>>A lot of wacky things have happened on the UT but this may be a first <g>.
>>
>>I would like to be banned from the UT for one month, subject to possible reinstatement at that time. Here is why I am asking. When I posted here on Friday after returning from my latest crisis, I gave those who were concerned about me a brief status report and said I expected to be scarce here at least for a while. Which was my full intention. Except then I posted a reply in a thread about the Texas execution controversy, then was on here yesterday yakking about football (American). This morning the first thing I wanted to do, after taking care of the dogs and making sure my daughter was up and getting ready for school, was get on the good old UT and see what's shaking. IOW, same as usual.
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>>The long and short of it is my impulse control is not too hot. This will not surprise many who know me. So maybe it's better that the decision be taken out of my hands.
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>>This almost seems like a constructive idea <g>. I am doing other positive things, BTW. There were some good suggestions and a couple of new medications from my time in the hospital last week, all of which I am pursuing already. Those who think I do not even want to get better are mistaken, even if it seems mystifying. Not frittering away my time chattering here is another positive step I can take. (Please don't take that as a general statement about the UT, because it definitely is not. Most come here for business reasons, with maybe some chatter on the side. I come here mainly for the chatter with maybe a tech reply on the side if it lands right at my feet). It isn't even so much the time I spend here that could be better spent addressing my problems in other ways, it's the need to change as many habits as possible.
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>>As for possible reinstatement, here is my suggestion. Of course it is not my decision to make so it is only a suggestion. I don't want to dump this on you because I know you are doing the work of at least two people already just keeping the UT running. It might be a good idea for some designated member, or members, to touch base with me in mid-November by phone or email and decide whether they think it is a good idea for me to return to the UT. Or to suggest conditions such as no more than X posts per day, or no more chatter posts than tech replies? Just brainstorming.
>>
>>For however long it lasts, I will miss you guys, even those of you who have been taking the tough love approach. The UT has been part of my daily life for several years, just as the Compuserve FoxForum was before that. Best to everyone. Any emails (mbeane@inbox.com) will be appreciated if the spirit moves you.
>>
>>Mike
>
>Smartest thing you ever did. Now go to all of your local stores and ABC stores (do you have those there or are they private licquor stores?) and do the same. :o)

There was an ABC liquor superstore close to my apartment in Orlando when I lived there in 1984-5. My income was fairly stratospheric at the time and they got more than their share of it.

If there is even one person here who thinks that because they are on an upward trajectory bad times can never come to them, and heeds this message, then good. If you know you have a secret sin, in the words of the Boss, don't assume it is offset by the good things in your life and in abeyance. I spent so many years thinking that because I had this, that, and the other -- that I was a vesting member of the American dream -- it was something that could be overlooked. All great heroes have great flaws, right? We have known that from the time of Greek theater, if not before. Whoops.

I will actually take your advice and go to Round Lake Liquors, my current ABC Liquors, and ask them to put up a Wanted poster with my face on it. Do not sell to this man. Maybe that will help. But liquor is everywhere and easily found (the Boss again). At least around here you can't go to the grocery store without passing an alcohol section. That isn't the issue. What I need to do, and am working on, is not want it any more. There's the tricky part.

The inscrutable thing is I have known all this for a long time. I understand fully how destructive alcohol is for me, as it is not for most people. They can take a drink or two with no effect beyond giddiness. We alcoholics are different. It will never be less demanding than an animal. Wish he luck.

And thanks again for calling the cops a week ago. I understand that it was for my daughters' sake more than mine, and I understand why. Thanks anyway. You literally saved my life. May peace be with you.

Mike