Friday, February 15, 2013

Week 38... "Flight"

Greetings:

This week, I would like to "skim the surface," if you will, regarding a topic that is maybe a bit more difficult to understand than I realize.  Addiction...  Dictionary.com defines addiction as:  The state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.

Spoiler Alert!!!  Flight Movie Details Below...

Last Saturday, Donna and I ran a few errands late in the afternoon, had dinner and libations at one of our favorite restaurants, Pappasito's, and then came home early enough to scan the On-Demand movie list.  We settled on the movie Flight, with Denzel Washington.  The movie is about a veteran Airline Pilot, who, after a mechanical failure, steers a jet airplane through adversity and certain death to all those on board, to a miraculous crash landing with minimal fatalities, due to his calm demeanor and steady hand, albeit with a daring procedure, although he drank alcohol before and during his flight.  Hailed as hero at first, the investigation into the crash reveals, ultimately, that Denzel's character is an alcoholic


The movie goes on to show, at least for this movie, how Denzel's character deals with his addiction, and in the end, he succumbs to years of lies and living a life of denial, pain, and loss of family and friends.  He admits to being an alcoholic, is sent to prison, and it is there, that he finally becomes sober and tells his "story" to other prisoners.  

Now, if you know me at all, I am constantly talking about "Libations" in a fun, loving, way.  More often than not, I have a space on this Blog titled "Libations Anyone???," highlighting a "spirited beverage" for the week.  For most "average and responsible" adults, it's a subject that can be talked about and enjoyed in moderation.  Abusing it is not considered in this context.  But, sadly, there are those that can't seem to simply "enjoy" it and "walk away" so to speak.  Although I am speaking of alcohol while pertaining to this Blog post, certainly drug addiction is on the table as well.  

The movie led to a discussion between Donna & I on addiction.  Donna has dealt with and seen up close those with a drug addiction.  I have seen it from afar somewhat and therefore, my total understanding of it is lacking a bit.  I come from the perspective of:  if it is bad, if it is wrong, if it can potentially harm or hurt you or others, if it is holding you back or keeping you from living a successful life, if it tears a family apart...  then STOP!!!  Easy???  Maybe not...  Therein lies my "naivety" as much as I hate to admit that.  I am not an addict and therefore, I do not think like an addict.  Donna has tried to make me understand that for years.  Slowly but surely, it may be finally sinking in.  Donna is not an addict, but is much more sensitive to the addict illness.

There was a scene in the movie that was very telling...  Toward the end, on the night before Denzel's character is to appear before the NTSB hearing on the crash, and with everything on the line for him and his career, he is put into a hotel room with a guard at the door to keep him out of any trouble and sober for his appearance the next morning.  He checks his room fridge and it has been stocked with water and soda's.  As fate would have it, at some point during the night, he finds the adjoining room door unlocked.  The room is empty and he casually opens the door to that room's fridge.  Paradise (for him)!!!  Full of liquor and beer.  He looks at all the bottles, opens one and sniffs it, puts the cap back on and sits it on top of the fridge.  The camera stays on the tiny liquor bottle sitting on top of the fridge for several seconds.  And then, you see his hand scoop the bottle and you just know that's not a good thing.  And it wasn't...  The life of an "addicted alcoholic."  As I watched that scene, I thought about how I would react to seeing all those bottles of booze:  I would have shut the door and gone back to bed knowing what an important day I had ahead of me, a day that would determine my future.  But, I'm not an addict.  He kept opening that fridge the rest of the night and eventually passed out on the bathroom floor.  Very sad, but the movie is very interesting and I think does a good job of trying to show just how hard it is for an addict to live a "normal and responsible" life. 

And Now, For Something Completely Different...    

Let's lighten things up just a bit and talk about some food.  Check this out:

Recipe'sThis week, I tried another Pinterest recipe I came across from allrecipes.com, and I will tell you that Donna and I found our smile.  I am absolutely a "Steak & Potatoes" guy and I was very happy with my Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak and gravy over Slu's Mashed Potatoes.  I put some asparagus on the side and it was amazing.  I hope you'll click on the link and check it out...  See below for how mine turned out:

A Pic of My Home-Made Version...

MusicI've heard this song a couple of times in the last week on Pandora.  I first heard it and fell in love with this particular version at the end of the movie, 50 First Dates...  I hope you will give a listen to Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole's version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow.  A very beautiful song.

Market WatchA bit of a dip this week for Facebook as it fell slightly to 28.30...  The Market as a whole, fell back to just under 14,000.  

The EndAnother week in the books...  Thank You very much for checking in at Slu's World.  I hope to see you back next week.  Have a great weekend.

Be safe, be smart, and always smile...  It's "Happy Friday"

adios...  vaya con dios  

17 comments:

  1. My opinion, how I view addiction. The strong can walk away from addiction, the weak can not. We make the decision which way we will go. The weak can overcome addiction if they want help. Thank God there are centers, clergy, and family to help addicts. The power of prayer is our greatest weapon against addiction. Have a good week. love cuz

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  2. First of all, Steve, I appreciate more than you know, this honest and thoughtful approach at this subject. As you pointed out, and as you have witnessed, this is very personal to me. I love you.
    Though certainly the first time anyone uses, be it take a drink or experimenting in drug use, it is most definitely a choice. The non addict may say, "well, that's not for me" or " I had fun, and maybe I'll drink again" but the go on with their lives and either choose to indulge again or not. But, with the addict, the choice on whether to drink or use for the second, third, fourth and so on, is much more complicated. I should point out as well, that we are all "weak" as a species in that we are sinful and flawed. Only by the grace of God, do any of us make though each day. The "strong" people that walk away from addiction are the ones who are not addicts. No one just walks away from this disease. It is something that is there to greet them every morning. I do, however believe that God is the only way for the addict to have the strength to daily conquer the urge to use. I am also thankful for the people out there that make it their lives to help addict, many of whom are recovering addicts themselves.
    I have first hand and for a large portion of my life had to watch people I love go through the pain,isolation,shame and consequence of addition. I have watched helplessly as these people, who I love, slowly destroy themselves and their lives. I cannot convey to anyone how hard that is. I know they love me. I know they didn't hurt me on purpose. I know they didn't want to hurt themselves. They couldn't stop, not just like that, not that simple. It pains me to see this disease over simplfied as it just being a choice. Like is
    t's just that easy, I can tell you, it is not.
    But God is Good and He is faithful and through prayer and by His grace, my storm seems to have calmed, but by NO MEANS do I view these or any addict as "weak" people. They are actually some of the Strongest people I know, because the wake up everyday and face a demon that makes a lot of false promises to them. They have to reject those promises and see them for the lies they are. Only a person of great strength, given by the grace of God, could do that...every day of their lives.
    I would also like to point out that drugs and alcohol addiction is not the only addiction, people become addicted to work,food,sex,exercise,tobacco and any number of things. It is a terrible disease in what ever form it takes and I pray for all addicts as well as their families. I also pray that more people will come to understand that these people are not weak pariahs of society, but people just like anyone else who struggle everyday with life and the hand they have been dealt.





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    1. Well... I wish you would tell us how you really feel. OK, kidding. I know what this means to you. I know how it has touched your life. I am trying to understand it better. I'm getting there. Thank you for your honesty and your sincere response. I love you back. S

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  3. I agree. Didn't mean to offend anyone. I just know what I went through with my son. My girls were just stronger to stand up to things. He wasn't strong enough to say no to his friends. Friend pressure would always get him in trouble. Thank God he finally grew up. Everytime the phone rang, we were afraid he was dead. Went years not knowing if he was dead or alive, or where he was. I think a lot of families has this problem. It is sad and heart wrenching. As I said, it was my opinion towards my son as I saw him.

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    1. Hey cuz... Your response and Donna's response is a testament as to how this nasty "addiction" thing can grab hold of a family and not let go. It is an emotional subject. I am trying, and it's hard, but I am trying to understand it better as a non-addict.

      I appreciate your honest response. It can absolutely be gut-wrenching.

      Thanks again for checking in, see you next week... cuz

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  4. @ Cuz..No offense taken, just a very sensitive subject. Just the momma bear coming out. Sorry if I jumped on my soapbox!

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  5. You can jump on your soapbox anytime you want. I am bad about that too, especially when my kids are involved. I am very proud of my son, he has come a long ways. He is not the go along with crowd anymore and is working hard to build a life for himself. I thank God for giving me my son back. Something very few know is that, I lost my first husband to drug complications after he got off drugs. I was left to raise two small children. I know the hurt and problems it causes. Then I had to watch my son go down the same road. Thank God I didn't lose him. I have my son back and am thankful for him everyday. Cuz

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    1. I love it when there is such a "spirited" conversation... it is indeed a sensitive subject and touches many people in different ways. Thanks y'all. S

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  6. Addiction to anything is serious in my eyes. To think that someone will beg, borrow, steal or even kill in order to satisfy their desire to have or take something is no joke.
    The only person that can help someone leave addiction is themselves. No matter what you do to help someone, they will only participate when they are ready for some sort of intervention. I've seen this over and over again.

    I agree with anonymous above that addiction is not just about drink and drugs. There are many things that people are addicted to in society which we don't often hear about or mention. Addiction is something that can affects anyone at any time, ie: rich, poor, old, young. You may not be addicted today, but don't be convinced you may not be affected tomorrow, if you know what I mean. Great Post Slu.

    Now I'm hungry..... just checking out your dinner.

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    1. Thanks RPD... You are absolutely right. I appreciate the comments.

      Thanks for checking in, Slu

      ps: the dinner was awesome!!!

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  7. I don't think anyone but an addict can truly know what drives an addict. I believe that something chemical goes on in the brain that makes just thinking it through and walking away not always possible. I believe it takes herculean strength to walk away from something that the rest of us think it's easy to avoid. But that's because we're not the addict. Sometimes the lucky ones (yes, I said that) hit rock bottom and the bad outweighs the good and they find the herculean strength. Not an easy road and I applaud these people. The ones who don't, who can't, I have nothing but sympathy.

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    1. It's gut wrenching... it's hard... it's painful, etc., and you're right, as non-addicts, we will never (hopefully) know their mind-set.

      Thanks for checking in, Slu

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  8. Addiction is such a sad thing. Fortunately I haven't had to deal with it in our family but I have a close friend who is an alcoholic and I know every day is a struggle for her. On a lighter note, your salisbury steak looks amazing--I live by my crockpot, so I will certainly check out this recipe!

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    1. It is very sad... we have been touched by it as well.

      You will love this recipe. Thanks for checking in, Slu

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  9. Hey Slu,
    Addiction is such a difficult thing to comprehend. It tore apart our family. I think there is a varied understanding by those fighting /overcoming it. It's a completely different comprehension for those of us who have lived with the addicted. We lost my Aunt to a drug addiction, and although he's still alive, I've lost my dad to alcohol. Reading through your comments show just how differently we all perceive it. I hope you and your family are finding peace..

    I definitely need to see Flight. It's an interesting story line..but I'd probably just stare at Denzel... :)

    The man would love your food- he is a meat and potatoes kind-of-guy. I would love that asparagus.

    I tried to post last night on the plane back to Utah. It would let me on some blogs, and not on others. Alas, here I am, wishing you and Donna another great week. I hope her business is off to a productive start..
    -MM

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    1. Double M... I am so sorry to hear of your loss (Aunt) as well as your Dad. Knowing how close I was to my Dad, I can't even imagine the pain. It saddens me a great deal. The comments this week are just gut-wrenching. It (Addiction) seems to have touched so many people. It's mind boggling.

      Do see Flight... A very good movie.

      Try the recipe: Y'all will find your smile.

      The Salon has taken off and is soaring!!! We are very happy.

      Thanks for checking in, Slu

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