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mabelle, That sounds like a fun goal. I too, really do have much more activities when I do not imbibe so much. I love the energy that is not stifled. Getting to the other side......ART

Hey Maybelle,

Yeah, I meant to start this thread but I hadn't found that "new-found time" yet. I think I'll probably do the things I already do - making music, painting, sailing, work - I'll just do them with more intentionality. OK, I'd also like to learn Italian! But I think with me it's not so much a question of what new things I'll do, but the new ways I'll find of doing them.

Tonight I worked on some bass parts in my project studio. I was able to get in about 2 hours before the wine started to hinder my playing ability. Maybe when I am cured I'll be able to get 4 hours in. That would be HUGE. I work days, so I really resent when alcohol cuts into my creative time, but it always seems to at this point. Or maybe I'll be able to do some painting after working on music. When that first drink doesn't mean the beginning of the end, I'll be able to make my nights so much more productive.

It's partly a mind-set: if having a drink didn't mean the end of the sanity, I would have the time to do all the things I want to. As it is, I start drinking and basically give up on getting much more done. I used to pick one activity a night. If I wanted to go sailing, that would mean having 10 beers and catching a cab home. Already I can take the boat out for a few hours, and then still look forward to an evening of music making or family time. It just changes the way I think about time.

So what will I do with my spare time? I'll write songs. paint canvas, spend time with my son, enjoy a movie, cook a meal, practice my (terrible) Italian, tend my plants, work out, watch the sunset, have a glass of wine and sleep like I've got a week of Sundays to look forward to.