Abstain and maintain.Stepping forward never back.

Yo,

Just catching up . I too watched that programme , and agree with your point of view. Although it never went far enough or portrayed the reality of the situation I suppose it's a starting point and better than nothing being on telly about impact the new gambling law has had on the population .

I think it's great that you are looking balancing work and home. I did used to worry about how hard you worked . Hope this job allows you some days off.

Take care

Shiny xxxxx

Hi Duncan

I am pleased that you are still leading from the front.

Everyone is banging on about the Panorama programme. I did not see it but I understand that the reporter is now an active user of this forum!

Gamblers are generally the greatest of hyprocrites. I have gambled for years and yet I truly despise any form of advertising or glorification of it. That is what got me into this mess.

I am not quite sure who the "snake adder" is. How would you tell?

Thanks again for your recent post.

Best wishes

Mark

Evening diary

Well day 1 in my new job done, met some great people and got to spend nearly 7 hrs doing what I do best cook, something that takes me a million miles from my addiction, what a feeling, uninhibited by thoughts of formulating, calculating, trying to figure out the next lie to cover the last.

Subconsciously and only cycling home I realised my job takes me a twenty minute 5 and a half mile ride out into the sticks, a place were the only game I see are pheasants!!! I don't pass a gambling emporium of any kind and were I work there is only two other buisness premises a sawmill and an old country inn. For me perfection.

tonight riding home I had an overwhelming sense of pride , today I stand equal as a man, a fella who wants nothing more than that, to be counted amongst all men.

I will achieve my goals through hard endevour, humility and a will which grows from deep within.

Today I feel happy, you would know me instantly, I am the one with a mile wide smile and a spring in my step, forward never back .

Duncs compulsive gambler No Bet today, no time for it.

P.s thankyou gamcare for removing adders offending posts , my faith in your administration unwavered.

Hey Duncs,

That is awesome, sounds like a place where I want to be! You have worked hard for it so reap in the rewards. What a vision I have of you riding down those Roads (i did pu h.i.l.l.s here but it censored that word) on that bike! Awesome!

Me too I love cooking, I used to be a chef before I got into IT, nothing mainstream just themed restaurants to start with, then Hotels and Bistros but I have a knack for it and love it in the Kitchen just like you do. There is nothing better than that satisfaction at the end of serving 100 covers, sweating buckets. Pint in hand from the boss. Chatting away with your work colleagues. I miss that I tell ya! I may get back into it one day, if I save enough money and maybe 10 or so years down the line in IT, start up my own little thing. It's a dream but if we dont dream I guess we will never get there. Just gotta puch ourselves forward to reach them goals. And man, we are on our way!

Well, wishing you all the success in your new role, long may work and happiness continue!

Alway's forward, and never back.

Have a great evening.

JP

hi Duncs

just popping in to see how you are? and to my surprise i read a lovely message that you posted about how you are and where you are in life, it's so lovely to see that you are happy, and i'm glad you are enjoying your job.

you've worked so hard you deserve to be in that place we are all longing for 🙂 and trust me i'm fighting to get there! 🙂

cooking isn't my thing but eating is something i love haha the hubby loves cooking so in that way i'm lucky Lol

speak soon Duncs Hollie xx

Dunc,

Thanks once again for your words of support

Glad to read that your new job is working out well for you.

I made it to GA last night and several members made reference to the BBC doc on Mon- i missed it but will try and track it down.

Best wishes mate,

gazza

Double Ouch!!

Thanks im even more terrified now lol.. Nah im not really i have a high threashold for pain lol...

I have never been a fan to be honest but then thats just falling into judging people I now understand that each one is personall and has a special meaning to that person and I was wrong to judge.

We live and learn eh !

Take care duncs

blondie 🙂

hey duncs

sounds like your highon life and raring to go...no SAd for you even though the clocks have gone back..

lots to look forward to in the run up to xmas and also us doggy owners even more motivated to get outdoors whether we like it or not...lol

a wuffski hi fi to Hovis and Woody as im sure the blonde ones doggy is around here somewhere xx

R and D xx

Morning Diary.

Day off today,yes thats right my Shiny friend a day off,two days in and my first day off!!

Why?? because tomorrow and sunday I will be full on at the stoves,so today I will take a rest a sit back and make an overview of the impact I will have on the food and plan for changes,and this time I will make the organicley,not gung ho so I am tied to my vision 24/7.

Why??

today I reflect on my life and what it delivers. I read alot about folk wanting to return to normal??

Well see my vision of normal was so long distorted,so wrapped up in the outcome of todays punt,that in short it was all short lived. If I won I went on a bender to win more,if I lost I went on a bender to recover.

Normal ?? Me thinks not!!!

So today like yesterday feels new,not reborn, something recovery teaches me every day,that there is a life to live,I feel like a sponge,and not a victoria one!! A sponge that wants to soak as much of life up as possible.

The answer to that I know lies in me finding balance, a work home balance,I will give my all to each,in equal measures, At it I always sat on one end of a see-saw, today I feel like I got off that ride,I prefer the slide,a smooth but exilerating experience that by choice will be never ending.

I do see there is a way,a constant drive to better everything I do.

For that gamcare I owe a portion to all of you.

Thanks.

Duncs compulsive gambler NO BET today

stepping forward never back.

Excellent, excellent post.

Hi Duncan,

Ur last post on ur diary was gr8 2 read!

I was sorry 2 read that the programme the other nite upset u, it is gr8 2 see ur positivity back tho 🙂

Have a gr8 wknd 🙂

Afternoon diary,

Just a quick post to say I am personally honoured to be amongst so many wonderful folk here upon our forum, a place of humility, integrity and honest folk who both sides of the compulsive gamblers fence, the addicts and those who support them, here to share the same goal.

Abstain and maintain.

Duncs compulsive gambler No Bet today

Stepping forward united never back

hi Duncs

just a quick thank you for your support i wouldn't of got to day 10 without you

i hope your day has been a good one, your last post was wonderful i really have met some special people such a shame we had to have an addiction to meet

take care Duncs xx

Today we will keep stepping forward no matter what is said or what life throws at us I am more sure of that than ever. Take care duncs .

"The treasured conker"

Fractured

Skies spell "seasons" to the poet

Always at this time of year.

From my window waits falling leaves;

Sheltered by the quilt across the lawn.

Outside opens many new mysteries,

Questions, paths that lead to silent trees.

Autumn breeze somehow stops me in this track.

Mesmerised by you like the tears touch to the lips,

I lower.

Longing for the ground to hold us.

The mud is beautifully silky through my fingers as I bring the last of you closer.

Fractured.

Fractured are my eyes no longer.

Your colours fill there reflection.

Your incomplete roundness reminds me of perfection.

Everything in my hands is the answer.

Dear gamcarers, today a day we stood together, my son gave to us this poem he wrote, in tribute to our beauty.

Duncs forwards never back