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  • morning drew
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    Chicago Meetings
    Looking forward to Chicago Fare Thee Well! When are the meetings?
  • AzNiner
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    Table locations have been posted on Dead50.net
    Santa Clara: Where can I find the Wharf Rats at the show? The Wharf Rats will have a table near the Participation Row area, on the main concourse close to the Intel Gate A. _____________________________________________________________________ Chicago.. Where can I find the Wharf Rats at the show? The Wharf Rats will have a table near the Participation Row area, in the South Courtyard inside the South Gates, near Gate 0.
  • Spaceman Spiff
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    Newbee
    Going to SC 6/27, and a bit nervous that I will be the only one around me not using. I'm younger than most of you folks from what I have gathered, as I only got into the Dead as a high schooler in the early 90's, and have followed mostly by trading music and watching as a bit of an "outsider". Saw Phil a few times. Loved the music and people were kind. But I always felt out of place since it seemed like I was the only one not smoking, dosing or drinking that wine. (Never used. Seen too much life wasted to be attracted to any of it. That, and my relationship with God, the real influence, would be so scrambled up if I was under the other influence.) Would like to find the yellow balloons during set break and say how do you do. Plus, I'll need the reassurance that there are more like me out there. Real name's Eric. I'll see you there!
  • mona
    Joined:
    Will be tables
    At both both Chicago and Santa Clara. Look for the yellow ballons or bring one and you will be found. Maybe a meeting on Friday afternoon or night at a Park near the Stadium SC.
  • cwlane
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    Helping Hand
    I am a lone drunk. I agree with you though.
  • cwlane
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    Thanks. Much appreciated.
    Thanks. Much appreciated.
  • mona
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    cwlane of corse you can still love the GD! Why there is wharfrat
    "a group of friends sharing a common bond, providing support, information and some traction in an otherwise slippery environment." Look for the yellow ballons and meetings are at set break. You don't have to be perfect. Just take it one show at a time (~);-)
  • mona
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    Wharf Rats Description:
    The Wharf Rats are a group of concert-goers who have chosen to live drug and alcohol free. Our primary purpose at the shows is to make ourselves available to anyone who feels we may have something they want. We offer support, strength, fellowship and hope. Look for the yellow balloons, signs and the Wharf Rats information table. We are not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous nor any other twelve-step group. We are a group of friends sharing a common bond, providing support, information and some traction in an otherwise slippery environment. The Wharf Rats began during the 1980s as a group of Deadheads under the name "The Wharf Rat Group of Alcoholics Anonymous". The Wharf Rats originally came from a small group of Narcotics Anonymous members who went to a Grateful Dead concert in Philadelphia and located each other by their Yellow balloons with the NA symbol drawn on in Magic Marker. However due to operational differences they soon split off from Alcoholics Anonymous, and are not affiliated with them, NA, or any other twelve-step program, though many of members of the Wharf Rats are members of AA, NA or other 12 step programs. The Wharf Rats see themselves as "a group of friends sharing a common bond, providing support, information and some traction in an otherwise slippery environment." The unusual name of this group comes from the Grateful Dead song "Wharf Rat", which contains the self-told story of August West, a down-and-out dockside wino.
  • paulyp
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    Helping Hand
    Hey CW....First thing I noticed that you joined the site in 2010...whatta ya been doing for the past 4 and a half years if your trying to get sober now?? The first thing I did to get sober: Change People, Places and Things!! You gotta lose all your "using friends" start hanging out with positive, healthy, sober people. Try that for starters and get to a meeting!!
  • cwlane
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    Help Me!
    I'm trying to get sober, but I'm sacred. Can I still love the GD? Please help.
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17 years 5 months
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Welcome, Wharf-Rats.
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17 years 1 month
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Congrats on the 23!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We love YOU too. Thanks for the kind words and the inspiration. Have a great time at Rosemount.peace, love and recovery, lefty
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16 years 7 months
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GR8TFLPT CONGRATULATIONS One day at a time.............In a row
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17 years 3 months
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"One day at a time.............In a row" "No matter where you go, there you are..." Buckaroo Bonzai
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15 years 9 months
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congrats that is awesome! I am down here in so. cal if anyone knows any rats out here in my neck of the woods please let me know. I would like to meet up with some like minded people! Still hoping I get a chance to catch a show this year. We will see. Anyway hello to all and keep in touch.
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16 years 7 months
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San Fernando Valley here.......Drop me a line........meet at the Forum......We shall surely meet as we trudge this road of happy destiny.......May God bless and keep you until then. :o) Broken heart don't feel so bad......You ain't got half of what you thought you had.
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15 years 9 months
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Just a bump to y'all for getting and staying clean. I posted a "looking for" rant on the Dead forum awhile back because I hadn't heard from a friend. The forum moderator must have deleted it for being marginally inappropriate. Turns out the buddy I was looking for was found in his apartment surrounded by empty vodka bottles. Such a sweet, intelligent, funny, tormented soul. Last I spoke with him on the phone he claimed to be sober, but he either was pulling my leg or it didn't last long. Damn. Remember folks, if you're slipping and you're feeling alone, somebody out there loves you. If you don't feel like you can talk with your regular friends or family about it, post on this forum, call a hotline, or something, anything, to stay alive. You've got family right here. You've got family out there. "Ten years ago I walked this street, my dreams were riding tall Tonight I would be thankful, Lord, for any dream at all Some folks would be happy just to have one dream come true But everything you gather is just more that you can lose..." RIP Pablo. "May you build a ladder to the stars and climb on every rung." You'll be with me in Denver in May. Oh, the countless paths we've walked, the countless shows we've ventured... the places and spaces... the beaches and woodlands... never more will those huge toes wiggle in the muds of glee...
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17 years 5 months
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tj crowley only suggesstion i did not take was to 'give up the dead' when i got sober'clean 'wharfrat' just formed and was glad that there was/is an outlet while attending GD shows (other than exiting the show-which is also good advice) pass it on it
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17 years 5 months
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tj crowley i do not agree w/ the wharf-rat sticker 'save your face' and have voiced my opinion for many years. when my clinets complete Tx, i supply them w/ a choice of NA/AA sticker but cut out the extra section of white suppling only the skeleton and diamond/triangle. it's not 'save your face' but save your ass!! i've spent many a year trying to look/sound and pretend all is well when my ass was falling off. so....it's not save my face but my arse and as always 'any A to save my A' beside..it looks better on the back on vehicles w/o extra white area of sticker
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15 years 8 months
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Any wharf rats on here from tours 1988-1991, or from the sober newsletter "Grateful We're not Dead" that existed before that?
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17 years 5 months
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tj crowley got sober in '88. joined the 'yellow ballon' tribe spring tour '88 what do ya need? tom
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17 years 2 months
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I remember drinking bag wine on the haight with Feather and thinking, "life is good". Love that sister. But life changes and you change with it. I went out to Ohio looking for love and good times. Found both..... Did the marijuana maintenance program.... But hey that was for religious purposes, right? I used to come on Dead net in the nineties frying my ass off looking for a chat buddy. I realize now that no one can really have a conversation when they're that high. But even though I really enjoyed the company of the Ohio family, I realized that there was something missing.... It took a return to California to come to terms with my addiction. I was back on dope in no time and I developed schizophrenia just all of a sudden one day. I had been "taking a break" from the dope and it had been a while since I had used when the schizophrenia came on. Scared the holy livin hell out of me. Took three years to be diagnosed. During which time I was sober, well most of the time. I was sober for four years and then one day I guess I just decided to have a drink. No real pearls of wisdom coming from my direction, just think things are gonna work out. I can't get all caught up in the dope this time. No Meth, crack, coke, heroin.... just booze and weed right? Now I'm back in school. Been back in school since last year. Been drinking again for about three months. I'm hanging on to my future by the skin of my teeth. What I really want to do is go on tour. Maybe tour will make it all clear again. Maybe I'll run into some kind Warfrats and I'll put the booze behind me. I feel alone a lot. Not like I felt when I was a teenager and I was exploring the coast. When I was young and influencial and I loved the music and the music loved me back. But just alone. Not many people my age at the school I'm going to and even though there are heads here I'm just not reaching out. Maybe I'll meet up with some kind kids on tour next year, or the year after, or...... when I have time. maybe I'll stop then. Well a toast to the love of the dead and the love we share there. Peace to Feather, Star and all the other Haight street kids over the years... may we be immortal. Forever as one. One people, One Heart, One Destiny. One LoveZelda
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17 years 5 months
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I'm not a Wharf Rat and I defer to them, but all kind thoughts and beams of strength and courage to you.
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15 years 9 months
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Hi heads, finally got logged in. just celebrated 11 yrs "sparklinclean" in Jan. Peace all.
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16 years
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wow-u got a lot goin on....i am almost 1 year sober...i got my masters in 2005...it was a long strange trip for sure...hang in there...dual diagnosis is tough, but u can accomplish anything if u put ur mind to it....hang in there-peace, love, light, n sobriety
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16 years 2 months
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I divorced h on feb 25 05 as a gift to myself i want to get a phat wrap i want to support someone doing the right thing if i can. So anybody get with that give me a line love to hook up or if you con help me out let me know thanks peace. "Nothing left to do but smile smile smile"
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15 years 8 months
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Just sayin "Hi" again. Was sober for many years and toured and went to Rainbow sober in the 80's and 90's. Many yellow balloon nights. I relapsed for many years, you know the story...got too busy and successful for meetings...anyway, I'm back and sober 6 months. Very active in A.A. Going to an A.A. campout (indoors) in Idaho where I live this weekend. Maybe I'll see you at a show if Phil and Friends make it up to my neck of the woods. Nobody plays in rural Idaho, but Maybe Seattle or Missoula or something. I'm living the good life, staying sober and close to the earth. Be well. Russ K.
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17 years 1 month
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you can do this thing ,but the booze won't help . You already know that . It took guts to reach out and I believe that we are all in this together so lean on us. I didn't get it the first time , second time.................. but I celebrated 19 years last Nov. My friend Jimmy C says one day at a time in a row, I like that cause thats how we do it. Sending love your way!peace,love and recovery, lefty
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17 years 5 months
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tj crowley it's one day at a time (ODAT) WE ARE MIRACLE's
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15 years 10 months
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In NA they say alcohol is a drug..period. Be careful girl. Slippery ground. May the sunlight of the spirit shine on you always.
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17 years 5 months
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tj crowley theotherone2...your right and in AA they use the alcohol only to justify/rationalize use of other than alcohol. a drug is a drug is a ........ no matter how i('we') put it into our system it still needs to get to the brain where it does what it's suppossed to. whether it's legal or il-legal..over the counter or under the counter,,shot, popped, snorted or smoked...to the brain it gets effecting neuro-transmitters appropriately. kkep it simple...don't use and go to meetings any A to save your A
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17 years 2 months
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Well, I have twenty four hours now. Maybe I'll be able to celebrate my recovery on Valentines day. Thanks for all the support and kinds words.Zelda
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17 years 2 months
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24 hrs is 24 hrs more than ya had yesterday, so congrats! you don't ever have to use again if you don't want to. & the best part is that you don't have to do it by yourself!
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15 years 10 months
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All any of us in recovery has is another 24. A day at a time. Whatever you did to stay clean for the past 24, why not try it again today? Congrats!! Keep comin back. "I'll get up and fly away"
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17 years 4 months
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That's what I was going to mention. It's great to have a record of success but whether it's days, months, or years we got there ONE DAY AT A TIME. Just like the music, the one comes around every day and what came before doesn't really count. We have to make it through this measure. Take it easy and do it one minute at a time if necessary.
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17 years 1 month
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Right On!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Peace, Love and Recovery, Lefty
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17 years 5 months
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tj crowleyi used holidays all the time.....thanksgiving, xmas, fried-day(s), tuesdays, doris day(s), so celebrate not only being six feet up sucking wind but for not using not using is contra to our being CELEBRATE EVERYDAY!!!!!!!!! congrats
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17 years 5 months
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tj crowley yesterday is history tomorrow is a mystery today is a gift that's why it's the/a present
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15 years 8 months
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I intend to be sober at the Chicago show on May 5th. I know nothing about this group, but see you all there.May innumerable beings benefit.
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16 years 7 months
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1210 days........In a row.........And I still believe that a power greater than myself can restore me to sanity.......LOL.......( You know its gonna get stranger.......so,....Let's get on with the show! ).......And only by the Grace of that Power.....I'll meet many more wharfrats at the 2 shows in Chicago, 1 show in Denver, 1 show in Los Angeles, 1 show in Mountain view, and a show at the gorge.......One Show at a Time.....So, lack of power is my dilemma.......I have to find that power......The BB tells usme......There is One who has all power. That One is God.......And the BB tells me exactly where to find Him.......and may you find Him........NOWIn order to be in the presence....You must be in the present...........Marvel in the ordinary (((HUGS))) Lefty............Congrats Zelda(((HUGS)))...........May innumerable beings benefit.......Thanks for that one Unborn Poet(((HUGS)))..........(((HUGS))) to ALL......And you shall surely meet some of us as you trudge this road.......( tour this tour ).......of HAPPY destiny........May God bless you and keep you until then. :o) Peace, Love , and Recovery Jimmy C. November and more as I wait for the score. They're tellin' me forgivness is the key to every door.
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15 years 9 months
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plus 6 months as of today. grateful for recovery and grateful to have seen what we saw and been where we were too. first show 7/7/86, last show 7/9/95 and a couple hundred days between. sorry i missed out on the fellowship at the shows, i guess i just wasn't ready. thank god i survived long enough to be here now. thank you wharfrats. any michigan sober heads out there, drop me a line
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17 years 3 months
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Well, today is my birthday, my real birthday. Getting older, but lovin' every minute of it. I can't wait for the shows, I'll be going to 2 in Philly. I love to read these posts becasue you all remind me that I'm doing the right thing. I know that I am, but you help remind me. I love my life, I love that I know what I'm doing now and that I remember all the great things I do and the great shows that I see and hear. I just celebrated 39 years of life and I've got 4 years+ of sober life. One day at a time is right.Someone recently posted that saying, "No matter where you go, there you are." I love that! Enjoy yourselves and celebrate every day!!!! Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile!
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15 years 9 months
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I like the posts that is so true I have to hear it and see it to believe it but it is IT!! I thought I would just wonder round till I came to the end but I will have 425 days on the 28th God willing- anyone who wants to drop me a line would be appreciated i was hesitant to go to any shows but I decided to get tix for worcester and hartford but worried I might "glorify" the scene and forget what I am - anyone else going those shows clean and sober? I'm gettin a miracle EVERY DAY!!!
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15 years 8 months
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Hi everyone, my name is Brian and I'm New to the Wharf Rats. My sponsor and I were wondering if anyone is goig to the phiily fri show and to Derek trucks band in Reading,Pa April4? also, Mountain jam at Hunter mtn. and the Beacon run. Ia m relatively new to sobriety and it would be great to meet some sober people down at the shows to " keep it simple " and not as tempting . My e-mail address is BSharp267@gmail.com. Thanks
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15 years 10 months
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Welcome aboard. This bus has a new driver, greater than me or you. Good that you're connecting before you start goin to shows. We dont do this alone. Im sure you will find some Rats in your area, and when you get to your first sober show look for the WR table. We are everywhere. Follow the yellow balloons. Heres a site you should check out.. http://liwarfrats.sampasite.com/liwharfrats/ Peace...."I'll get up and fly away"
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17 years 2 months
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Well thought I'd keep everybody posted... I had one week yesterday!! I'm gonna go to the show at the Gorge in Quincy so maybe I'll see some of you there!!Zelda
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17 years 5 months
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tj crowley congrats on ODAT be aware of walking (dancing) into the lions lair tho the support (warf-rats) is on location, the den is still il-advised in early sobriety remember..walk leggs walked in to venue can walk you out should the surrounding(s) be enticing/uncomfortable bring sober folk w/ you to show(s) !!!!!!!!!!
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15 years 8 months
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New to being sober and am looking to met any one who is going to the show in may.Would like to met other sober heads at the show.
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17 years 5 months
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tj crowley too often i have heard in session (and/or at mtg's) of folk relapsing because they were not vigilant re; sobriety/abstinence... attending (grateful)dead gigs is a p p & t (people place and thing)!!!! as Elmer said in his approach to the wabbit....'be weary carful' anything 'we' put before our sobriety can/will set up for relapse
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16 years
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havent posted in a while....Happy B-day Jenny n congrats on all of u newly sober folks!! If we are smart we will remember that we are all new to sobriety no matter how many 24 hours we have under our belts....Finally-finally-finally-gettin close to that one year mark.....cant believe it...only through the grace of God n the power of AA....n knowin some great rats too...Lefty! Hope to see some of you in April!!!love n light
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15 years 9 months
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Easter night will be the 38th anniversary of my first Dead show which was 4/12/71 Pittsburgh .. NRPS (with Jer on Pedal Steel) opened ... The night was magical and I was on The Bus .. was also a very colorful chemically induced purple haze. Saw many shows over the years before I got clean and sober. My sobriety date is 12/31/82 ... first shows sober were the Hampton '87 Spring run ... Have attended many WharfRat meetings at many shows since then...Happy to say that this will be the first show that my 18 & 20 yr old children have attended ... although they were raised on The Dead, my wife was against taking young children to shows. Can't wait to shake these old bones with my young'uns. See you all at the Yellow Balloon 'jubilee'
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15 years 8 months
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would like to hook up with Wharf rats, live in bella vista AR a retirement community (not manydead fans here!) need a person to identify with especially after all the TRIPS, most of these AA folks have no idea, please respond
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17 years 4 months
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Hope to run into you at the show!!!!
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17 years 1 month
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Anyone going to Denver? Maybe doin' a table?TommyO
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15 years 10 months
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3 days+ and no rats on the forum???????????
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17 years 4 months
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Whoooo Hoooo dont need dope to dance!!!
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16 years 7 months
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Is so cool :o) November and more as I wait for the score. They're tellin' me forgivness is the key to every door.
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15 years 7 months
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I first found the Warf rat's by mistake stumbling up the steep lawn with my fists clinging 2 overpriced beers. As I paused to catch my balance I noticed that i was in a 12 step like environment. I don't want to make any assumptions but with any luck i will make my first sober shows on the 4th and 5th of May!! ONE DAY/Show at a time. The music known as the Grateful Dead started 40 years ago. It has never stopped. It will live on as long as the Legend remains alive through all of us deadheads. Let the songs be sung and the rhythms played in combo with perfectly improvised melody. Grateful till I'm Dead Joe
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17 years 5 months
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hi folks--there is now a Meet Me at... topic for each stop on the tour, so feel free to discuss local logistics there, though you're of course welcome to discuss them here too. Whatever works! Thanks! ME