One great thing about being in AA is, like the British Queen, we get two Birthdays a year.

This Birthday Boy had loads of cards, a lovely dinner cooked for him and a trip to the Cinema. Even got free lunch at Pizza restaurant at work (unrelated to my birthday but a very nice coincidence)

Pic is screen shot of the rather lovely “Friend of Bill” Ipod app, which I would recommend to anyone for its sobriety calculator and “Coffee Time” quick AA quotes for those small moments of quiet in a busy day.

My Home group has a tradition, that’s stood for longer than I’ve been there, of several times a year having our Friday Night meeting (usually declared an open meeting so family members can come) and then going out for a Curry after.

I remember my first curry night, a few months sober, shaking and nervous not really having been out in a large group before without drinking. Good thing was it was with people in the fellowship, so it was safe, didn’t stop it being scarey tho. Next time I came to going out to ‘wet’ placed with a large group it was so much easier having done it first in an AA situation.

Last night was a cracking night as usual, we were the loudest table and laughing the most. AA, for me at least, is not just about meetings and Big Book studies and long serious conversations about the program. It’s about living and enjoying life and what better way to spend and evening than enjoying good food and good company.

As is the norm at these things the confusion on the waiters face when 15 people all turn down the free shot of liquor at the end the meal is great.

The Geek in me loves the big numbers and I’ve just past the 4000 Day mark of continued abstinence from alcohol or any other mind altering substance, caffeine and nicotine not withstanding.

Growing up/older and getting sober are hard to distinguish but in the past 4000 Days of sobriety I have become what I’d never thought I’d be, rather happy and content.

To celebrate I have been slowly revamping this old site, admittedly into more of a flickr powered photoblog. The Gallery also now being run by the rather excellent flogr.

Pic is screen shot of the rather lovely “Friend of Bill” Ipod app, which I would recommend to anyone for its sobriety calculator and “Coffee Time” quick AA quotes for those small moments of quiet in a busy day.

Check out this rather interesting Article on AA from Top Tech Magazine “Wired”
Secret of AA: After 75 Years, We Don’t Know How It Works | Magazine.

Draw your own conclusions.

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The achievement of freedom from fear is a lifetime undertaking, one that can
never be wholly completed. When under heavy attack, acute illness, or in
other condition of insecurity, we shall all react to this emotion – well or
badly, as the case may be. Only the self-deceived will claim perfect freedom
from fear. AS BILL SEES IT, p. 263

What do you get when you sober up a horse thief?
A sober horse thief.