Grateful Dead

Hey, I'm Michael from Cincinnati. Always loved the shows, the music.. though the scene sometimes bogged me down. I guess after seeing some shows I barely remember, I'm gonna try to put some time together and see how I end up. Just starting fresh right now, once again, after a long absurd weekend - but want to really try and do the deed this time around. I'll always love the fellowship supported by the music, but am beginning to find that the friends I've found to enjoy shows with aren't the ones I need in order to enjoy sobriety. Was wondering if anyone around the area is part of the group?

I would be interested in service work (i.e. manning the table) at the Charlottesville Furthur Show on 11/8/11. Please contact me if you can point me in the right direction. Thanks!

you might also post this on the Furthur.net board if you haven't already--who knows, might get some nice convergences...

New wharfrat meeting in the Los Angeles area Tuesdays at 8:00pm Chandler Lodge 11455 Chandler Blvd. North Hollywood CA. 91601 Come out and join us......any A :o) We are not affiliated with any 12 step programs but we do follow 12 step traditions. Check us Out on Facebook @ L.A. Wharf Rats Peace, Love and Recovery

I'd like to thank Wharf Rat Brian B. from S. Fla. for posting the info about this forum on the WR list group. I didn't know it was here. I've been a Deadhead since 1982 and a Wharf Rat since 2008. It's been a very important part of my recovery. My home group is now a non-affiliated (not AA or NA) Wharf Rats meeting in North Miami. I've had the opportunity to work the WR table at four of the five Furthur shows I've been to in the last couple of years. I've been happy to discover that this music gets me high without drugs or alcohol, something I was not aware of for many, many years.

I'd like to thank Wharf Rat Brian B. from S. Fla. for posting the info about this forum on the WR list group. I didn't know it was here. I've been a Deadhead since 1982 and a Wharf Rat since 2008. It's been a very important part of my recovery. My home group is now a non-affiliated (not AA or NA) Wharf Rats meeting in North Miami. I've had the opportunity to work the WR table at four of the five Furthur shows I've been to in the last couple of years. I've been happy to discover that this music gets me high without drugs or alcohol, something I was not aware of for many, many years.

I'll be in Indy taking my real brother to the show for his birthday! Hope to see you at the table! (Phil fm FL)

I just got back from Colorado yesterday. What a great experience!!! The shows were amazing, especially the 2nd sets Sat. and Sun. What made the whole weekend for me, however, was that I got a call Sunday morning from the Wharf Rats table coordinator for CO (Bill H.) asking me to step up and replace him at the table that night. Not only did I get to chair an awesome meeting at set break, but I got to see my first clean and sober "Wharf Rat"!! I am very Grateful!!

Looking for the WR's @ Furthur Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL Fri, Nov 18, 2011 07:30 PM Happy to have met Cosmic Charlie E. and the Wharf Rat Group. Thursday nights at Holy Innocents Church SF Gave me a Treasured wooden "Chip" that I carry always. '69 -"80 going to shows lit and "Owled" Started on the Road to Happy Destiny then and had a time out. Back to shows since '82 and yellow balloons. See Ya'! bear 14

I will be there. Driving up from Indy alone this time. Look forward to seeing the Rats.

Hey, I hadn't seen anything but a couple of Ratdog shows since 95 until Furthur at Red Rocks last month. Was awesome and I'm going with two sober friends from Little Rock to the St. Louis show. But they're going home and I'm not going to miss the last show of the tour the next night, so I'm heading to Indy. Thing is, it'll be my first time in the environment alone since I got clean/sober March 19, 2010. I expect I need to hook up with some sober Deadheads that will be in Indy. Anybody out there?

I see you're from Indy. I'm going to St. Louis shows with two sober friends and then to Indy by myself. Will be my first sober show by myself. I'm a guy that just turned 50 and I've been sober a year and a half. Are you going to St. Louis or Indy shows?

my husband n I are both old heads that recently got sober and we are looking for info on the Columbus meeting before the show any info will be helpful thanks

i'm a young kid and i'm really grateful to have a chance at recovery this early in life. i was on furthur tour for a while and uh ya know, whiskey and l was what we lived on like everyone else. i remember always walking by the wharf rats table and never knew what the hell was going on. never had any idea that those people were sober or that i was an addict. never knew why everyone was always clapping and why they weren't drinking. i always thought wharf rats was like some group of old heads and i wasn't welcome. anyways i started getting sober over the summer after catching a case in the summer and i've never been happier. i was at the spac show over the summer but couldn't find the table but i'll be at albany on tuesday and that will be my first wharf rats meeting. i live in schenectady, ny right now and go to aa meetings around the area. if you live in the area, give me a holler. i would love to meet ya and would love to know if there is already wharf rats meetings up here, and if not, i'd like to try to get it going see ya tuesday

Hi, I've been in recovery for 19 days. I am wondering if there will be aWharf Rat presence at the Chicago Allstate Further show this Friday. This will be my first concert that I attend sober. I was hoping to learn more about the following: 1. Where is the Wharf Rat table generally located? I realize there will be yellow balloons, but I was curious if there was a designated area inside the venue. 2. Would I need a floor ticket to access the table? 3. Is there a meeting preceding the event, and, if so, where and when? Thank you in advance for any help/information. - VM wickerparkwharfrat@gmail.com

Hey family, Been a while since I checked in. A lot going on. My son is almost 14. Going through the growing pains of the teenage blues with him. I'm doing good. Learning how to show up different in my life, one day at a time. I'm not agro, or stressed anymore, just sort of calm and serene. I've got some inner peace that I didn't know was possible. In fact when I saw others happy and at peace I thought that they were faking it. That it wasn't real. But now I sort of just roll with the punches. Lost my grandmother in September. That was sad. But again, I've learned some tools since I've been clean and any adversity I face is just an opportunity to become stronger and add tools to my tool box. Christmas is here, yet again, my favorite time of year. I've made a lot of good friends now and most importantly I've connected with my higher power. And trust me when I say that that power metamorphasizes from moment to moment sometimes. What ever keeps me clean but I've built trust with my higher power and from that has come faith!! I am so super blessed. Actually, I used to run to Haight for the love of the family, never understanding the words of the woman at my first show, "we're your family", I guess now that means that I'm right where I need to be. As much as I love the Haight, I don't have to get outside of myself to find the love anymore. I do miss the Fam though!! One Love!! Peace and Inity forIver!!! I love you family!! 21 months and staying strong!! Zelda

I just went into recovery from alcoholism last Thursday. I love my new life already but I was concerned about going to shows and festivals this summer without any sober friends. A good friend of mine told me to check into Wharf Rats to help me solve this dilemma. Man, am I glad to know you guys are out there! I will keep an eye on what's going on and will post when I'm out and about to see if any Rats will be going to the same places. I live in Jackson, TN and usually go to Memphis more than anywhere else right now. If there's anybody out there that's in the area please feel free to contact me, I need all the sober buddies I can get. Thanks!

Found you here this morning andwanted to drop you a vibe and love and a note. Being sober will not be hard to be if you remember that's what you want to be. If you think you'd rather be (insert your shoice of words) it will be aweful and you might fail at your endeavor. *Want* to be sober and you will succeed. It won't matter where you are because our wants almost always win in our behaviors. Like minded friends just make it super extra fun. Want all good things for yourself and you'll find your wants; right at your own backdoor. We are creatures of our own pleasures; let being sober be what pleases you most and the sailing will be smoother that expected. As for the addiction part, teach your body well, it needs a new motivation for pleasure. A brisk walk can get you high as can volunteering and many other wonderful, exciting, creative, and magical choices. All the best to you, jaybird13. One of my dearest friends friend just made it to a brand new existence and their life is brand new. Wharf Rats Rock, be proud. "Whiskey got no hold on me." -Steve Earle

...although I am in recovery, this is sort of an off topic post. I am putting it here because it seems to be the only place the webiste will allow me to post. Can anyone explain to me why the grateful dead community/family seems to be denying the existance of Bruce Hornsby? Was this at his request? Was there a falling out? How many years do you have to play with the band to become a member? I am looking at a picture of the hall of fame induction and he is clearly standing there. I have tapes with him clearly playing. I saw him live. I am not insane. Even the picturte in question (in the Grateful Dead scrapbook) shows him, but deliberately ignores him in the caption. The cardboard cutout of Jerry is clearly identified, but we are supposed to pretend that Bruce is not in the picture. What gives? Tom Constanten is listed as a member of the band and I don't beleive I ever heard a live recording with him in it.....

If I am in New York in the US of A; can I look outmy window and see India? Great questions.

Sorry for the double post I can't figure out how to delete a post

My 1st Grateful Dead show was NYE 1971 at Winterland.I spent the next 15 years on the road and mostly in the "alternative" economic system in the Greater SF Bay area and counties to the north (with a brief sojourn in Tucson, Arizona). Most of the middle 70s to early 80s were spent "up North," guerrilla gardening. During all that time The Dead and my particular family of fellow Dead Heads were THE CENTRAL focus of my life. Everything from the music, to romance, to children, to how I earned a living revolved around that scene. Getting high for fun, turned into getting high for profit, and finally, to getting strung out as a hard fall from grace I lost my life-partner and child. That breakup - caused by too many reasons to fathom; but definitely fanned and fed by my drug use and addiction - was an ugly, sad, tragic, period; full of self-pity, guilt, and remorse. And, of course MORE DOPE! Got another family. Got REALLY strung out. By this time I had entered the "mainstream" economy, but was shocked at all the chicanery "straight" folks could get up to. But that's beside the point. Drugs finally stopped working - literally - I could not get enough DOPE into my system in order to get high. I could stay "well," but I COULD NOT get high anymore. Had a moment of clarity - got clean, July 21, 1989. I worked a half-ass program of recovery, but by "the grace and mercy of the miracle of recovery," I stayed clean for 17 (seventeen) years! Eventually, because my participation in my own recovery and (just as important) in the recovery of others was less than enthusiastic, my spiritual conditioned began to suffer. Meetings became a bore and a chore; my fellow recovering addicts became an object of my resentmeant. I stopped going to meetings on a regular basis. Of course, before long, I relapsed - to my utter SHOCK & SURPRISE. Pain meds prescribed for a legit reason, but by an UNINFORMED doctor - I chose to keep him in the dark about my status as an addict - were the substance I began to abuse. As prescribed, "1 or 2, every 6-8 hours as needed for pain" became "6 or 8 every 1 or 2 hours as I DESIRE to get LOADED." I stayed "out there" for the next six years. Finally, I came back to "the rooms" at my wife's urging - that's right, this angel has stayed with me through thick, thin, and whatever the cat brought in. I sat in meetings for a few days, blubbering to myself while all those around me tried to get the message of recovery through my thick, muddled head. ACTION was urged by all, get a sponsor, read the literature, WORK THE STEPS! Tomorrow I see my pain doc; cop to being a 12 stepper, and begin to taper off all narcotic pain-meds. Even when prescribed for legit pain by an INFORMED doctor, FOR ME using narcotic pain meds is just too slippery-a-slope. This is NOT a judgement for any other recovering addict who has a legit need for (any kind of) medication - this is just what I have to do IN MY CASE AT THIS POINT IN TIME. Day-after-tomorrow will once again be Day 31 for this addict, as long as I don't do something really DUMB. I also meet with my sponsor on that day, as on every Saturday morning. That is the BIG CHANGE this time around - I finally have a sponsor with whom I meet on a REGULAR basis EVERY WEEK! I am learning that the 3rd step, to make a decision to surrender my will and my life over to THE CARE of a power-greater-than-myself must be followed up by ACTION: 1. GET HONEST 2. WORK THE REST OF THE STEPS Okay, that's more than I meant to share, thanks for listening, that is, if you made it this far. If not, well . . . thanks anyway! Love to all, JiJi

but if you run into trouble lemme know and I'll nuke the extra.

I'm not the only one never knew we had a name ... Glad to know been Clean and Sober for awhile Thanks to Uncle Sams Canoe Club years ago... Anyone every make a wharf rat pin or patch just wondering...

Wow is the forum dead?

but it varies as to how many people from a particular group are hanging out at any particular moment. In any case we're glad you're here, and in my experience this tends to liven up when people start wanting to meet at shows.

Thanks for the reply look forward to meeting some people down the road "As we Trudge the road to happy Destiny"

(with apologies to John Phillips) Me and my Sponsor, went drivin’ down, Southern California, San Diego bound, We stopped over in West L.A. That being’ the point way past half-way, You know Happy Hour’s a trigger time of the day. Went to a Meeting 12 Steps up on the wall We sat down, smiles ‘round to all Eight hours of driving, my neck and shoulders hurt, Needing a neck rub, I began to flirt Someone said, “She’s a newcomer, leave her alone, you jerk!” West L.A. dope fiends, they’s all around, With facelifts and money, they’re loaded down. The 7th Tradition in this town must be insane! Bein’ two strangers, we had to give our names. I said, “He’s Alkie Bill and I’m Dope Fiend James.” My Sponsor sat there grinning, I stared at the floor, But I spied me a movie star, and then two more. “Is that Johnny Depp?” Oh no! It couldn’t be! I know Johnnie, he ain’t nothin’ like me! I’m as crazy as a Frisco Fiend can be! One of those “dope fiends,” he starts to draw, Sketches of the movie stars, they never saw Leaned into my Sponsor, said, “This Meeting’s been sold!” He gave me a nudge and towards the door we strolled. Sure 'nuff paparazzi was lurking out there in the cold I love the 12 Steps, more precious than gold I love my Sponsor, his stories never get old Fooled them paparazzi Fooled ‘em good, ya know! Told ‘em they’d better hurry, Or they’d miss Russell Crowe Comin’ outta a SAA Meeting down the road! In the meantime check THIS out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp3lJg07u4w Yes! That's a VERY young Joni Mitchell

@ Freebird914...Try the link below. It's to the latest Wharf Rats newsletter and its got contact info for Warren, the treasurer/merchandise guru. http://www.wharfrat.org/?page_id=6 Also, if you go see any Furthur, Phil & Friends, Dark Star Orchestra, etc. show, the Wharf Rats will have a table under a yellow banner with all sorts of goodies. One show at a time.

Any wharf rats going to all good, lemme know

wow~~~ i just joined the website today so i went to warf rats section to read posts because i liked the songs. after reading some posts i discovered warf rats were sober group of dh"s! as cool as this may be today is my 4th year clean date anniversary !! i would love to consider myself a warf rat dead head! i am so pumped about this! so cool how everything works in the clean life! love to all my fellow warf rats watts5565

wow~~~ i just joined the website today so i went to warf rats section to read posts because i liked the songs. after reading some posts i discovered warf rats were sober group of dh"s! as cool as this may be today is my 4th year clean date anniversary !! i would love to consider myself a warf rat dead head! i am so pumped about this! so cool how everything works in the clean life! love to all my fellow warf rats watts5565

Just a little bit of my life on the road with the Dead. The year was either 87 or 88 cant remember which. Was handed a piece of paper at a shoreline show, read something like need help were here for you. Noticed it said something about balloons and being sober. I was as mass hole as they come. Having been to almost every show fro summer of 82 till this point in 87 or 88 I took the flyer crumpled it and threw at the persons feet. Little did I know a year or so later my life would change like so many others. I was rescued from the Haight in October of 89 walking down the street. Much to my surprise a family member from the east coast had flown to find me and take me to treatment. I have not stayed sober all that time yet I have NEVER lost my love for being sober. I put together 5 years then 7 and now 7.5 again. Life has its ways of throwing us curves we just need to learn to duck at the proper moment. In these last 7.5 years alot has changed I lost the love of my life in an auto accident and NEVER found it necessary to pick up a drink or a drug. That's the power of our maker and the program of AA Not one to like NA FIND TO MANY people there getting high. I happen to like AA the old fashion way sit down SHUT UP and listen. thanks to you people and my higher power life goes on. I miss my little one every day yet I love my life far to much to give in to the old habits. jhon my little one was dyslexic and always wrote my name that way. I know she is in heaven and I will join here and so many others someday

Just wanted to say hi and that I am looking forward to seeing old friends at the SB show this year! Had to miss last year's tour altogether, and this will be my only show this time around, so it will be nice to reacquaint! See you at the table, or maybe at Superica beforehand! (You coming this time, Jimmy C?) I will be staying in SB a few days before and after the show and have spent a lot of time in sobriety there - if anyone needs info on local meetings, I would be happy to help! Feel free to PM me if you need info! Kym in Arizona

Sunday night at Red Rocks, 2 wrats were offered chocolate that was packaged in a commercial way,while they were standing at the table. this happened right before the set break meeting. They examined it and ate it and the guy who gave it to them said nothing and walked away. This is a horrible thing to happen to someone in recovery, let alone anyone! Even with people who are using, proper "drug edicate", is always to ask if the person wants to dose. It was an extremely frightening experience for those 2 wrats and I would hate for this to happen again. I don't know if the person who gave it to them had malicious intent but it should never have happened. Here is a description of the chocolate and packaging: silver foil on the inside with a lilac colored label with printed ingredients and some sort of local logo for chocolate company. It was a smaller bar and chocolate had nuggets in it. I did some research and found out these we're all over redrocks, and apparently had mushroom powder in them. Not sure if this was someone local from Colorado or if they will have them on the whole tour. Please be aware if you are attending any upcoming shows. This happened right at the wharf rat table!! I pray this never happens again

I had a friend dosed against their will one time and it was a bad scene for a long time. It's not a funny thing to do to people AT ALL. Hope the wrats are doing okay.

I have been clean and sober since 7/13/88 and don't smoke anymore. I'm from Northern NJ, married for 23 years seeking friendship with someone male or female (not friend with benefits) is into Jamband music. My wife is not into "That kinda music" I love to go to shows. Love the DEAD saw them over 100 times.Been to over 300 concerts in my lifetime. I'm 46 My wife wanted me to find a friend just someone to talk to and hang out with, she suggested I find someone to hang out with that has interests same as me. I use to do everything with my 2 sons but they are both in college now and don't have time for me. Thank you for your time Paul

Love the new Rats tee design.

I'm 53 with grandkids and still going to shows/fests with kids and staying clean since 4/2/04. Love hangin with The Rats. Always get a boost when I see yellow ballons & "one show at a time" stickers on people. It's an instant connection. Looking forward to taking grandkids to their first fests. Maybe this summer....if mom & dad are ok with it!!! HAVE A GRATEFUL DAY!!!

Be unabashed and public about sobriety and AA.I was taken by Roger Y. to my first meeting the 4th Thursday of Jan. 1980. Didn't drink and didn't die so far. Couldn't have done it without you all and many more not on this small list. Countless blessings and lots of Experience, Strength and Hope came my way. Thanks to HP, as we understand him, and AA. I was told to take care of it... " It don't belong to you, it belongs to US." First show Feb 1970, went to Family Dog to see Commander Cody and got dosed with the Dead who hit me with Mama Tried. Went back to next few nights shows and the bus departed. Got my 30 yr wooden chip from Wharf Rat AA group meeting at Holy Innocents Church in SF a few years ago. A most prized token of the long strange trip. Couldn't have done it without you all, everyone. Bound to cover just a little more ground Before it covers me. bear

...keep the faith! Oh, and introduce myself. I'm Ben and I'm an alcoholic/addict who's been sober since July. I'm 33 years old and have known of you guys since I was probably 13. Well I went through my years of use and abuse and always kinda figured I'd end up with the Wharf Rats and so here I am if you'll have me. Thanks! As I listen to the Other Ones sing "Just like Mary Shelley, just like Frankenstein...," I gotta think I'm in the right place.

Hey Rats! I haven't posted in a loooong time but I hope everyone is good:) I just had 5 years in March and I feel better than ever! Saw Furthur in Broomfield...nice...can't wait for Red Rocks again...although its kinda a ways off. Thinking about Bobby and hoping he is okay!

Thinking about Bobby and hoping he is okay! .Thanking You for thinking as we all must, about Bob and his well being....Peace to You Sister Mom

Hi everyone! I'm new here yet sober 5+ years and on the bus for well over 20. I would love to connect with other rats in the Clearwater/ Dunedin Florida area. I enjoy playing guitar almost as much as listening to Jerry play his. I would like to connect with Rats from all over too, not just near me. We are everywhere after all. Come say hello and make a new friend.

just moved to st.pete. after a slip i've got 5 months and doing good. i hit up meetings all over good to know there are others in the area

I've been away from the Wharf Rat scene because my live show addiction caused me to Fail a college class that was paramount to me. I'm reluctant to contact my phellow table workers because I don't want to know of all the cool shows that I would be compelled to sacrifice my education to attend. Timothy Leary advice, "tone in Turn on and drop out" messed up my life. Now I have to do it in Reverse. Anyway, Jerry Garcia symphonic orchestra will be in my neighborhood (Hollywood Greek) on August 4th. I prefer to attend shows that have recovery meetings. Will there be a Wharf Rat Table at JB (Warren Hynes) symphonic orchestra ?

Hey there! I am going to be at the Greek show as well. We usually have a table at the Greek, but I don't know about this show. I will investigate and let you know! :-) -Darrin

been on the bus since 94 eugene or. seattle vegas shoreline and jerry at the warfield and reno would love to find a copy of that show if anyone can help? been sober since 3313 what a great life without all that mess!!!!! anyone going to further 82413 hit me up can show u around the yak valley anyways see u there well time to get up and fly away... later TPH

Tom that's awesome I'm 3 months clean and I still love the music

Hello my name is matthew i live in Eureka ca. My friend showed me a steel your face 3 month sober coin ill be three years young on march 31 2014 this is a huge deal for me because sober is the life for me lol i would love one of these steelys