Sober fans meet up @ PJ20

NinaBeena

I've never posted a reply on a thread, but this particular one has prompted me to "get involved"...

I'll be attending PJ20 with my husband, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law. Two of us are sober (who HAVE the allergy) and two of us are sober (no allergy, but TONS of -isms). We're all active participants in our respective 12 step programs, and G-d willing, will have a combined 15 years of recovery at Alpine Valley. I'd tell you who has what in terms of sober time, but that's not my deal to discuss (I'm one of the -ism people, and will be just shy of 6 years @ PJ20). Sobriety has saved my life (as well as the lives of my travel companions), but that's not why I'm posting.

When my husband and I travel, we attend meetings, whether in new towns, on cruise ships, or gathering as a small biological family in recovery on family vacations. Based on our history, I'm SURE we're going to need a meeting at PJ20! (It's ironic: I'm not the one with the allergy, but I'm the one who gets squirrely around super drunk people) While it would be a nice addition to meet Mike @ Alpine Valley, I'm kind of feeling that we're walking a dangerous path. Here's why... One: I'm in recovery for me. The people at my meetings are brothers and sisters walking similar paths, and we don't put anyone on pedestals. That firmly goes against our traditions. I fear that if Mike does come, it will turn into idol worship, as opposed to sober people helping sober people. Two: does Mike feel comfortable being the poster child for recovery/sobriety? My hubby and I have discussed our sobriety with Mike (as much as is possible while standing in front of him at a show) and have a set list with some really kind words of support and signed by Mike. That said, discussing recovery between three recovering people is different than people gawking at a member of PJ.

Sorry this is so long, I'm sure I'm breaking some 10C rule. I just wanted to ask to be notified about meetings, whether or not Mike's there. I'd rather ANYONE with sobriety be there- you're all just as important as Mike is in terms of my recovery. Until September, may you all stay happy, joyous, and free!

mickeyrat

NinaBeena wrote:

I've never posted a reply on a thread, but this particular one has prompted me to "get involved"...

I'll be attending PJ20 with my husband, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law. Two of us are sober (who HAVE the allergy) and two of us are sober (no allergy, but TONS of -isms). We're all active participants in our respective 12 step programs, and G-d willing, will have a combined 15 years of recovery at Alpine Valley. I'd tell you who has what in terms of sober time, but that's not my deal to discuss (I'm one of the -ism people, and will be just shy of 6 years @ PJ20). Sobriety has saved my life (as well as the lives of my travel companions), but that's not why I'm posting.

When my husband and I travel, we attend meetings, whether in new towns, on cruise ships, or gathering as a small biological family in recovery on family vacations. Based on our history, I'm SURE we're going to need a meeting at PJ20! (It's ironic: I'm not the one with the allergy, but I'm the one who gets squirrely around super drunk people) While it would be a nice addition to meet Mike @ Alpine Valley, I'm kind of feeling that we're walking a dangerous path. Here's why... One: I'm in recovery for me. The people at my meetings are brothers and sisters walking similar paths, and we don't put anyone on pedestals. That firmly goes against our traditions. I fear that if Mike does come, it will turn into idol worship, as opposed to sober people helping sober people. Two: does Mike feel comfortable being the poster child for recovery/sobriety? My hubby and I have discussed our sobriety with Mike (as much as is possible while standing in front of him at a show) and have a set list with some really kind words of support and signed by Mike. That said, discussing recovery between three recovering people is different than people gawking at a member of PJ.

Sorry this is so long, I'm sure I'm breaking some 10C rule. I just wanted to ask to be notified about meetings, whether or not Mike's there. I'd rather ANYONE with sobriety be there- you're all just as important as Mike is in terms of my recovery. Until September, may you all stay happy, joyous, and free!

Hi Nina, welcome to the board!!

You do raise some valis points here. But whos to say that all would be fawning over him. I have attended a meeting with another well known guitarist. That person shared at the meeting . Afterwards I thanked him for his comments(I could see how what he shared while not directed at me, it still applied) and that was that.

As for the tent/table. It would be awesome to have some sort of set schedule/formats for meetings. Who knows, maybe HE would need the meeing that day/hour as much as the rest of us.

Anyway, I'd like to invite you to post in the" PJ fans in 12 step recovery" thread on AET.

Peace.

ChadsStillAlive

Any news back from the 10C, DrDan?

Black73

NinaBeena wrote:

I've never posted a reply on a thread, but this particular one has prompted me to "get involved"...

I'll be attending PJ20 with my husband, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law. Two of us are sober (who HAVE the allergy) and two of us are sober (no allergy, but TONS of -isms). We're all active participants in our respective 12 step programs, and G-d willing, will have a combined 15 years of recovery at Alpine Valley. I'd tell you who has what in terms of sober time, but that's not my deal to discuss (I'm one of the -ism people, and will be just shy of 6 years @ PJ20). Sobriety has saved my life (as well as the lives of my travel companions), but that's not why I'm posting.

When my husband and I travel, we attend meetings, whether in new towns, on cruise ships, or gathering as a small biological family in recovery on family vacations. Based on our history, I'm SURE we're going to need a meeting at PJ20! (It's ironic: I'm not the one with the allergy, but I'm the one who gets squirrely around super drunk people) While it would be a nice addition to meet Mike @ Alpine Valley, I'm kind of feeling that we're walking a dangerous path. Here's why... One: I'm in recovery for me. The people at my meetings are brothers and sisters walking similar paths, and we don't put anyone on pedestals. That firmly goes against our traditions. I fear that if Mike does come, it will turn into idol worship, as opposed to sober people helping sober people. Two: does Mike feel comfortable being the poster child for recovery/sobriety? My hubby and I have discussed our sobriety with Mike (as much as is possible while standing in front of him at a show) and have a set list with some really kind words of support and signed by Mike. That said, discussing recovery between three recovering people is different than people gawking at a member of PJ.

Sorry this is so long, I'm sure I'm breaking some 10C rule. I just wanted to ask to be notified about meetings, whether or not Mike's there. I'd rather ANYONE with sobriety be there- you're all just as important as Mike is in terms of my recovery. Until September, may you all stay happy, joyous, and free!

Great first post Nina, and congrats on 6 years! Strong points you raise, and I didn't even think about each of us being as important as one of us...thanks for the reminder! If Mike were to show up, I'd just like to say thanks to a very public figure for bringing awareness to, in my family's case, an illness. Although I have not been part of a formal recovery program, I'll say that The Big Man Above, my wife & children, and positive role models have been part of my 10-year recovery program.

I look forward to meeting any/all of you at PJ20, and stay strong on your individual recovery paths!

TheSeeker

Awesome thread everybody and cheers to you all!
I also do not enjoy drinking at the shows, not that I haven't, but why miss a couple of great songs/moments just to go to the bathroom?
Another reason I don't like to drink at the shows is all the very bad incidents I have had with drunk fans being out of control, the worst of which has been, ironically, at Alpine Valley.
I hope lots of people read this thread you guys have started and can think twice about having too much at Alpine. It not only can effect themselves, but also their PJFan brothers and sisters. :silent:

Dr. Dan

ChadsStillAlive wrote:

Any news back from the 10C, DrDan?

No word back from 10c.

I received some bad new today. I can not go to PJ20. Something has come up that I absolutely can not miss. I am overwhelmingly bummed! Not to mention all the money I am out on a flight and shuttle tickets.

I hope someone takes the reigns on this idea and gets all of our brothers and sisters in recovery together at PJ20. I soooooooooo wanted to be there.

I think if you are to get a table at PJ20 you will need to call the PJ business office directly.

Rock on without me my fellows!
Take care and be well.
Dan

mickeyrat

Sober style bump. Anyone care to step up to the plate in place of MrDan?

mickeyrat

Guess we can meet at a random somewhat quiet spot inside the venue. Think when we get closer we exchange phone #'s? In case we need to pair up or meet for a on the spot meeting?

mickeyrat

mickeyrat wrote:

Guess we can meet at a random somewhat quiet spot inside the venue. Think when we get closer we exchange phone #'s? In case we need to pair up or meet for a on the spot meeting?

HELLO!!!! Is this thing on?

whispering hands

I don't get to go to the festival damnit, but If I was able to, I would definately want to hang. I've got 2 months of no drinking under my belt, however it was always a rule for me to never drink at PJ shows after the 11/5/93 show when I almost lost my job for beating peeps with their shoes.. so Congrats to all those still clean and sober!!!

oona left

mickeyrat wrote:

Sober style bump. Anyone care to step up to the plate in place of MrDan?

I would like to nominate Mickey Rat. He's clearly on top of things

What do you say?

ChadsStillAlive

oona left wrote:

mickeyrat wrote:

Sober style bump. Anyone care to step up to the plate in place of MrDan?

I would like to nominate Mickey Rat. He's clearly on top of things

What do you say?

I'll second that. If I wasn't so busy with my service position in my area, I'd be happy to, but alas, my life is quite full.

KingJeremyTheWicked82

Can I just give you all praise for not being ashamed of sobriety. I've never been a big drinker but I had been going through a tough time with my other half who had been battling a drink problem/depression for years (we've been together 12 years and the problems were before we were together) so as you can imagine things were very very tough but he has been sober since April last year and I also stopped drinking to support him so I too are tee total. It's been hard as friends and family wonder why I wouldn't want to have a drink and they have the attitude "no drink no point" and the thing is it doesn't even bother me that I don't drink. I've witnessed what alcohol does to a person, it almost destroyed his life and our relationship but now he's come back a healthier person, mentally and physically and I'm so glad.
Think I've rambled on a bit much and it doesn't really have anything to do with PJ but I just wanted to say it.

Cheers!

josevolution

Another reason why the fans of this band are totally the coolest mother efr's on the planet , wish you guys all the best

KingJeremyTheWicked82

josevolution wrote:

Another reason why the fans of this band are totally the coolest mother efr's on the planet , wish you guys all the best

:thumbup:

mfc2006

josevolution wrote:

Another reason why the fans of this band are totally the coolest mother efr's on the planet , wish you guys all the best

agreed. someone very close to me is fighting battle every day. strength & thoughts are with you all!

josevolution

mfc2006 wrote:

josevolution wrote:

Another reason why the fans of this band are totally the coolest mother efr's on the planet , wish you guys all the best

agreed. someone very close to me is fighting battle every day. strength & thoughts are with you all!

Yes i bet most of us on the forum have at least someone we know very well that is fighting some sort of addiction , i support this thread with all my thoughts :thumbup: i will make it a point to stop by and say hello to everyone there ...

ChadsStillAlive

josevolution wrote:

mfc2006 wrote:

josevolution wrote:

Another reason why the fans of this band are totally the coolest mother efr's on the planet , wish you guys all the best

agreed. someone very close to me is fighting battle every day. strength & thoughts are with you all!

Yes i bet most of us on the forum have at least someone we know very well that is fighting some sort of addiction , i support this thread with all my thoughts :thumbup: i will make it a point to stop by and say hello to everyone there ...

I really appreciate the supportive comments from everyone who's not in recovery. It's really cool to feel the love from people who aren't in our shoes but love the mighty PJ like we do. Similarities over differences!

mfc2006

ChadsStillAlive wrote:

I really appreciate the supportive comments from everyone who's not in recovery. It's really cool to feel the love from people who aren't in our shoes but love the mighty PJ like we do. Similarities over differences!

you guys will always have my support, Chad. hope to meet you all @ Alpine!
-Matt

appie

7 years sober now and will be that way at pj20..
Hard to quit an addiction,but glad it was succesfull..
Hope all of you do well and much strenght and good vibes for those that seem to need it

and...

See ya at pj20.. :thumbup: :wave: