Author: Johnnyboy

Johnnyboy is a queer recovering alcoholic. For the moment he is also the primary caregiver for his mother, who suffers from age-related cognitive impairment. She is happy as a lark and is surrounded by a crew of sober women which gives him the freedom he needs to get out of town. When he is not at home in Somewheresville, he is searching out the proper path to travel for happiness and joy. He is a photographer who believes in the digital age, but feels that film is still where its at. He has a darkroom and works in it. He is single and is in remarkably great physical condition for all the damage he has submitted his body to. His cardiologist is very happy. Johnnyboy is over the age of 35.

It’s been soooooo long…..

Johnnyboy

Two months ago I stopped blogging. I don’t know why, and don’t care. But everybody who did (does) care…Thank you very much. All’s well and the river didn’t rise, in fact, much is the same as it has been. I am still busy as a bird dog with school as well as still care giving the mother unit. She’s doing great and we (the family) are working on getting her a live-in helper when I am overseas next summer for three months. This is slow going, but I am confident that it will work out. I have friends in the AA community here who do that sort of thing professionally, so I have reached out my hands and have received guidance, etc…I learned that in the rooms.

I presented my PP slide show a couple of weeks ago and it went swimmingly. It was clean, precise, and well spoken, and according to the conference director,one of the better ones. That says something good for my OCD. There were some other cool ones as well, particularly the presentations on Independent Film and the Modern Documentary, Femme Fatales and Film Noir, and the Conversation About Nothing, a la John Barth and Samuel Beckett. I left feeling relieved that it was over and ready for Round Two, which is a panel discussion next Monday night on Citizenship, Globalization, and, and what it means to live in an increasingly shrinking world. I was invited to be on the panel by a history prof of mine. Since I hold a dual citizenship with the EU and the US, I guess my opinion matters.

Next is a Photojournalism workshop at the ESC campus in The Big City that begins in November, as well as my Degree Planning class with my mentor that starts next week.

Yikes! Am I behind the 8-Ball? Maybe I should pick up the phone and find out!

Tonight is my current sponsor’s AA anniversary–14 years. I am meeting up with a few folks for dinner and then a quick drive out to the meeting. I really like this guy and feel that I am maturing when I reveal my ‘self’ to him. He has helped me out a lot and will continue to do so.

It is almost 2008. That freaks me out a little.

I think it’s time for a nap. My brain hurts.

Johnnyboy

How long has it been…?

Johnnyboy

So much has happened since I last blogged…This is the list.

1. I have officially changed homegroups. I loved my previous group, but the new group is made up of people that I see on a regular basis and with whom I interact socially at least three days a week. Plus, they asked me to become the GSR for the group, which is a good move in the service world for me.

2. I have let a sponsee go. He just wasn’t taking any of the suggestions giving. He was also dishonest and defensively secretive about his prescription drug use. Whether it was prescription pain killers, Coladapin, or other SSRI meds, he was unwilling to talk about them and also unwilling to investigate alternative, non-pharmaceutical methods to ease pain. In short he is afraid of losing his ba-ba.

3. Maintenance work on my house has been progressing smoothly. This is a long time in coming and the place needs it. Right now the roof is being repaired. Next up, some sill work, replacing some rotting wood. Next, a re-vamping of the curtain drains. After that, some sealing in the basement so the old fieldstone foundation ceases its weeping when it rains. Then some stonewall re-building. If I can have this all done by fall 2008, we will be in good shape.

4. School is beginning soon and although I have completed all the reading already, I am eager and nervous. My PowerPoint slide show on digital photography is progressing smoothly and I have set a completion date for mid-September.

5. Today is my former sponsors AA anniversary. I will be attending the event at my old (old-er) homegroup across the border in Massachusetts. I haven’t been to a noon meeting in many months and I haven’t spoken to him since we parted ways over a year ago. I am very nervous and humbled by the thought of this encounter. Prayer will pave the way and give me strength.

6. I am still the coffee maker at my other ‘homegroup’ and will scoot out around 5PM today and go to Connecticut and make the stuff, set up, etc…Then scoot back across the border to NY and attend yet another celebration at my ‘new’ homegroup.

It’s a busy day for Johnnyboy, and a busy and fulfilling sobriety that allows me to be in several places within this 24 hours.

Johnnyboy