International Army November 2020

[IamMary]

Re: International Army November 2020

Lucky you, my hair is starting to look really dull.

We found an fantastic drive through Mexican food trailer just up the road. Which is a bit random as its in the middle of nowhere. Lovely afternoon with my folks, walk and a Mexican picnic.
We'll be living like Eskimo's this winter, with all this outside living

[IamMary]

Re: International Army November 2020

100% agree with everything you said [MENTION=9094]satz123[/MENTION]

[starty]

Re: International Army November 2020

Thanks Starty, I honestly couldn’t be better boozeless wise. I am only about 6 weeks in this time around but far too old a hand at this to get in anyway complacent.
However I am actually looking forward to a Crimbo free from the demon drink, instead of stressing about it, strange as that may seem, but staying sober really holds no fear for me. I have done it before and I know it’s really is no big deal to survive the Christmas alcohol onslaught despite what I think when drinking daily and listening to what the demon whispers in my ear. I am beginning to realize I give Al far too much importance and hence power over us in our own heads. For me getting this right is all in the mindset and how we perceive what we pour down our throats.
Nite all.

Fantastic! It really is easier than not to go without booze. As soon as I start again, the old feelings of guilt and mental anguish kick in and it takes up way too much brain power keeping up with the mood swings and compulsions. I think because my life is so simple, it has made it easier to make good choices. Over a year now and rarely a thought about it and no longing to be different.

Bojo is about to release the "lockdown" which in all honesty has not affected me. The only thing that aggravates me is too many people in my once secluded country spaces. Once the shops open again the masses will retreat to their previous pastimes of shopping. Cannot wait

[stirly-girly]

Re: International Army November 2020

Good morning/afternoon Army and a happy Monday to all!!

I won’t know for another month when I have labs and MRI. All indication are that I’m now cancer free. Thank you x

Excellent news, Techie. I’m sure the lab results will confirm what the indications show at this time.

Thanks Starty, I honestly couldn’t be better boozeless wise. I am only about 6 weeks in this time around but far too old a hand at this to get in anyway complacent.
For me getting this right is all in the mindset and how we perceive what we pour down our throats.
Nite all.

Tabbers – first of all, congrats on 6 weeks.
As far as the mindset goes, that’s what it was for me. A conscious decision that AL no longer had a place in my life, a refusal to continue down that road of mental and physical destruction and the desire to rid myself of all of those AL thoughts that occupied my mind for so much time every day. And as you know, nothing matches the feeling of freedom that goes with sticking to your decision.

[MENTION=7008]JackieClaire[/MENTION] – happy Anniversary to you and Mr. JC. Hopefully you can do something to celebrate in spite of the restrictions. Hope you get a quick and satisfying response from the doctor. As for the wedding – great date, August 25th. Just happens to be my burfday!!!

[MENTION=9094]satz123[/MENTION] – is the sciatica better? I trust you have gotten some relief from the medication.

[MENTION=9170]byebyebridgetjones[/MENTION] – I hope things are better for you at work. I always hated office politics and everything involved with working in a close environment with others. Everyone should just do their job for the better of the company/institution they work for and leave others to do theirs. Your girly is a beauty.

[MENTION=22456]starty[/MENTION] – delighted to see you and even more so to hear that you have a whole year AF under your belt. And that you are able to walk long distances with your doggers. As for Mr. Starty – if he is content in his new job, that is a big positive. How many people work for years at a job they hate just to bring in the bucks and never realize just how miserable they are for 8-10 hours every day.

Congrats to [MENTION=4040]fickle[/MENTION] on two weeks. Hope your niece is doing better. Keep us posted.

[MENTION=22411]IamMary[/MENTION] – thanks for the shout out. I am okay - coping with the restrictions – missing my special friend and my girlfriends but that is the way it must be. Hope you and the sprogs are doing okay. Not easy for teens to cope with a lockdown.

[MENTION=1214]Rusty[/MENTION]59 – glad your weather has improved and that you can get out with the doggers. Your boy is beautiful. I am guessing that recovery will be quick.

I see that [MENTION=7261]Guitarista[/MENTION] has over 800 days AF. Well done, Mr. G.

[MENTION=8529]mollyka[/MENTION] – what the others said – picture of Max please and thank you. What breed is he and how old is he? Is he just Joe’s dogger or is he starting to grow on you? They do that, you know. It’s the look in their eyes…..

Shout out to [MENTION=9757]NoraC[/MENTION]. Hope you and your family are safe. If I remember well, you will welcome a new granddaughter next month. :heartbeat:

[MENTION=22839]brit[/MENTION] - please check in Mrs. A and let us know how you are doing. :hug:

Waves to anyone I haven’t mentioned and wishing you all a safe and satisfying day.

Warning – rant to follow in second post…. :exclaim:

[stirly-girly]

Re: International Army November 2020

Evening all
I agree Tabbs. The Irish as a nation have a warped relationship with alcohol..
I believe it is ,as you say Tabbs, how we perceive it from early on as kids & young adults. Way too much significance is given the drinking of alcohol so it becomes something more than just a drink.
From the start the insidiousness is there:
It is illegal to 'take a drink' before a certain age. Illegal = exciting challenge to adolescents.
Being able to 'hold your drink' is the sign of a man - not sure what it means if you are a woman.
Having the craic = drinking alcohol from cradle to grave ; wet the baby's head ; christening ; communions : confirmations ; 21st birthday ; weddings; funerals - alcohol is always there.
Apologies - feeling very thoughtful tonight.

No need to apologize for putting your thoughts into words Satzy and very true words they are. Not only the Irish as a nation, – many other nations as well. For example, I just finished watching the series “Designated Survivor” – fictional story about a US president who was delegated to the position after the former president and all of the members of parliament were killed in a terrorist attack. It was interesting albeit the kind of action series where the bad guys all get killed and international threats deflected and problems solved by the people in charge within hours. And it did touch on some real social issues such as minorities, drug addiction, lack of medical care, etc. However, what really struck me was that there was AL involved in damn near every situation. At the end of every day, the president ended up with his feet up on his desk and a bottle of beer in his hand. After-work meetings with staff started out with a drink or two. Staffers constantly meeting at the local bar after work because they “needed “ a drink. It was just there, in our faces, all the time. And the thing is that nobody smokes in these shows. Nobody!! Smoking is deemed bad for our health so no ads allowed, no smoking allowed in public areas, restaurants, etc., yet the dangers of alcohol addiction are not addressed anywhere. And yes, those of us who have issues with alcohol abuse are treated as second-rate citizens and even worse, while smokers are simply told to keep their addiction within the privacy of their own homes. AND we and our children are shown in every single TV show, movie, series, whatever, that it’s okay to use AL as a way to relax, enjoy, celebrate, whatever, with no mention ever that it could lead to alcohol abuse. We have ads here on the radio for lottery tickets of many kinds, Scratch and Win, those types of things with a quick warning after the ad that there is a possibility of becoming addicted to them resulting in the possible loss of personal fortune but nowhere is there a warning about the possibility of AL abuse. As you say – it’s manly to show how much booze you can handle and it is a given that good times can be had only in bars and pubs where of course AL is flowing like water. The only restrictions are that you have to be of a certain age to be served in a bar (how many times have under-aged kids been served in bars?) and that it is illegal to drive if your blood-AL level is over a certain percentage. Nowhere do you see an ad involving a teen who drank too much, got AL poisoning and died. Nowhere do you see a picture of a mentally and physically challenged toddler whose mother drank heavily during pregnancy, nowhere do you see pictures of what your liver will look like by the time you’re 30 if you drink heavily for 10 or 12 years. The only thing they show is a bunch of people with drinks in their hands, having a good time.
Okay. Rant over.

[satz123]

Re: International Army November 2020

Warning – rant to follow in second post…. :exclaim:

:egad:

[satz123]

Re: International Army November 2020

Morning all here & all to come.
Time to do an Army Barracks roll call - things won't get any easier coming up to Christmas - SO EVERYONE CHECK IN NO MATTER WHAT :checkin:

In Bridget Jones' world she had the 'Smug Marrieds' - in the Army barracks we have perceived 'Smug long timers'.
Don't be put off we are always here to give support.
We've ALL been where you are now.

[JackieClaire]

Re: International Army November 2020

Gawd I hope is an old fashioned brownie making my promise to quide through those of is that need a hand.


Got a heap to go to the post office.

And would you belive I've never been in a pub on Christmas day................it used to be banned.

[byebyebridgetjones]

Re: International Army November 2020

A quick drop in tonight.

Busy day spent catching up with some old work mates. I used to drink a lot when I saw these people even if they didn't. They had a few wines each. I think I can truly say that I'm not the least bit interested in it. Like honest to God don't think about it, really really don't want it.

I agree so completely with your post above Stirly for that reason. It is just simply the amount of importance and preoccupation placed on alcohol by others. Cultural change around alcohol use is the only way forward, stripping alcohol of it's societal importance.

I'm very weary so I'm off to Bedfordshire.
Night all.

[satz123]

Re: International Army November 2020

[MENTION=11158]stirly-girly[/MENTION]

EXCELLENT rant Ms Stirly :applause:

[mollyka]

Re: International Army November 2020

Evening.. last week of lockdown PTL!!! Went to shops to buy granddaughters birthday pressie - well I have most of it but just wanted a few bits and pieces and a card to finish it off - went into Eason's - (for non-Irish it's a book shop - stationery generally) BUT -- it IS open - but you can't buy books - you can't buy cards and my eyes lit up when I saw jigsaws... nope -- you can't buy jigsaws.. I can understand the jigsaws because without a DOUBT if I'd been able to buy a jigsaw I would have organised a superspreading event - a rave at least - with half the population of Ireland at it - NO social distancing and definitely no masks -- yup -- that jigsaw could have been answerable to a LOT!!

[mollyka]

Re: International Army November 2020

20201109_140202.jpg
This is Max

[satz123]

Re: International Army November 2020

And would you belive I've never been in a pub on Christmas day................it used to be banned.

Neither has anyone in Ireland Jacks ...... pubs closed - always have been. Then Boxing Day they go apeshit - proving my point. All day drinking is the norm.
So come 2nd December maybe we'll have Boxing Day numbers & carry-on if the pubs open after 9 long months. :egad:

OR maybe the unhealthy emphasis on alcohol will have changed ? Long ingrained habits broken ?

@byebyebridgetjones puts it better than I ever could

Cultural change around alcohol use is the only way forward, stripping alcohol of it's societal importance.

[satz123]

Re: International Army November 2020

X-post Molls.
Max is just gorgeous - do you love him yet ?

[satz123]

Re: International Army November 2020

Evening.. last week of lockdown PTL!!! Went to shops to buy granddaughters birthday pressie - well I have most of it but just wanted a few bits and pieces and a card to finish it off - went into Eason's - (for non-Irish it's a book shop - stationery generally) BUT -- it IS open - but you can't buy books - you can't buy cards and my eyes lit up when I saw jigsaws... nope -- you can't buy jigsaws.. I can understand the jigsaws because without a DOUBT if I'd been able to buy a jigsaw I would have organised a superspreading event - a rave at least - with half the population of Ireland at it - NO social distancing and definitely no masks -- yup -- that jigsaw could have been answerable to a LOT!!

:harhar:
So what the feck are they selling Molls ?
I've given up trying to understand the logic around what can & can't be sold.