Strumming in Yoga in Common
Solange and I had a meeting about her yoga studio that turned into a jam session. An impromptu video was made.
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One Year of Sobriety
This month I celebrate one year of sobriety. In retrospect, I realize that I was an alcoholic for decades. I rationalized this glaring dependency since I was a successful technology executive and entrepreneur. In fact, I thought that my alcoholism was a sign that I had made it. In some odd way, the more successful I became the more a drunk I was. Now that is all gone.
Gone are the hangovers. Never again will I be barfing late at night hugging a toilet in a public restroom. And no more blackouts. Basically, I was forcing my body into a state of dehydration on a daily basis. And lastly, no more words blurting out of my mouth without considering the consequences.
I feel so good, and a cloud has been lifted. I am 65 years old, and I welcome the rest of my life. Healthy, clear minded and sober. In fact, I have never felt better.
Some of my closest friends have succumbed to alcohol. I rationalized that somehow I am different. I am stronger. For me that is what alcohol represents. A rationalization for my life. Now I know it is not.
I certainly spent a lot of money on booze, but the most important consideration is time. Aside from the health benefits, is the opportunity cost of time.
For me removing alcohol from my life created a hole. Daily, I was devoting hours of my life to this addictive substance and life style. Thankfully, I did not need to go to a rehab center. I needed to change my life which certainly was not easy. Since I began my alcohol journey in the mid 70’s, alcohol is now even more ubiquitous. In the last year, I did imbibe inadvertently. I had received a box chocolates laced with alcohol. Who knew? It is everywhere.
I had many drinking friends. I am sure they don’t miss me much. I miss them, but I don’t miss the alcohol. It is a trade off I am happy to make.
I want to thank the friends that reached out to me during this interesting stage in my life.
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The AI Poem
is this the changing of direction
or delaying the inevitable?
a most curious intersection
or the state of incredible?
or delaying the inevitable?
a most curious intersection
or the state of incredible?
observe opportunities everywhere
dreams turning to reality
see the sky, stop and stare
a future with infinity
there’s beauty in front of you
beyond nine inches from your face
not virtual not artificial but true
don’t let it go to waste
what you see on that screen
is it real, AI or maybe a bot?
thinking aint for machines
just a bizarre capitalist plot
the machines aren’t smarter than you
that’s a fear silicon valley promotes
live your unique point of view
feel the feelings no machine emotes.
there’s beauty in front of you
beyond nine inches from your face
not virtual nor artificial but true
don’t let it go to waste
AI dominates your sight and sound
God gave us five senses in harmony
touch, smell and taste around
be what no machine can be
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Jesse Christmas Recital
Jesse played twice at a church in Georgetown. Merry Christmas.
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We’re Just Growing Old.
Shortly after my friend Mike Hammond died in 2015, I wrote this song. Once I stop working, I want to properly record the song, but here are my lyrics. The image in my head is that we are growing old together, and yes, then we die individually.
Running down the ragged road of life
No time to think of where it goes
I got some money in the bank.
What it all means, nobody knows.
No time to think of where it goes
I got some money in the bank.
What it all means, nobody knows.
No one knows how this life works
No secrets to be told
Let’s keep on praying and saying
We’re just growing old
Together
We’ll keep on playing
Booze has taken some friends of mine
I guess that death is part of it all
Are there lessons to be learned?
Or memories we can’t recall?
Every year, the seasons change
Summers heat to winters cold
Ain’t no reason to complain
We’re just growing old
Together
We’ll keep on playing
Darling, put your hands in mine
And look up to the sky
Everything will be just fine
For you and I.
We’ll keep on playing.
Congratulations Rob! We do this Sobriety, one day at a time. I’m very happy for you & your family. I too started in the 70’s in the same town as you! lol ! Fortunately my bottom came in 1988. I celebrated 37yrs in January. Hopefully you can come to our 50th reunion & if you do, I’ll be there to support you. Many blessings to you & your family.
Hi Keith, It is nice to hear from you. When I saw the 50th, I definitely was not going, because I don’t want to be around a bunch of drunk people unless I am one of them. Maybe I’ll try to adjust my thinking. The key to sobriety is to fine something enjoyable and productive to do instead of drinking. For me, I love going to the gym, and cooking a nice meal.
You’re on your way to the rest of your life of serenity! I wish you well. I wish you love.
My husband was sober and a program participant and mentor for 54 years, RIP.
Whether he’s in heaven or became stardust, I believe his influence was and is far reaching as I hope yours will be!
Some time soon I am going to retire, and it is going to be glorious to not have alcohol part of it. I have some friends that have retired, and they actively limit their alcohol in take.
Congratulations Rob!
Thanks Shontelle.
Congratulations Rob, well done. Sobriety is great. I celebrated 31 years this past February.
Hi Joe, I hope you are enjoying your retirement. I am thinking that maybe sometime late this year. I have cut down to 10 hours a week. And of course, I am sober which is more awesome than I ever imagined.
Hi Rob, Yep I am enjoying retirement. I still have the MSP account, but that takes about 10 to 20 hours a month :). I’ve taken up Pickleball and baking Sourdough Bread. Yes, sobriety is awesome.