1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,000 However, tonight is our Secretary's Night. 2 00:00:05,540 --> 00:00:11,800 So, my name is Abraham and I've been your Alcoholics Secretary for this past year. 3 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:15,760 I have no format, so we're just winging this at this point. 4 00:00:16,260 --> 00:00:24,340 But, tonight is the night where I finally get to sit down. 5 00:00:24,460 --> 00:00:24,960 No. 6 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:47,420 So, as we transition our secretaryships, but in honor of that, one thing that is unique about this meeting tonight is that every person that is coming up here to share has been a past secretary of this meeting at some point. 7 00:00:47,420 --> 00:00:53,420 So, I'm going to be reading off, here we go. 8 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:57,250 Me, here we go. 9 00:00:57,930 --> 00:01:00,690 Our past secretaries. 10 00:01:01,370 --> 00:01:08,990 Alright, so this meeting, Quality of Life, we started back in 2007 with Denny V. 11 00:01:08,990 --> 00:01:11,710 2008, Yvette L. 12 00:01:12,070 --> 00:01:14,670 2009, Bruce B. 13 00:01:15,190 --> 00:01:17,250 2010, Lori B. 14 00:01:17,930 --> 00:01:20,310 2011, Milton C. 15 00:01:20,890 --> 00:01:23,210 2012, Nolan L. 16 00:01:23,410 --> 00:01:24,570 2013. 17 00:01:24,990 --> 00:01:26,690 Jerry S. 18 00:01:27,310 --> 00:01:29,930 2014, Elizabeth D. 19 00:01:30,290 --> 00:01:33,170 2015, Greg N. 20 00:01:33,330 --> 00:01:35,710 2016, Bill W. 21 00:01:35,870 --> 00:01:38,210 2017, Lisa C. 22 00:01:38,410 --> 00:01:40,730 2018, Oscar O. 23 00:01:40,870 --> 00:01:43,310 2019, Alex B. 24 00:01:43,510 --> 00:01:45,770 2020, Nancy B. 25 00:01:46,350 --> 00:01:48,530 2021, Scotty B. 26 00:01:50,430 --> 00:01:53,270 2022, Karen M. 27 00:01:53,270 --> 00:01:54,150 Karen. 28 00:01:54,990 --> 00:02:09,170 Uh, 2023, Ben Q., 2024, Nate D., and 2025, I am Abraham, and I have been your secretary for this last year. 29 00:02:09,710 --> 00:02:11,330 Yeah, let's get a little round of applause. 30 00:02:11,670 --> 00:02:16,670 It's definitely not a light commitment, but I definitely appreciate it. 31 00:02:16,670 --> 00:02:24,870 Okay, so continuing in the format, I will be asking Nolan to come up and share for today. 32 00:02:24,870 --> 00:02:29,110 We're going to be talking about the 33 00:02:29,110 --> 00:02:29,750 last 10 minutes. 34 00:02:29,750 --> 00:02:30,690 We're going to be talking about the last 10 minutes. 35 00:02:30,690 --> 00:02:33,290 Okay, AA has no membership, dues, or fees. 36 00:02:33,410 --> 00:02:35,570 However, we are self-supporting. 37 00:02:35,670 --> 00:02:37,010 We will be passing the basket. 38 00:02:37,590 --> 00:02:49,370 You may also send Venmo contributions to at QOLAA or at the QR code or the Venmo link posted in the Zoom chat. 39 00:02:49,670 --> 00:02:50,350 Thank you. 40 00:02:50,550 --> 00:02:51,230 Oh, look, it's Chapel. 41 00:02:51,590 --> 00:02:52,070 Okay. 42 00:02:52,070 --> 00:02:52,190 Okay. 43 00:02:52,190 --> 00:02:54,850 It is also customary to. 44 00:02:54,870 --> 00:03:01,670 Read the 12 traditions that apply to the group conscience as the 12 steps apply to the individual 45 00:03:01,670 --> 00:03:05,350 And tonight I'm asking Karen to read these for us 46 00:03:05,350 --> 00:03:08,650 Okay, thank you 47 00:03:08,650 --> 00:03:14,070 And now for tonight, I will be your main speaker 48 00:03:14,070 --> 00:03:14,930 Yay 49 00:03:14,930 --> 00:03:19,050 Okay, my name is Abraham and I am an alcoholic 50 00:03:19,050 --> 00:03:25,730 It has been an absolute pleasure to be your secretary for this last year 51 00:03:25,730 --> 00:03:32,650 This is definitely one of those commitments that I would have never chosen for myself 52 00:03:32,650 --> 00:03:35,990 And of course, it's not a popularity contest 53 00:03:35,990 --> 00:03:40,450 This is my higher power doing for me what I would not do for myself 54 00:03:40,450 --> 00:03:46,450 So, I am born and raised here in the San Fernando Valley 55 00:03:46,450 --> 00:03:48,990 I was born at Selmar or Olive View Hospital 56 00:03:49,050 --> 00:03:50,950 When I was just a year old 57 00:03:50,950 --> 00:03:55,190 I went to Van Nuys Middle, no, Van Nuys Elementary 58 00:03:55,190 --> 00:03:58,010 Van Nuys Middle School, Van Nuys High School 59 00:03:58,010 --> 00:04:00,070 I got kicked out of Van Nuys High School 60 00:04:00,070 --> 00:04:02,390 And ultimately I graduated from Birmingham High School 61 00:04:02,390 --> 00:04:09,110 A lot of what this program has taught me 62 00:04:09,110 --> 00:04:14,370 Is that I'm always centered on myself 63 00:04:14,370 --> 00:04:17,630 As a little kid 64 00:04:19,150 --> 00:04:21,910 When I was in, like, elementary school 65 00:04:21,910 --> 00:04:24,270 I would sell candy 66 00:04:24,270 --> 00:04:25,450 I would sell chocolate 67 00:04:25,450 --> 00:04:27,230 I would buy the big thing from Costco 68 00:04:27,230 --> 00:04:31,190 And they would sell, like, the 40 or 50 pack of the full-size candy bars from Costco 69 00:04:31,190 --> 00:04:33,430 And I would freeze them overnight 70 00:04:33,430 --> 00:04:34,510 And then have this 71 00:04:34,510 --> 00:04:35,830 I'd have my regular backpack 72 00:04:35,830 --> 00:04:39,030 And then I'd have this laptop bag that was just candy in there 73 00:04:39,030 --> 00:04:40,630 And I would go around campus 74 00:04:40,630 --> 00:04:44,530 And I would sell out this entire bag at a dollar apiece 75 00:04:44,530 --> 00:04:48,430 And it just brought everybody to me 76 00:04:48,430 --> 00:04:49,130 Because I had a lot of money 77 00:04:49,150 --> 00:04:50,630 And I had what you wanted, you know 78 00:04:50,630 --> 00:04:56,870 And that was always, like, what I am about 79 00:04:56,870 --> 00:04:58,070 It's just my ego 80 00:04:58,070 --> 00:05:01,430 Anything coming up 81 00:05:01,430 --> 00:05:07,710 If I could put myself in a position where I knew you needed something from me 82 00:05:07,710 --> 00:05:08,490 And I would benefit 83 00:05:08,490 --> 00:05:09,710 That's what I'd like to 84 00:05:09,710 --> 00:05:10,970 That's what I like to do 85 00:05:10,970 --> 00:05:14,190 You know, when I went to 86 00:05:14,190 --> 00:05:14,970 I don't know, that was just 87 00:05:14,970 --> 00:05:16,090 That was me growing up 88 00:05:16,090 --> 00:05:17,630 I was always, like, into tech 89 00:05:17,630 --> 00:05:19,030 Because in tech 90 00:05:19,030 --> 00:05:22,590 I was always the one who knew what you needed to know 91 00:05:22,590 --> 00:05:23,450 And you would come to me 92 00:05:23,450 --> 00:05:25,290 And then I would be the one to get the attention 93 00:05:25,290 --> 00:05:27,730 In middle school 94 00:05:27,730 --> 00:05:29,690 I would hang out in the computer lab 95 00:05:29,690 --> 00:05:32,570 I'd set up all the little stations and everything 96 00:05:32,570 --> 00:05:36,670 And for when I was going to graduate from middle school 97 00:05:36,670 --> 00:05:38,790 For my graduation present to myself 98 00:05:38,790 --> 00:05:40,810 I broke into the library 99 00:05:40,810 --> 00:05:44,590 And I stole the new MacBook Pro laptop that they just purchased 100 00:05:44,590 --> 00:05:47,530 And thought that I had deserved it 101 00:05:47,530 --> 00:05:49,010 Because I had been working on it for a long time 102 00:05:49,030 --> 00:05:51,050 In that library for the last couple of years 103 00:05:51,050 --> 00:05:57,210 Of course, the police found out when they told me 104 00:05:57,210 --> 00:06:00,710 Oh yeah, your sister already told us that she saw you at home with it 105 00:06:00,710 --> 00:06:03,310 And so I was like, alright, fine, yeah, it's at home kind of thing 106 00:06:03,310 --> 00:06:06,810 When finding out years later and talking to my sister 107 00:06:06,810 --> 00:06:08,930 I was like, no, the police never actually talked to them 108 00:06:08,930 --> 00:06:11,850 Like, they just, you know, told me a lie 109 00:06:11,850 --> 00:06:13,110 And I ratted myself out 110 00:06:13,110 --> 00:06:18,510 But then, you know, coming up in high school 111 00:06:19,030 --> 00:06:20,430 I did the same thing 112 00:06:20,430 --> 00:06:22,250 It was the day of graduation 113 00:06:22,250 --> 00:06:26,470 And I was hanging out with this other friend 114 00:06:26,470 --> 00:06:28,090 And we were in the AV room 115 00:06:28,090 --> 00:06:30,470 And again, it was another computer 116 00:06:30,470 --> 00:06:32,730 And I thought that, again, I deserved it 117 00:06:32,730 --> 00:06:35,070 Because I was doing all this work and everything for them 118 00:06:35,070 --> 00:06:36,590 And so it was another opportunity 119 00:06:36,590 --> 00:06:38,730 That I laterally transferred it to myself 120 00:06:38,730 --> 00:06:40,650 And the police were involved 121 00:06:40,650 --> 00:06:43,050 And the friend that was following me around 122 00:06:43,050 --> 00:06:43,850 Got caught 123 00:06:43,850 --> 00:06:46,810 And to make sure that she didn't get in trouble 124 00:06:46,810 --> 00:06:48,590 You know, I said, yeah, of course, it was me 125 00:06:48,590 --> 00:06:49,010 Because it was me 126 00:06:49,010 --> 00:06:51,110 And it was always about me 127 00:06:51,110 --> 00:06:58,810 When I got my first job at the Six Flags 128 00:06:58,810 --> 00:07:02,170 I remembered I wanted to be one of the guys, right? 129 00:07:02,350 --> 00:07:05,730 My uncle told me it was a good idea to go get my guard card 130 00:07:05,730 --> 00:07:07,770 So I started working security 131 00:07:07,770 --> 00:07:08,890 I got my guard card 132 00:07:08,890 --> 00:07:11,490 I went to Six Flags during their big summer job fair 133 00:07:11,490 --> 00:07:13,270 And during the interview, they looked at me 134 00:07:13,270 --> 00:07:14,790 And they were like, oh, you're smart, aren't you? 135 00:07:14,870 --> 00:07:16,010 And I was like, yeah 136 00:07:16,010 --> 00:07:18,230 And they pulled their little golf cart around 137 00:07:18,230 --> 00:07:18,810 They took me back to my home 138 00:07:18,810 --> 00:07:19,230 They took me backstage 139 00:07:19,230 --> 00:07:23,350 And they took me to the communications and security area 140 00:07:23,350 --> 00:07:25,010 So it was part of their operation 141 00:07:25,010 --> 00:07:27,790 So I ended up getting hired to do operations 142 00:07:27,790 --> 00:07:29,650 It was just a little five-man team 143 00:07:29,650 --> 00:07:32,770 But I always wanted to be out there with everybody else 144 00:07:32,770 --> 00:07:34,310 I wanted to be one of the guards 145 00:07:34,310 --> 00:07:36,030 So on my lunch breaks 146 00:07:36,030 --> 00:07:38,030 I would, you know, put on my polo 147 00:07:38,030 --> 00:07:39,510 And go walk out the park 148 00:07:39,510 --> 00:07:42,110 And walk like if I was one of them 149 00:07:42,110 --> 00:07:47,250 And for me, one of the moments where, you know, oh, I had made it 150 00:07:47,250 --> 00:07:48,670 Was when I was working 151 00:07:48,670 --> 00:07:51,070 And they finally invited me out to one of the parties 152 00:07:51,070 --> 00:07:54,030 And I show up 153 00:07:54,030 --> 00:07:56,470 And, of course, they're like, oh, a desk arrived 154 00:07:56,470 --> 00:07:57,370 Because that's what I was 155 00:07:57,370 --> 00:07:58,130 It was a desk 156 00:07:58,130 --> 00:07:59,930 I worked behind the desk 157 00:07:59,930 --> 00:08:01,330 So they're like, oh, a desk made it 158 00:08:01,330 --> 00:08:04,110 And they're like, you know, serve desk up a drink 159 00:08:04,110 --> 00:08:06,090 And they poured me an Irish car bomb 160 00:08:06,090 --> 00:08:09,710 So it was the Guinness, the Bailey's, and the Jameson 161 00:08:09,710 --> 00:08:11,350 And dropped it in 162 00:08:11,350 --> 00:08:12,190 I threw it back 163 00:08:12,190 --> 00:08:13,850 I drank the entire glass 164 00:08:13,850 --> 00:08:15,450 And it was like warm chocolate milk 165 00:08:15,450 --> 00:08:16,690 And it just hit me 166 00:08:16,690 --> 00:08:18,590 And I was like, yeah, I can do this 167 00:08:18,590 --> 00:08:18,650 And I was like, yeah, I can do this 168 00:08:18,670 --> 00:08:20,650 And I said, serve me up another one 169 00:08:20,650 --> 00:08:22,130 And, of course, dropped it in 170 00:08:22,130 --> 00:08:23,430 Drank down the second one 171 00:08:23,430 --> 00:08:26,250 And for the rest of that night 172 00:08:26,250 --> 00:08:29,670 If there was a drink left on the table, on the counter 173 00:08:29,670 --> 00:08:32,930 You know, you had your back turned to it, whatever 174 00:08:32,930 --> 00:08:34,130 I was grabbing it 175 00:08:34,130 --> 00:08:36,910 Because, you know, it finally, like, hit me 176 00:08:36,910 --> 00:08:41,850 That this is, you know, how I get the attention that I want 177 00:08:41,850 --> 00:08:45,610 And that night, I ended up curling up in the hallway 178 00:08:45,610 --> 00:08:47,990 Everybody just kind of dropped to where they were 179 00:08:47,990 --> 00:08:48,590 I grabbed the drink and I was like, oh, I'm going to drink this 180 00:08:48,590 --> 00:08:49,970 I had the flashlight out of my car 181 00:08:49,970 --> 00:08:50,890 And I kind of hugged it 182 00:08:50,890 --> 00:08:52,970 And I fell asleep with it like a pillow 183 00:08:52,970 --> 00:08:56,630 And the next morning, in the same uniform from the night before 184 00:08:56,630 --> 00:08:58,970 I, you know, jumped up and said, hey, we got to go to work 185 00:08:58,970 --> 00:09:00,950 And I put a few people in my car and we went to work 186 00:09:00,950 --> 00:09:03,370 And, you know, that was, like, that moment 187 00:09:03,370 --> 00:09:04,910 Like, I remember that 188 00:09:04,910 --> 00:09:07,590 Soon after that, I joined the military 189 00:09:07,590 --> 00:09:12,990 When I joined the military, I wanted to be a police officer 190 00:09:12,990 --> 00:09:15,130 I wanted to be a military police officer 191 00:09:15,130 --> 00:09:16,590 Because of the authority or whatever 192 00:09:16,590 --> 00:09:18,570 But because I had been arrested, you know, I was like, oh, I'm going to be a military police officer 193 00:09:18,590 --> 00:09:20,410 And I was arrested in middle school and in high school 194 00:09:20,410 --> 00:09:21,810 They're like, no, you can't do that 195 00:09:21,810 --> 00:09:24,530 And so my mom is a nurse 196 00:09:24,530 --> 00:09:25,850 My grandma is a CNA 197 00:09:25,850 --> 00:09:26,970 My aunts are nurses 198 00:09:26,970 --> 00:09:27,970 Everybody's nurses 199 00:09:27,970 --> 00:09:30,130 So I was like, okay, fine, what do you have in medical? 200 00:09:30,250 --> 00:09:31,870 And they're like, oh, yeah, we got a job for you 201 00:09:31,870 --> 00:09:33,650 You can be a healthcare specialist 202 00:09:33,650 --> 00:09:36,310 And so I showed up at boot camp 203 00:09:36,310 --> 00:09:38,050 And they're like, oh, healthcare specialist? 204 00:09:38,210 --> 00:09:39,310 No, you're a combat medic 205 00:09:39,310 --> 00:09:43,210 So the new name was healthcare specialist 206 00:09:43,210 --> 00:09:45,190 But the old name was combat medic 207 00:09:45,190 --> 00:09:48,210 So every infantryman that goes out 208 00:09:48,210 --> 00:09:49,530 Has a medic with them 209 00:09:49,530 --> 00:09:52,290 So I was just an attachment to the infantry 210 00:09:52,290 --> 00:09:55,090 But in that time 211 00:09:55,090 --> 00:09:57,870 Because it was a time of war 212 00:09:57,870 --> 00:09:59,490 I decided to grow quick 213 00:09:59,490 --> 00:10:01,070 I didn't know what was to come 214 00:10:01,070 --> 00:10:02,650 So I got married 215 00:10:02,650 --> 00:10:05,010 Got to my first duty station 216 00:10:05,010 --> 00:10:10,310 And started living like I didn't know what was to come 217 00:10:10,310 --> 00:10:14,490 So my wife at the time got pregnant with my first child 218 00:10:14,490 --> 00:10:17,870 And I had turned 20 219 00:10:18,210 --> 00:10:19,310 Or was turning 21 220 00:10:19,310 --> 00:10:22,470 And they threw me this big party 221 00:10:22,470 --> 00:10:24,630 Where I was wearing the shirt 222 00:10:24,630 --> 00:10:28,670 That had the list of like every alcohol and drink or whatever 223 00:10:28,670 --> 00:10:31,570 And I said, everybody bring your favorite 224 00:10:31,570 --> 00:10:33,550 Because I'm going to sample everything tonight 225 00:10:33,550 --> 00:10:35,330 And I'm going to check it off my shirt 226 00:10:35,330 --> 00:10:38,930 And I just remember it being like the early evening 227 00:10:38,930 --> 00:10:42,130 And I had a camelback on with water in one 228 00:10:42,130 --> 00:10:44,110 And then drinking drinks on the other 229 00:10:44,110 --> 00:10:45,670 And then water and taking drinks 230 00:10:45,670 --> 00:10:47,710 And like that whole night 231 00:10:47,710 --> 00:10:48,190 I just remember it being like that 232 00:10:48,210 --> 00:10:50,570 I just remember it being all about me 233 00:10:50,570 --> 00:10:53,170 And that's all I wanted 234 00:10:53,170 --> 00:10:57,670 And then the story continues 235 00:10:57,670 --> 00:11:00,230 Because I got like a mandatory 236 00:11:00,230 --> 00:11:03,150 I get like mandatory breaks in sobriety 237 00:11:03,150 --> 00:11:04,190 Where I deployed 238 00:11:04,190 --> 00:11:06,470 So there was no drinking while I was in Iraq 239 00:11:06,470 --> 00:11:08,010 And came home 240 00:11:08,010 --> 00:11:10,650 We had those 30 days of hiatus 241 00:11:10,650 --> 00:11:11,890 After you come back 242 00:11:11,890 --> 00:11:14,550 And that 30 days I spent drunk 243 00:11:14,550 --> 00:11:17,110 I would go to the Class 6 244 00:11:17,110 --> 00:11:18,190 I would grab a handle 245 00:11:18,210 --> 00:11:19,330 1.75 liter 246 00:11:19,330 --> 00:11:21,670 I'd pop that little aerator out of it 247 00:11:21,670 --> 00:11:22,430 Captain Morgan 248 00:11:22,430 --> 00:11:23,610 And I would just start drinking 249 00:11:23,610 --> 00:11:24,450 Straight from the bottle 250 00:11:24,450 --> 00:11:28,610 And that became everything 251 00:11:28,610 --> 00:11:33,750 Even when my kid was born 252 00:11:33,750 --> 00:11:36,430 And even when I was supposed to be a husband 253 00:11:36,430 --> 00:11:39,750 And as my performance starts to drop 254 00:11:39,750 --> 00:11:40,710 While I'm at work 255 00:11:40,710 --> 00:11:44,510 Then another geographic happens 256 00:11:44,510 --> 00:11:46,370 I get the opportunity to go to a school 257 00:11:46,370 --> 00:11:47,610 I go to San Antonio 258 00:11:47,610 --> 00:11:47,630 At the end of the day 259 00:11:47,630 --> 00:11:47,690 I go to a school 260 00:11:47,690 --> 00:11:48,190 At the end of the day 261 00:11:48,210 --> 00:11:49,250 At that school 262 00:11:49,250 --> 00:11:50,990 Because of my drinking 263 00:11:50,990 --> 00:11:51,930 I gain weight 264 00:11:51,930 --> 00:11:52,970 I bust tape 265 00:11:52,970 --> 00:11:55,410 And that means that I can't continue in the school 266 00:11:55,410 --> 00:11:56,470 That I'm supposed to be doing 267 00:11:56,470 --> 00:11:57,190 So what do they do? 268 00:11:57,290 --> 00:11:58,390 They ship me off 269 00:11:58,390 --> 00:11:59,250 I say, okay, fine 270 00:11:59,250 --> 00:12:00,590 Send me overseas 271 00:12:00,590 --> 00:12:02,250 And they're like, oh, you want to go overseas? 272 00:12:02,410 --> 00:12:02,890 And I was like, yeah 273 00:12:02,890 --> 00:12:04,490 So they sent me to Germany 274 00:12:04,490 --> 00:12:06,930 So it was just like 275 00:12:06,930 --> 00:12:08,350 Right before I get in trouble 276 00:12:08,350 --> 00:12:09,110 They move me 277 00:12:09,110 --> 00:12:10,070 Right before I get in trouble 278 00:12:10,070 --> 00:12:10,790 They move me 279 00:12:10,790 --> 00:12:12,930 And so now I'm in Germany 280 00:12:12,930 --> 00:12:16,190 And I'm picking up right where I left off 281 00:12:16,190 --> 00:12:17,090 And I'm, you know 282 00:12:17,090 --> 00:12:18,030 I'm leaving 283 00:12:18,210 --> 00:12:19,710 My wife and my daughter 284 00:12:19,710 --> 00:12:20,690 At the hotel 285 00:12:20,690 --> 00:12:22,390 And I'm going out 286 00:12:22,390 --> 00:12:24,470 And it just 287 00:12:24,470 --> 00:12:26,530 This cycle continues 288 00:12:26,530 --> 00:12:28,690 But in Germany 289 00:12:28,690 --> 00:12:31,310 They're a lot more bureaucratic 290 00:12:31,310 --> 00:12:33,030 They're definitely heavier with a pen 291 00:12:33,030 --> 00:12:36,010 And I get in trouble 292 00:12:36,010 --> 00:12:38,170 After I Dukes of Hazzard 293 00:12:38,170 --> 00:12:39,990 My car on a farm road 294 00:12:39,990 --> 00:12:42,170 Where I high centered on a bush 295 00:12:42,170 --> 00:12:44,750 So driving back 296 00:12:44,750 --> 00:12:46,450 I kind of drift off this lane 297 00:12:46,450 --> 00:12:47,390 I hit a ditch 298 00:12:47,390 --> 00:12:47,410 I hit a ditch 299 00:12:47,410 --> 00:12:47,490 I hit a ditch 300 00:12:47,490 --> 00:12:47,570 I hit a ditch 301 00:12:47,570 --> 00:12:47,590 I hit a ditch 302 00:12:47,590 --> 00:12:47,810 I hit a ditch 303 00:12:47,810 --> 00:12:47,850 I hit a ditch 304 00:12:47,850 --> 00:12:48,190 I hit a ditch 305 00:12:48,210 --> 00:12:49,390 The car hits the ditch 306 00:12:49,390 --> 00:12:52,170 It kind of jumps over this little dirt road 307 00:12:52,170 --> 00:12:53,770 Lands high centers in this bush 308 00:12:53,770 --> 00:12:54,870 I get out of the car 309 00:12:54,870 --> 00:12:55,770 I look at this thing 310 00:12:55,770 --> 00:12:56,770 I look up at the road 311 00:12:56,770 --> 00:12:58,130 There's this guy on his bicycle 312 00:12:58,130 --> 00:12:58,630 And he's like 313 00:12:58,630 --> 00:12:59,590 You just fell asleep 314 00:12:59,590 --> 00:13:00,310 And I was like 315 00:13:00,310 --> 00:13:01,010 Yeah, that's right 316 00:13:01,010 --> 00:13:02,090 I just fell asleep 317 00:13:02,090 --> 00:13:02,430 And he's like 318 00:13:02,430 --> 00:13:02,890 Yeah, yeah, yeah 319 00:13:02,890 --> 00:13:03,690 You just fell asleep 320 00:13:03,690 --> 00:13:04,070 And I was like 321 00:13:04,070 --> 00:13:04,610 Okay, fine 322 00:13:04,610 --> 00:13:05,650 I get back in the car 323 00:13:05,650 --> 00:13:07,270 I like rocket off this bush 324 00:13:07,270 --> 00:13:07,870 And I go 325 00:13:07,870 --> 00:13:09,110 And I park it in the farm 326 00:13:09,110 --> 00:13:10,370 And I walk onto the base 327 00:13:10,370 --> 00:13:11,290 And the guard 328 00:13:11,290 --> 00:13:12,170 Who had just like 329 00:13:12,170 --> 00:13:13,910 Seen this whole thing go on 330 00:13:13,910 --> 00:13:15,210 Is staring at me 331 00:13:15,210 --> 00:13:15,650 And he's like 332 00:13:15,650 --> 00:13:16,370 White in the face 333 00:13:16,370 --> 00:13:17,630 And I'm handing him my ID card 334 00:13:17,630 --> 00:13:18,090 And I'm just like 335 00:13:18,090 --> 00:13:18,330 What? 336 00:13:18,410 --> 00:13:18,810 And he's like 337 00:13:18,810 --> 00:13:19,130 What? 338 00:13:19,310 --> 00:13:19,790 You know, like 339 00:13:19,790 --> 00:13:20,850 Takes it, scans it 340 00:13:20,850 --> 00:13:21,470 And lets me go 341 00:13:21,470 --> 00:13:23,030 I make it to my room 342 00:13:23,030 --> 00:13:24,370 And I knew I was in trouble 343 00:13:24,370 --> 00:13:25,590 Like I, you know 344 00:13:25,590 --> 00:13:25,990 I was like 345 00:13:25,990 --> 00:13:26,650 You know, I knew 346 00:13:26,650 --> 00:13:28,350 So I walk right downstairs 347 00:13:28,350 --> 00:13:29,870 And as I'm walking down 348 00:13:29,870 --> 00:13:31,270 The police are walking in 349 00:13:31,270 --> 00:13:31,630 I said 350 00:13:31,630 --> 00:13:32,130 It's okay 351 00:13:32,130 --> 00:13:32,550 It's me 352 00:13:32,550 --> 00:13:33,910 And they do their whole thing 353 00:13:33,910 --> 00:13:35,230 At that point 354 00:13:35,230 --> 00:13:36,090 I think I blew 355 00:13:36,090 --> 00:13:37,770 A .259 356 00:13:37,770 --> 00:13:39,150 And 357 00:13:39,150 --> 00:13:40,130 You know 358 00:13:40,130 --> 00:13:41,290 And then that was like 359 00:13:41,290 --> 00:13:41,870 My 360 00:13:41,870 --> 00:13:43,490 Introduction 361 00:13:43,490 --> 00:13:44,690 Or voluntold 362 00:13:44,690 --> 00:13:45,730 Into AA 363 00:13:45,730 --> 00:13:46,230 Because 364 00:13:46,230 --> 00:13:48,210 I was put on extra duty 365 00:13:48,210 --> 00:13:49,090 I was put on restriction 366 00:13:49,090 --> 00:13:50,070 But I learned 367 00:13:50,070 --> 00:13:51,250 That if I go to these 368 00:13:51,250 --> 00:13:52,050 AA meetings 369 00:13:52,050 --> 00:13:52,670 At night 370 00:13:52,670 --> 00:13:54,210 That's time away 371 00:13:54,210 --> 00:13:55,550 From doing these extra duties 372 00:13:55,550 --> 00:13:56,310 So I started going 373 00:13:56,310 --> 00:13:57,130 To the AA meetings 374 00:13:57,130 --> 00:13:57,950 I got the cookies 375 00:13:57,950 --> 00:13:58,890 I got the coffee 376 00:13:58,890 --> 00:14:01,170 I started doing 377 00:14:01,170 --> 00:14:02,290 As many of the meetings 378 00:14:02,290 --> 00:14:03,130 That I could do 379 00:14:03,130 --> 00:14:04,390 Because it just got me away 380 00:14:04,390 --> 00:14:05,570 From doing this extra duty 381 00:14:05,570 --> 00:14:07,310 But I did take away 382 00:14:07,310 --> 00:14:08,610 One thing from those meetings 383 00:14:08,610 --> 00:14:09,610 Was like 384 00:14:09,610 --> 00:14:10,490 As soon as I 385 00:14:10,490 --> 00:14:11,350 Get home 386 00:14:11,350 --> 00:14:12,570 Because the military 387 00:14:12,570 --> 00:14:13,790 Asked me not to continue 388 00:14:13,790 --> 00:14:14,370 My service 389 00:14:14,370 --> 00:14:15,310 And they sent me home 390 00:14:15,310 --> 00:14:15,930 They said 391 00:14:15,930 --> 00:14:16,210 Go to the AA meetings 392 00:14:16,230 --> 00:14:17,130 Go to as many meetings 393 00:14:17,130 --> 00:14:17,610 As possible 394 00:14:17,610 --> 00:14:18,470 And so that's what I did 395 00:14:18,470 --> 00:14:19,590 I showed up 396 00:14:19,590 --> 00:14:20,270 Back at home 397 00:14:20,270 --> 00:14:20,870 You know 398 00:14:20,870 --> 00:14:22,130 I was absolutely lost 399 00:14:22,130 --> 00:14:23,070 I didn't know what to do 400 00:14:23,070 --> 00:14:24,670 And I started going to meetings 401 00:14:24,670 --> 00:14:26,130 And so every day 402 00:14:26,130 --> 00:14:27,270 I was going to meetings 403 00:14:27,270 --> 00:14:28,090 Around the valley 404 00:14:28,090 --> 00:14:29,410 Until I landed here 405 00:14:29,410 --> 00:14:31,050 At Quality of Life 406 00:14:31,050 --> 00:14:32,590 I remember 407 00:14:32,590 --> 00:14:33,510 That it was 408 00:14:33,510 --> 00:14:34,230 Pretty sure 409 00:14:34,230 --> 00:14:34,690 I showed up 410 00:14:34,690 --> 00:14:35,150 On a Saturday 411 00:14:35,150 --> 00:14:35,870 Speaker meeting 412 00:14:35,870 --> 00:14:37,010 Because it was 413 00:14:37,010 --> 00:14:37,830 I just remember 414 00:14:37,830 --> 00:14:38,810 The big room 415 00:14:38,810 --> 00:14:39,810 Full of people 416 00:14:39,810 --> 00:14:41,430 You're walking up the ramp 417 00:14:41,430 --> 00:14:43,070 People are shaking your hand 418 00:14:43,070 --> 00:14:44,410 People are asking you 419 00:14:44,410 --> 00:14:45,290 You know 420 00:14:45,290 --> 00:14:46,090 I'm trying to keep 421 00:14:46,090 --> 00:14:46,850 My head down 422 00:14:46,850 --> 00:14:47,770 I'm trying to like 423 00:14:47,770 --> 00:14:48,710 Like not 424 00:14:48,710 --> 00:14:50,270 Bring up too much attention 425 00:14:50,270 --> 00:14:50,850 To myself 426 00:14:50,850 --> 00:14:51,910 But 427 00:14:51,910 --> 00:14:53,650 Of course 428 00:14:53,650 --> 00:14:54,790 I'm going to these meetings 429 00:14:54,790 --> 00:14:55,990 Because I have something to prove 430 00:14:55,990 --> 00:14:56,310 Right 431 00:14:56,310 --> 00:14:57,370 I want to show everybody 432 00:14:57,370 --> 00:14:58,590 That it wasn't that bad 433 00:14:58,590 --> 00:14:59,430 That I didn't do 434 00:14:59,430 --> 00:14:59,830 You know 435 00:14:59,830 --> 00:15:00,510 Like everything 436 00:15:00,510 --> 00:15:01,330 That they were saying 437 00:15:01,330 --> 00:15:02,270 It's not that bad 438 00:15:02,270 --> 00:15:03,230 I want to like 439 00:15:03,230 --> 00:15:03,950 Do this program 440 00:15:03,950 --> 00:15:04,830 So I can get a letter 441 00:15:04,830 --> 00:15:05,710 Recommendation 442 00:15:05,710 --> 00:15:06,510 I can take it back 443 00:15:06,510 --> 00:15:07,210 To the military 444 00:15:07,210 --> 00:15:08,690 And I can show everybody 445 00:15:08,690 --> 00:15:09,170 That no 446 00:15:09,170 --> 00:15:10,510 I'm not as bad 447 00:15:10,510 --> 00:15:11,290 As what I thought 448 00:15:11,290 --> 00:15:11,750 You know 449 00:15:11,750 --> 00:15:12,990 The whole situation was 450 00:15:12,990 --> 00:15:13,750 So 451 00:15:13,750 --> 00:15:15,110 Coming into these meetings 452 00:15:15,110 --> 00:15:15,750 I definitely 453 00:15:16,090 --> 00:15:18,370 Was in that mode 454 00:15:18,370 --> 00:15:19,150 Of just like 455 00:15:19,150 --> 00:15:20,050 Faking it 456 00:15:20,050 --> 00:15:21,770 Getting through 457 00:15:21,770 --> 00:15:22,850 Graduate 458 00:15:22,850 --> 00:15:23,890 Get the certificate 459 00:15:23,890 --> 00:15:26,090 I remember 460 00:15:26,090 --> 00:15:27,490 I was at the speaker meeting 461 00:15:27,490 --> 00:15:28,230 And the speaker 462 00:15:28,230 --> 00:15:29,230 Was up here 463 00:15:29,230 --> 00:15:30,150 And 464 00:15:30,150 --> 00:15:31,370 They did the collection 465 00:15:31,370 --> 00:15:32,030 Of the basket 466 00:15:32,030 --> 00:15:33,150 And I saw that 467 00:15:33,150 --> 00:15:33,770 And then 468 00:15:33,770 --> 00:15:34,650 At the old meeting 469 00:15:34,650 --> 00:15:35,370 What they would do 470 00:15:35,370 --> 00:15:36,250 At the end of the meeting 471 00:15:36,250 --> 00:15:37,210 Is they would take 472 00:15:37,210 --> 00:15:38,050 Like an envelope 473 00:15:38,050 --> 00:15:38,690 Or something 474 00:15:38,690 --> 00:15:39,750 And they would give it 475 00:15:39,750 --> 00:15:40,330 To the speaker 476 00:15:40,330 --> 00:15:41,310 At the end of the meeting 477 00:15:41,310 --> 00:15:42,550 And I would think to myself 478 00:15:42,550 --> 00:15:42,930 I was like 479 00:15:42,930 --> 00:15:43,250 Oh 480 00:15:43,250 --> 00:15:44,290 They're collecting money 481 00:15:44,290 --> 00:15:45,230 They're splitting it 482 00:15:45,230 --> 00:15:45,850 And the speaker 483 00:15:45,850 --> 00:15:46,690 Is getting a portion 484 00:15:46,690 --> 00:15:47,370 Of that money 485 00:15:47,370 --> 00:15:47,950 So I was like 486 00:15:47,950 --> 00:15:48,210 Okay 487 00:15:48,210 --> 00:15:48,770 That's something 488 00:15:48,770 --> 00:15:49,630 That I could do 489 00:15:49,630 --> 00:15:50,190 Later 490 00:15:50,190 --> 00:15:51,250 When I get some time 491 00:15:51,250 --> 00:15:52,590 I can become a speaker like that 492 00:15:52,590 --> 00:15:53,390 What I found out 493 00:15:53,390 --> 00:15:54,350 Is that we're giving them 494 00:15:54,350 --> 00:15:55,590 A copy of their recording 495 00:15:55,590 --> 00:15:56,770 At the end of the meeting 496 00:15:56,770 --> 00:15:57,750 So the money 497 00:15:57,750 --> 00:15:58,210 Yeah 498 00:15:58,210 --> 00:15:58,630 It was 499 00:15:58,630 --> 00:15:59,810 It was always just like 500 00:15:59,810 --> 00:16:00,190 Oh yeah 501 00:16:00,190 --> 00:16:01,010 I can get some money 502 00:16:01,010 --> 00:16:01,770 Out of this too 503 00:16:01,770 --> 00:16:02,470 But 504 00:16:02,470 --> 00:16:04,790 I hung on 505 00:16:04,790 --> 00:16:06,430 I hung on 506 00:16:06,430 --> 00:16:07,970 Until it was 11 months 507 00:16:07,970 --> 00:16:09,970 Right on my 11th month 508 00:16:09,970 --> 00:16:10,810 At that time 509 00:16:10,810 --> 00:16:11,610 I've 510 00:16:11,610 --> 00:16:11,890 You know 511 00:16:11,890 --> 00:16:12,810 Gotten divorced 512 00:16:12,810 --> 00:16:14,450 I'm courting somebody new 513 00:16:14,450 --> 00:16:15,810 And she was living in Korea 514 00:16:15,850 --> 00:16:17,830 So I fly out to Korea 515 00:16:17,830 --> 00:16:18,890 And I'm doing these 516 00:16:18,890 --> 00:16:19,770 Month long trips 517 00:16:19,770 --> 00:16:20,730 And this one was going to be 518 00:16:20,730 --> 00:16:21,750 Another month long trip 519 00:16:21,750 --> 00:16:22,650 I'm going out there 520 00:16:22,650 --> 00:16:23,890 And I was going to be good 521 00:16:23,890 --> 00:16:24,530 You know 522 00:16:24,530 --> 00:16:26,570 But something about that year 523 00:16:26,570 --> 00:16:27,210 Just 524 00:16:27,210 --> 00:16:27,810 I don't know 525 00:16:27,810 --> 00:16:28,230 You know 526 00:16:28,230 --> 00:16:28,590 It's like 527 00:16:28,590 --> 00:16:29,010 It's like 528 00:16:29,010 --> 00:16:29,690 One of those things 529 00:16:29,690 --> 00:16:30,730 That you only do once 530 00:16:30,730 --> 00:16:31,110 Right 531 00:16:31,110 --> 00:16:31,470 So 532 00:16:31,470 --> 00:16:33,410 So at that 11 month point 533 00:16:33,410 --> 00:16:34,650 In like three weeks 534 00:16:34,650 --> 00:16:36,170 I'm sitting down at dinner 535 00:16:36,170 --> 00:16:36,830 And I'm thinking 536 00:16:36,830 --> 00:16:37,570 I can have one 537 00:16:37,570 --> 00:16:38,490 I can do this again 538 00:16:38,490 --> 00:16:39,050 And of course 539 00:16:39,050 --> 00:16:39,650 At that dinner 540 00:16:39,650 --> 00:16:40,570 I started drinking 541 00:16:40,570 --> 00:16:41,350 And it just 542 00:16:41,350 --> 00:16:42,270 Picked up 543 00:16:42,270 --> 00:16:43,910 Right where I left off 544 00:16:43,910 --> 00:16:44,570 Because 545 00:16:44,570 --> 00:16:45,510 I 546 00:16:45,510 --> 00:16:47,010 The same way 547 00:16:47,010 --> 00:16:48,410 I destroyed that marriage 548 00:16:48,410 --> 00:16:49,090 And relationship 549 00:16:49,090 --> 00:16:50,530 With my first wife 550 00:16:50,530 --> 00:16:51,610 I put 551 00:16:51,610 --> 00:16:52,710 My current wife 552 00:16:52,710 --> 00:16:53,450 Through that 553 00:16:53,450 --> 00:16:54,350 Whole thing 554 00:16:54,350 --> 00:16:55,490 All over again 555 00:16:55,490 --> 00:16:57,270 So from that point 556 00:16:57,270 --> 00:16:58,930 To the next four years 557 00:16:58,930 --> 00:16:59,930 It was just 558 00:16:59,930 --> 00:17:01,370 A tidal wave of me 559 00:17:01,370 --> 00:17:01,930 Again 560 00:17:01,930 --> 00:17:02,990 Being self-centered 561 00:17:02,990 --> 00:17:03,870 Selfish 562 00:17:03,870 --> 00:17:05,010 Doing exactly 563 00:17:05,010 --> 00:17:06,330 Everything that 564 00:17:06,330 --> 00:17:07,390 I wanted to do 565 00:17:07,390 --> 00:17:08,490 It didn't matter 566 00:17:08,490 --> 00:17:09,770 Who I was dragging down 567 00:17:09,770 --> 00:17:10,230 With me 568 00:17:10,230 --> 00:17:10,670 And 569 00:17:10,670 --> 00:17:11,650 Yeah 570 00:17:11,650 --> 00:17:13,690 And it carried on like that 571 00:17:13,690 --> 00:17:14,770 For four years 572 00:17:14,770 --> 00:17:15,350 Until 573 00:17:15,350 --> 00:17:16,770 There was one night 574 00:17:16,770 --> 00:17:18,190 I was driving here on Mulholland 575 00:17:18,190 --> 00:17:19,170 Because I thought 576 00:17:19,170 --> 00:17:21,010 So I was coming back from Santa Monica 577 00:17:21,010 --> 00:17:22,690 And I was on the 405 578 00:17:22,690 --> 00:17:23,950 And I thought to myself 579 00:17:23,950 --> 00:17:25,130 That what if there's a checkpoint 580 00:17:25,130 --> 00:17:26,010 On the 405 581 00:17:26,010 --> 00:17:27,810 So I got off on 582 00:17:27,810 --> 00:17:29,390 What is that 583 00:17:29,390 --> 00:17:29,890 Not Getty 584 00:17:29,890 --> 00:17:30,970 But the next 585 00:17:30,970 --> 00:17:31,570 Skirball 586 00:17:31,570 --> 00:17:32,550 I got off on Skirball 587 00:17:32,550 --> 00:17:34,190 And I took Mulholland across 588 00:17:34,190 --> 00:17:35,190 To get to Balboa 589 00:17:35,190 --> 00:17:35,830 I thought 590 00:17:35,830 --> 00:17:36,970 Mulholland 591 00:17:36,970 --> 00:17:38,850 How wavy and windy that is 592 00:17:38,850 --> 00:17:39,950 Was a better option 593 00:17:39,950 --> 00:17:41,570 Than just driving on the 405 594 00:17:41,570 --> 00:17:42,190 To get home 595 00:17:42,190 --> 00:17:43,510 And the entire time 596 00:17:43,510 --> 00:17:44,270 My wife is like 597 00:17:44,270 --> 00:17:45,050 On the speaker 598 00:17:45,050 --> 00:17:45,970 Kind of basically 599 00:17:45,970 --> 00:17:47,050 Just like coaching me 600 00:17:47,050 --> 00:17:48,110 And guiding me home 601 00:17:48,110 --> 00:17:50,070 And I make it home 602 00:17:50,070 --> 00:17:50,770 Pass out 603 00:17:50,770 --> 00:17:51,770 And then next morning 604 00:17:51,770 --> 00:17:52,630 When I wake up 605 00:17:52,630 --> 00:17:52,990 I can 606 00:17:52,990 --> 00:17:54,150 I come to 607 00:17:54,150 --> 00:17:55,910 And my wife is folding clothes 608 00:17:55,910 --> 00:17:56,630 And I'm just 609 00:17:56,630 --> 00:17:57,530 Sitting there 610 00:17:57,530 --> 00:17:58,730 And I feel sick 611 00:17:58,730 --> 00:18:00,370 And I'm tired 612 00:18:00,370 --> 00:18:01,930 And everything hurts 613 00:18:01,930 --> 00:18:02,950 And I just go to 614 00:18:02,950 --> 00:18:03,810 Try to help her 615 00:18:03,810 --> 00:18:04,930 Fold this laundry 616 00:18:04,930 --> 00:18:05,810 And I'm like 617 00:18:05,810 --> 00:18:06,910 Holding on to this shirt 618 00:18:06,910 --> 00:18:08,170 And I'm trying to fold it 619 00:18:08,170 --> 00:18:09,310 And my hands 620 00:18:09,310 --> 00:18:10,690 Just won't stop shaking 621 00:18:10,690 --> 00:18:11,950 And then I look over to her 622 00:18:11,950 --> 00:18:12,330 And I think 623 00:18:12,330 --> 00:18:13,330 I think I need to go back 624 00:18:13,330 --> 00:18:13,810 To a meeting 625 00:18:13,810 --> 00:18:14,550 And she's like 626 00:18:14,550 --> 00:18:14,730 Yeah 627 00:18:14,730 --> 00:18:14,850 I think I need to go back to a meeting 628 00:18:14,850 --> 00:18:15,470 I think you do 629 00:18:15,470 --> 00:18:16,950 And she was one of the first ones 630 00:18:16,950 --> 00:18:17,370 That just like 631 00:18:17,370 --> 00:18:17,970 Pushed me back 632 00:18:17,970 --> 00:18:18,870 To coming back here 633 00:18:18,870 --> 00:18:19,790 And of course 634 00:18:19,790 --> 00:18:20,970 It was a Saturday night 635 00:18:20,970 --> 00:18:21,770 And I showed up 636 00:18:21,770 --> 00:18:22,810 Back at that meeting hall 637 00:18:22,810 --> 00:18:24,370 And I'm walking up that ramp 638 00:18:24,370 --> 00:18:26,470 And people are reaching out 639 00:18:26,470 --> 00:18:27,690 They're shaking my hand 640 00:18:27,690 --> 00:18:27,990 And they're like 641 00:18:27,990 --> 00:18:28,870 Oh I remember you 642 00:18:28,870 --> 00:18:29,650 And people actually 643 00:18:29,650 --> 00:18:30,930 Even remembered my name 644 00:18:30,930 --> 00:18:32,350 It's been four years 645 00:18:32,350 --> 00:18:33,050 There were times 646 00:18:33,050 --> 00:18:34,250 That I was driving from 647 00:18:34,250 --> 00:18:35,530 My mom's house 648 00:18:35,530 --> 00:18:36,290 To Pierce College 649 00:18:36,290 --> 00:18:37,150 And I would come up 650 00:18:37,150 --> 00:18:37,610 Sherman Way 651 00:18:37,610 --> 00:18:38,350 And I would look over 652 00:18:38,350 --> 00:18:38,670 And I was like 653 00:18:38,670 --> 00:18:39,930 Oh I wonder if that meeting hall 654 00:18:39,930 --> 00:18:40,530 Is still there 655 00:18:40,530 --> 00:18:40,910 You know 656 00:18:40,910 --> 00:18:41,650 Because I left 657 00:18:41,650 --> 00:18:42,270 So I thought 658 00:18:42,270 --> 00:18:42,970 Oh I left 659 00:18:42,970 --> 00:18:43,910 Obviously the meeting hall 660 00:18:43,910 --> 00:18:44,770 Is going to collapse now 661 00:18:44,770 --> 00:18:45,270 You know 662 00:18:45,270 --> 00:18:46,270 And I would just wonder 663 00:18:46,270 --> 00:18:47,990 And so when I came up 664 00:18:47,990 --> 00:18:48,950 And I was doing that 665 00:18:48,950 --> 00:18:49,910 Walk 666 00:18:49,910 --> 00:18:51,310 I just remember sitting down 667 00:18:51,310 --> 00:18:52,150 And it was Lisa 668 00:18:52,150 --> 00:18:52,910 In the front 669 00:18:52,910 --> 00:18:54,230 She sat next to me 670 00:18:54,230 --> 00:18:55,170 And she just put her hand 671 00:18:55,170 --> 00:18:55,550 On my lap 672 00:18:55,550 --> 00:18:56,010 And she says 673 00:18:56,010 --> 00:18:56,670 Quit fighting 674 00:18:56,670 --> 00:18:57,230 You know 675 00:18:57,230 --> 00:18:57,750 She's like 676 00:18:57,750 --> 00:18:58,450 What are you fighting for 677 00:18:58,450 --> 00:18:59,190 Just quit fighting 678 00:18:59,190 --> 00:19:00,470 And that was the last time 679 00:19:00,470 --> 00:19:01,410 That was the 680 00:19:01,410 --> 00:19:03,250 That was the June 19th 681 00:19:03,250 --> 00:19:04,230 Or June 22nd 682 00:19:04,230 --> 00:19:04,730 2019 683 00:19:04,730 --> 00:19:05,450 You know 684 00:19:05,450 --> 00:19:06,050 I just 685 00:19:06,050 --> 00:19:07,510 I stopped 686 00:19:07,510 --> 00:19:08,830 I really 687 00:19:08,830 --> 00:19:10,550 Was trying to do 688 00:19:10,550 --> 00:19:11,550 This program 689 00:19:11,550 --> 00:19:12,250 My way 690 00:19:12,250 --> 00:19:12,870 And 691 00:19:42,960 --> 00:19:44,660 I was like 692 00:19:44,660 --> 00:19:45,800 Now I'm a college guy 693 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:47,140 And maybe I need 694 00:19:47,140 --> 00:19:48,060 The college experience 695 00:19:48,060 --> 00:19:48,880 And I would go to 696 00:19:48,880 --> 00:19:49,680 The football games 697 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:50,520 And the tailgates 698 00:19:50,520 --> 00:19:51,080 And I would be like 699 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:51,440 No no no 700 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:52,380 I'd be good this time 701 00:19:52,380 --> 00:19:53,220 But they're giving us 702 00:19:53,220 --> 00:19:53,740 Free tickets 703 00:19:53,740 --> 00:19:54,620 And they're giving us 704 00:19:54,620 --> 00:19:55,380 Drink tickets 705 00:19:55,380 --> 00:19:56,400 So it would be a waste 706 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:57,020 If I didn't 707 00:19:57,020 --> 00:19:57,380 You know 708 00:19:57,380 --> 00:19:57,680 And then 709 00:19:57,680 --> 00:19:58,340 Oh this one's 710 00:19:58,340 --> 00:19:59,180 Sponsored by Truly 711 00:19:59,180 --> 00:19:59,960 So you know 712 00:19:59,960 --> 00:20:00,480 We get free 713 00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:01,040 It's like 714 00:20:01,040 --> 00:20:01,960 Water anyways 715 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:02,800 It's sparkling water 716 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:03,260 Isn't it 717 00:20:03,260 --> 00:20:04,400 And I would try 718 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:04,980 And then I would 719 00:20:04,980 --> 00:20:05,760 Show up to the meeting 720 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:06,460 And I would have to 721 00:20:06,460 --> 00:20:07,120 Introduce myself 722 00:20:07,120 --> 00:20:07,880 As a newcomer 723 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:08,480 Or I would have to 724 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:09,600 Raise my hand once again 725 00:20:09,600 --> 00:20:10,520 And Alex 726 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:11,200 You know 727 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:11,800 Bless him 728 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:12,440 But he you know 729 00:20:12,440 --> 00:20:13,960 He finally just came up to me 730 00:20:13,960 --> 00:20:14,280 And he's like 731 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:15,760 If you continue to do this 732 00:20:15,760 --> 00:20:17,780 It's just gonna keep getting easier 733 00:20:17,780 --> 00:20:19,180 And you're never gonna get it 734 00:20:19,180 --> 00:20:20,180 And I think that was 735 00:20:20,180 --> 00:20:20,860 One of the last times 736 00:20:20,860 --> 00:20:21,720 When he fired me 737 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:22,820 Oh no no 738 00:20:22,820 --> 00:20:23,660 One of the last times 739 00:20:23,660 --> 00:20:24,060 He fired me 740 00:20:24,060 --> 00:20:25,000 Was because of the steps 741 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:26,080 But 742 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:28,420 It was one of the times 743 00:20:28,420 --> 00:20:29,240 That he fired me 744 00:20:29,240 --> 00:20:29,640 But 745 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:31,340 It was one of these things 746 00:20:31,340 --> 00:20:32,200 Where I just 747 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:33,200 Had to continue 748 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:34,300 To hit the wall 749 00:20:34,300 --> 00:20:36,060 Until I was defeated enough 750 00:20:36,060 --> 00:20:36,840 To do it 751 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:37,680 The way this program 752 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:38,440 Asked you to do it 753 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:38,460 So I was like 754 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:39,580 Yeah 755 00:20:39,580 --> 00:20:40,100 So 756 00:20:40,100 --> 00:20:41,500 You know 757 00:20:41,500 --> 00:20:42,240 And it's 758 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:44,100 It's interesting now 759 00:20:44,100 --> 00:20:44,680 Because 760 00:20:44,680 --> 00:20:45,540 You know 761 00:20:45,540 --> 00:20:46,360 Until recently 762 00:20:46,360 --> 00:20:47,280 I would say that 763 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:47,780 You know 764 00:20:47,780 --> 00:20:49,180 I was working the program 765 00:20:49,180 --> 00:20:50,660 And I'm coming to the meetings 766 00:20:50,660 --> 00:20:51,140 And 767 00:20:51,140 --> 00:20:52,860 You know 768 00:20:52,860 --> 00:20:53,640 Doing the do 769 00:20:53,640 --> 00:20:54,960 And I'm getting the fruits 770 00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:55,600 Of the spirit 771 00:20:55,600 --> 00:20:57,020 And all the gifts 772 00:20:57,020 --> 00:20:57,520 Because 773 00:20:57,520 --> 00:20:57,980 You know 774 00:20:57,980 --> 00:20:58,400 Once 775 00:20:58,400 --> 00:20:59,900 I stopped fighting 776 00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:00,300 And I 777 00:21:00,300 --> 00:21:00,800 You know 778 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:02,320 Kept being of service 779 00:21:02,320 --> 00:21:03,000 And everything 780 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:03,360 Like 781 00:21:03,360 --> 00:21:04,780 I stopped getting in fights 782 00:21:04,780 --> 00:21:05,420 With my wife 783 00:21:05,420 --> 00:21:06,240 So often 784 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:07,780 My wife 785 00:21:07,780 --> 00:21:08,440 Ended up getting me 786 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:08,800 Pregnant 787 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:10,180 And now 788 00:21:10,180 --> 00:21:10,640 You know 789 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:10,920 Today 790 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:12,160 We have two boys 791 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:13,660 And we have the house 792 00:21:13,660 --> 00:21:14,780 And we have the dog 793 00:21:14,780 --> 00:21:15,960 And the cat 794 00:21:15,960 --> 00:21:17,180 And two cars 795 00:21:17,180 --> 00:21:17,780 In the driveway 796 00:21:17,780 --> 00:21:18,760 And I have a job 797 00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:19,360 That I'm actually 798 00:21:19,360 --> 00:21:20,300 Happy to go to 799 00:21:20,300 --> 00:21:22,780 But 800 00:21:22,780 --> 00:21:23,800 You know 801 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:25,100 I recently 802 00:21:25,100 --> 00:21:26,400 Just went through 803 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:27,160 One of the biggest 804 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:27,680 Challenges 805 00:21:27,680 --> 00:21:28,300 That 806 00:21:28,300 --> 00:21:30,460 That I'm very surprised 807 00:21:30,460 --> 00:21:31,480 That this program 808 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:32,060 Is what 809 00:21:32,060 --> 00:21:33,000 Prepared me 810 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:34,000 To go through it 811 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:35,680 You know 812 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:36,160 Recently 813 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:36,960 We've been dealing 814 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:37,820 With a lot of 815 00:21:37,820 --> 00:21:38,120 Deaths 816 00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:40,300 And you know 817 00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:41,340 People going out 818 00:21:41,340 --> 00:21:42,040 Or you know 819 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:42,300 Just 820 00:21:42,300 --> 00:21:42,900 It's not 821 00:21:42,900 --> 00:21:43,620 No way 822 00:21:43,620 --> 00:21:44,420 No general way 823 00:21:44,420 --> 00:21:44,980 To say it 824 00:21:44,980 --> 00:21:45,460 But you know 825 00:21:45,460 --> 00:21:46,000 My mom 826 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:47,120 Just passed away 827 00:21:47,120 --> 00:21:48,220 And not 828 00:21:48,220 --> 00:21:49,320 Not even a month ago 829 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:51,020 But like 830 00:21:51,020 --> 00:21:52,120 Going through this program 831 00:21:52,120 --> 00:21:52,820 I learned 832 00:21:52,820 --> 00:21:53,940 How to deal with that 833 00:21:53,940 --> 00:21:55,120 One of the first 834 00:21:55,120 --> 00:21:56,000 People that 835 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:56,980 I went through 836 00:21:56,980 --> 00:21:58,880 And was 837 00:21:58,880 --> 00:21:59,880 Serviced to 838 00:21:59,880 --> 00:22:00,600 And everything 839 00:22:00,600 --> 00:22:01,720 Was Maggie 840 00:22:01,720 --> 00:22:02,300 And Eric 841 00:22:02,300 --> 00:22:03,420 You know 842 00:22:03,420 --> 00:22:06,200 Eric 843 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:07,260 Ended up having 844 00:22:07,260 --> 00:22:08,420 A brain tumor 845 00:22:08,440 --> 00:22:09,160 That they tried 846 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:10,060 To operate on 847 00:22:10,060 --> 00:22:11,060 And he ended up 848 00:22:11,060 --> 00:22:11,600 Passing away 849 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:12,200 In the hospital 850 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:13,740 And I remember 851 00:22:13,740 --> 00:22:14,300 That night 852 00:22:14,300 --> 00:22:15,040 That I went 853 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:15,980 To the hospital 854 00:22:15,980 --> 00:22:16,840 And I was dropping 855 00:22:16,840 --> 00:22:17,840 Off sleeping bags 856 00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:18,520 And I was 857 00:22:18,520 --> 00:22:18,820 You know 858 00:22:18,820 --> 00:22:19,540 Bringing pillows 859 00:22:19,540 --> 00:22:20,040 And everything 860 00:22:20,040 --> 00:22:20,740 Because the family 861 00:22:20,740 --> 00:22:21,380 Was staying 862 00:22:21,380 --> 00:22:22,120 At the hospital 863 00:22:22,120 --> 00:22:22,700 With them 864 00:22:22,700 --> 00:22:23,960 And I remember 865 00:22:23,960 --> 00:22:24,380 That night 866 00:22:24,380 --> 00:22:25,500 Because I went 867 00:22:25,500 --> 00:22:26,640 And dropped that off 868 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:27,800 And then as soon 869 00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:28,760 As I dropped that off 870 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:29,960 I went back on campus 871 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:30,880 And I found a friend 872 00:22:30,880 --> 00:22:32,200 And I was there 873 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:33,120 In their kitchen 874 00:22:33,120 --> 00:22:33,820 And they were like 875 00:22:33,820 --> 00:22:34,460 So how are you doing 876 00:22:34,460 --> 00:22:36,120 And I didn't have 877 00:22:36,120 --> 00:22:36,740 The words 878 00:22:36,740 --> 00:22:37,540 Or you know 879 00:22:37,540 --> 00:22:37,900 How to 880 00:22:37,900 --> 00:22:38,540 I didn't even have 881 00:22:38,540 --> 00:22:39,280 The tools yet 882 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:40,680 To deal with this 883 00:22:40,680 --> 00:22:41,920 And I went into 884 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:42,540 The refrigerator 885 00:22:42,540 --> 00:22:43,060 And I grabbed 886 00:22:43,060 --> 00:22:43,800 Their bottle of wine 887 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:44,360 And I ended up 888 00:22:44,360 --> 00:22:44,880 Drinking that 889 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:45,520 On that night 890 00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:46,040 And then we would 891 00:22:46,040 --> 00:22:46,860 Come to find out 892 00:22:46,860 --> 00:22:47,980 The next day 893 00:22:47,980 --> 00:22:49,280 That Eric had passed away 894 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:49,720 You know 895 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:50,600 I didn't have 896 00:22:50,600 --> 00:22:51,320 The tools then 897 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:51,640 You know 898 00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:52,440 Coming through 899 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:53,100 And everything 900 00:22:53,100 --> 00:22:54,480 Now even with 901 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:55,360 My own 902 00:22:55,360 --> 00:22:56,440 When I finally 903 00:22:56,440 --> 00:22:58,080 In 2019 904 00:22:58,080 --> 00:22:58,680 When I finally 905 00:22:58,680 --> 00:22:59,240 Stopped drinking 906 00:22:59,240 --> 00:22:59,920 In 2020 907 00:22:59,920 --> 00:23:00,780 I found out 908 00:23:00,780 --> 00:23:01,660 That I had cancer 909 00:23:01,660 --> 00:23:02,860 I had cancer 910 00:23:02,860 --> 00:23:03,620 In my left kidney 911 00:23:03,620 --> 00:23:04,860 But by that time 912 00:23:04,860 --> 00:23:05,360 You know 913 00:23:05,360 --> 00:23:05,980 When the doctor 914 00:23:05,980 --> 00:23:06,500 Was like 915 00:23:06,500 --> 00:23:06,820 Hey 916 00:23:06,820 --> 00:23:07,320 You know 917 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:07,880 We got this 918 00:23:07,900 --> 00:23:08,480 To tell you 919 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:09,020 I asked 920 00:23:09,020 --> 00:23:09,580 You know 921 00:23:09,580 --> 00:23:10,000 And they're like 922 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:10,300 Well 923 00:23:10,300 --> 00:23:11,580 I looked at them 924 00:23:11,580 --> 00:23:11,880 And I said 925 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:12,140 Okay 926 00:23:12,140 --> 00:23:13,300 What do we do next 927 00:23:13,300 --> 00:23:13,720 You know 928 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:14,480 And she looked at me 929 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:14,960 And she was like 930 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:15,980 Are you okay 931 00:23:15,980 --> 00:23:16,800 I was like 932 00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:17,140 Yeah 933 00:23:17,140 --> 00:23:18,200 I just need to know 934 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:19,080 What is the next step 935 00:23:19,080 --> 00:23:20,420 And I went through that 936 00:23:20,420 --> 00:23:22,100 Diagnoses 937 00:23:22,100 --> 00:23:24,680 And I made my mistakes 938 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:25,560 Because like 939 00:23:25,560 --> 00:23:26,380 You know 940 00:23:26,380 --> 00:23:27,880 I wanted to keep it to myself 941 00:23:27,880 --> 00:23:28,520 I didn't 942 00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:28,820 You know 943 00:23:28,820 --> 00:23:30,360 I didn't want to share this 944 00:23:30,360 --> 00:23:32,220 Even with my own family 945 00:23:32,220 --> 00:23:33,520 Because I didn't want to 946 00:23:33,520 --> 00:23:35,520 Burden anybody else 947 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:36,680 But 948 00:23:36,680 --> 00:23:37,180 I 949 00:23:37,180 --> 00:23:37,740 I 950 00:23:37,900 --> 00:23:38,460 I learned 951 00:23:38,460 --> 00:23:39,780 In the Wednesday 952 00:23:39,780 --> 00:23:40,940 Men's Tag 953 00:23:40,940 --> 00:23:42,820 When I let everybody else know 954 00:23:42,820 --> 00:23:44,840 That I was being selfish 955 00:23:44,840 --> 00:23:46,060 When I was keeping this 956 00:23:46,060 --> 00:23:46,740 From my wife 957 00:23:46,740 --> 00:23:47,480 And 958 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:48,600 With the guidance 959 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:49,840 Of the men in this group 960 00:23:49,840 --> 00:23:50,640 And my sponsor 961 00:23:50,640 --> 00:23:51,660 And everybody 962 00:23:51,660 --> 00:23:52,320 I went 963 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:53,620 And I had to have that discussion 964 00:23:53,620 --> 00:23:54,120 With her 965 00:23:54,120 --> 00:23:54,960 And of course 966 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:56,280 It was bigger 967 00:23:56,280 --> 00:23:58,000 Because I was holding this 968 00:23:58,000 --> 00:23:58,540 Back from her 969 00:23:58,540 --> 00:23:59,520 I told her almost 970 00:23:59,520 --> 00:24:00,260 Two weeks later 971 00:24:00,260 --> 00:24:03,200 Than when it actually happened 972 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:04,740 And 973 00:24:04,740 --> 00:24:05,880 You know 974 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:06,780 Those are those little 975 00:24:06,780 --> 00:24:07,540 Lessons 976 00:24:07,540 --> 00:24:07,880 That I learned 977 00:24:07,900 --> 00:24:09,660 Through this program 978 00:24:09,660 --> 00:24:11,540 And then when 979 00:24:11,540 --> 00:24:13,620 My mom got sick 980 00:24:13,620 --> 00:24:15,820 And I was able to be 981 00:24:15,820 --> 00:24:17,260 In the hospital with her 982 00:24:17,260 --> 00:24:18,280 Nearly every day 983 00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:19,160 That I was off 984 00:24:19,160 --> 00:24:21,400 To advocate for her 985 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:23,840 To be able to be 986 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:24,860 The 987 00:24:24,860 --> 00:24:25,840 I don't know 988 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:27,440 The cornerstone for my family 989 00:24:27,440 --> 00:24:28,840 To navigate this 990 00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:30,740 Up until the days 991 00:24:30,740 --> 00:24:31,720 That she passed away 992 00:24:31,720 --> 00:24:33,960 And you know 993 00:24:33,960 --> 00:24:34,780 It was this 994 00:24:34,780 --> 00:24:36,280 It was 995 00:24:36,280 --> 00:24:37,580 This program 996 00:24:37,580 --> 00:24:37,720 That I was able to do 997 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:39,960 It was this commitment 998 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:41,800 That 999 00:24:41,800 --> 00:24:43,080 Kept me 1000 00:24:43,080 --> 00:24:43,940 Busy 1001 00:24:43,940 --> 00:24:45,000 And active 1002 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:47,040 During those days 1003 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:48,780 I was still on the phone 1004 00:24:48,780 --> 00:24:50,160 I was still texting people 1005 00:24:50,160 --> 00:24:51,560 I was still calling out 1006 00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:52,340 I was still going 1007 00:24:52,340 --> 00:24:53,660 Reaching out to other meetings 1008 00:24:53,660 --> 00:24:55,840 Because that's what I knew 1009 00:24:55,840 --> 00:24:56,440 How to do 1010 00:24:56,440 --> 00:24:58,880 The reality 1011 00:24:58,880 --> 00:24:59,780 When my mom 1012 00:24:59,780 --> 00:25:01,260 Was really sitting there 1013 00:25:01,260 --> 00:25:01,900 In the hospital 1014 00:25:01,900 --> 00:25:02,760 And I met 1015 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:03,880 And I could see 1016 00:25:03,880 --> 00:25:05,280 How much pain she was in 1017 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:06,120 And the diagnosis 1018 00:25:06,120 --> 00:25:06,880 From the doctor 1019 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:07,480 And I could see 1020 00:25:07,720 --> 00:25:08,620 I came back to this 1021 00:25:08,620 --> 00:25:09,180 Men's meeting 1022 00:25:09,180 --> 00:25:09,820 And I 1023 00:25:09,820 --> 00:25:10,780 You know 1024 00:25:10,780 --> 00:25:12,600 I sat there 1025 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:13,260 And I shared 1026 00:25:13,260 --> 00:25:14,880 That in all honesty 1027 00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:16,140 I feel that my mom 1028 00:25:16,140 --> 00:25:17,280 Is dying in the hospital 1029 00:25:17,280 --> 00:25:17,800 Right now 1030 00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:19,280 And I was able to be honest 1031 00:25:19,280 --> 00:25:19,820 With people 1032 00:25:19,820 --> 00:25:21,780 I was able to be honest 1033 00:25:21,780 --> 00:25:23,240 With my wife 1034 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:23,900 About that 1035 00:25:23,900 --> 00:25:24,820 And you know 1036 00:25:24,820 --> 00:25:25,820 Because she's managing 1037 00:25:25,820 --> 00:25:27,240 The two kids at home 1038 00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:29,060 And it took a lot 1039 00:25:29,060 --> 00:25:30,720 Of her time as well 1040 00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:31,800 And keeping them 1041 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:33,260 Because they're busy 1042 00:25:33,260 --> 00:25:34,300 Boys 1043 00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:36,140 To allow me 1044 00:25:36,140 --> 00:25:37,000 To go and be 1045 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:37,700 At my mom's bedside 1046 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:40,220 And yeah 1047 00:25:40,220 --> 00:25:41,400 It was just 1048 00:25:41,400 --> 00:25:42,460 A lot of those things 1049 00:25:42,460 --> 00:25:43,420 When I say I was selfish 1050 00:25:43,420 --> 00:25:44,160 As a child 1051 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:44,880 Of course 1052 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:46,040 I was always self-centered 1053 00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:46,580 On me 1054 00:25:46,580 --> 00:25:47,220 Right 1055 00:25:47,220 --> 00:25:48,900 I never thought about 1056 00:25:48,900 --> 00:25:49,780 When I got arrested 1057 00:25:49,780 --> 00:25:50,480 From middle school 1058 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:51,300 And I didn't graduate 1059 00:25:51,300 --> 00:25:51,960 On stage 1060 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:52,920 That my mom 1061 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:54,140 Missed that opportunity 1062 00:25:54,140 --> 00:25:55,360 Of me being able 1063 00:25:55,360 --> 00:25:56,100 To cross the stage 1064 00:25:56,100 --> 00:25:56,840 And her being able 1065 00:25:56,840 --> 00:25:57,720 To be proud of me 1066 00:25:57,720 --> 00:25:58,820 When I got arrested 1067 00:25:58,820 --> 00:25:59,640 Again in high school 1068 00:25:59,640 --> 00:26:00,240 And I had to tell 1069 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:01,000 My whole family 1070 00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:01,480 That hey 1071 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:02,800 Don't come to the graduation 1072 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:04,320 Because he's not graduating 1073 00:26:04,320 --> 00:26:05,400 That that was 1074 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:06,260 An embarrassment 1075 00:26:06,260 --> 00:26:07,000 On my mom 1076 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:07,680 That was 1077 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:08,480 Partially hers 1078 00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:10,640 When I was in the military 1079 00:26:10,640 --> 00:26:12,380 And I got married 1080 00:26:12,380 --> 00:26:13,380 And I had a child 1081 00:26:13,380 --> 00:26:14,820 But for those 1082 00:26:14,820 --> 00:26:15,680 Seven years 1083 00:26:15,680 --> 00:26:16,380 That we were 1084 00:26:16,380 --> 00:26:16,860 You know 1085 00:26:16,860 --> 00:26:17,280 Apart 1086 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:18,700 She wasn't able 1087 00:26:18,700 --> 00:26:19,880 To be that grandmother 1088 00:26:19,880 --> 00:26:20,800 She wasn't able 1089 00:26:20,800 --> 00:26:21,800 To be that mother-in-law 1090 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:22,520 To my ex 1091 00:26:22,520 --> 00:26:24,240 Everything that I had 1092 00:26:24,240 --> 00:26:24,640 I'd done 1093 00:26:24,640 --> 00:26:25,440 I had kept it 1094 00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:25,900 From her 1095 00:26:25,900 --> 00:26:27,500 And then when I came home 1096 00:26:27,500 --> 00:26:28,820 And I came into this program 1097 00:26:28,820 --> 00:26:29,760 And I was able 1098 00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:31,060 To be that son 1099 00:26:31,060 --> 00:26:32,260 To be able to 1100 00:26:32,260 --> 00:26:33,600 Show her 1101 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:34,400 That her son 1102 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:35,140 Could graduate 1103 00:26:35,140 --> 00:26:35,880 And I graduated 1104 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:36,500 From Pierce 1105 00:26:36,500 --> 00:26:37,440 And that was the first 1106 00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:38,120 Accomplishment 1107 00:26:38,120 --> 00:26:39,580 And then I was able 1108 00:26:39,580 --> 00:26:40,020 To bring her 1109 00:26:40,020 --> 00:26:40,780 To that graduation 1110 00:26:40,780 --> 00:26:41,460 At UCLA 1111 00:26:41,460 --> 00:26:43,440 And she got to 1112 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:44,520 Be a part of that 1113 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:44,980 That was 1114 00:26:44,980 --> 00:26:45,860 That graduation 1115 00:26:45,860 --> 00:26:47,160 Was partly hers 1116 00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:49,180 That big party 1117 00:26:49,180 --> 00:26:49,820 That everybody 1118 00:26:49,820 --> 00:26:50,740 Got to come to 1119 00:26:50,740 --> 00:26:51,900 And I got to show 1120 00:26:51,900 --> 00:26:52,880 Like my mom 1121 00:26:52,880 --> 00:26:53,540 Everybody 1122 00:26:53,540 --> 00:26:55,320 Somebody that she's proud of 1123 00:26:55,320 --> 00:26:57,320 Alex took a million pictures 1124 00:26:57,320 --> 00:26:58,080 At that party 1125 00:26:58,080 --> 00:26:58,600 I remember 1126 00:26:58,600 --> 00:26:59,360 I still have them 1127 00:26:59,360 --> 00:26:59,960 And then 1128 00:26:59,960 --> 00:27:00,380 You know 1129 00:27:00,380 --> 00:27:01,440 Finally when 1130 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:02,780 And this is one of the things 1131 00:27:02,780 --> 00:27:03,280 That even 1132 00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:04,800 Like that has impacted 1133 00:27:04,800 --> 00:27:05,860 My wife the most 1134 00:27:05,860 --> 00:27:07,140 Is that my mom 1135 00:27:07,140 --> 00:27:07,840 Would hold 1136 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:08,320 Eddie 1137 00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:09,540 Is the youngest one 1138 00:27:09,540 --> 00:27:10,820 And she would just sit 1139 00:27:10,820 --> 00:27:11,960 And dance with him 1140 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:13,040 And smile and laugh 1141 00:27:13,040 --> 00:27:13,760 And he would be there 1142 00:27:13,760 --> 00:27:14,220 Clapping 1143 00:27:14,220 --> 00:27:15,200 And she got to be 1144 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:15,900 That grandmother 1145 00:27:15,900 --> 00:27:16,680 To them 1146 00:27:16,680 --> 00:27:17,620 And she got to be 1147 00:27:17,620 --> 00:27:18,280 The mother-in-law 1148 00:27:18,280 --> 00:27:19,220 To my wife 1149 00:27:19,220 --> 00:27:20,820 And they had those fights 1150 00:27:20,820 --> 00:27:21,320 And we 1151 00:27:21,320 --> 00:27:21,800 You know 1152 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:22,400 Did everything 1153 00:27:22,400 --> 00:27:23,660 But we were a family 1154 00:27:23,660 --> 00:27:25,260 So when I was in the hospital 1155 00:27:25,260 --> 00:27:25,840 With her 1156 00:27:25,840 --> 00:27:26,920 I was at peace 1157 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:27,620 You know 1158 00:27:27,620 --> 00:27:28,180 Because 1159 00:27:28,180 --> 00:27:29,780 That relationship 1160 00:27:29,780 --> 00:27:31,300 That I had strained 1161 00:27:31,300 --> 00:27:32,200 When I was younger 1162 00:27:32,200 --> 00:27:33,520 Through this program 1163 00:27:33,520 --> 00:27:34,780 And being the son 1164 00:27:34,780 --> 00:27:35,680 And being a husband 1165 00:27:35,680 --> 00:27:36,680 And being a father 1166 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:37,020 And 1167 00:27:37,140 --> 00:27:38,480 I got to be 1168 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:40,140 Somebody she's proud of 1169 00:27:40,140 --> 00:27:41,080 Because I would hear 1170 00:27:41,080 --> 00:27:41,980 From her co-workers 1171 00:27:41,980 --> 00:27:42,580 That came 1172 00:27:42,580 --> 00:27:43,080 And they said 1173 00:27:43,080 --> 00:27:43,500 Oh yeah 1174 00:27:43,500 --> 00:27:44,420 Your mother would always 1175 00:27:44,420 --> 00:27:45,140 Talk about you 1176 00:27:45,140 --> 00:27:45,520 Oh yeah 1177 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:46,100 You're the son 1178 00:27:46,100 --> 00:27:46,980 That became the nurse 1179 00:27:46,980 --> 00:27:47,500 Oh yeah 1180 00:27:47,500 --> 00:27:47,940 You know 1181 00:27:47,940 --> 00:27:49,220 You take care of your kids 1182 00:27:49,220 --> 00:27:50,360 But I wouldn't be able 1183 00:27:50,360 --> 00:27:50,920 To do that 1184 00:27:50,920 --> 00:27:52,760 If it wasn't for this program 1185 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:53,900 For what I learned here 1186 00:27:53,900 --> 00:27:54,440 You know 1187 00:27:54,440 --> 00:27:56,880 I could be dead in the street 1188 00:27:56,880 --> 00:27:57,980 I could have been another 1189 00:27:57,980 --> 00:27:59,180 Statistic 1190 00:27:59,180 --> 00:28:00,040 Or even worse 1191 00:28:00,040 --> 00:28:01,120 I could have killed somebody 1192 00:28:01,120 --> 00:28:01,760 But no 1193 00:28:01,760 --> 00:28:02,380 Today 1194 00:28:02,380 --> 00:28:04,460 I show up 1195 00:28:04,460 --> 00:28:05,200 I suit up 1196 00:28:05,200 --> 00:28:05,840 And 1197 00:28:05,840 --> 00:28:07,020 And those final moments 1198 00:28:07,140 --> 00:28:07,940 When 1199 00:28:07,940 --> 00:28:08,400 You know 1200 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:10,260 The monitor started going off 1201 00:28:10,260 --> 00:28:11,200 And her blood pressure 1202 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:11,960 Wasn't holding 1203 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:12,920 And the doctor 1204 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:13,620 Made us 1205 00:28:13,620 --> 00:28:14,660 Made me 1206 00:28:14,660 --> 00:28:15,600 Because I was the 1207 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:16,780 Only one with her 1208 00:28:16,780 --> 00:28:17,940 Make that decision 1209 00:28:17,940 --> 00:28:20,000 She decided for us 1210 00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:21,180 Because 1211 00:28:21,180 --> 00:28:21,880 You know 1212 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:22,520 At that moment 1213 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:23,320 When they were gonna 1214 00:28:23,320 --> 00:28:24,600 Start pushing medications 1215 00:28:24,600 --> 00:28:25,260 And everything 1216 00:28:25,260 --> 00:28:25,720 To 1217 00:28:25,720 --> 00:28:27,660 To keep her alive 1218 00:28:27,660 --> 00:28:29,120 Her heart stopped 1219 00:28:29,120 --> 00:28:31,020 And I had to tell everybody 1220 00:28:31,020 --> 00:28:31,880 That that's okay 1221 00:28:31,880 --> 00:28:32,620 And 1222 00:28:32,620 --> 00:28:33,240 You know 1223 00:28:33,240 --> 00:28:34,320 No further interventions 1224 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:35,060 Were done 1225 00:28:35,060 --> 00:28:36,620 And she was just able to 1226 00:28:36,620 --> 00:28:37,120 You know 1227 00:28:37,140 --> 00:28:38,140 Die in peace 1228 00:28:38,140 --> 00:28:38,740 And 1229 00:28:38,740 --> 00:28:40,320 And I got to make those phone calls 1230 00:28:40,320 --> 00:28:41,140 And even 1231 00:28:41,140 --> 00:28:41,980 You know 1232 00:28:41,980 --> 00:28:43,200 In those moments 1233 00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:44,000 I called Bruce 1234 00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:44,940 And I had to reach out 1235 00:28:44,940 --> 00:28:46,500 Because that's what I learned 1236 00:28:46,500 --> 00:28:47,480 What to do 1237 00:28:47,480 --> 00:28:49,380 And I picked up that phone 1238 00:28:49,380 --> 00:28:51,700 As heavy as that phone may feel 1239 00:28:51,700 --> 00:28:52,880 At that moment 1240 00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:54,140 I knew what to do 1241 00:28:54,140 --> 00:28:55,420 And I just picked up that phone 1242 00:28:55,420 --> 00:28:56,280 And I started calling 1243 00:28:56,280 --> 00:28:56,740 And 1244 00:28:56,740 --> 00:28:57,560 You know 1245 00:28:57,560 --> 00:28:58,900 One of the last things I told her 1246 00:28:58,900 --> 00:28:59,380 Was just 1247 00:28:59,380 --> 00:28:59,680 You know 1248 00:28:59,680 --> 00:29:00,200 Thank you 1249 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:01,920 For letting me be of service to you 1250 00:29:01,920 --> 00:29:02,360 Because 1251 00:29:02,360 --> 00:29:03,360 That's 1252 00:29:03,360 --> 00:29:04,740 That's all I knew what to do 1253 00:29:04,740 --> 00:29:05,280 You know 1254 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:06,380 As everybody out 1255 00:29:06,380 --> 00:29:06,940 Like my mom and dad 1256 00:29:06,940 --> 00:29:07,980 My mom didn't even cry 1257 00:29:07,980 --> 00:29:09,140 When she found out 1258 00:29:09,140 --> 00:29:10,560 She didn't cry at any point 1259 00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:10,920 She said 1260 00:29:10,920 --> 00:29:11,800 Whatever it takes 1261 00:29:11,800 --> 00:29:13,060 To try to get through it 1262 00:29:13,060 --> 00:29:13,800 So then what 1263 00:29:13,800 --> 00:29:15,480 Right do I have 1264 00:29:15,480 --> 00:29:16,280 To be there crying 1265 00:29:16,280 --> 00:29:17,460 At her bedside or anything 1266 00:29:17,460 --> 00:29:18,120 So I just 1267 00:29:18,120 --> 00:29:18,480 You know 1268 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:19,300 Fulfilled her wish 1269 00:29:19,300 --> 00:29:19,780 And I was 1270 00:29:19,780 --> 00:29:21,580 I was of service to her 1271 00:29:21,580 --> 00:29:22,360 And that's just because 1272 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:23,020 That's what I learned 1273 00:29:23,020 --> 00:29:23,680 What to do here 1274 00:29:23,680 --> 00:29:24,200 So 1275 00:29:24,200 --> 00:29:25,680 Yeah 1276 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:26,860 It's been a couple weeks 1277 00:29:26,860 --> 00:29:27,640 And 1278 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:28,380 You know 1279 00:29:28,380 --> 00:29:29,380 It doesn't stop 1280 00:29:29,380 --> 00:29:31,760 We did the service 1281 00:29:31,760 --> 00:29:32,300 I 1282 00:29:32,300 --> 00:29:33,980 Had to be the MC 1283 00:29:33,980 --> 00:29:34,520 At her 1284 00:29:34,520 --> 00:29:35,520 At her funeral 1285 00:29:35,520 --> 00:29:36,920 And guide our family 1286 00:29:36,940 --> 00:29:37,940 Through the process 1287 00:29:37,940 --> 00:29:38,940 Because we 1288 00:29:38,940 --> 00:29:39,940 You know 1289 00:29:39,940 --> 00:29:40,940 We didn't know what to do 1290 00:29:40,940 --> 00:29:41,940 But we figured it out 1291 00:29:41,940 --> 00:29:42,940 Together 1292 00:29:42,940 --> 00:29:43,940 And you know 1293 00:29:43,940 --> 00:29:44,940 Thankfully 1294 00:29:44,940 --> 00:29:45,940 The support 1295 00:29:45,940 --> 00:29:46,940 And everything 1296 00:29:46,940 --> 00:29:47,940 Came ringing through 1297 00:29:47,940 --> 00:29:48,940 And it 1298 00:29:48,940 --> 00:29:49,940 You know 1299 00:29:49,940 --> 00:29:50,940 We've had no issues 1300 00:29:50,940 --> 00:29:51,940 So far 1301 00:29:51,940 --> 00:29:52,940 And 1302 00:29:52,940 --> 00:29:53,940 I'm getting back to work 1303 00:29:53,940 --> 00:29:54,940 And I'm doing my 1304 00:29:54,940 --> 00:29:55,940 I'm continuing my commitments 1305 00:29:55,940 --> 00:29:56,940 And you know 1306 00:29:56,940 --> 00:29:57,940 It just 1307 00:29:57,940 --> 00:29:58,940 I don't know 1308 00:29:58,940 --> 00:29:59,940 It just 1309 00:29:59,940 --> 00:30:00,940 You know 1310 00:30:00,940 --> 00:30:01,940 My higher power 1311 00:30:01,940 --> 00:30:02,940 Put me where I needed to be 1312 00:30:02,940 --> 00:30:03,940 And I was able to get through it 1313 00:30:03,940 --> 00:30:04,940 And I don't think 1314 00:30:04,940 --> 00:30:05,940 This is any of my own power 1315 00:30:05,940 --> 00:30:06,940 This is 1316 00:30:06,940 --> 00:30:07,940 You know 1317 00:30:07,940 --> 00:30:08,940 God 1318 00:30:08,940 --> 00:30:09,940 As a whole 1319 00:30:09,940 --> 00:30:10,940 You know 1320 00:30:10,940 --> 00:30:11,940 All the members here 1321 00:30:11,940 --> 00:30:12,940 Of Quality of Life 1322 00:30:12,940 --> 00:30:13,940 You know 1323 00:30:13,940 --> 00:30:14,940 And 1324 00:30:14,940 --> 00:30:15,940 Yeah 1325 00:30:15,940 --> 00:30:16,940 And just because 1326 00:30:16,940 --> 00:30:17,940 My secretaryship is done 1327 00:30:17,940 --> 00:30:18,940 Doesn't mean I'm not gonna 1328 00:30:18,940 --> 00:30:19,940 Keep showing up 1329 00:30:19,940 --> 00:30:20,940 Cause 1330 00:30:20,940 --> 00:30:21,940 I don't know what part of this 1331 00:30:21,940 --> 00:30:22,940 Is keeping me sober 1332 00:30:22,940 --> 00:30:23,940 But I am sober today 1333 00:30:23,940 --> 00:30:25,940 And I don't have the desire to drink 1334 00:30:25,940 --> 00:30:26,940 So 1335 00:30:26,940 --> 00:30:27,940 Um 1336 00:30:27,940 --> 00:30:28,940 I know 1337 00:30:28,940 --> 00:30:29,940 I gotta stay honest 1338 00:30:29,940 --> 00:30:30,940 With my sponsor 1339 00:30:30,940 --> 00:30:31,940 And I know we gotta do the steps 1340 00:30:31,940 --> 00:30:32,940 And all this 1341 00:30:32,940 --> 00:30:33,940 So I just gotta 1342 00:30:33,940 --> 00:30:34,940 You know 1343 00:30:34,940 --> 00:30:35,940 Kick my own ass 1344 00:30:35,940 --> 00:30:36,940 In reading the book 1345 00:30:36,940 --> 00:30:37,940 And uh 1346 00:30:37,940 --> 00:30:38,940 And then we'll do the steps 1347 00:30:38,940 --> 00:30:39,940 So 1348 00:30:39,940 --> 00:30:40,940 Um 1349 00:30:40,940 --> 00:30:41,940 I wanna thank 1350 00:30:41,940 --> 00:30:42,940 All y'all 1351 00:30:42,940 --> 00:30:43,940 For being here 1352 00:30:43,940 --> 00:30:44,940 Ha ha 1353 00:30:44,940 --> 00:30:45,940 Um 1354 00:30:45,940 --> 00:30:46,940 My higher power 1355 00:30:46,940 --> 00:30:47,940 Quality of life 1356 00:30:47,940 --> 00:30:48,940 And AA as a whole 1357 00:30:48,940 --> 00:30:49,940 You know 1358 00:30:49,940 --> 00:30:50,940 Thank you 1359 00:30:50,940 --> 00:30:51,940 Ah 1360 00:30:51,940 --> 00:30:52,940 Okay 1361 00:30:52,940 --> 00:30:53,940 And now 1362 00:30:53,940 --> 00:30:54,940 See 1363 00:30:54,940 --> 00:30:55,940 This is what I think it is 1364 00:30:55,940 --> 00:30:56,940 Right 1365 00:30:56,940 --> 00:30:57,940 The transition 1366 00:30:57,940 --> 00:30:58,940 No 1367 00:30:58,940 --> 00:30:59,940 No 1368 00:30:59,940 --> 00:31:00,940 I don't know 1369 00:31:00,940 --> 00:31:01,940 Yeah 1370 00:31:01,940 --> 00:31:02,940 Okay 1371 00:31:02,940 --> 00:31:03,940 So 1372 00:31:03,940 --> 00:31:04,940 Fine 1373 00:31:04,940 --> 00:31:05,940 I'm gonna read 1374 00:31:05,940 --> 00:31:06,940 The Secretary's Report 1375 00:31:06,940 --> 00:31:07,940 Okay 1376 00:31:07,940 --> 00:31:08,940 Welcome to the Quality of Life 1377 00:31:08,940 --> 00:31:09,940 Saturday's 1378 00:31:09,940 --> 00:31:10,940 Speaker Meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous 1379 00:31:10,940 --> 00:31:11,940 My name is Abraham 1380 00:31:11,940 --> 00:31:12,940 And I am your Alcoholics Secretary 1381 00:31:12,940 --> 00:31:13,940 I want to welcome 1382 00:31:13,940 --> 00:31:14,940 All the newcomers 1383 00:31:14,940 --> 00:31:15,940 Who raised their hands 1384 00:31:15,940 --> 00:31:16,940 And those who didn't 1385 00:31:16,940 --> 00:31:17,940 I know it doesn't feel like it 1386 00:31:17,940 --> 00:31:18,940 But you are the lifeline 1387 00:31:18,940 --> 00:31:19,940 Of our program 1388 00:31:19,940 --> 00:31:20,940 If you haven't related 1389 00:31:20,940 --> 00:31:21,940 To anything that has been said 1390 00:31:21,940 --> 00:31:22,940 Here tonight 1391 00:31:22,940 --> 00:31:23,940 Please tune back 1392 00:31:23,940 --> 00:31:24,940 And try some more meetings 1393 00:31:24,940 --> 00:31:25,940 We sell literature 1394 00:31:25,940 --> 00:31:26,940 At this meeting 1395 00:31:26,940 --> 00:31:27,940 The most important of which 1396 00:31:27,940 --> 00:31:28,940 Is the big book 1397 00:31:28,940 --> 00:31:29,940 Of Alcoholics Anonymous 1398 00:31:29,940 --> 00:31:30,940 We make liberal 1399 00:31:30,940 --> 00:31:31,940 Credit arrangements 1400 00:31:31,940 --> 00:31:32,940 As little as nothing down 1401 00:31:32,940 --> 00:31:33,940 And nothing a week 1402 00:31:33,940 --> 00:31:34,940 So if you don't have 1403 00:31:34,940 --> 00:31:35,940 Much time 1404 00:31:35,940 --> 00:31:36,940 That you can afford 1405 00:31:36,940 --> 00:31:37,940 To buy it 1406 00:31:37,940 --> 00:31:38,940 Please don't go home 1407 00:31:38,940 --> 00:31:39,940 Without one 1408 00:31:39,940 --> 00:31:40,940 There is AA literature 1409 00:31:40,940 --> 00:31:41,940 In the rack 1410 00:31:41,940 --> 00:31:42,940 In the back of the room 1411 00:31:42,940 --> 00:31:43,940 That is free 1412 00:31:43,940 --> 00:31:44,940 For the taking 1413 00:31:44,940 --> 00:31:45,940 If you need 1414 00:31:45,940 --> 00:31:46,940 Any literature 1415 00:31:46,940 --> 00:31:47,940 Or have any questions 1416 00:31:47,940 --> 00:31:48,940 Please see our literature person 1417 00:31:48,940 --> 00:31:49,940 Bill 1418 00:31:49,940 --> 00:31:50,940 Tonight 1419 00:31:50,940 --> 00:31:51,940 Oh 1420 00:31:51,940 --> 00:31:52,940 Bill 1421 00:31:52,940 --> 00:31:53,940 Or our treasurer 1422 00:31:53,940 --> 00:31:54,940 Ben 1423 00:31:54,940 --> 00:31:55,940 Who's actually here tonight 1424 00:31:55,940 --> 00:31:56,940 Or Nancy 1425 00:31:56,940 --> 00:31:57,940 There is an HNI can 1426 00:31:57,940 --> 00:31:59,330 Here on the literature 1427 00:31:59,330 --> 00:32:00,330 A little folded money 1428 00:32:00,330 --> 00:32:01,330 The literature 1429 00:32:01,330 --> 00:32:02,330 HNI takes 1430 00:32:02,330 --> 00:32:03,330 Meetings and literature 1431 00:32:03,330 --> 00:32:04,330 Into hospitals 1432 00:32:04,330 --> 00:32:05,330 And institutions 1433 00:32:05,330 --> 00:32:06,330 For people who cannot 1434 00:32:06,330 --> 00:32:07,330 Get out to meetings 1435 00:32:07,330 --> 00:32:08,330 Please donate generously 1436 00:32:08,330 --> 00:32:09,330 We celebrate birthdays 1437 00:32:09,330 --> 00:32:10,330 At this meeting 1438 00:32:10,330 --> 00:32:11,330 We define a birthday 1439 00:32:11,330 --> 00:32:12,330 As 365 days 1440 00:32:12,330 --> 00:32:13,330 And nights 1441 00:32:13,330 --> 00:32:14,330 Of continuous sobriety 1442 00:32:14,330 --> 00:32:15,330 That means free 1443 00:32:15,330 --> 00:32:16,330 From booze 1444 00:32:16,330 --> 00:32:17,330 Pot pills 1445 00:32:17,330 --> 00:32:18,330 Or any other 1446 00:32:18,330 --> 00:32:19,330 Mind altering 1447 00:32:19,330 --> 00:32:20,330 Substances 1448 00:32:20,330 --> 00:32:21,330 If you would like 1449 00:32:21,330 --> 00:32:22,330 To celebrate your birthday 1450 00:32:22,330 --> 00:32:23,330 Here 1451 00:32:23,330 --> 00:32:24,330 Please see our cake 1452 00:32:24,330 --> 00:32:25,330 Person 1453 00:32:25,330 --> 00:32:26,330 Karen 1454 00:32:26,330 --> 00:32:27,330 Or myself 1455 00:32:27,330 --> 00:32:28,330 A week in advance 1456 00:32:28,330 --> 00:32:29,330 And we would be happy 1457 00:32:29,330 --> 00:32:30,330 To celebrate your birthday 1458 00:32:30,330 --> 00:32:31,330 Tonight we have 1459 00:32:31,330 --> 00:32:32,330 No birthdays 1460 00:32:32,330 --> 00:32:33,330 It takes a lot 1461 00:32:33,330 --> 00:32:34,330 Of people 1462 00:32:34,330 --> 00:32:35,330 To make this meeting 1463 00:32:35,330 --> 00:32:36,330 Possible 1464 00:32:36,330 --> 00:32:37,330 And I wish to thank 1465 00:32:37,330 --> 00:32:38,330 Everyone collectively 1466 00:32:38,330 --> 00:32:39,330 Tonight 1467 00:32:39,330 --> 00:32:40,330 And we'll thank you 1468 00:32:40,330 --> 00:32:41,330 Individually 1469 00:32:41,330 --> 00:32:42,330 At the beginning 1470 00:32:42,330 --> 00:32:43,330 Of the month 1471 00:32:43,330 --> 00:32:44,330 If you would like 1472 00:32:44,330 --> 00:32:45,330 A commitment 1473 00:32:45,330 --> 00:32:46,330 At this meeting 1474 00:32:46,330 --> 00:32:47,330 Please see our head 1475 00:32:47,330 --> 00:32:48,330 Of commitments 1476 00:32:48,330 --> 00:32:49,330 It's Scott 1477 00:32:49,330 --> 00:32:50,330 All right 1478 00:32:50,330 --> 00:32:51,330 Under the heading 1479 00:32:51,330 --> 00:32:52,330 Of special announcements 1480 00:32:52,330 --> 00:32:53,330 At this time 1481 00:32:53,330 --> 00:32:54,330 I would like 1482 00:32:54,330 --> 00:32:55,330 To introduce 1483 00:32:55,330 --> 00:32:56,330 Your new secretary 1484 00:32:56,330 --> 00:32:57,330 For the next year 1485 00:32:57,330 --> 00:32:58,330 It's going to be 1486 00:32:58,330 --> 00:32:59,330 Taken over 1487 00:32:59,330 --> 00:33:00,330 Once again 1488 00:33:00,330 --> 00:33:01,330 Bruce 1489 00:33:01,330 --> 00:33:02,330 Secretary 1490 00:33:02,330 --> 00:33:03,330 Secretary 1491 00:33:03,330 --> 00:33:04,330 Secretary 1492 00:33:04,330 --> 00:33:05,330 Secretary 1493 00:33:05,330 --> 00:33:06,330 We're going to be 1494 00:33:06,330 --> 00:33:07,330 I cheered 1495 00:33:07,330 --> 00:33:08,330 On line 1496 00:33:08,330 --> 00:33:09,330 Right here 1497 00:33:09,330 --> 00:33:10,330 Okay 1498 00:33:10,330 --> 00:33:11,330 Thank you 1499 00:33:11,330 --> 00:33:12,330 And to conclude 1500 00:33:12,330 --> 00:33:13,330 The meeting 1501 00:33:13,330 --> 00:33:14,330 I would like to thank 1502 00:33:14,330 --> 00:33:15,330 Our readers 1503 00:33:15,330 --> 00:33:16,330 Ben 1504 00:33:16,330 --> 00:33:17,330 For chapter five 1505 00:33:17,330 --> 00:33:18,330 And Karen 1506 00:33:18,330 --> 00:33:19,330 For the 12 1507 00:33:19,330 --> 00:33:20,330 Traditions 1508 00:33:20,330 --> 00:33:21,330 And at this time 1509 00:33:21,330 --> 00:33:22,330 I have asked 1510 00:33:22,330 --> 00:33:23,330 Bruce 1511 00:33:23,330 --> 00:33:24,330 To read 1512 00:33:24,330 --> 00:33:25,330 A vision 1513 00:33:25,330 --> 00:33:26,330 For you 1514 00:33:26,330 --> 00:33:27,330 And 1515 00:33:27,330 --> 00:33:28,330 After a moment 1516 00:33:28,330 --> 00:33:29,330 Of silent meditation 1517 00:33:29,330 --> 00:33:30,330 For the alcoholic 1518 00:33:30,330 --> 00:33:33,430 No, that's digital. I gotta give it to you.