Far out!

I'll chirp in with the others and say YES to the promotion. It's amazing that you're moving on up so fast already! And yes, it sounds like an intense adventure, 8 weeks in the frozen booze-less north, but I think you'll do it- honestly, it's not like you'll have a choice once you're there, I imagine. (I imagine it's not like they'll ahve a secret liquor store waiting to tempt you lol).
Who knows, it could just be the thing you need to edge towards being cured!!!
Congrats !!!

"No way am I going to let alcohol ruin this great opportunity. No f*#king way."

You're currently feeling strong, self-confident and full of self belief. Fan-fu*king-tastic

It's been a tough road, sometimes a new challenge keeps you focused and if you have a job where you can't afford to slip up, it makes you stronger too.

Well done - you should be very proud.

Andy

Hey Ketch

Ditto to all the above and my warmest congratulations!! You go girl! A promotion so soon to an AF location - it's meant to be and I would say go for it. You could always smoke a little pot as an alternative. (Did I say that?!)

Not drinking in a place where alcohol is banned will be much easier than not drinking where alcohol is readily available. I'm sure you can do it. Could you get away for a weekend or two if you wanted to?

I didn't know there were AF places in Alaska. They should have some in Australia too - the Aborigines have major problems with alcohol....

By now you've probably already moved. Take care of yourself and I look forward to hearing how it's all going. 8 weeks isn't very long in the grand scheme of things.

Cheers
Sticky