He's got older, but wiser?

[Lord Jim]

Thanks for the update Strop.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Thanks for all the birthday wishes and soory I haven't been around in a while. And I am really sorry to anyone who received the nastygram from my yahoo email account. Yahoo has determined that someone hacked my password and sent that email to all in my contacts list. A password change and deleting all my contacts seems to have fixed it (don't worry, I saved them elsewhere). If you get any more emails from that account that doesn't have "oldr_n_wsr" in the subject line, delete them and please let me know about it (put your plan b screen name in the subject so I know). OR, post about it in this thread.

I have been staying sober and started a new job two weeks ago this past monday. It's an EE job and got my first paycheck today. Feels good to join the working class again. I'm only making 3/4 what I was two years ago but I am making 35K more than when I was fixing washers and dryers. But money isn't everything, being busy doing something you enjoy is more satisfying than being miserable and feeling useless.

About 5 weeks ago A guy at a meeting said something I really took to heart.
"Happiness isn't having what you want.
Happiness is wanting what you have."

I thought long and hard about that phrase and found, while I did love my wife and family, some of my feelings were of the "blah" variety. I had no happiness, I had no want, I had no gratitude. And I had plenty to be grateful about even while not having a job. My wife and family still loved me and still wanted me around (many in the rooms have no family left or worse, had family htat wanted nothing to do with them). I still had my house, I still had my lisence and still hadthe things I worked for all these years. But again, I realy didn't care much about any of it. Then I heard those words and decided I needed to change my attitude, my perception.

So I did. I started looking at the good things. I applied and got a job stocking shelves at the local supermarket (graveyard shift) just to start feeling useful. And before I started working there, this company I had interviewed with for a technicians job called and offered me an engineering postion. I took it on the spot (actually over the phone).
So things are looking up and I'll try and stop in more often. Thanks again and sorry for hte nastygram email

[BoSoxGal]

Oh joy!! I am SO happy to hear about your new EE job - yay for you!!

I love that quote too; it's one I've pondered many times in my life during periods of emotional strife. It is an affirmation that can bring a great deal of contentment.

Good to hear from you & so glad you got such a great birthday present!

[Gob]

Well done mate, be proud!

[kristina]

Wonderful news. Congratulations!

[Sue U]

Glad to hear it, o_n_w; please keep us informed.

[Rick]

Then it was a happy, congrats...

[dales]

one day at a time

[oldr_n_wsr]

Works been going very well. Not drinking has been going very well. It's nice to feel useful again. And getting a paycheck feels good also.
Thanks for all the support, it does mean a lot to me.

[Joe Guy]

There was a time when I would have gone forth with a fifth on the fourth.

And I always missed the fireworks.

It's more fun to feel things.

Congratulations for turning your life around, Oldr.

[Lord Jim]

Sounds all good oldr, I'm really glad to hear that you're doing well; I know it hasn't been an easy road....

[oldr_n_wsr]

There was a time when I would have gone forth with a fifth on the fourth.

That was breakfast.

And I always missed the fireworks.

I was always the guy who purchased and blew off the fireworks (after the mandatory after diner nap of course). TnT (the drink) in one hand, lighter in the other hand ready to light the shell in the mortor tub on the ground. Light fuse, run like hell, but don't spill the drink. Finish drink (neck has correct arch upwards to see the shell explode), mix new drink, repeat.

It's more fun to feel things.

That it is. I did feel things while drinking, but they weren't "good" feelings.

Congratulations for turning your life around, Oldr.

Thanks, while I have made a 180, it's a life long journey, one day at a time.

Sounds all good oldr, I'm really glad to hear that you're doing well; I know it hasn't been an easy road....

Most things that are truly worth it are not easily obtained.
Thanks to all once again.

[loCAtek]

[Long Run]

I'm liking this good news. Best wishes on a great summer ONW.

[Miles]

Hang in there my friend. Congrats on the new job and your new outlook on life. You are very fortunate to have your family behind you. Keep them close.