[groovemongrel]

Is anybody here part of this group? I checked out their bogus website and was hoping somebody here knew something? Any of you guys clean, sober and into the Grateful Dead? BTW, I'm going to DSO at the HOB in Cleveland tonight.

[Rev_Roach]

why do you call their website bogus? i still use, but i sure as hell wouldnt talk shit on people who choose not to. I hope you are only saying that because the website is old an not updated (if thats all you meant then i certainly agree with you).

I went to my first few, and only, TOO and "The Dead" shows with my friends father who was a Wharf Rat. I think he said the group grew out of a Queen's branch of AA during the 80's. Don't know if he ever held down the tables andd gave out buttons and shit, but I do remember one time when he was selling an extra ticket before the show. The guy buying the tix offered some "really good painkillers" (wonder what he was talking about anyway, theres no such thing as
"really good painkillers", they have names) and he seemed kind of proud to respond "Nah none of that shit im a Wharf Rat"

Unfortunately he passed away a few years ago. So thats about all I know.

[groovemongrel]

why do you call their website bogus? i still use, but i sure as hell wouldnt talk shit on people who choose not to. I hope you are only saying that because the website is old an not updated (if thats all you meant then i certainly agree with you).

I called their website bogus because is has a bogus message board feature and its got no traffic at all. I figured there'd be more people connected, that all. Relax.

[swainsonsthrush]

So the show is tonight.

I plan to go, but I was wondering to what extent you mean by clean. I'm guessing you mean totally, so I probably don't count. I will most likely have one drink at the show at that's it. I also tend to wuss out and leave early. (I've got an early morning committment tomorrow.) On the other hand, if someone passed a j my way, I might, might be tempted to take a small drag....it's been a few years.

I've been playing music with a local friend recently who smokes while we play and I've turned it down every time with no regrets. I just don't feel like it anymore, especially when playing. (I have never played really well when high, never, even if I thought at the time I was). However, if that tiny chance percipitates, I will be moderately tempted.

Sorry for the long, highjack. I can be pretty good, clean company however if you want to say hello.

Cheers.

I'll be checking the boards later this afternoon.

[groovemongrel]

So the show is tonight.

I plan to go, but I was wondering to what extent you mean by clean. I'm guessing you mean totally, so I probably don't count. I will most likely have one drink at the show at that's it. I also tend to wuss out and leave early. (I've got an early morning committment tomorrow.) On the other hand, if someone passed a j my way, I might, might be tempted to take a small drag....it's been a few years.

I've been playing music with a local friend recently who smokes while we play and I've turned it down every time with no regrets. I just don't feel like it anymore, especially when playing. (I have never played really well when high, never, even if I thought at the time I was). However, if that tiny chance percipitates, I will be moderately tempted.

Sorry for the long, highjack. I can be pretty good, clean company however if you want to say hello.

Cheers.

I'll be checking the boards later this afternoon.

Right on, bro. When people say "clean" they usually mean no drugs at all. I can't just keep my drinking or drugs to a minimum so I had to give it up completely. I'm hoping there's a Wharf Rats table set up just for a little support.

[swainsonsthrush]

I hear ya. I could easily go without tonight, but I wouldn't want to promise that to you and then change my mind...about having a drink, I mean. . I'm very lucky in that respect...to be able to take either track and enjoy myself. I bet there will be a few clean souls there. It's finding them that might be tough, and this forum may be too limited an audience to find them. I don't know.

On another note, I called the box office. There are plenty of tickets left. I might splurge on a balcony seat so I can really just chill out.

And I agree with you, the HOB is a pretty nice venue, granted I've only been to all of one show there, Dicky Betts a few years back.

[groovemongrel]

I hear ya. I could easily go without tonight, but I wouldn't want to promise that to you and then change my mind...about having a drink, I mean. . I'm very lucky in that respect...to be able to take either track and enjoy myself. I bet there will be a few clean souls there. It's finding them that might be tough, and this forum may be too limited an audience to find them. I don't know.

On another note, I called the box office. There are plenty of tickets left. I might splurge on a balcony seat so I can really just chill out.

And I agree with you, the HOB is a pretty nice venue, granted I've only been to all of one show there, Dicky Betts a few years back.

The balcony is pretty awesome. We're eating at the restaurant before so they let us in early. Hopefully early enough to run up and grab the stools up there by the balcony.

[jackr]

Back in the late 80's I remember getting with some of them. I wanted to go to shows and still stay clean.

It was too difficult for me. I had used for so long and was so bad of a junkie that I really couldn't do it. I went to a show and it was torture for me. I spent my time obsessing on getting high instead of enjoying the show.

There were some very cool people who belonged to the wharf rats. But it was just not for me.

BTW, clean and sober since 4/87. And currently active in NA.

[broomhead]

my last touring year was 93.I did all of 93 w/wharf rats and a friend who was my partner in crime at the time. I'm now a recovering heroin addict for well over a decade but at that time I was nowhere near recovery.

An old buddy of mine had purchased a nicely converted school bus from another wharf Rat friend who had passed away the year before. (prior to getting clean during a particularly paranoid night he painted all the windows black and welded a bar outside to lock himself in...lol)It was nice to travel w/clean and sober friends. The bus alone is worth 300 stories but that's another story..

In the end it really worked for this group of friends. I've got a local friend who remains VERY active in the Wharf Rats. There really was a need for that table for many. Trying to stay sober on grateful dead tour is**EDIT** :( WAS :( a daunting task. Look for the yellow balloons.

joe b

[broomhead]

BTW, clean and sober since 4/87. And currently active in NA.

Congrats... coming up on 21 years.. your sobriety is of legal age...lol

seems I picked up where you left off, I started in 84 but by 4/87 had really reached my full potential. probably know some of the same people. The circle of dope fiends on tour stayed rather close (if only in proximty ..)

joe

[groovemongrel]

Back in the late 80's I remember getting with some of them. I wanted to go to shows and still stay clean.

It was too difficult for me. I had used for so long and was so bad of a junkie that I really couldn't do it. I went to a show and it was torture for me. I spent my time obsessing on getting high instead of enjoying the show.

There were some very cool people who belonged to the wharf rats. But it was just not for me.

BTW, clean and sober since 4/87. And currently active in NA.

Right on brother, that's encouraging. I'm active in A.A here in Akron. I've only been off drugs since 12/27/07 and off alcohol for one month as of today. I'm riding the proverbial pink cloud as they say.

[jackr]

Right on brother, that's encouraging. I'm active in A.A here in Akron. I've only been off drugs since 12/27/07 and off alcohol for one month as of today. I'm riding the proverbial pink cloud as they say.

I might get some heat for saying this but...

If you are really serious about staying clean and sober, STAY AWAY from people, places and things that may jeopardize any shot you have at recovery.

You are obviously already concerned about the show or you wouldnt have posted that message.

[groovemongrel]

Right on brother, that's encouraging. I'm active in A.A here in Akron. I've only been off drugs since 12/27/07 and off alcohol for one month as of today. I'm riding the proverbial pink cloud as they say.

I might get some heat for saying this but...

If you are really serious about staying clean and sober, STAY AWAY from people, places and things that may jeopardize any shot you have at recovery.

You are obviously already concerned about the show or you wouldnt have posted that message.

I appreciate your concern, jackr but there are just things I really enjoy doing, like seeing live bands,that I'm just not going to give up.

[jackr]

I am not saying give up seeing live bands. I didn't give up seeing live music but I did give myself a break. My priorities were my recovery first because if I didnt have that I wouldn't have anything else.

What I really meant to say is that if your are feeling squirelly about going figure out what your priorities are.

I have seen newcombers not take the advise of an oldtimer with many different results. You may or may not get high tonight, or it may trigger something that gets you high tomorrow or next week. Or you can find out that going to a show straight may actually be an awakening for you that you can notice things that you didnt notice before when you were numb.

But like I said if you are feeling squirelly you are not obligated, there will be many many more shows to see later in your recovery.

Whatever you do, I wish you the best.

[I'm on the Bozo Bus]

As others have mentioned, clean and sober can be relative. I never got into really heavy stuff, but certainly dabbled in places I shouldn't have.

Today is a completely different story. My dear wife and I went out for dinner last week-end... I had a few Goose and tonics (The drink of professionsals) and was looped. We ran into an old touring buddy of mine which I don't take the time to contact that often and guess what he had......
After a quick trip outside to "Check out his new car", I came back in giggling like a schoolgirl... It was fun, I had a good time, and after dinner I actually went downstairs to play a little. I hit the record button on the laptop to capture the the brilliance of my efforts. Long story short... It sounded like garbage. Big surprise there....
I have three boys, 15, 14 and 11 and I struggle with being a hipocrit... "Just say no boys..." One day, perhaps today, as they put two and two together (Hey... dad traveled around for years following the Dead, the Dead are very well known for their percieved or real drug abuse... so dad... What did you do on tour????) I will come clean and give them the whole truth as I feel they are ready for it.

JackR has it nailed. I have friends that have hurt themselves and others with their addiction. A couple have died, a few are still struggling, most are clean. (Here comes a holier than thou statement-heads up) It is OUR responsibility as "Men (Or ladies) to be righteous brothers and support those that need us. Call it Karma, call it the Golden Rule, call it what you will, Life is about helping others, the rewards you reap will far out-weigh the sacrifices you make to help others.
JackR,
Even though we have never really met, I have an idea of what you must have gone through and for that you will always have my utmost respect.

I'll get out of the pulpit now, and I apologize in advance for my Rant.
.... It is not just a nifty, hip, Grateful Dead-ish way to end my rants but a true way to live, so with that....
PEACE,
Phil