Grateful Dead WharfRats Meet Here.

Post reply Log in to post comments

June 17, 2007 - 10:53am

622 replies

izzie

Joined:
May 26, 2007

Welcome, Wharf-Rats.

Comments

sort by

Recent

Recent Oldest A to Z Z to A

Reset

April 25, 2013 - 9:16pm

#131

hippiechickmom

Joined:
October 12, 2008

hey sisters and brothers!

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!
April 4, 2013 - 9:23am

#132

Benzzer

Joined:
April 4, 2013

I wanna say to my sisters and my brothers...

...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.
January 27, 2013 - 2:46pm

#133

BEAR 14

Joined:
February 28, 2011

My Sponsor tells me....

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
January 3, 2013 - 3:34pm

#134

mmtapeop

Joined:
June 7, 2010

I'm 53 with grandkids and

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!!!
January 3, 2013 - 3:27pm

#135

mmtapeop

Joined:
June 7, 2010

tees

Love the new Rats tee design.
October 28, 2012 - 7:43pm

#136

MoonKnight

Joined:
October 28, 2012

Looking for a friend just someone to talk to and hang out with

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
September 26, 2012 - 4:28pm

#137

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

that is REALLY rotten

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.
September 26, 2012 - 12:35pm

#138

mona

Joined:
September 28, 2008

passing it on

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
September 11, 2012 - 9:46am

#139

kym

Joined:
June 11, 2008

County Bowl 10-7-12

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
September 4, 2012 - 6:18am

#140

hockey_john

Joined:
August 25, 2012

1988 or 1987

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

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Wharf Rats

Welcome, Wharf-Rats.

wharfrats

i dont know if anyone is gonna read this but..... theres a new wharfrat site! the address is liwarfrats.samsite.com come on by and be apart of it!!!! peace to all!!!!!!

I believe the site is actually

http://liwarfrats.sampasite.com/

Whooz goin'

Yellow balloons @ Penn State.....If I get Tix I'm flyin outta LAX.....anyone else?

I neverr got a chance to be

I neverr got a chance to be a warf rat but i had one help ome once in vegas im new in recovery still love the dead how do you keep it from being a trigger

love the dead

Im 35 days sober and im finding that the music which is so much a part of my soul is somewhat of a trigger any advic on how to cope

congrats on the 35 days bro, that's no small thing! this is gonna be short & to the point, it's late here, probably sorta blunt too so please don't take it the wrong way triggers are bullshit-they're a friggin' excuse to use again-just because we have a thought of using doesn't mean we have to act on it-if i remember how i felt (hopeless & suicidal) right b4 i got clean instead of only remembering the "good" times, it helps-talking w/someone else that's clean about wanting to use helps too-i don't "play" w/those thoughts when i have 'em, in other words i don't keep thinking about it-i used everywhere doing everything, so if i wanted to avoid "triggers" i'd have to move somewhere new, never leave the house & never do anything-that ain't why i got clean man so i had to start facing stuff right off the rip-i decided early on that nothing but me could make me use-if i got loaded again it was 'cause i wanted to get loaded more than i wanted to stay clean-that was a bit more than 4 yrs ago-i still listen to the boys & still hit the occasional show & it's even better than b4-if you're not ready for that yet, don't do it, you'll know when it's time-feel free to shoot me a PM if ya want or just post back here-love ya bro, you can do it!

23rd AMP

Any wharfrats attend?

23rd annual musicians picnic

Topanga, California

JW

jw, You are wise to bring this up as most of us deal with triggers everyday. Its not the thought thats dangerous its what you do with it .Answer the thought with reasons why its not a good idea to use today and move on.Like Hoss said, it helps to talk with another recovering person about it. I needed to look inside and realize that no one or nothing could make me use, only me.Where are you spiritually?Do you attend meetings?Sponsor? These are things that work for me.I was fortunate to have an epiphany at a show in 89 when they played 'Not Fade Away' and we all sang along, I realized it was NOT necessary to artificially alter my mind to be part of the collective conciousness I know as the Grateful Dead. Anyway I hope this helps and you can reply openly here or PM if you want to contact me.Peace, Love and Recovery lefty

HEY JIMMY C

I WILL BE THERE AT PA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hope to see you and many other rats.peace,love and recovery lefty

wharfrats at Obama?

Will there be a table at the Penn state show? I hope to see all of you there! peace

BTW

Come to the table, I'll be celebrating 10 yrs to the day of being clean! Last year I spent my anniversary at a Phil show. Guess thats how it was supposed to work out! Couldn't think of a better way I'd rather spend my anniversary then at a Dead show!

Is there even goin' to be a table at BJC?

Gone are the days we stopped to decide........where we should go......we just ride.

HEY uncle lefty

Where are you now? and where are you gonna be then? This will be my 2nd clean/sober show. after flyin' in from Los Angeles, I'm gonna need a meeting...8O) Oct. 13th I'll be 13 days short of 3 yrs. Gone are the days we stopped to decide........where we should go......we just ride.

I found Y'all

Uncle Lefty was telling me about this chat room so I finally had time to look it up. It looks like another great place to find recovery, music and friendship.....3 of the most important things in my life. To JW: I found that once I got clean I was able to experience the music on a whole 'nother level than I ever had before. It was a more spiritual thing, a real connection that I had missed for all of those years. I have now been to more Dead/dead family shows clean and sober than I had been to using. It's a great experience and I don't have to do it alone...which is a good thing, because I can't do it alone. Virtually every concert that I go to these days I bring someone in recovery along with me. That makes it better for both of us. And when I'm real lucky I see a whole raft of others wearing those round yellow stickers and carrying yellow balloons (the symbols we use to identify each other). Best wishes in your quest. See you at Penn State!!!! Peace, Randy Peace, mtnref4

hey Jimmy C

I live between Cleveland and Columbus Ohio. Another good ratfriend of mine,Randy, and I are in section 217 row 8. We are staying at Super 8, I think its a couple miles out from the venue.Where are you? It sounds like Rusty was saying there would be a table so we should all be meeting there. I'll be the guy with one arm and a BIG SMILE!!!!! We are getting to PA Sunday nite so maybe see before............ and find or have a meeting.My last California show was New Years 01 with Derek Trucks, Ratdog ,Phil with Warren,and at Midnight Commander Mouse Stealth Band with Billy , Mickey and Bobby joining Phil.I saw Rats there too. A night to remember,clean andsober, I could remember.Looing forward to meeting you .We do this thing one show at a time, together!Peace,Love and Recovery Lefty Lefty

Section 206 aisle G seat 106

Arrive Monday morning @ SCE........sans flight delays, cancellations, stupidity.I'll book a room close to the BJC or airport. I'll jump off that bridge when I get to it. LOL I hear there will be alot of room because the football team is on the road. I really appreciate your support. With Gods help Jimmy C. Gone are the days we stopped to decide........where we should go......we just ride.

Grisman headlining inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Fest

What's up guys, I just wanted to give everyone a heads up about the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass & Blues festival, this 11/22 at the historic Congress Theater, all benefiting the Saving Tiny Hearts Societies fight against the country's most common birth defect. www.cbgbfestival.com The first 10 folks that hit me up at michael.raspatello@gmail.com will get a pair of tickets mailed to them. We're excited for you to help us spread the word about this righteous endeavor Michael Raspatello

Rats NA Drain Ditch

Rats NA Drain Ditch is my homegroup in Indianapolis.. it's a meeting beyond description. If you want to do something awesome, start a wharfrat themed meeting in your area.. yellow balloons, candy, tie-dyes, little dancing bears and closing with the Wheel... our meeting rocks and I get shivers just thinking about it. At our annual Hippy Hoedown (March 2008), we had 135 clean heads and a massive blow out smack down family stomp grateful dead dance party.. if you're ever in Indy on a Friday night and want to see something totally different, look us up. Our group is going strong with 30-35 ppl / week. It is also awesome to see the hope in head's eyes when we tell them about our meeting, after their sponsors have told them they can't go to shows or even *gasp* listen to the Grateful Dead. We take em in under our arms and teach them a new way to dance!!!! + we go to a lot of shows :)

Table at BJC

I have talked to some NE Rats and they said no table at the show. Its because its a political event and they were going to go by the traditions. BUT there is going to be a meeting between sets but they didn't tell me exactly what sets. (?) But look for the yellow ballons inside and outside and you'll be told where to go in the show for a meeting. If I find out anymore info that I'll post it here. Hope to see all of you there! Have a safe journey! And isn't it great not to have to worry about getting busted in the infamous state of PA!!!

MEETING

Some of us are planning to meet on Monday prior to the show . I wiil post more as I know so anyone interested can join.AND I have attended the Hippie Hoedown Matt was talking about with Rat in a drainditch Group. HE is Right on, GOOD TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!Peace, Love and Recovery, lefty

pre show gathering

OK The word I got is to meet at the Waffle Shop, 364 East College Ave in State College Pa. at 3:00. I will bring some yelllow stickers,One Show At A Time and Another Dopeless Hopefiend to share if anyone wants to wear them.See ya there!Peace, Love and Recovery lefty

pre show gathering

I'm going to try to be at the Whaffle Shop at 3pm on Monday. I'm driving from Morris County, NJ in my Smartcarfor2 on Monday. If you know anybody who needs a ride, I have room for 1 rider and I get over 42 mpg. My ticket is on 220 section, row F, not very good, but I wouldn't miss this. See you at the Waffle Shop.

Waffel shop closes at 3:00pm

New location......Ruby Tuesday's 1551 S. Atherton St State College PA. 16801 (814) 234-6256 I guess Waffel shop before 3:00pm? Gone are the days we stopped to decide........where we should go......we just ride.

THANKS Jimmy C !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope to see my rat family at Ruby Tuesdays on Monday at 3:00. I will still of course bring some yellow balloon stickers.Peace, Love and Recovery, lefty

thank you all . . .

. . . 4 a real good time!!! My wife and I had a ball! Change Rocks (but we already knew that . . .) :O) Charlie C.

Thank you Charlie

...................and your darling wife too. Grate to meet you.......:o) Gone are the days we stopped to decide........where we should go......we just ride.

wow

GREAT SHOW,GREAT MEETNG[even without a table],GREAT SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, the love and genuine caring about one another ! It is such a joy, honor and priviledge to be part of this community within a community.Thanks to all of you for being you,RECOVERY ROCKS!!!peace, love and recovery, lefty

hey Lefty! just got

hey Lefty! just got established on dead net. that was the greatest meeting i've ever attended. I am so grateful to have been a part of the magic sober. i was so happy to see you. i cant wait for the next show. ratdog will be playing outside pittsburgh on the 7th im not sure if im gonna be able to go or not. anyways, i just wanted to drop a line and extend my love and gratitude, for we all know "without love in the dream it will never come true." peace and love, andy

thank you

Thank you Andy for being part of the magic, it was great to see you.We had rats from LA, NJ, New York, WV, Oh and Indiana represented !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Probably more.Did anyone else see the rainbow before the doors opened? It was like Jerry smilin' at us.Peace, Love and Recovery, Lefty

wharfrat spirituallity

Hello,I'm Larry here in Santa rosa,California,I got on the bus January 2nd,1994 2A.M. in the morning,my last Grateful dead show was 6/3/1995,2nd to last west coast show before things got really strange for alot of us,its refreshing to go to wharfrat meetings,the energy is very supportive and loose,I do find some of the meetings lately to be to bible thumping,it used to be more spiritual,oh well.going to see JGB soon maybe the new years eve show?? I hope be well Larry

Looking for stories from Wharf Rats

I am looking for jam band fans who are in recovery from addiction to share your stories. I am a licensed addiction counselor and Deadhead and am working on a recovery guide for jam band fans. Your experiences will be used anonymously as illustrations for a practical guide to overcoming addiction. Mine is a positive, non-judgmental approach to recovery; the book will recognize the role of the jam band music and the community in the life of the recovering person. Please send info to Gary Blanchard at positivepath@hughes.net . Thanks! Gary Blanchard http://www.GBandFriends.com

hey wharf rats

hey guys whatz up?? I went to my first wharf rat concert in Rochester this summer-met lots of other cool people! I am looking to connect with other wharf rats for friendship and fun! Anybody going to any concerts soon?? Anybody hear about a concert in Philly?? With much love and light-hippiechickmom!!!

oh yah...

ha ha-still too new to have recovered all those brain cells-i am currently 7 months sober and loving it! I love the Grateful Dead sooo much and was so afraid I would have to let go of that part of my life due to the drugs and alcohol involved-thank God for wharf rats and aa-I can finally learn who me really is and still keep my music!! LIFES GOOD

hey hippiechickmom

Welcome and congratulations on 7 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE ARE EVERYWHERE. I see there are a bunch of Ratdog shows in PA soon. That might be a great place to start. Is anyone out there doing a table at any of these?If so , there you go! Anyway glad you found us and you sound like you are definately in the right place.Hang in there!Peace, Love and Recovery, lefty

thankx

so glad 2 b here-cant go to pa because i am going to an aa retreat and just started a new awesome job that i cant miss during the week....i may go to phil sometime-maybe nov. 8??? ttyguyss!!! so much love and light...

Hey Mom!

Welcome to recovery! I've been clean a little over 2 years now and listen to more Dead than I ever have. There are so many great shows available through the interenet now. I've come to really appreciate what great musicians these guys were/are. Much more than just the backdrop to a great trip. Peace, Richard

such a happy hippie!!

I was so afraid that giving up drugs and alcohol would mean I would have to give up what I love the most and that is the Dead and my music-ha-little did I know that everything is so much cooler now and that I can enjoy it ten times more-and I can even begin to remember some stuff-what a wonderful opportunity to start again and do it right this time-thank god I can be a sober hippie-life is soooo good!!!Love & Light!!!!

Way to go Hippiechickmom!

It sounds like your doing great! Congratulations, I hope you find peace and love where ever you go. Keep com'in back. : ) Robert

WOW !! I'm home !!

What a day ! I'm brand new here. Tom from Marion,Ohio, and just heard a lead from a nice lady at an AA meeting, and she turned me on to you guys.Little over 8 months sober and still clinging to the music.(listening to a show on the Grateful Dead Channel as I type). I told her after she got done speaking...."I thought I was the only sober Dead-Head on the planet". Look forward to reading lots of cool posts ! Hi Jodi !!! : )

hey tom, welcome home!

hey tom, welcome home! turns out Weir everywhere, even OH. i'm in canton myself. good ta have ya here!

Hey Tom and Hoss

GRATE to see you you here! Maybe we can meet up at one the Darkstar shows in Feb.Anyway glad weir here, Happy Thanksgiving we have a lot to be grateful for!peace, love and recovery, lefty

Happy Thanksgiving

Went to a "gratitude meeting" last night. Never been to one before....heck, never heard of such a thing until a week ago. Everyone in the room got to get up and say what you're grateful for !! It was way cool to hear everybody share. Music question ! Was there ever a studio version of "Bird Song" recorded ? I've tried to research this and get nowhere, but I swear I heard a very slow, quiet version on the GDC about a month ago. I sent them an e-mail, but no response. They're probably overwhelmed with e-mails. Maybe it was just Jerry ? Any help would be appreciated. Haven't been to a show in a LONG time-probably Deer Creek Amphitheater, Indy, back around '89-'90. (or was the Louisville, KY show after that ?) I dunno !! How are Phil, Bob, Mickey, etc sounding these days ? Jeez, I see groups like Aerosmith and The Stones and Tom Petty performing at Superbowls, and I think "Jeez, hang it up ! You can't SING anymore !!!" So, I can't help wondering how the individual members of the Dead are sounding. Alright then..... Take care everyone !

Studio Bird Song

"Music question ! Was there ever a studio version of "Bird Song" recorded ?" Yeah, on Jerry's first solo album. Don't know if that's the version you heard, though. ********************************************* I have a sigfile! --> www.kindveggieburritos.com *********************************************

don't know

don't know if this Bird Song is studio or live onthis Big Box Set http://www.deaddisc.com/disc/So_Many_Roads.htm

IKOIKOALLDAY

Glad you're here

Just celebrated another day sober- there are so many cool things out there I missed out on but I am learning more each day, because I want to. I just released my debut novel, One Hour Martin-izing- the main character is a major deadhead and his best bud is a "Wharf Rat." If you like to read novels that make you laugh out loud and take you to places you have been and remember fondly and you like to root for the underdog who just happens to love the Dead and The NY Yankees, this plot driven thriller is for you. You can get it at www.amazon.com, www.bn.com and www.franksaitta-onehourmartinizing.com Check it out and share it with a kindred spirit- oh yeah , have you called your sponsor today! IKOIKOALLDAY

love to all the wharf rats

HippieChuck-i love all you guys for the support and unconditional love over the years.just wanted to say thanx to all for the years of support.

hello again

Hi Tom.....glad 2 c u made it!!! Life is amazing, isn't it? I would give anything to be able to go to CA for new years, how about you guys??? One day at a time I guess. I am gonna try to start a new meeting in Bellville at a church called "All Souls"...it is a Unitarian Universalist church....have any of u guys heard of that? It suits me as a sober person and as a deadhead hippie sooooo well-their saying is "deeds not creeds" meaning that people of all religions go to share spirituality and faith with each other-it is all about how you treat people and what role you play as a member of the community....versus what religion you say you are....I love you guys so much....Have such a grateful christmas....so much to be thankful for.....any of you ohioans venturing to columbus to see hookah on new years?? love n light-jodi

Tom, Lefty, HCM & any other Rats

anyone heading to the Dead/Allmans show on 5/6/09? just heard about the dates on the WR List. I've only hit a few shows since i got clean but i'm starting to save my pennies for this one. here's the list that was on Ratdog.org - Fri 4/24/09 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY Sat 4/25/29 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY Sun 4/26/29 Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY Tue 4/28/09 Times Union Center, Albany, NY Wed 4/29/09 TD Bank North Arena, Boston, MA Fri 5/01/09 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA Sat 5/02/09 Wachovia Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA Sun 5/03/09 Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. Tue 5/05/09 Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA Wed 5/06/09 Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH Fri 5/08/09 Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL Sat 5/09/09 Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL Mon 5/11/09 Scott Trade Center, St. Louis, MO Tue 5/12/09 Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO Wed 5/13/09 American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX Fri 5/15/09 UNO Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, LA Sat 5/16/09 Verizon Wireless Music Center, Pelham, AL Sun 5/17/09 Sommet Center, Nashville, TN Tue 5/19/09 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA Wed 5/20/09 Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA Fri 5/22/09 Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion, Raleigh, NC Sat 5/23/09 Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre, Charlotte, NC Sun 5/24/09 Lakewood Amphitheatre, Atlanta, GA maybe closer to time we can set up a place to get together b4 if there's not a table.