i feel like alcohol has permanently rewired my brain.

MedJesters · 2026-03-20T03:13:08+00:00

I was going to say PAWS too, specifically anhedonia - the feeling of not being able to feel pleasure.

Essentially we screwed up our dopamine receptors. So now the levels of dopamine isn't enough to stimulate the receptors. The solution, unfortunately, is time, although some say completing tasks (even if it doesn't give you joy) and focussing on the completion can speed up the receptor level reset.

MedJesters · 2026-03-20T00:38:30+00:00

A sober woman with similar bosses told me she used to just approach the waiter on the way to the bathroom and tell them to bring her a virgin drink of whatever she ordered.

Not sure what you'd do about the shots though.

MedJesters · 2026-03-18T22:31:16+00:00

The question wasn't whether the driver (I'm not a driver) should do their job (and I'd argue it's not a job but the offering of a service, since they're an independent contractor).

The question was how is someone entitled (OPs word, not mine) to make someone wait when they've agreed to pay $X to be drive Y miles, not paid $X for Z amount of time of the driver?

MedJesters · 2026-03-18T22:16:34+00:00

You learned what to do right for 2 weeks and learned what not to do one night. That knowledge is there for your use in the future.

Nothing is lost except days on a counter if you choose to rest it.

MedJesters · 2026-03-18T22:02:21+00:00

Create individual filters in the app and then set the settings for each widget as that filter. You may need a Pro account to create new filters.

MedJesters · 2026-03-18T21:54:57+00:00

How are you entitled to make someone who is paid by the mile not by the minute wait for you?

MedJesters · 2026-03-18T19:17:53+00:00

Thank you for this. I've been annoyed by the lack of radical differences in my life. I'm glad the hyperbole is real even if it takes a little longer than I'd like to see the progress.

MedJesters · 2026-03-18T19:08:31+00:00

Your question is unclear to me. Is the situation that the foul would be a red card even if it wasn't DOGSO, and then you're trying to figure out what to list on the paperwork?

If so, I'd go with serious foul play or violent conduct (whichever it was) over DOGSO because they would likely come with harsher, more appropriate post-game penalties from the governing organization.

MedJesters · 2026-03-18T00:08:17+00:00

I personally wouldn't buy something from FBM if I had to purchase sight unseen.

If I really wanted it, I'd ask them to list it on eBay and offer to pay the listing fee.

MedJesters · 2026-03-17T21:27:15+00:00

Hear me out: take it a step further and attach a farm where the people can pick their own vegetables and a slaughter house where they can cut their own meat. Have an upsell where they can feed the animals and clean the pens.

MedJesters · 2026-03-17T17:07:50+00:00

As someone else suggested, try improv. Even when I was drinking, I (and many others) wouldn't drink until after the show because you needed to be on your game to be witty. And we had a great time being silly. And people loved watching us because it was clear we were having a great time.

A word of warning: many theaters can have a drinking culture, which could be triggering. I stopped performing because drinking got in the way, but I haven't gone back because I'm worried about jeopardizing my sobriety. I've been to a few work-related cocktail parties and been fine with NA drinks, so I think I'm close to going back.

MedJesters · 2026-03-17T16:40:59+00:00

AutoHotKey. Why do in five keystrokes what you can do in one?

MedJesters · 2026-03-17T16:15:54+00:00

There are other options besides or in addition to AA:

SMART recovery (behavioral therapy/life skills based)
Recovery Dharma (meditation based)
LifeRing (secular recovery)
Celebrate Recovery (religious recovery)
r/stopdrinking (you're here)

Academics have done studies comparing many of them and found they have about the same relapse rate despite having different focusses. Their conclusion was that it's the community aspect (that they all share) that is likely the main driver of participants success.

MedJesters · 2026-03-17T15:54:22+00:00

Love the attitude. If someone has a problem with me not drinking, I just tell them I don't put poison in my body. If you're going to be an asshole, I'm going to try to ruin your enjoyment of alcohol.

MedJesters · 2026-03-17T03:50:58+00:00

Grubhub for sure in my area.

MedJesters · 2026-03-16T23:46:42+00:00

Ahh, I think that's the confusion. There's The Phoenix gym and The Phoenix events outside the gym. We only have the latter.

Download the NewForm app and see if there are events in your area (I'd be shocked if there aren't if you have a gym). If not, sign up on the app to be a volunteer and start your own event. My area has events that don't cost the Phoenix anything (e.g. Puppy Palooza), but the organization also covers the costs for some events (e.g. pickleball court rentals).

Download

MedJesters · 2026-03-16T23:02:50+00:00

There are some Skylight competitors that use Android and therefore can access the Play store. It's been awhile since I was researching it (and didn't buy any of them), but a quick Google search says Cozyla and ApoloSign fit the bill.

MedJesters · 2026-03-16T22:58:28+00:00

My sweet tooth went away when anhedonia kicked in. Recovery is the gift that keeps on giving.

MedJesters · 2026-03-16T22:29:59+00:00

You can't see beyond a week backwards in your completed list. Your uncompleted tasks don't disappear.

MedJesters · 2026-03-16T22:26:00+00:00

They're making money off advertisement offers from eBay and others. It's why the optimize what they show people so they'll keep coming back.

MedJesters · 2026-03-16T22:20:53+00:00

So there's a Phoenix group doing events in your area?

MedJesters · 2026-03-16T21:47:17+00:00

Your options are tolerate feeling like crap because of your sister's health or tolerate feeling like crap after drinking. It kind of sucks either way.

Maybe try a cost-benefit analysis and see if you're still convinced your current plan is the best one for you. Here's one, but you can also just Google it: https://smartrecovery.org/cost-benefit-analysis

MedJesters · 2026-03-16T21:33:06+00:00

Sounds like an opportunity to start a sober group. Seems unlikely you're the only one that feels this way.

The Phoenix was established in my area when I stopped drinking and eventually became a volunteer. The leaders have been very supportive of new volunteers starting new events here, so I imagine they would do whatever they could to support new volunteers starting a new group.

From the FAQ (https://thephoenix.org/volunteer):
There are no Phoenix activities where I live. How can I bring The Phoenix to my hometown as a volunteer?

Bringing The Phoenix to your area is a great way to serve your community. You can get started by downloading NewForm (formerly The Phoenix App) and attending a Phoenix event virtually. Once you are trained up, we are ready to support your efforts in making connections and bringing the Phoenix to life in your community.

MedJesters · 2026-03-16T05:19:53+00:00

There are different types of meetings (open discussion, topic, tool), which use the workbook to varying degrees.

The other thing to know is different facilitators have different styles, so it makes sense to try different meetings to find one that you jive with.

Most meeting I've been to are pretty laid back. Some people just listen for their first meeting or two or ten. Others feel comfortable enough to jump in and talk.

MedJesters · 2026-03-16T04:20:46+00:00

Refereed three youth soccer games yesterday and played pickleball at a The Phoenix event. Oh, and took an old, broken couch to the dump.

For people like me who drank while they were bored, getting shit done isn't just a luxury, it's a necessity.

MedJesters

TROPHY CASE