My Diary!

Hi Phil.

Many thanks for dropping by diary. Very pleased to see you back in the swing of things.

I am very much distracted by The Apprentice and the Walking Dead at the moment. Absolutely love these programmes and enjoying sitting down and watching with my wife and daughter - beats gambling any day of the week. Not many new American shows on at the moment. Still awaiting next seasons of Suits to be released on Netflix but just started watching AHS4 - no where near as good as AHS 1 and 2 though. Very much looking forward to watching Season 2 of Fargo whenever that is released. Bates Motel should also be due another series.

Was wishing I never got into the American TV shows the other day as my Breaking Bad mug "broke bad" into my hand putting me in A and E! Just a couple of stitches and a fun story!

On a more British note there should be another series of Peep Show starting at the end of the year/beginning of the next. A great show!

I had better get on with some work now. Take care of yourself.

Mark

Thanks for the posts Suzanne and Mark. Its day 20 without a bet for me which sounds really good. More importantly I'm in a good frame of mind now and keen to continue to make the right choices and deal with my addiction in the best way possible. Today I have had a pretty boring day, but thankfully no urges have come to mind. Tonight I'm off to see a comedian and have a couple of drinks. It will actually be my first ever comedy show, many times in the past I have planned to go but gambling always got in the way. No bets for me today!

Hi good to read your positive post whichstrikes a chord with me....similar traits in our gambling history and enjoyment in being gambling free. I have recently succumbed to the bookies again but by reading and posting like yourself i will be back on the wagon.

Bornagain wrote:

Thanks for the posts Suzanne and Mark. Its day 20 without a bet for me which sounds really good. More importantly I'm in a good frame of mind now and keen to continue to make the right choices and deal with my addiction in the best way possible. Today I have had a pretty boring day, but thankfully no urges have come to mind. Tonight I'm off to see a comedian and have a couple of drinks. It will actually be my first ever comedy show, many times in the past I have planned to go but gambling always got in the way. No bets for me today!

Enjoy the show and the drinks!!

Thanks Dez and Tri. Last night was brilliant it was my first ever experience of live comedy and the comedian Jimeoin was so funny. 19 years as a gambler prevented me from enjoying so much and live comedy is another example of this, however I can't change the past and I look forward to many more shows.

So its day 21 and I was hoping to attend GA tonight, however their website doesn't have a listing for a meeting in Liverpool tonight. My closest meeting is actually on a Thursday night but for all the other days their website used to list that there were meetings in Liverpool venues every night. Sadly according to their site there are only now three meetings a week, none tonight and no number for me to call to see if this is correct or not. If you happen to read this Gary could you let me know if there is a meeting or not tonight.

I feel pretty good today and there will be no bets today!

Not sure about Liverpool but I know Chester's meeting is on a Wednesday night

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Thanks Dan, its an option for future weeks, but I don't pick up my new car till Friday so thats too far away for tonight.

Hi Phil,

Didn't want to read and run. I'm just checking up for you so will let you know. I think there's 2 but will confirm ASAP....I believe one is a Steps meeting which might be a bit overwhelming for a first meeting.

I haven't been to the Thursday meeting in Birkenhead but I do go to the Liverpool North one. It's a really good meeting with great unity so something I'd consider if I were you.

Hi...it is a Steps meeting tonight beginning at 7:30 at 17 Rodney Street in the city centre.

As I said, possibly not an ideal start but will set you on a good path.

Thanks Gary!

Didn't realise you couldn't drive at the mo so fair enough. I would say don't be put off going just because its a Steps meeting, it will start the process and that can only be good. We have plenty of newcomers stumble through the door's if our Step meeting. Some find it overwhelming and irrelevant and some say wow why didn't I try this sooner. I have found that reaction from people whatever type of meeting they go to first time up. A GA meeting is still a GA meeting whatever format, so give it a whirl, what's to lose

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Thanks Dan I have been to a few of the meetings on the Wirral in the past, I just struggle because I work evenings on a rota that covers 7 days so I didn't find it worked for me as I could only attend every now and again. But having read your diary I will put the effort into attending one meeting a week and the weeks I'm in work for the Wirral meeting I will attend one in Liverpool.

Day 22 and I'm back in work for two days before being off at the weekend. I'm glad my three days off went well as often its days off when the urges come back. I had a look at the GA website and it had a description of a steps meeting that said 'These meetings are better suited to someone that has been attending for some time'. So I decided to give it a miss and the next time I'm free on a Wednesday night I will have my car and be able to go to the Chester meeting.

I booked tickets last night to go and see Frankie Boyle on Sunday night which I have to say I'm really excited about as he is my fave comedian. These treats are not possible when I gamble, I need to stay strong and keep reaping the rewards of recovery.

No bets today!

Day 23 and I have just been to pick up my new car.........freedom!!! Because of my gambling I have been without a car for over two years and it has hampered me from getting out and about as much as I would like. Now I have my car I can't wait to get out and about enjoying life. Clearly a big part of this requires me to continue to embrace recovery and make the right choices.

Today I have to say there is no struggle, no urges to deal with and shortly I will be off to work. This month is ticking by well with money in the bank safely out of my reach. I need to continue to progress like this. No bets today!

Day 24 and a weekend off work. I'm feeling pretty good although for a fraction of a second before my mind thought about placing a bet. But then I thought don't be stupid, I can't win because I can't stop. My weekend budget is 100 pounds so I need to look at it like this. 100 pounds equals half an hour in a bookies then the sinking feeling or 100 pounds can put fuel in my car, pay for dinner out tonight, beers at a firework display and then beers at the show tomorrow night. So I choose to make the right choice this weekend and enjoy myself.

No bets today!