Firebird. I don't want to repeat what everyone has already said here so I will just say " Great!" I would also add just keep going because things get even better. I planted tons of flowers in planters around the pool that in the past were sorely bare and I put in a nice garden and am just watching the first sprouts of my work. Also got 83% on a financial math exam I wrote this morning that I never thought I could accomplish. I attribute alot of this to the sanity the Sinclair method has brought me. It is so nice to read your descriptions and feelings that have come out lately. Your posts are an inspiration on the days when I feel a little down. Thanks and best wishes.

Thanks Potato. I'm having a few wines tonight, and I know my numbers are going to be way up this week, so right now I'm the one feeling a bit down. Nothing keeps a firebird down for long, though. I might just have to go read some of the others' happy posts to get me back in the swing of things. Tomorrow I'm helping my brother move his boat to his new slip, so that should be fun!

I wish I could say the this Sinclair Method is just an out-an-out miracle! Pure success, with no pain and all gain, but the reality is that we're still people, with all of the ups and downs we have, and I guess that acceptance of, and working through those rough times is a natural part of the program.

I know it is a natural part of being human.

Hey Firebird - I can't remember what week you are on, but I think you are a few weeks behind me...and up until last week I was very up and down with my drinking...I feel like I'm finally levelling off now at week 14, so hang in there. I may slip back, but I do feel pretty uninterested in drinking at the moment.

Also wanted to comment: I'm kind of glad it's not too easy...it's been a very good mental workout going through this. Forcing myself to stay positive about not so great results at times and forcing myself to not expect immediate gratifiication: both things that do not come naturally to me and I feel like doing so is helping me improve my life beyond just taking out the alcohol factor. Also makes me feel like I deserve to be 'fixed' in a strange way because it's really not as easy as just taking a pill. It's a bit of work for all of us...which is why I am so very proud of everyone on this board: It's tough to keep your spirits up and remain faithful and positive when there are times when you are drinking as much as you did before...and for the most part, we all do.

Enjoy the boat ride with your brother - hope the weather is nice where you are

Week 9 complete. Hey all, do you ever feel like everyone you know is pissed off at you for no real reason? And the harder you try to make people happy, the more upset and dissatisfied they seem to become? Well that's what I've been going through this week.

Here's a quick synopsis: Girlfriend pissed at me for helping brother with boat, brother pissed because I was late helping him due to wine and this site, band pissed at me for saying I need to cut down on practice time to spend time with son, son pissed at me for pissing off cool band guys, girlfriend pissed for not inviting her on boat trip (even though she hates boats, trips and water), brother pissed that girlfriend wouldn't come pick us up from boat trip, me pissed because brother's cute friend who did pick us up said his boat was "so much bigger" than mine (hey, I thought it was the motion of the ocean that counted).

This much pissing and moaning makes me want to go to the bar and get pissed, and since I have taken my protection, I think that is exactly what I will do. However, I think I'll take a minute here by myself to just chill out a bit. No one here is pissed at me on this site right now, right? (Jim? Nick? WTE?) Whew! All right. Anyway, none of these problems was caused by alcohol (on my part), so it is helpful for me to remember that life's problems do go on even with TSM. And just because I'm pissed doesn't mean TSM isn't working, it just means that naltrexone can't cure my being a bit of a jerk sometimes.

I swear I've not had a drop to drink tonight, yet I ramble. Anyway, I'm sure things will calm down soon, and even if everyone else stays pissed at me, at least I won't have to be pissed at myself for pissin' in the streets!

Cheers all,

Fire (hydrant)

...Maybe this should be the quote for this week - or a new song....love it.

Everyone here thinks you're great (but we haven't seen your boat).

LOL, Firebird! Anyone who can make me laugh is ALL RIGHT with me. Nope, not mad at all. Here is what I've noticed about that subject since TSM, with a little background on my daily philosophy. Everyone is generally frustrated/pissed off at life to a certain degree. And most people **** on others for no other reason than they are, at that the time of said shitting, generally unhappy about something that is going on with themselves. Why is the work place always a friggin' nightmare and why have I worked solo for 9 years? Because every interaction with every other fragile human being is largely poisoned/shaped by each person's insecurities/unhappiness/personal failings, IMO.

That being said, UNFAIR attacks are inevitable and they occur every day, all day, at home or at work.

Here is the beauty of TSM and that issue! At least twice now I have been unfairly targeted by GF since TSM. Pre-TSM would inevitably use this as a reason to drink heavily. Post-TSM is outraged, still thinks about the locale of the nearest bottle of booze, but has managed to resist the urge to go and get it.

When you hit the bar today, just take a little less than you would otherwise or simply don't go. You'll feel better about yourself and will, in turn, be better equipped to fend off the inevitable unfair attacks heading your way!

Oh Firebird. Know what you mean. Had a huge fight with BF Wednesday and I told him it's over . He's pissed at me but I didn't do the crap, he did. Of course it is still my fault. Many other people in my life are all acting wierd as well. All is pissy moods. I have chosen to workout like a fiend until they all smarten up.

Hilarious boat comments. Many women like a boat that is wide enough but it doesn't need to be a long boat. A good shoreman makes all the difference. Best of luck getting over this stuff. It will all blow over soon.

I like a boat that has a little more horsepower than is required, and that is easily launched. Don't want no row boat that makes me work for the ride! I appreciate one with a full deck, and that can handle the rocking of very rough waves.

Hi all, well my boat is a sturdy little craft, however small, and she always gets her passengers to where they wanted to go. Not much to look at though - I really should spend more time cleaning her . . . HEY, we are talking about boats here, right? . . . Anyone? . . .boats? . . .right?

Ahem!! She's a mighty warship, a viking longboat. A fearsome frigate! A crusading galleon gallivanting across the seas of romance. Jewell bedecked from stem to stern, she's the pride of the royal . . . oh, forget it!

Anyway, I've had a good week. My recent drinking surge seems to have abated,and things seem to be settling down on the personal front as well. (Could these things possibly be connected? No . . .) Thanks Nick for the PM, by the way, encouragement really helps in getting over those rough spots.

It's a beautiful day here in Seattle, so I think I'll get out and enjoy the sunshine. Maybe I'll go and polish my brightwork, aye maties.

FBird

The decks of a ship, being continually exposed to a moist environment, need to be swabbed continually, and the boiler heated and stoked. So, a ship is only as good as the deck hands make her. Her? Ships are hers, right? Must be we are talkin' about boats, after all. . .