Sober fans meet up @ PJ20

DS1119

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!

Just read this and :thumbup:

pearlswirl

Oh Im Down as well!!! 4 years in August:)

appie

pearlswirl wrote:

Oh Im Down as well!!! 4 years in August:)

Great! Lets drink some juice with me/us there and celibrate that fact too..
Its a battle too get that far not too drink at all...Lets toast on that my friend..

Black73

KingJeremyTheWicked82 wrote:

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!

I'm sure your SO appreciates you supporting him...my wife has never been more than a social drinker, so her very infrequent cocktail feels like she too has quit drinking.

To be honest, WI is the most difficult place I've lived in 10 years for me to be sober, as our neighborhood cannot host a function without massive amounts of alcohol being consumed...a kid's 2nd birthday party included. It'll be great to meet any/all of you at PJ20...I will have one weekend of not seeing my neighbor's mobile bar in his driveway b/c I'll be at Alpine Valley instead! Not kidding about the mobile bar...2 kitchen cabinets w/tile countertop, with a mini-fridge and electrical outlet for blender, all on wheels. It's a neighborhood fixture each and every weekend...some weeknights at "happy hour," too. Thinking I might contact the county to see if he has a liquor license!!!

mickeyrat

Bump for Locked to stumble his way in!!!

locked

Thanks Mickeyrat!

Folks, as a "Friend of Bills" who just found out I am going to PJ20!!

I was hoping we could do some sort of "meeting" while we are there??

Heck it could even be on hillside at the event..I dont care!

people will be tailgating too.. that could be the meet up under a tent?

Just one meeting to get us together and share our strengths hopes and fears..

What's been discussed and is there any desire to put this in place?

Sorry to be the latecomer!

Scotty in Boston

5

If I get to go I would love to hang with you all.

Smiles,

5

ChadsStillAlive

locked wrote:

Thanks Mickeyrat!

Folks, as a "Friend of Bills" who just found out I am going to PJ20!!

I was hoping we could do some sort of "meeting" while we are there??

Heck it could even be on hillside at the event..I dont care!

people will be tailgating too.. that could be the meet up under a tent?

Just one meeting to get us together and share our strengths hopes and fears..

What's been discussed and is there any desire to put this in place?

Sorry to be the latecomer!

Scotty in Boston

I meant to resurrect this but just hadn't gotten around to it, so thanks for bumping, guys! I say we just make it happen - pick a time, pick a location and whoever wants to join and at the very least do a meet and greet. Who's in? Any ideas on time and location?

oona left

I'm in!!! I think this is a great idea. I'd really like to meet you people

MAS

oona left,
you made this point on your post 2 months ago but today is the first time I'm reading it:

As long as I've been sober, I've made sure I checked my motivations (do I have a valid reason to be there?), and brought a friend.

could you elaborate, i'm pretty sure I know what you mean....

pearlhawk

Staying at the Wyndham in Milwaukee....soo yeah, I probably wont be drinking very much if at all.

oona left

MAS wrote:

oona left,
you made this point on your post 2 months ago but today is the first time I'm reading it:

As long as I've been sober, I've made sure I checked my motivations (do I have a valid reason to be there?), and brought a friend.

could you elaborate, i'm pretty sure I know what you mean....

This was in response to someone (and I'm paraphrasing here) stating they might be uncomforbable around what might be prolific drinking/drunkedness.

So far as my motivations, I mean what reasons do I have for going to a particular event? For example, am I going to this concert for the music and overall experience, or am I going because I want to be immersed in a devil-may-care party atmosphere because I'm secretly hoping to get swept away in it?

If it's the former, I'm alright. If it's the latter, it could be dangerous.

The other night I went to a bar for my fantasy football draft. My reason for being there was valid: I have to pick my team, and that's where the draft was held.

If I found myself stopping at that same bar say, tonight after work (with no valid reason to be there), I'd have to have a stern talk with myself

Hope this makes sense.

Black73

ChadsStillAlive wrote:

locked wrote:

Thanks Mickeyrat!

Folks, as a "Friend of Bills" who just found out I am going to PJ20!!

I was hoping we could do some sort of "meeting" while we are there??

Heck it could even be on hillside at the event..I dont care!

people will be tailgating too.. that could be the meet up under a tent?

Just one meeting to get us together and share our strengths hopes and fears..

What's been discussed and is there any desire to put this in place?

Sorry to be the latecomer!

Scotty in Boston

I meant to resurrect this but just hadn't gotten around to it, so thanks for bumping, guys! I say we just make it happen - pick a time, pick a location and whoever wants to join and at the very least do a meet and greet. Who's in? Any ideas on time and location?

Let's do this! I suggest we meet at the front of the 10C Lawn/fenced in area both Saturday and Sunday...would be great hanging out with other sober fans while securing our place at the front of the lawn!

MAS

oona left wrote:

MAS wrote:

oona left,
you made this point on your post 2 months ago but today is the first time I'm reading it:

As long as I've been sober, I've made sure I checked my motivations (do I have a valid reason to be there?), and brought a friend.

could you elaborate, i'm pretty sure I know what you mean....

This was in response to someone (and I'm paraphrasing here) stating they might be uncomforbable around what might be prolific drinking/drunkedness.

So far as my motivations, I mean what reasons do I have for going to a particular event? For example, am I going to this concert for the music and overall experience, or am I going because I want to be immersed in a devil-may-care party atmosphere because I'm secretly hoping to get swept away in it?

If it's the former, I'm alright. If it's the latter, it could be dangerous.

The other night I went to a bar for my fantasy football draft. My reason for being there was valid: I have to pick my team, and that's where the draft was held.

If I found myself stopping at that same bar say, tonight after work (with no valid reason to be there), I'd have to have a stern talk with myself

Hope this makes sense.

Absolutely...that makes sooo much sense to me....lately I've been feeling sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, and I was looking for some different ways of handling situations and the "valid reason' theory is going to be high up on the list...thanks for the response...oh and have a sick time at the gig!....

ChadsStillAlive

Black73 wrote:

ChadsStillAlive wrote:

locked wrote:

Thanks Mickeyrat!

Folks, as a "Friend of Bills" who just found out I am going to PJ20!!

I was hoping we could do some sort of "meeting" while we are there??

Heck it could even be on hillside at the event..I dont care!

people will be tailgating too.. that could be the meet up under a tent?

Just one meeting to get us together and share our strengths hopes and fears..

What's been discussed and is there any desire to put this in place?

Sorry to be the latecomer!

Scotty in Boston

I meant to resurrect this but just hadn't gotten around to it, so thanks for bumping, guys! I say we just make it happen - pick a time, pick a location and whoever wants to join and at the very least do a meet and greet. Who's in? Any ideas on time and location?

Let's do this! I suggest we meet at the front of the 10C Lawn/fenced in area both Saturday and Sunday...would be great hanging out with other sober fans while securing our place at the front of the lawn!

What time are you thinking?

Black73

ChadsStillAlive wrote:

Black73 wrote:

Let's do this! I suggest we meet at the front of the 10C Lawn/fenced in area both Saturday and Sunday...would be great hanging out with other sober fans while securing our place at the front of the lawn!

What time are you thinking?

How about 11 am? Suffice it to say my wife, sons and I will not be tailgating!

ChadsStillAlive

Black73 wrote:

ChadsStillAlive wrote:

Black73 wrote:

Let's do this! I suggest we meet at the front of the 10C Lawn/fenced in area both Saturday and Sunday...would be great hanging out with other sober fans while securing our place at the front of the lawn!

What time are you thinking?

How about 11 am? Suffice it to say my wife, sons and I will not be tailgating!

I'm definitely down for that on Saturday and then we can play it by ear to see if we want to meet again on Sunday. I'll see if I can get the rest of my crew to join me for that. It might be really quiet on that lawn at that time and the perfect opportunity to hold an actual meeting. Who else is in besides Black73 and I? Black, what's your name? I'm Chad, obviously.

locked

Thanks folks and by no means let me dampen tbe momentum for 11am Saturday on the lawn.
I'm traveling with all drinkers and have no doubt they won't go in until Liam Finns set.. (I believe at 3:10)
So I may not go thru the turnstiles at 11am (no re-entry )..
Was hoping someone had a tailgate we could section off , eat drink and be sober before paying for stuff on the inside...
Even some lawn chairs and a tarp
Would do the trick..
And heck I still like Tail gates !
I didn't get sober to be mellow!

oona left

ChadsStillAlive wrote:

Black73 wrote:

ChadsStillAlive wrote:

Let's do this! I suggest we meet at the front of the 10C Lawn/fenced in area both Saturday and Sunday...would be great hanging out with other sober fans while securing our place at the front of the lawn!

What time are you thinking?

How about 11 am? Suffice it to say my wife, sons and I will not be tailgating!

I'm definitely down for that on Saturday and then we can play it by ear to see if we want to meet again on Sunday. I'll see if I can get the rest of my crew to join me for that. It might be really quiet on that lawn at that time and the perfect opportunity to hold an actual meeting. Who else is in besides Black73 and I? Black, what's your name? I'm Chad, obviously.

I'm in!

I'm a little concerned about being able to make it by 11:00 (I'm traveling with my brother, who will be late to his own funeral), but I can sure as hell try.

En La Clandestinidad

As a person who has never even had a sip of alcohol, great to see everyone who has beaten such a terrible, terrible thing as booze getting together!