The most ironic thing here is that Jeremy Piven is smoking a joint in this clip:
Hard to believe that a decade has gone by. 2000 doesn’t seem that long ago for many of you, but it seems multiple decades ago for me. Michigan State football had just won the Citrus Bowl over Florida and finished 6th in the nation a few months ago, the Yankees were getting ready to win their 4th title in a row, the Red Wings were about to be knocked out in the first round, the Pistons were just horrible, and the Giants were drafting in the middle of the first round. Best of all, Michigan State’s basketball team was beginning their march to their first title since 1979.
For you that care about pop culture, the #1 song was “Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child, Erin Brokavich opened in theaters on this date in 2000, and Friends ruled TV. Yep, that was the year 2000. Not quite like how Conan O’Brien thought it would be.
It was on this date back in 2000 that I finally decided to make a change. If you haven’t heard, my name is David, and I am an alcoholic…and a dope fiend, compulsive degenerate gambler, liar, thief and cheat. Well, not anymore. I am recovered from all that (well, except that gambling part. I am so taking your money in the pool). You can read about it here.
It was just yesterday that I was looking at the stats between the blogger site we started on, to the wordpress.com site we moved to shortly thereafter, to where are now. I realized that we surpassed 1 million hits about a month ago. That’s like 2 days worth of pageviews for a place like Deadspin, but I can’t believe that the site I helped to found has been seen that many times. I think it is pretty unreal. Never did I think it would be like this, just like 10 years of sobriety seemed so ridiculous to me back on March 17, 2000. I remember seeing guys that were a few years older than me with 3 or 4 years and I was so impressed by it. I mean, think about it for one second. Even if you are not an alcoholic, can you imagine going even 6 months without drinking? Even someone that isn’t like me would have a hard time. Now I have double digit years of continuous uninterrupted sobriety. Pretty cool man, pretty cool.
I get worked up when I read about athletes that are dealing with their struggles. I am not sure if the media has misconstrued facts regarding their life, like the possible case with Allen Iverson, but I empathize regardless. I loved seeing the success that Josh Hamilton was having. But I was crushed to see him slip. However, I realize that is the nature of the disease. Relapse is part of the game. Hell, the amount of people I have seen that have struggled is mind boggling. An old friend of mine celebrated 10 years himself less than a year ago, and when I say celebrated, he sure as hell celebrated. He is now hooked on opiates. By the Grace of God there go I. That’s the attitude I must take. I can only take care of myself and hope others return to what works in keeping them on the straight and narrow path. But I also will help them in anyway possible that I can.
The funniest thing about being an alcoholic is seeing how people react to you when you go to a restaurant, game or bowling alley after you tell them that you don’t drink because otherwise you would rob a bank. They either just order a soda for themselves, or they ask if it is okay for them to drink. I appreciate the politeness, but that isn’t a trigger to me. After you work in a rehab like I did - where I had to perform searches and I would have cocaine powder get all over my hands and come close to poking myself with hidden needles in the patients rooms - you really do become desensitized to it. Though, I do take sick pleasure in others getting completely plastered.
I certainly don’t have easiest life today, but damn if it isn’t the best. There isn’t a person in this world I would change places with. I know that sounds like BS, but honestly I wouldn’t. When I stop to really think about what I have going, I truly appreciate it. I have a wonderful wife that adores me for reasons beyond my comprehension, and a son that really makes every worry in life seem so petty. I am truly doing a fantastic job of mentoring him with sports as I leave the other stuff to the woman. For you that don’t have kids, you don’t have a clue what unconditional love is until you have a child of your own. It is then you will appreciate everything, and I mean everything your parents/guardian/mentor/whoever played the role, ever truly did for you.
Sorry for the lack of links today, but I know you guys are tough. I mean, take Miz for example…he’s so tough he got himself banned from one of the biggest sports blogs on these here interwebs.
I look forward to completing this day and working on another 10 years. I can’t wait.
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