Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • wharfrathoss
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    congrats on the 9er NBH-is
    congrats on the 9er NBH-is this your 1st show clean?-i couldn't believe how awesome my 1st show back was-went real smoothly too-i had been a little nervous about people having work for me, but The Great Spirit, Jerry, God, whoever you choose to believe in, worked it all out-the cats that i used to use w/couldn't understand why i couldn't at least smoke herb, but they had seen me pretty strung out, & figured if that's what i had to do then so be it-the meeting at set break was incredible-you know the feeling ya get when your in the city & see some Family?-well, that's how i felt the rest of the show seeing cats from the meeting!-where are ya from in OH-i'm in canton, looking for more brother & sista rats-did ya ever hit up NLQP?-used to work there for 4 yrs, haven't been back since i got clean-keep dancin' forward (never straight!) in your recovery! wharfrathoss
  • NorthBoundHeadlight
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    9 months clean today! 22 yrs
    9 months clean today! 22 yrs old, moved to tampa for rehab, and ended up relocating here, at least for a year or two. i'm from ohio and miss the music scene around there so much! seems like everybody stops in atlanta and leaves florida in the dust, oh well. going to my first WR meeting in a week in Bradenton. hopefully get a ride to phil and friends atlanta, but most of all looking forward to the fellowship. though i don't have much time, for those in dire situations, my fav. mantra is "this too shall pass". anyway, thanks to everybody that shares, god bless,
  • wharfrathoss
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    OH WR campout in '08?
    mr drew-talked w/the columbus kid about an informal OH WR campout next year, open to all WR of course-there's a few of us up my way, a couple more in akron/cleve, lefty's in mansfield i think, & mama T's somewhere in OH i think too-figure we're not the only ones i OH, might be nice to meet y'all-at this point it's just a thought, but if there's interest maybe we could put it together
  • mrdrew
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Miamisburg
    I just moved to Miamisburg which is south of Dayton, back in Jan.
  • wharfrathoss
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    mr drew, where ya at in
    mr drew, where ya at in OH?-just talked to a cat on the wharfrats.org that's in columbus, i'm in canton-LMK
  • mrdrew
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    In the strangest of places if you look at it right.
    I stumbled into my first wharf rats meeting at one of the 1990 Atlanta shows. "Whats goin on here?" - "Were havin a meeting" - " oh sorry man" - " No problem bud, you can stay if you like" - I knew then I was in the right spot. Unfortunatley, I did'nt get sober for another thirteen years - 1/05/04. I had to be thouroughlly convinced and self diagnosed. Funny little footnote to that story is that over the years drinkin & druggin I would "stumble" into a wharf rats group at intermission (at least 5 times over the years) The response was always the same " Hey man you can stay if you want" .... DO YOU THINK SOMEONE WAS TRYING TO TELL ME SOMETHING?........ I am happy to tell you that I finally did attend a Wharf Rats meeting SOBER at a Phil & Friends show in VA a couple of years ago. I have recently moved to Ohio and I am a long way from my people back in Maryland I have a network of good sober people here, but have'nt found any people who I can go to shows with. i was checking out the wharf rats website and it says there is a Fri nite meeting in Indy. Is this still going on ? Its only about an hour from my home in Ohio so I'd like to check it out. If anyone has any info please let me know. Dantheman - you are in the right place Shack- freakin awsome !!!!!
  • wharfrathoss
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    hang in there bros
    arthur & keith-keep comin back brothers-like shack said, this is exactly where you need to be-i've always managed to find fellow rats at NA mtgs, though i might have to go for a wk to meet em-doin 90 in 90, gettin a sponser & workin steps worked for me when i was ready to do the deal-keith, after doin this for 12 yrs b4, ya know it's possible-get back on the bus bro, we're waitin for ya-arthur, i didn't get clean cause i wanted to be clean, it happened cause i was tired of the pain & wanted things to get better-i had to put down the dope b4 i could work on havin a better life-it's been a worth trade off for me ever since-after 3 yrs, i stay clean not because of wanting to be clean, it's because it's a lot better than the option love y'all wharfrathoss
  • birdleson
    Joined:
    Once in Vegas...
    I told Donny that Wharf Rat meetings were for people trying to quit Dead shows. He believed me and we sat in with the group and Donny kept wondering why they would pick a Dead show to do this at. We got the free candy and then I go t really stoned.
  • wolf78
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    words of wisdom
    Thanks Shack, I appreciate the encouragement!- Two Sets
  • shack
    Joined:
    hey keith and arthur,
    deer creek - indpls. peace, shack ----- hey guys one little piece of advice that i would like to share is simple: keep in touch, stay connected! meetings are great and this site is a super tool. this little wharf rats thingy is a double whammy with grateful dead interwoven with true sobriety. do not act like you both maybe shouldn't be here, this is indeed where you should be. stay connected to safe people and safe places. go to a meeting or a bunch, there are people who care. have a grateful day! peace, shack
user picture

Member for

17 years 7 months
Forums
Welcome, Wharf-Rats.
user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months
Permalink

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
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

GR8TFLPT CONGRATULATIONS One day at a time.............In a row
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

"One day at a time.............In a row" "No matter where you go, there you are..." Buckaroo Bonzai
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

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...
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

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
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

Any wharf rats on here from tours 1988-1991, or from the sober newsletter "Grateful We're not Dead" that existed before that?
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

tj crowley got sober in '88. joined the 'yellow ballon' tribe spring tour '88 what do ya need? tom
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

17 years 7 months
Permalink

I'm not a Wharf Rat and I defer to them, but all kind thoughts and beams of strength and courage to you.
user picture

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

Hi heads, finally got logged in. just celebrated 11 yrs "sparklinclean" in Jan. Peace all.
user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

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
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 3 months
Permalink

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"
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

tj crowley it's one day at a time (ODAT) WE ARE MIRACLE's
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

In NA they say alcohol is a drug..period. Be careful girl. Slippery ground. May the sunlight of the spirit shine on you always.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

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
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

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!
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

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"
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months
Permalink

Right On!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Peace, Love and Recovery, Lefty
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

tj crowley yesterday is history tomorrow is a mystery today is a gift that's why it's the/a present
user picture

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

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!
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

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!!!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

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"
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

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) !!!!!!!!!!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

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.
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

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
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

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'
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 10 months
Permalink

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
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Hope to run into you at the show!!!!
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

Anyone going to Denver? Maybe doin' a table?TommyO
user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

3 days+ and no rats on the forum???????????
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Whoooo Hoooo dont need dope to dance!!!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 9 months
Permalink

Is so cool :o) November and more as I wait for the score. They're tellin' me forgivness is the key to every door.
user picture

Member for

15 years 9 months
Permalink

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
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

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