New diary

Hi Graham,

hope you are ok, don't know what is going on for you, but have really noticed that you have not been yourself for some time now.

Anyway, just sending you some hugs and love for what it is worth,

Take care,

f x

Hey G, tell me another one, the Scotsman, Englishman and the Irishman etc etc...

Graham

Got to say that I really enjoyed your input and it was nice to just "switch off" and forget about cg issues for a short while on Chat tonight. Hope you appreciate that if any of the banter was aimed at you. It was a "back handed slap" as to what a good laugh and respected poster you are.

Sorry to hear about your problems this year. Hopefully they will sort themselves out soon. So as to allow you to relax more as you approach your retirement and enjoy the rewards from all the hard work you have put in over the years.

With best wishes

RayG

Hi Graham,

that does sound awfully stressful! and I can understand why it would make you feel vulnerable. Yes, the world is turning into a crazy place, so many scams and fraudsters about.

If your mood has been quite low again for a good while, I do hope you have brought a doctor up to date on this? I know you probably know how to get help if you reach that point, but it helps if they are already aware of the problem so they can establish a history and timeline, should things deteriorate. Sometimes it just helps to talk things over, and then it is easier to bring it up later on.

Anyway, take care of yourself. We cannot do without you here, so for purely selfish reasons (and oh ok, a few sentimental ones too) we want you to be happy and well.

Hugs and of course high fives!

f x

Hi Flash,

Hope you're well, never read your diary till now even though we have spoken in chat.

Just been through some of your early posts and I was suprised you came on here to start a diary 4+ yrs after stopping.

Though I have only been stopped 4 wks this time (had stopped for a number of years, then started, then stopped then started again), I think this time I, like you, need to keep in touch with those trying to stop gambling. For me I think it keeps those thoughts at bay. Reading, thinking and posting to others somehow allows you to forget about it.

I'm sorry to hear about the in-law situatin and the scamming thats going on with you.

Wishing you continued success

Dave

Hi Graham

Just wanted to say thanks mate, sometimes short is sweet........................Wished i was still down there, we could have tried destressing each other with a pint and some sea air. Graham you've always been nice to me and still believe one day we will meet up down there where i used to come from!

Dysfunctional families!! Seems to be the norm.

Take care, im all over the place and sorry to read about the inlaws, why does all the s**t happen to the nice people??? anyway im a soppy ****** but im sending my cyber dad a big hug.

Not written for a while. Well I seem to be having better days buy yesterday was a stinker. It is a good job I am working from home at the mo although I am involved shortly in a big re launch of the company I contract to. So hoping to be improving with a smile on my face.

I have, thankfully not often, bouts of clinical depression and I think that I am going through that but at the same time I am other worries on top.

Clinical depression is weird. Had it 4 years ago when I was busy and in general fairly happy so it can just come out of the blue.

It has to be hard for many, gambler or not, whilst this recession carries on. You know, I am furious that as a country we have been left in this state.

I am no economist but years just as house prices started to go crazy I remember a convo with a friend predicting a dreadful out come. Why the politicians couldn`t see that I don`t know. Perhaps vested interests?

It`s good to see many of my friends still coming here and posting or having a chat. So many of you have done so very well. I hope you take some pride out of the advancements you have made.

Graham

Sorry to hear about your on-going issues. Know how difficult a year you have been having. What with down turn in business, the "scam" and "domestic" issue that have happened. I truely hope that things pick up for you soon and that the re launch is a turning point.

I very much appreciate the way you have befriended me and offered me the support that you have. In a non judgemental way and with great sincerity. Similarly the way you have helped many other posters on here, especially in there time of need.

I appreciate you a very modest bloke. But hopefully, it is also a case that you can also....... "take some pride out of the advancements we (you) have made" through your help?!

All the best

RayG

Hi Graham, Thanks so much for all your support and its lovely to have you in chat.

Keep well

Teresa

Hi Graham

Just wanted to thankyou for popping in on my diary, hope you are ok mate!

Went into SH last week and had a chat with Ken, inspiring chap, like yourself!

take care mate, hope i catch you soon. ands

Oh dear. I have read some posts regarding the great GA debate. Dear oh dear, just wish it would stop. I have never been to GA. As many of you know I quit pretty much daily gambling 10 years ago. OK for 6 years I would have the odd tenner on a fruit machine but that was all. Now well into my 4th year of not gambling and Safe Harbor and Gamcare have been great for me.

I have no desire to gamble now. I guess I find it alien having spent so much time involved with other gamblers.

Guys if GA does it for you, great. If Gamcare is the answer for you great. If dressing up like a Telly Tubby, doing hand stands and singing the theme to the Archers, great.

I have now decided that I am not putting up with anyone who says one course is better than the other. Which ever way that gets you to overcome the problem, then nice one.

If you want a *** at " controlled " gambling, fine by me. Guys, it`s your lives. I have made crazy, though at the time, what I thought sensible decisions but still here to tell the tale.

I live a far from perfect life as I guess many do, but gambling is not an extra concern I want in it. Nor do any of us.

Some, in fact, lots of folk have made me proud of them. Against bad situations they have fessed up to the fact that there is only one winner in gambling and it a`int you.

Life itself is a as much as any one needs for a gamble. I could tell you stories that would sadden you about non gamblers but folk coming unstuck or even losing their lives in an untimely fashion.

So respect please. What ever does it for you.

Good man, Graham!

Well said 🙂

Morning Flash

Totally agree, ever person is different the fact that we could list a dozen different types of gambling that members of the board got hooked on is proof but the main thing is we all benefit from different types of help. What works for one doesnt neccessarily work for another. All I would say is give everything a try until you find what helps best.

For me I had 2 bad weekw at GA but the other 5 its been good. Counselling has been great and hopefully by the end of my free 6months I'll not feel the need to continue to see someone.

Glad to see you posting

Dave

As usual another top post from the super hero. Everyone is different and responds to different methods. Its like in the good old days when I had client visits, I soon established if I had to be 100% serious a little bit jokey or a little bit laid back, like I was chatting with a mate etc

Us humans all have things that work for us, stuff that doesnt, sometimes humans agree, sometimes they don't.

If it doesn't float your boat, vote with your feet.

You continue to be someone I look for when I need a question responded too, not neccessarly answered.

Smokes out :o)

Hi G

Just thought I'd let you know after much deliberation I've decided to spill my financial life story on mse if you want to put your two pence worth in (even though in real terms your advice is priceless!).

Thanks for all the advice and continued support.

Take care bro