Thank you, Moomin.
Yeah, Ol' Joe was in trouble at one time too. And he made fun of it in some of his songs.
At the time, I found it all too easy to identify with the line "It's hard to leave when you can't find the door."
And the line can be interpreted literally, as in leaving the party he was at, or as being trapped in alcoholism and not being able to find a way out of it. It took me over 40 years of wrecking my life and all things and people around me to find the door.
But, NOW I can identify with what Joe is saying in the second clip......."There is life after that, and it's good. And you can get there."

If anybody can give testimony to those words, it would be me. Yes, you CAN get there.

I would like to leave another thought for anybody reading these words.

If you or somebody you know has an alcohol problem, my door is open. You may ask me anything, and tell me anything. Or tell me nothing at all if you do not wish to. Either in this forum, or by PM. And anything exchanged via PM is between you and I, never to be shared with anybody else in any way, shape, or form.
I am not a professional, and not a substitute for professional help, if that is what you may require. But I will tell you anything you wish to know about my life and my battles, from the perspective of somebody who never thought that he could get to the other side. I will not chide, nor preach, nor demean you.

If I can help anybody else on their way towards 'the door', I am certainly willing to share what I know.
Because you CAN get there. And thankfully, I am living proof that you can.

Meow!

Jan......please stop with the continued musical posts to my thread.
The reference to Joe Walsh and his encouragement to others who may be addicts was appreciated, but just posting music clips detracts from the message I was sending.
It is a serious subject for me, and I wished to extend a hand to any that might wish to ask me anything that might help them.

Meow.

Sorry Mark if I have offended you in some matter that I don't know.
However.
“Information is not knowledge.
Knowledge is not wisdom.
Wisdom is not truth.
Truth is not beauty.
Beauty is not love.
Love is not music.
Music is THE BEST.”

Meow and Arf:)

No worries, Jan.
I was just trying to get a message out there, and the music was not what I wanted to hear right now.
I just asked that you cool it for a bit.
Thanks, Jan.

Meow.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Well.....not going in to work today, but not because I just don't feel like it.
Just a bit above zero degrees today with a biting wind to boot, and I went out to start Toothless.
Took 'bout twenty tries before the starter solenoid pulled in to crank it.
And I don't wish to take a chance on getting stuck when I get out of work at midnight.

Sooooooooooooo....I gotta change out the starter later.
It's one of those lifetime warranty jobs from Autozone, so the replacement won't cost me anything.
But they won't have one there until this afternoon.
At least I can borrow Lori's garage to get in from the extreme cold and wind to change it out.
38f or so and no wind beats doing it out in my driveway today hands down.

Meowsigh.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Just a little note......
I have set April 21st as my date for stopping smoking forever.
That is a special date for me, as that is the date last year that I quit drinking.
So I think it will give me some extra determination with kicking the cigs out of my life as well.
They say part of quitting smoking is to tell others about it so you feel somewhat beholden to them to keep your work.
So, I am telling all of you here now.

Meow!!

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming anniversary of a full year of sobriety. That is awesome!!!

Wishing you the very best as you continue on your quest for better health.

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming anniversary of a full year of sobriety. That is awesome!!!

Wishing you the very best as you continue on your quest for better health.

Thank you very very much, Angela.
I will never turn back on THAT torn up track, for sure.
I cannot tell ya just how much happier I am these days.
Or maybe I can..............

Meowmeowmeow!

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Mark, A BIG Congratulations on the upcoming first anniversary of sobriety!

I have the confidence you can complete the second mission (quitting smoking) as planned. just as you have come a long way on this first one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu1c3ryidNQ

Wishing you all the best

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Just a little note......
I have set April 21st as my date for stopping smoking forever.
...
They say part of quitting smoking is to tell others about it so you feel somewhat beholden to them to keep your work.
So, I am telling all of you here now.

Meow!!

Good deal! I was a 3 pack per dayer for 40+ years, finally quit cold turkey 3 years ago this coming April. After a full year, I do permit myself to bum no more than 1 per month, just to reinforce that I can stay quit and to remind me how really gross smoking was for me.
The house no longer stinks, the car no longer stinks, and I no longer wake up each morning drowning with my lungs full of crap.
I now walk a minimum of 2 miles per day, weather permitting, and instead of feeling like I want to die afterwards I come back energized and ready for more.
I'm sharing all this only to point out that if I can do it, you surely can. And maybe a bit of pay-back for the inspiration you gave me in quitting drinking.

And do it for the kitties; their lungs don't need smoke either.

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Just a little note......
I have set April 21st as my date for stopping smoking forever.
That is a special date for me, as that is the date last year that I quit drinking.

You are an inspiration.

xx

I thank you very much for the words of encouragement you have offered, Chris, Dr Who Fan, Jimbocous, and cRunchy.
The root word of encouragement is courage. And having you here with me helps me build some more up.
I am actually looking forward to quitting now. I've had enough, my body has had enough, and the kitties have had enough.

Meowmeowmeow!

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Mark I wish you all the best on your quit date for smoking. And congtrats on the upcoming one year being sober.
Have you been trying to cut down on the smokes per day? Or doing the nicotine gum and or patches? I'm just asking because when I quit back in 89 . It was cold turkey or nothing.
For me the first 3 days were the hardest. And it was hard keeping my hands busy. I'm thinking buying one of those spinners the kids use would help in that. But they didn't have those back then either:)
Just think of the money you will save by not smoking. And good luck.

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[/quote]

Old James

Just another update..........
The hair is doing well.
And will ya look at that......I am SMILING!!!

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Glad to see the smile, Mark. Hope you're doing well.

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

Thank you, Gordon.
Yes, indeed. Things are looking up these days.
Hope that you may say the same.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Nice to see a happy & smiling kittyman!

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And it's always nice to see a happy and smiling kitty as well!

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑
Made my day!

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Keep up the good work Mark:-))

+10 :-)

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Well, thank you so much everybody!!
Jan, meow! That is a super good kitty pic!!!
Jimbocous, glad I could give you a day as good as mine.
Chris and Lynn, thank you for the continued encouragement.
You all help me keep my bubble in the middle with your kind words.

Meowmeowmeow!

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster