Terry Grier

Spring Flowers

Steven Wilson has a new song out that I dig. “Self”

The video is strange and thought provoking.

Jon Blestein writing for Rolling Stone – Quotes Wilson:

Self’ is about our new age of narcissism and self-obsession, one in which a human race that used to look out with curiosity at the world and the stars now spends much of its time gazing at a little screen to see themselves reflected back in the mirror of social media.

So few artists make social commentary that has a bite any longer.

Perhaps, I am missing most of it due to the fact I am an middle aged white dude who truly does not understand or enjoy modern rap and hip hop which I think is where most of the action is these days. I miss the days of Public Enemy.

This song along with my interest in developing a deeper life made me think about Huxley’s Brave New World.

From Pioneerleadership’s Blog

The “Brave New World” denizens were plied with pleasure, distraction, advertisement and intoxicating drugs to lull them into complacency, a world of perfect consumerism, with lower classes doing all the work for an elite.

I wonder where a citizen would find pleasure, distraction, advertisement and consumerism all in one device?

PS: Here are the lyrics to “Self”

Self-help and self-aware Self-made millionaire Turn it up and tone it down Entertain like a fucking clown

Self-image and self-belief Selfish acts between the sheets Self has no sense of tact Self is too self-detached

We are self, the self that loves itself now We are self, I only see myself now

Self-absorbed and self-obsessed If not me then someone else Self sees a billion stars But still can only self-regard

We are self, the self that loves itself now We are self, I only see myself now

(I am the universe)

We are self, the self that loves itself now We are self, I only see myself now

Tropical Hibicus I call them double bloomers. But I searched and found that there are 31 types of Hibsucs

I live in Central Texas and spring is in full swing for 2021.

My first year of sobriety was different than the last 2 years of my sobriety. Because my sobriety journey started 2 years before I took my last drink the triggering effect of being around alcohol or the temptation of alcohol was quickly lost. Seriously, maybe 2 months and I could care less about drinking alcohol.

However, I did have a lot of emotional issues. For a time I thought I was better than all of the people that drank. I carried around a heavy burden of needing to be an example to all of the people that now knew I was the “sober” guy. Looking back it seems like a normal progression but as a 52 year old man, I am embarrassed to admit those feelings.

I was sitting in a local pub, my wife still drinks, watching a baseball game and the bartender who knew I stopped drinking had ordered some Non Alcoholic beer for me. He opened one and presented it to me before I could say yes or no.

I sat and stared at it for a while.

I was consumed what other people would think of me if I drank it. What if my wife posted a picture of me on Instagram and my sober community saw me drinking a NA beer. Since it has a small amount of alcohol in it - would I break my sobriety? Would they be disappointed in me?

Seriously, this is what I was worried about. Not a thought given to if I would enjoy this beer or if it would trigger me. No was the answer to both of those questions. I was not triggered and it was “OK”. Frankly I was enjoying my sparkling water with lime a lot more.

As time moved on, I found a couple of craft breweries that only brew non alcoholic beer. Athletic Brewing is by far my personal favorite.

I drink a couple of beers a week. Some weeks I drink zero. The time I find that I enjoy them is when I do an activity fishing or yard work and I want to sit and let the sun hit my face. Then I enjoy the flavor the most. Maybe it is an echo of my drinking days but mostly I enjoy the flavor.

For your Consideration

For me I do not not drink more than 2 in a sitting where when I drank beer - hell I could drink 12. So for me these do not trigger me.

For you it might be different. You need to seriously think about this if you are sober. Only you can answer this question for yourself.

Wishing you the best and remember always move towards healing.

Wit’s Peak - Athletic Brewing (Non Alcoholic Craft Beer Only) Light and Refreshing. Perfect timed for spring.

To All the Apple IOS users out there… tech peeps. I am using ios to manage and suggest passwords. Good idea?

Before my Apple Watch (2019) this was my daily watch. I miss it.

Simple. Easy to Read. Never needs to charge. It never interupts me. It is there when I want to see it and never the reverse.

I am going to wear it a couple of days.

Finished Reading: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson 📚

Cussy Mary - the main character is still living in my head.

Have you read it? If not I strongly recommend it.

Easter Amaryllis

Alcohol is a tricky thing. If you wish to not drink, you become labeled with a drinking problem. What other addictive substance do we do this with? If you decide to cut down on heroin would your friends pressure you meet up with them after work for a quick fix?

The point I am trying to make is that alcohol has some special protection society. It is not just your own internal struggle you have to face but a society that gives alcohol as pass for all the problems it causes humanity.

I am not seeking to change anyone. I am just speaking my truth so that others might find theirs.

Here is a blog post I wrote early this year and a video I made that might be of some interest to you.

Wishing you the best and I am here if you need additional resources.

Today - Golfing on a Spring Day.

I often wonder why I publish things to the internet. It doesn’t matter if it’s a tweet, a photo or a full-on blog post, the whole idea of it seems futile when you really think about things. I don’t show ads, I don’t have a Patreon, I don’t make any money at all, so what is the point.

Greg Morris (# “Greg Morris”) reflecting on his blog.

This is an excellent question.

It reminded me of my post about being just an amateur.

Sharing helpful information is what made the internet what it is. Somewhere along the road it became a way to make a living or earn extra money.

Be a good member of the internet community. Be like Greg - If you discover how to do something, write it up.

@gr36

I enjoy baseball.

I prefer to listen to games on the “radio” which through my airpods and the MLB app.

I do not have time to be a fan of the whole league. I picked my team, in my case the Houston Astros, I live in Austin area and this is a close team to me. I follow what is going on with them. In none COVID times I would try to attend a couple of games a year.

The MLB subscription that allows you to listen to any game is $20 a year. The best part of it is that you can pick which teams announcers you wish to listen too.

Make no mistake that the announcers are homers for their teams. They are on the teams payroll. So they are not objective. But they are informed.

I would encourage you to pick a team and follow them this year. Steal time from your social media and podcast listening and listen to a baseball game.

Let me know if you decide to give it a try.

Who is Suzyn Waldman?

Waldman is considered a pioneer in the male-dominated field of sports broadcasting.[4][5] She is the third woman in Major League Baseball history to serve as a full-time color commentator on a regular basis, after Betty Caywood in 1964 and Mary Shane in 1977. In the mid-1990s, she was a play-by-play announcer for the Yankees' local TV broadcasts on WPIX, which made her the second woman to serve in that capacity on TV for a major league team, after Gayle Gardner in 1993.

I am not a hardcore baseball fan. I have fond memories of watching the Cubs in the early 80’s before the lights in Wriggley on WGN with my father and grandmother.

In recent years, living in Central Texas, I have become an Astro’s fan. I use the MLB app to stream the radio broadcast and I have learned over the last 5 years to really enjoy listening vs watching baseball. You develop a bond or kinship with the announcers. They matter.

Suzyn calls for the Yankee’s. Not a favorite team of mine. I enjoy her calling the games. So much that if the Astros are not playing and I want to listen to a baseball game, I will listen to the Yankee’s to hear her.

She was recently interviewed by Sarah Lang on the MLB Youtube Channel. Link

Suzyn Waldman is an inspiration to girls and women who want to work in sports. (via @mlb)

My NA reward for fence work well done

Tombow. HB. My favorite pencil

When is the last time you experienced something for the experience and not the to share with a picture or something. We reach for our phone in almost all circumstances these days myself included.

1978 Jayking Family Popup. Getting it ready for a week on the South Llano River State Park