>>A big thank you to everyone, including those who have contacted me by email. It's funny because my friend Marie used to give me a hard time about being a "blabbermouth" online. "You tell everyone this, that, and the other. Those aren't your friends, Mikey, they're acquaintances. It isn't real. It's just chat." I could never convince her that the friendships are indeed real. This is living proof.
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>Communication is 20% what you say, and 80% how you say it.
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>When discussing serious business, you NEED to be able to hear the tone of voice, and see the look in their eye. You don't get either here.
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>A phone call is much better.
>Face-to-face is best.
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>In the current situation, your friend Marie is (at least) 80% right.


She generally is. The wound in still raw so I am going to impose a moratorium on even talking about her for a while, but credit where credit is due. She was the first person who cared enough about me to get in my face about my drinking. If she hadn't done that I wouldn't be here having this conversation today. As long as it's taken me, she set things in motion.

I am going to get off the computer and spend a quiet, sober evening. Some movies are stacked up and I think I will go for one of the old ones. "Maltese Falcon", anyone?

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend, everyone.

Mike