Me

Me

Friday, May 23, 2014

Time For A Different Direction

My last couple of posts in this blog I, have discussed my battle with the beer can or should I say many beer cans. This is not intended to be a blog about sobriety, although I may from time to time post about it.

I have been following up on a plan that has been in my head for quite sometime. When your 53 and have had some business success, it is time to work on something your truly passionate about.  Mine is writing.

Throughout my long banking career, I had to prepare detailed written memorandums typically for loan approval purposes. In my consulting company, I prepare detailed written documents about my clients and their businesses.  But my true passion is sports.

I have recently starting writing for Fansided Talking 12 and a twitter friend's blog TheVegasParlay.com  I am  in discussions to do some technical marketing type writing for a large sports wagering pick site.

Additionally two book projects are going to come to fruition. One is humorous look at my journey out of the booze fog. Its outlined and the first Chapter is done. The second book is a business book targeting small business owners and how to deal with their bank.

I am also stepping up my Twitter game. There are numerous ways to use Twitter, in the right way, including business and marketing. It is amazing what happens when you reach out to a few quality people whom you have followed.

I am blessed to be in a great place in my life, I am not trying to be the next John Gresham or Peter King, just finally working on my passion.

Planning to spend three weeks at my Las Vegas home beginning June 1 or so. Really excited to be there for the wagering opportunities of the NBA, NHL finals and  first ten days or so of the World Cup. I am going to be sitting in my loft looking out my window at the mountains in Red Rock and writing.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Sober for One Year, My Thoughts

Its been almost one year since I last posted to this blog. My last post announced my alcoholism and my stint of thirty three days in rehab. It was not an easy post to write, but I had been kidding myself for a long time.

What a year it has been. I am clean and sober and have been so now for 377 days as of today. Its a challenge, sometimes a struggle but its amazing how much better my life is.

I would be remiss in not thanking my good friend, Barbee, who drove me to a rehabilitation facility in early May of 2013. She has been friend for over ten years as is always a phone call away.

My life has changed in so many ways.

First, I am finally in a normal relationship with an amazing woman whom I have known for over 13 years. She is my best friend, my rock and soul mate. Our relationship is based upon 3 really simple principles. Romance, Compassion and Fun. We have all three everyday.

My relationship with my kids has improved significantly. They are 17 and 16 now, both drive and are doing well in high school. They will be a senior and a junior next year. While I feel good about being a divorced dad with them for now almost 13 years, I still carry guilt. I was a drunk dad on too many occasions.  Now there are no more lies and my time with them is no longer centered around Dad drinking beer. I am honored to call them Adam and Carlie and am blessed they put up with my bullshit.

My health has improved dramatically. I did not realize it but I was close to stroke, heart problems or even death. My cure for the shakes was just to drink them away . I still shake occasionally, just shows how bad I was. My liver numbers are good, my blood pressure is well in line, I am working out regularly and am not on any medication.

I quit playing live poker and I do not not miss it. Poker equaled drinking beer for me, lots of it. I have poker talent but I drank it away. I lost thousands of dollars at the poker table by playing drunk and making horrendous poker decisions while under the influence. I cant even go to a $10 bar league poker tournament, it just disgusts me.  I do play some legal online poker when in Nevada and still love the game. But I play in a safe environment, from the comfort of my couch.

There are a lot of people I hurt, seriously its a really long list. To all I will make amends. I am better now. To those of you who doubted me, we are no longer friends.

Finally for you, Alcohol, I hate you. I think I still loved you when I first got sober. Its over now, your smell disgusts me, the things I see you do to people hurts me. Sloppy drunk women used to turn me on, now its gross. Watching people who get whacked out drunk makes me want to throw up. Your evil for me and you know it, but I am better than you.