tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post8606229346015217965..comments2024-03-28T15:05:10.372-05:00Comments on Every goddamn day: 03/29/24: Book Week # 6 -- "The twirling universe stops dead." Neil Steinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-66292420015312453942020-10-10T07:28:03.421-05:002020-10-10T07:28:03.421-05:00Congratulations on 15 years.
Look how fast it'...Congratulations on 15 years. <br />Look how fast it's going! You never thought that would happen, either. Tony Galatinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-35884611078454176962019-10-09T07:45:54.851-05:002019-10-09T07:45:54.851-05:00Congratulations on 14 years. Congratulations on 14 years. Tony Galatihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15119832467442771755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-78819089048143466812018-10-09T10:24:25.512-05:002018-10-09T10:24:25.512-05:00Congratulations on 13 years. Congratulations on 13 years. Tony Galatihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11944671504245191140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-21590773764284735832015-10-10T07:35:48.955-05:002015-10-10T07:35:48.955-05:00I read your book four years ago when someone I lov...I read your book four years ago when someone I love was fighting addiction and not winning. The book left a lasting impression on me and helped me have more compassion for him, and more hope. He did eventually manage to quite and is almost three years sober now and doing very well. I have recommended your book to several people simply for the humanity and bravery in your writing.Diana Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00444312714106557920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-7508131824547539872015-10-09T19:19:58.484-05:002015-10-09T19:19:58.484-05:00The snowing U-turn back to Otis Liquor Store. I ha...The snowing U-turn back to Otis Liquor Store. I have done that in one way or the other 50 times in my life. That alcoholism. I felt I was there reading the book. Read it the first day it came out in 6 hours. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678155269507703299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-35349324546786217752015-10-09T15:39:01.755-05:002015-10-09T15:39:01.755-05:00Liquors aren't good for diabetics.Liquors aren't good for diabetics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-55134551753859614612015-10-09T15:37:42.609-05:002015-10-09T15:37:42.609-05:00Cheaper to drink some at home.
Goodness, I don...Cheaper to drink some at home.<br /><br />Goodness, I don't even like that liquor type nor am I a drinker but you made me want to have some after that description.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-54807597833692842812015-10-09T11:20:54.880-05:002015-10-09T11:20:54.880-05:00I read this when it came out and saw you discuss i...I read this when it came out and saw you discuss it on a panel at the Book Fair with David Carr and Rick Bragg, which made for a pretty impressive trio, indeed. I agree with Coey that you certainly pulled no punches, though they were directed at yourself, and that it was very enlightening and well-written.<br /><br />This excerpt is quite a compelling description of what taking a drink represents to an alcoholic. Though neither a drug addict nor alcoholic, I can surely appreciate the appeal of having "the twirling universe" at least slow down on occasion. <br /><br />I wondered at the time, NS, did you feel that being in the public eye actually was helpful in maintaining your recovery? Obviously, it wouldn't make it any easier, and the publicity at first must have been truly brutal. But, later, putting yourself on record with the book and being a public figure, regardless, did you feel any extra sense of motivation to not backslide? Or was that beside the point, given the personal crisis and family situation that would have been paramount for any recovering addict?Jakashnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-3523109188480940602015-10-09T11:12:15.431-05:002015-10-09T11:12:15.431-05:00I enjoyed this book immensely, and frequently rela...I enjoyed this book immensely, and frequently relate some of the stories. Thanks for it. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-83327386728097152622015-10-09T09:48:54.752-05:002015-10-09T09:48:54.752-05:0010 years--congratulations, old friend. It's ha...10 years--congratulations, old friend. It's hard to keep up anything for ten years.Robertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-3505989201759151812015-10-09T09:16:13.566-05:002015-10-09T09:16:13.566-05:00While your father may have felt somewhat exposed b...While your father may have felt somewhat exposed by your book about your trip together, you laid yourself bare in this one. What courage it must have taken to do so. Coeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06130250489695215525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-41630825290648934882015-10-09T09:02:55.275-05:002015-10-09T09:02:55.275-05:00I knew about this book but never got around to it....I knew about this book but never got around to it. Will now.<br /><br />Grew up in a dry household because my grandmother, way back in the day when "drink" was the scourge of the working classes, ran a family shelter, many of its inmates women abused by drunkards. But I suspect that was largely a social/cultural thing -- competitive tippling at the local saloon on the way home from work -- rather than addiction. There is, I think a difference. When I escaped to college I overindulged a bit but moved on to less demanding vices and never, luckily, felt a physical craving. <br /><br />Tom EvansAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-119716504081596422015-10-09T08:44:01.733-05:002015-10-09T08:44:01.733-05:00One of the saddest books I've ever read. And ...One of the saddest books I've ever read. And one of the best.Mark Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11860354189531350965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-29240699628595149932015-10-09T08:18:25.810-05:002015-10-09T08:18:25.810-05:00"Who looks back on any event in the past and ..."Who looks back on any event in the past and wishes he had drunk more? Nobody." I will always remember this thought. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-14703744828534424272015-10-09T08:04:31.941-05:002015-10-09T08:04:31.941-05:00Thanks. Thanks. Neil Steinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-30804097344007037682015-10-09T08:04:19.354-05:002015-10-09T08:04:19.354-05:00I had to experience it to find that out. And in re...I had to experience it to find that out. And in rehab, you can't really pick and choose. They tell you what to do and you do it. Neil Steinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-39616790200329665482015-10-09T08:02:46.492-05:002015-10-09T08:02:46.492-05:00So far I've only read your "Chicago"...So far I've only read your "Chicago" book and did enjoy it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-33759458725448059492015-10-09T08:01:33.086-05:002015-10-09T08:01:33.086-05:00P.S. Where was that lovely, fall photo that was up...P.S. Where was that lovely, fall photo that was up yesterday taken, Mr. S.?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-90118535953443238652015-10-09T08:00:17.611-05:002015-10-09T08:00:17.611-05:00Why AA, if it wasn't your style? There are ot...Why AA, if it wasn't your style? There are other rehab programs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-66722306126616126712015-10-09T07:59:07.645-05:002015-10-09T07:59:07.645-05:00Best wishes to you , NS. Well written as usual.
I...Best wishes to you , NS. Well written as usual.<br /><br />I've tasted Jack or other whiskeys, too harsh, wine or beer is a bit better but even that, a rare thing. I understand that even not so hard liquors is off bounds for the recovering person.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-13437723403112677912015-10-09T07:34:13.843-05:002015-10-09T07:34:13.843-05:00This one is, for me, in the words of Archie Bunker...This one is, for me, in the words of Archie Bunker, the "piece of resistance."J.J. Tindallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13381555158949851490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-33478162591765962552015-10-09T06:58:11.849-05:002015-10-09T06:58:11.849-05:00Congratulations on the 92 days. That is truly the ...Congratulations on the 92 days. That is truly the hardest part. The good news is, it does get better as the years clock on. They're not just numbers, the thing recedes, or has for me, most days. Neil Steinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-89489213695019237462015-10-09T06:47:54.739-05:002015-10-09T06:47:54.739-05:00Three and a half years ago when first quitting thi...Three and a half years ago when first quitting this book was welcome comic relief during a generally depressing period. It was a comfort to know that I wasn't alone in my initial take on AA. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15590806251509721734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-62219765313492820672015-10-09T05:46:33.934-05:002015-10-09T05:46:33.934-05:00Anyone trying to quit, or thinking about quitting ...Anyone trying to quit, or thinking about quitting drinking should read this book. I have read this book 3 times and it has helped me immensely, I am now 92 days sober and still refer back to certain chapters. It doesn't matter if you're a different type of drinker, we are all drunks in the end.timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14154720966430530400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-18992388784916652132015-10-09T00:54:30.386-05:002015-10-09T00:54:30.386-05:00An alcoholic describing what it's like for an ...An alcoholic describing what it's like for an alcoholic to take that first drink. In my top 10 favorite books of any subject. There's also a line I remember you describing what it's like to stop after the first couple, something like holding 10,000 dogs back.<br /><br />AndyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com