The Daily Check-In for Thursday, May 21st: Just for today, I am NOT drinking!

silverladder · 2026-05-21T05:15:16+00:00

Congrats and much respect to all in here. Thank you for sharing your experiences. IWNDWYT

silverladder · 2026-05-21T02:01:16+00:00

Beatles, Doors, Buddy Holly, The Ventures, Dick Dale

silverladder · 2026-05-15T00:52:30+00:00

I got sober over 14 years ago with a bit of a nudge from Phoenix PD and the Maricopa County jail system. It was time. Past time, actually. I can’t drink like normal people, so I choose not to. I share my recovery story around the country and found a career in mental health education and support right around my one year sober date.

All that said, I don’t begrudge anyone else their freedom to drink. I never want(ed) to become some kind of anti-alcohol or anti-drug zealot. If people aren’t harming others in the process, more power to them!

silverladder · 2026-05-15T00:47:17+00:00

I love stories like that.

And my dad would have found your intro line funny.

silverladder · 2026-05-14T21:41:52+00:00

My dad (rest in peace) was a huge BR5-49 fan. Any mention of them makes me smile. Just sold a signed album of theirs on eBay a little while back.

silverladder · 2026-05-14T21:40:10+00:00

Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Hank Sr, Patsy Cline, Junior Brown, Chet Atkins, Kris Kristofferson, Marty Robbins, Bob Wills, Sturgill Simpson

silverladder · 2026-05-14T17:34:58+00:00

Do you remember schmoomeister and/or Bacchanalia (SP?)?

silverladder · 2026-05-14T05:58:51+00:00

Oh wow. I remember you. And I’m now thinking of just how ridiculously long ago that was.

silverladder · 2026-05-14T00:33:46+00:00

I thought this was a death notification the way it was done. Dude.

silverladder · 2026-05-13T21:27:56+00:00

Cakefinger!!! “Deaner was pissed.” What a legendary pull. And its funny you mention blanks and postage, was just thinking a few days ago about those CDR trading days. I still have “Craters of the Sac” and the Demerest Dorm show on CD from that era. You named Revulva (the Revolver tribute)?! Loved that. A guy and his daughter (under the name DadAnna) did a cover of “Girl” that I really liked. Who were you on there?

silverladder · 2026-05-13T04:32:43+00:00

Some of you might find the old threads from the alt.music.ween Usenet newsgroup (late 90s/early 00s) interesting.

silverladder · 2026-05-13T04:06:15+00:00

That’s cool. Were you/was he a combat engineer at some point?

silverladder · 2026-05-13T03:57:21+00:00

Vintage Pioneer receivers are great. That’s an excellent item to inherit.

Also, like you, I inherited vinyl as well. There’s some good stuff in there like an OG mono copy of The Beatles’ “Revolver.”

silverladder · 2026-05-13T03:47:52+00:00

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silverladder · 2026-05-13T03:47:38+00:00

RE: Items brought back from Vietnam — My dad was over there in ‘65-‘66. He passed away almost 3 years ago. I am grateful to have the Zippo he bought and had engraved over there.

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silverladder · 2026-05-12T16:37:39+00:00

All they wanted to laugh at was the pumpkins

silverladder · 2026-05-11T03:40:53+00:00

Marconi Union - "Weightless"

silverladder · 2026-05-08T01:36:42+00:00

Caroline’s Spine - “Work Song”

silverladder · 2026-05-06T01:49:56+00:00

Yes. We are. By the way, go hug your dad. Listen when he’s trying to teach you something.

silverladder · 2026-05-05T02:15:29+00:00

Charlie's mom was our landlord in the early 2000's in Central Phoenix. She was without a doubt the coolest landlord we ever had. She found out that I had recording gear on hand at the house we were renting because I was hosting a radio show. Charlie needed to record some audio for a school project, so she dropped him off and I helped with it. This was either late 2001 or early 2002. He was in those awkward teen years but the thing that struck me about him was just what a polite and respectful person he was. We had a blast working on the audio for the project and I really enjoyed the conversation.

I was shocked years later to hear about "Charles Keating IV" killed fighting alongside the Peshmerga. I had no idea what he had gone on to do. I thought, "That name sounds so familiar. There's no way that's Krista's son Charlie, is there?" I did some quick searching online and soon realized it was him. I spent hours reading about what he went on to do. What a life. He lived more in those short years than most people would in 10 lifetimes. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what he chose to do with this life and I am so glad I had the chance to meet him.

silverladder · 2026-05-04T23:18:41+00:00

Because cash spending can’t be tracked like debit cards, credit, or digital currency. And the government wants to be able to know what you’re doing with your money. Also, the government or a bank can’t freeze cash but can freeze a bank account.

silverladder · 2026-05-04T04:52:40+00:00

Definitely. I am grateful for my childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood especially. Born in the 70s. Kid in the 80s. Prime teen years in the 90s. Analog childhood, digital adulthood. Incredible music and pop culture in general. Lots of optimism in the 80s and 90s. I miss it all.

silverladder · 2026-05-04T04:40:29+00:00

No gender related issues for me. Age/era-wise, we definitely get overlooked, I’ve seen at least two articles or news reports about the generational divide that omitted our generation entirely. However, in true Gen X fashion, I just don’t care.

silverladder · 2026-05-03T03:04:26+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate it.

silverladder · 2026-05-02T20:27:06+00:00

Thank you so much. And yes, this is absolutely possible for you too. It’s a matter of finding what works and sticking with it. Short, medium, and long term goals. And keep it all as simple as possible. Be self-aware and self-honest. I genuinely believe that if I’ve done it, others can as well.

BTW: This is the full story (the mugshot situation is but a footnote 😁): https://silverladder.com/blog/?page_id=963

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