THE FRIA FLYER VOLUME LXXXIX 9794 W. Peoria Ave. Suite #2 Peoria, AZ 85345 623-937-7770 www.aawestphoenix.org Nov. 2014 Issue 7 The Blackout Lottery “I want my lawyer! I want my lawyer!’’…I can hear the screams…then I realize it’s me. My mind and body again meet as one. I feel the cold steal of the handcuffs around my wrists, and the yelling subsides as conscious thought reappears. What did I do this time? What happened? How much trouble am I really in? …I have no answers… I look back on my childhood, and I can so clearly see the signs of what was to come. But back then I hid it so well, no one would have ever guessed it. I grew up in a home with two parents whose love for me was never in question, and are still together today. They were always active and present in my life. We always had a fully stocked fridge, cable TV, and a beautiful house to live in. We certainly were not rich, and despite some financial ups and downs, money matters were never something that concerned me in my younger years. I had an older brother that looked out for me, and I was never the victim of abuse or neglect. Additionally, my parents were not addicts. As far as statistics go, I was very low-risk for becoming the alcoholic that I would one day be. In my early years of education, it was clear that I was of above average intelligence. I excelled in several areas of athletics, and seemed to have the uncanny ability to make friends, or what I now refer to as friendly acquaintances. Through a gilded surface, I seemed to exude confidence. I could seemingly fit into any group, but always felt like an outsider that snuck in. The fear of being discovered as the fraud I believed myself to be was always present. I became an expert at compartmentalizing my thoughts, beliefs and emotions. Even with those that I truly thought of as friends, I could never be the real me…not all of me at least. Even if I wanted to, I had no idea who that was. I was always more concerned with what and who you wanted me to be. Now all that said, I did still have a happy childhood. I have some amazing memories and had many great experiences. The problem was that hint of anxiety and fear was a near constant presence, and the search for that ‘feels like home’ feeling continued....until I found my solution. At that age, the street drugs were often easier to come by than the drink. I had experimented with alcohol and other drugs periodically starting at the age of 11, but it wasn’t until the age of 13 that I found that feeling, comfort and confidence I had been searching for. Although I am unquestionably an alcoholic, I made the switch from experimentation to addict with that first line of cocaine. I had finally found where I belonged, finally felt comfortable in Cont. pp2 Steps, Traditions, and Concepts of Alcoholics Anonymous Step 11: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Tradition 11: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films. Concept XI: The trustees should always have the best possible committees, corporate service directors, executives, staffs, and consultants. Composition, qualifications, induction procedures, and rights and duties will always be matters of serious concern. Steps, Traditions and Concepts reprinted with permission from A.A. World Services, Inc A Workshop Presented by Sub-District 08-800 WHAT THE HECK IS GENERAL SERVICE? November 15th, 2014 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sun City West Christian Church 20803 N. 151st Ave. Sun City West, AZ 85373 FREE REFRESHMENTS !!! AA SUPER SOBER WEEKEND We are forming an AA Alcothon for Super Bowl XLIX. Kick Off will begin on January 31st, 2015 at 10 am and run through February 1st, 2015 10 pm Location of event will be Java the Hut 7021 N. 57th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301 Committee will be meeting on November 1, 15, 29 at Freedom Hall, 4700 N. 12th St. Contact: Skidrow Greg [email protected] The Blackout Lottery…Continued from Page 1 – Part 2 The Blackout Lottery…Continued from Page 1 – Part 3 my own skin. One time, and I was off running, instantly a near daily user. Within 2 hours of my release from jail I walked into the first AA meeting I ever wanted to be at, and spoke the simple words that would forever change my life…”I’m Evan, and I’m and alcoholic”. Over the next several years, I continued using other drugs and alcohol, and after several drug related arrests for theft and possession, I realized I had a problem with coke. I had a brief encounter with Narcotics Anonymous, but just didn’t get it. After numerous attempts to kick, I ran into the military, switched up addictions, and focused my attention on my drinking career. Never before have I had a more liberating feeling. The weight was instantly lifted, and a new hope filled my soul. I jumped in with both feet with no regrets. That was nearly 13 months ago, and I thank God every day for bringing me to Alcoholics Anonymous. Like the promises tell us, I have found a new way and happiness I never thought possible. By following the simple instructions laid out in the Big Book, and the recommendations of those that have embraced this program, I have discovered a new way to live. A way to lead a purposeful life and find the joy through service and helping others. A way to turn those wasted years into a valuable asset. Only 18, I had already built up quite the tolerance to alcohol, and was a star drinker, even by Navy standards. Even though I excelled at my job and received multiple accommodations for my work, all was overshadowed by my drinking. After 3.5 years of service, they finally had enough. My security clearance was revoked, and I was discharged. By this time I had been through multiple treatment programs and classes, been labeled an addict and an alcoholic, but still did not believe I had a problem. I was always a victim of circumstance. Always in the wrong place at the wrong time. Never really at fault for the problems caused by my drinking. I am finally comfortable in my own skin, and have found that ‘just like home’ feeling that I spent my life searching for in the rooms of AA. Most importantly, with all that I have learned, I know that I don’t even know what I don’t know. I think I’ll come back again tomorrow and see what that is… Within 15 months of my discharge I received my second DUI post-service and served 30 days at Tent City jail. I wised up and decided that the problem wasn’t drinking, it was drinking and driving. I would be a more responsible drinker and take cabs! Evan N., Phoenix, AZ AFI Birthdays As my drinking continued to progress, I managed to maintain employment, and ultimately self-employment. I started a family and was in a very real way living the American dream. Arguments, fights, financial ups and downs, and interactions with the police often disturbed that slumber. Blackouts were a virtual guarantee on the nights I drank, which were most of them. Awakening to the fear of how the previous night played out was commonality. Was it a good night, or bad? Checking the phone to see who I upset the night before. Searching my pockets to see where and how much I spend. The days, weeks, months and years just streaming by in a haze of drunkenness and hangover. Nancy J. 10/17/76 38 years Congratulations!!! My American dream shattered…“I want my lawyer! I want my lawyer!” SATURDAY OFFICE COVERAGE I was not asleep, but now come to consciousness. I take a plea before I even know what I did and hop a cab ride home. Each month your Home Group can volunteer, at our Intergroup Office, to cover the phones and walk in business from 9 AM to 1 PM. Groups find that this service opportunity keeps them connected to each other and our AA Community! I come to find out that during my second interaction with the police that day, neither of which I can remember, my children had the pleasure of seeing their father handcuffed, hooded, and taken away. It was at that moment, my excuses ran out. It didn’t matter what was said or what occurred, what bazaar set of circumstances caused this to happen, or who was at fault. It was just another horrible experience that I and alcohol were present for, and this time, my children were fully exposed. I was certain that they would be taken from me. November YaYa Belles December Band of Brothers January Altering Attitudes February Tuesday Night Hope March Gooddale Men’s Stag That was it. For the first time I could admit that I was not a “functioning alky”, but indeed an alcoholic. An alcoholic whose life had become unmanageable. My attempts to control and stop on my own had failed time and time again. Rationalization overruled logic without fail when it came to alcohol. Ego had never let me admit defeat until that moment. Ask your Intergroup Representative to get your Group on the calendar soon! Cont. next column 2 AFI BULLETIN BOARD Service Calendar November 3, 2014 Sub District 08-801 West Valley Fellowship 919 N. Dysart Rd, Avondale November 4, 2014 AFI Business Meeting New Life Community Church 8155 W Thunderbird Rd, Peoria November 4, 2014 Sub District 08-800 AFI Office 9794 W. Peoria Ave. #2, Peoria November 11, 2014 Sub District 08-806/807/808 AFI Office 9794 W. Peoria Ave, #2 Peoria November 12, 2014 Valley-wide H&I Community Bridges (Bill Wilson Hall) 2770 E Van Buren St, Phoenix November 13, 2014 Sub District 08-802/803/804 St. Helen’s Church 5510 W. Cholla St., Glendale November 18, 2014 DCM Meeting Gloria Dei Lutheran Church 3539 E. Stanford Dr., Paradise Valley November 20, 2014 AFI Steering Committee AFI Office 9794 W. Peoria Ave, #2 Peoria November 25, 2014 Valley PI/CPC Committee SRI Office 3215 E Thunderbird Rd, Phoenix November 27, 2014 Valleywide Bridging the Gap Committee Meeting Denny's on 35th Ave. and Bethany Home Rd FOOD FUN AND FELLOWSHIP 1st Saturday Glendale Appreciation Group Potluck 5:15 PM First United Methodist Church 7102 N. 58th Drive, Glendale AZ 6 PM to 8 PM 2nd Thursday Tonopah Fresh Start Group Tonopah Valley Baptist Church 37702 W. Indian School 6:30 pm before 7:30 meeting 7:00 PM 6:30 PM 2nd Friday Sobriety Trudgers Potluck The Southwest Indian School 14202 N. 73rd Ave, Peoria, AZ 7:00 PM 6:30 PM before 7 PM Meeting 3rd Saturday Happy Valley Group Potluck 7:00 PM Foothills Christian Church 3951 West Happy Valley Rd (39th Ave & Happy Valley) 6 PM Speaker at 7 PM 6:30 PM 3rd Saturday Pot Luck Social and Speaker Panel Meeting All Saints of the Desert Episcopal Church 9502 W. Hutton Dr, Sun City 7:00 PM Bring Your Favorite Dish! Social from 6:00-7:00 7:00 PM Panel Speakers 7 PM 6:30 PM Last Friday Friday Night Fighters Cake and a Speaker Crossroads West 7523 N. 35th Ave, Phoenix AZ 7 PM 7:00 PM (Join us early to eat d inner @ 6:00 if you’d like!) Last Saturday Downunder Group Potluck First Evangelic Church 918 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear AZ 5 pm-7 pm UNITY 3 On the Road Again! Where t o Send Cont ribut ions: Gas up your car and join us on the Road to Happy Destiny at events around Town and Arizona General Service Office PO Box 459 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163-0459 Agua Fria Intergroup, Inc. 9794 W. Peoria Ave., Ste 2 Peoria, AZ 85345 Area 03 Assembly Ensuring Our Future Through Service Area 03 Committee PO Box 1907 Phoenix, AZ 85001-1907 November 1, 2014 Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino Laughlin, NV District 08 Treasurer PO Box 45066 Phoenix, AZ 85064 6th Sub-District 08-800 PO Box 671 El Mirage, AZ 85335 Sub-District 08-801 c/o Denise Ruble PO Box 274 Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 Jerome AA Roundup Annual Sobriety & Chili Cook November 7-9, 2014 Lawrence Memorial Hall 260 Hull Ave. Jerome, AZ 27th Annual Miracle on the River Bridge to Recovery November 14-16, 2014 London Bridge Resort 1477 Queens Bay Lake Havasu City, AZ Sub Districts 08-806-807-808-816 c/o Tom White PO Box 364 Waddell, AZ 85335 What the Heck is General Service Workshop, Saturday 9 a.m.-12:30p.m. Sub-Districts 08-802-803-804 PO Box 621 Youngtown, AZ 85363 November 15, 2014 Sun City West Christian Church Sun City West, AZ Valley Wide Hospitals & Institutions Committee PO Box 80126 Phoenix, AZ 85060 AFI Thanksgiving Alcothon Bridging the GAP PO Box 716 Peoria, AZ 85382 November 27, 2014, Noon-9 p.m. Crossroads West 7523 N. 35th Ave. Phoenix, AZ H & I Monthly Big Book Drive Valley Wide Hospitals and Institutions. 48th Annual Las Vegas Round Up Celebrating an Attitude of Gratitude H & I provides literature for the confined alcoholic H & I is looking for new or used Big Books, any 12 Step literature or any AA related books that can be taken to Treatment Centers or Jails. Please bring any literature you’d like to donate to the H & I Business Meeting held the 2nd Wednesday of every month at Bill Wilson Hall. 2770 E. Van Buren St, Phoenix. You may also call Abby P. at 602.329.0781 to make other arrangement for Pick up or Delivery of your donation. November 27-30, 2014 Riviera Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, NV 4 New Years Eve Celebration Agua Fria Intergroup Business Meeting Minutes September 2, 2014 Kay opened the meeting at 7:04 pm with the Serenity Prayer. The 12 Traditions were read by Wayne. New AFI Groups: None New AFI Representatives: Jaclyn B – Freedom from Insanity, Bill M – Garden Lakes, and Dorothy – ? Introduction of Steering Committee Members: Kay F (Chair), Dave E (Co-Chair), Mike E (Office Manager), Leanne S (Secretary), Jocelyn W; Raena Q, Dick F, Jen R, Diane P, Nik B. Larry T (Treasurer) was absent. 7th Tradition: Collected – $62.30 Roll Call: 31 IGR’s in attendance, reflects 3 new representatives. Approval of the August 2014 AFI Business Meeting Minutes: Kay F asked for a motion to approve the August business meeting minutes. Nora R motioned to accept the minutes with corrections and Jim C seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Office Manager’s Report: (Mike E 623-570-1875) – Mike presented his written report (See attached.) Chairperson’s Report: (Kay F 623-587-9898/Dave E 602-725-7335) – 1. Kay announced that the AFI Board of Directors would have their annual meeting this week. And schedule the Office Manager’s Review. 2. Kay informed the group representatives that her last duty as AFI Chairperson would be the AFI Anniversary event, which is progressing well. 3. Kay presented the new AFI Chairperson Dave E and Vice Chairperson Raena Q to the reps. Vice-Chairperson’s Report: (Raena Q 602-361-0631) – Raena thanked Dave for his help in transitioning to vice-chair. Raena reported that the chairpersons for the upcoming AFI events are present and will give their reports. Raena also announced the new chairpersons for next year’s spring events: Kristen for ‘Day in the Park’ and JJ for ‘Family Campout and Fishing Derby.’ Treasurer’s Report: (Larry T 469-263-5398) – Mike presented the treasurer’s report in Larry’s absence. (See attached.) Bernie motioned to accept the report and Pat L seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. Archivist’s Report: (Kelli C 602-573-0960) – Kelli reported that she is working on the ‘history’ portion of the archives presentation for the anniversary event this month. Also, groups can still get ‘pics’ in for the event via email at [email protected]. Area Liaison: (Pat L 623-734-0151) – Pat presented a written report (see attached.) In addition, Area 03 will be holding a 2day ‘Traditions’ workshop on 9/21 and 9/28. H&I Liaison: (Brett C 602-663-3921) 1. The H&I Jamboree Committee is meeting monthly on the 3 rd Thursday, 5:30 pm at Fiesta Ramada. 2. Lewis, Perryville and federal institutions in our area need volunteers to take meetings to inmates. 3. Remember the ongoing H&I Book Drive accepts all AA related books, etc. Steering Committee: (Dave E 602-725-7335) – The Steering Committee has received preliminary pricing on the replacement of some of the flooring at the office (+/-$3000). The committee will probably appoint an ad-hoc committee at their September meeting to seek more information prior to presenting to the IGR’s. They were unable to form an ad-hoc committee at the August meeting since there was not a quorum for a vote. Committee Reports: Telephone: (Deb K 623-326-0406) – Deb was absent, Mike talked with her and reported there are still openings on the ‘Voice of Attraction’ (VOA) calendar to cover nights and weekends which can be done on either home or cell phone. The sobriety requirement is one year. The committee is still updating the 12–Step Call List. Newsletter: (Jerry M 602-320-9799) – Jerry still needs our local personal stories, funnies, etc. and encourages members to send in their stories to him online at [email protected]. Unity: (George R 623-337-0061) – George was absent, sent report with Jen: the Unity Committee has 4 ‘official’ members and has held their second monthly meeting. Call him if interested in joining the Unity committee. PI/CPC: (John Z 602-390-6739) – 1. In September PI/CPC will be giving 2 presentations at Grand Canyon University. 2. The Mexican Consulate contacted PI/CPC for information on presentations in Spanish. 3. AFI PI/CPC will be participating in the ‘Art of Recovery’ event on September 20. 4. The committee has supplied literature to the local crisis response organization. 6. PI/CPC meets monthly at SRI on the 4 th Tuesday every month at 6 pm. For more information contact John Z at [email protected]. Website: (Bill M 602-361-2938) – Bill presented written report (see attached.) Special Events: Day in the Park: (Kristen N.) – No report. Family Campout and Fishing Derby: (JJ O) – No report. AFI Anniversary: (Kay F 623-587-9898) – 1. Famous Dave’s will be catering the event. 5 2. All remaining tickets to be turned in at tonight’s business Meeting. Tickets can still be purchased from Steering Committee members, at the office or by telephone. 3. Speakers will be Dotty F and Stacy P. 4. Ticket price is $18 for dinner and beverage. Thanksgiving: (Diane P 602-999-2699) – Diane reported that the committee is organized and on track. They’ve been getting calls from people who want to volunteer and, the committee is requesting food and/or monetary donations. Christmas: (Carolina G 602-402-4248) – 1. Christmas Alcathon to be held at Comfort Suites at 99th & Camelback 2. The next committee meeting will be 9/28, call Carolina if interested in helping out on the committee, volunteering or chairing a meeting during the event. The committee secretary will have flyers at the next business meeting. 3. The event will also feature a Young People’s meeting in the evening and a Spanish speaking meeting. New Year’s Eve: (Jim W 480-734-4585) – Alonzo (co-chair) reported that tickets will be available at October’s business meeting, at a cost of $35. Doors open at 6:30. Dinner will start at 7. This year’s speaker is Patty O and there will also be an AL anon speaker, in addition to the dance. The committee meets at AFI the 1st Saturday of the month. Old Business: Members welcomed the new and returning Committee Members and AFI Officers: Brett (H&I Liaison), Jen and Nik (Steering Committee), Raena (AFI Vice-Chair) and Dave (AFI Chairperson). New Business: Members discussed feasibility of appointing an ad-hoc committee to research and make recommendations to the Steering Committee and the IGR’s regarding replacing the office flooring. The AFI Chairperson asked for a motion on the issue and Jerry R motioned that we form such a committee. Bill M seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The AFI Chairperson appointed Jen R as chairperson of the ad-hoc committee. Office Volunteers: September – Stepping Stones October – Meeting in Print December – Band of Brothers January – Altering Attitudes November – YaYa Belles February – Tuesday Night Hope Announcements: 1. Raena will give a 10 minute orientation after the meeting for new IGRs. 2. Please help clean up and put the tables & chairs back. 3. SRI presented a flyer for anyone interested in volunteering to help plan marathon meetings for out of town sober attendees of the Super Bowl. If interested, see Eric at U-Can-2, located at 35th and Northern, every other Saturday thru October. 4. Carol S has forms to fill out if your group wants to chair the monthly potluck at All Saints of the Desert Church, 3rd Saturday each month. Potluck starts at 6 pm and the meeting starts at 7. The chair position has been filled through October. 5. Jaclyn announced that the West Side Bid Committee bid for the 2015 ASCYPAA Convention was unsuccessful. Motion to Close: Jeff B motioned to close the meeting. Deb M seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously. Dave E closed the meeting at 8:20 pm with the Responsibility Statement. www.aawestphoenix.org Call for Personal Stories from Local A.A. Members Agua Fria Intergroup Here at the Fria Flier it is a tradition to publish the personal stories of local A.A.s. We would very much like to continue that tradition. find meetings service opportunities news events order literature About 2 pages, at a font size of 10 – 12, is perfect. Longer stories will be accepted, but will have to be edited for space constraints. Please send your stories to: [email protected] 6 Group Donations for September ‘14 Fiscal Year 2015 Fiscal Year Begins September 1. 11th Steppers 100.00 100.00 Bagnaasty 250.00 250.00 Big Book 164 AA 100.00 100.00 Bone Dry Group 100.00 100.00 How it Works TODAY 33.00 33.00 Mens Gut Level Stag 70.00 70.00 Sobriety "R" Us 79.78 79.78 Sobriety Trudgers 50.00 50.00 233.06 233.06 Sunday Night Discussion 39.00 39.00 Sunday Night Newcomers 345.00 345.00 1,399.84 1,399.84 Stepping Stones Group TOTAL: Alcoholics Anonymous “Responsibility Pledge” “I am responsible… When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that, I am responsible.” Reprinted from the Pamphlet P-1, This is A.A., Page 24, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc. A miracle, not magic 38 DAYS The Second Step enabled me to develop the conviction that there were sober people who could help me, and a Higher Power that could and would remove my obsession to drink and restore me to some sense of sanity and serenity. IT'S ONLY been 38 24 hours that I've strung together so far, and I've got a long road ahead. I am going to have to learn to live with myself now. I can't escape into that world of intoxicants to hide from my problems. I have already made some progress on getting my life back together. I'm taking it one day at a time, some days one hour at a time. To embrace recovery, I needed to make a leap of faith. I needed to believe that I could, in fact, get sober, and that the obsession to drink could and would be removed. I finally said, "Enough is enough." I was jolted into the rooms of AA by the painful reality of my active alcoholism and insanity. I saw clearly that my troubles were going to get progressively worse if I didn't stop drinking. I find strength in words--other people's and mine. The more I write, the better I feel, and I'm feeling pretty good today. I posted some of my writing for people to read on my website and the response was incredible. This has been the most unexpected silver lining yet. When I first came into AA, the obsession and craving to get drunk stayed with me for a long time. At times the urge to drink became overwhelming, very difficult to deal with by myself. The words of encouragement I have received are like the mortar that binds the bricks of a wall together. As I stack the days of sobriety into a wall, the kind words and genuine support that I receive help to bind them and keep them from falling. I started going to meetings and sharing with a sponsor and other AAs. I started reading and studying the AA literature. And I started putting the Steps and Traditions into my life, and it worked for me. The greatest silver lining, one that outweighs all the rest, is the pride that I see in my parents' eyes when they look at me now. I haven't seen that for a long, long time. I like it, and I'm going to do everything I can to keep it there. My sobriety is a miracle, but it's not magic. My faith was solidified when I saw that the Second Step worked, and I came to realize that a power greater than myself was capable of removing my obsession to drink, and could and would restore me to sanity and wholeness. CHAD C. Burlington, Ontario GARY T. Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Reprinted with permission from digital archives aagrapevine.org Reprinted with permission from digital archives aagrapevine.org 7 AGUA FRIA INTERGROUP 9794 W. Peoria Ave. Suite #2 Peoria, AZ 85345 KEEP INFORMED ON WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR AGUA FRIA INTERGROUP! If you or your Group would like to receive this newsletter, simply fill out this form and return it to the AGUA FRIA INTERGROUP office. Or call 623.937.7836. 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