DAY 13 Sober: My Dreams

Hello my friends! I am a day away from 2 weeks sober and I cant believe how much my life has changed in two weeks the world just opened up with possibilities that I never thought could or would ever happen. I am ever so grateful; my goal is to always live in a state of gratefulness. There is so much I want to start doing since I got sober, Get a bike, Volunteer, Dance more, write more. Those are some of my short-term goals! 

Some of my long-term goals I’ve always carried into my adulthood from childhood but my Alcoholic mind kept them hidden from my Reality are Film and television. They saved my life growing up! It took me away form reality into a Fantasyland for 2hrs, nothing around me matter in those moments. Film and Television gave me hope and also thought me so much. I learn so much from the Oprah show! TV and film was my parent. There were several days I would watch film after film after film, laughing and crying. I would spend all day at a one-dollar movie theater. I grew up with TV from Mickey Mouse Club, to Barney, to Power Rangers, to Friends, to Oprah, Ellen and now American Horror Story. I still till this day request days off of work for the Oscars, GG, Emmys and SAG awards (or call in). When I was a kid I would recreate scenes in my room and even recreate an alternate ending.  I knew in my heart at very young age film and TV is where ill end up one day, I did not care if was a background, grip, writer, director, craft service. If I can work on film or show that can inspire a kid like me then my job is done in life. I cant in vision a higher dream then to be part of a film or show that inspire youth to dream big and help them hold on for a bit longer because life eventually happen and life is such a beautiful thing. For me it’s only that way if I continue to stay sober. 

My first acting performance was in fourth grade in Ms. George class with a fellow actor. I forgot the scene. I eventually started drama class in middle school through sophomore year. My first play was Annie and of course I played sandy (Annie dog) I was the best damn sandy there was! In high school I made drama honors in Miss Douglass class and that’s when the reality of my childhood caught up with my dreams. Sophomore year my family and I became homeless once again but this time it affected my school. I was in honors and college prep class for English and drama. I was getting academic awards but I needed to work ASAP. I remember sleeping in back of taco bell in Indio California. Finally my drama teacher Ms. Douglass pulled me into the office kind of scolding me saying, ” Adolfo wants wrong?” You have so much Potential?” why is you aren’t focus anymore. I of course lied for my mom because I was scared. Till this day I wonder what would happen if I spoke up, how different would have my life and brothers life been. If I just said something. So I dropped out of high school and went to continuation school because I had to work.

 

Now I am 28 and I am ready to pick up my childhood dream and go for it. I did some Acting recently for some shows that I am so grateful to have worked on. Silicon valley is one of the shows. I was a drunk at the time. So I cant even imagine the potential now that I am sober. Nothing is going to stop me this time not even the Alcoholism!

 

Thank you world and friends for reading this and continue to follow me on the journey of sobriety.

 

Stay connect with love, Adolfo

 

 

 

Day 12 Sober: Sia Chandelier

Hello.. Today is day 12 sober. Almost two weeks sober and i am still going! I brought maggie home and found the perfect spot for her. My new apartment is looking and feeling more like home everyday. My mind has been really great and i’ve been able to shut down the Alcoholism thoughts. My disorder has know power over my awareness!!!!! and i am so grateful for that.  I just have to remind myself that Alcoholism is a living breathing ISM ( Inside Self & Mind) that centers in my brain not it the Alcohol, It also lives in my body making me crave the booze. The body ISM is easy to brush off times but The ISM in your mind is sneaky and will find it way to surface with Negative thoughts. When you are not treating your Alcoholism with its MEDS Alcohol, you still have the disorder but it now becomes untreated Alcoholism and thats when the real work starts.  When i started this blog i did not expected all the love and support from people. I am so grateful. 

Ive been watching and listening to Sia New Music video, I might be wrong but i feel like its about Alcoholism and the little girl in the video ( Maddie Ziegler) is a young Sia growing up in a bad childhood eventually turning to booze to help her with her past.  This video mirrors my life so much.  Young Sia (Maddie Ziegler) Despite her surroundings still fights and shines her talent and beauty. Sia has always been an inspiration with her one of a kind voice and her amazing lyrics. The first time I seen her live was at Coachella fest in 2007, she blew my mind and like always made me cry. Sia has been with me through the ups and downs of my past. Sia Chandelier lyrics resonate with my soul

 

Party girls don’t get hurt
Can’t feel anything, when will I Learn
I push it down, push it down1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 drink
1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 drink
1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3 drink

Throw ’em back, till I lose count

I’m gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I’m gonna live like tomorrow doesn’t exist
Like it doesn’t exist
I’m gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I’m gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier

And I’m holding on for dear life, won’t look down won’t open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, ’cause I’m just holding on for tonight
Help me, I’m holding on for dear life, won’t look down won’t open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, ’cause I’m just holding on for tonight
On for tonight

Sun is up, I’m a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame

This Song came out around the same time I Decided  to get sober, I feel like Sia always knows what i am going through at the time. Heres the video enjoy.

Stay connect with love, Adolfo

 

DAY 11 Sober: Love Letter to Magnolia

Hello world! Today is day 11 and I am feeling so inspired and enjoying each moment of being alive. No cravings today and I am so focus on staying sober. I just left my Ex apartment we had a great talk. I was there to pick up our dog Magnolia ashes. Ill  be keeping her until we decided if we are going to scatter her ashes. 

This blog will be the hardest to write, I can’t get through a word without another tear, I am in this pack coffee shop and I don’t care if people think I am crazy.

I grew up always having dogs; they were my comfort, love, and companion in my childhood, always there to greet me with love know matter what. My family should not have had dogs but in a selfish way I am glad we did.  My parents never really took great care of are dogs, they slept outside, never went to the vet and when they got sick they had to get better on there own or died. It was very traumatize, as a child to make us give away are dogs.  One time we got evicted and we left snuggles in the house with a bunch of food and water and never went back. I still hear her cry till this very day. I believe the neighbor ended up saving her. Snuggles was my best friend in middle school but my mom couldn’t and wouldn’t let me take her. I remember being so young and driving in a dark neighborhood at night with my mom ex and leaving a dog and driving off as I scream and cry. That kind of shit sticks with a kid and that pain is still is painful. I was a kid, I wish I could saved all my best friends from my parents horrible choices…I am sure they have already passed on and I hope they all know how important they were  to me and how I wish I could have given them the best because they gave me so much.

So when I got older I promise myself that I would make up for all the wrongs my parents have done to my best friends. I want to be a good father in the name of all my dogs, we had at least 10 dogs my whole childhood.  So the minute I moved to LA I wanted a dog, I begged my Ex for two years for a dog but he would budge. rightfully so,  he also wanted to give are son/daughter a great life. We fostered dog are first  2 years, which was so fun but also hard giving up the fosters… especially lucky.

Then one rainy day on Jan 24 2013 we decided to visit a shelter and I knew this was it! I finally get my best friend and make up for all those things. We saw a few dogs and came across this 8yearold Aussie shepherd mix. She looked up at us and we both knew she was the one.  Her name at the time was Chrissy and we were informed she was returned 3 times after being adopted. Vince and I (I keep saying EX but his name is Vince) knew she was the one. We named her Magnolia because we had previous talked about are first child would be name Magnolia and she was are first. Magnolia is a street in Burbank that Vince and I had our first date on. We picked her up the following day because we had to prepare for her arrival, I was so excited!!!!!!

 

Then the big day arrived, Jan 25.  We brought her home and she was the best!! She never barked.  That next day I had to travel to palm springs but the whole time I wanted to come back to this family I have always dreamed about.  When I arrived home I notice she was breathing a bit funny and thought it was normal or a cold but it didn’t go away so I made an appointment with a vet.  I remembered Vince staying home and I took her to get checked. Magnolia hated the vet and she was so nervous but I was hugging and kissing her the whole time. So the vet takes her away and does x-rays and blood work.  when she brought maggie back the doctor face said it all. She had lung cancer that was like stage 5 and had spread everywhere with lots of tumors. She told me we can do chemo but Maggie insurance didn’t kick in yet.  I was crying the whole way home and I knew I would have to deliver really bad news to my love, I remember Vince lying down in bed when I told him the news. We both started to cry. This was my chance to finally give a good home to my dog and the universe was taking her away so soon.  So Vince and I decided to get her on a form of chemo right away that can help her breath and we made an appointment for a cancer specialist. Through all of this Maggie was such a good girl!!!!!! She would howl a bit if we left her alone but everything we ever wanted in a dog she was that and more. She was always a happy dog and hated walks. She never liked toys but love peanut butter. She kind of reminded me of Vince. Maggie started to have uncontrollable bowl movements so we took her to see the cancer specialist the next day.  They said they had to run some test on her before they can make game plan. It was going to take a couple hours and a couple grand. So we decided to go grab some lunch, 15 min after we left for lunch the doctor called us saying to come back, I knew in my heart it wasn’t good. We get their and basically told we should put her to sleep. That was the worst feeling knowing there isn’t nothing we can do. So we left with Maggie and we had to go buy diapers and I bought her a rotisserie chicken. Vince and I knew she hated the vet so we talked about having vet come out to us and put her down in her bed; we wanted her last moments on earth to be in her bed.  She hated the diaper so her last night I took it off and she kept licking herself so I stayed up all night holding a wet cloth to her behind to comfort her. So the next day I had to run an errand and Vince called me saying Maggie is hiding in the closet we have to put her down like now. I wanted to wait till the evening. I hurried home.

 

Maggie was in the closet.   The vet came and told us its going to be two injections one will put her in a numb state than the next one would send her off to her next chapter. We put Maggie song on City and Colour: The girl. Vince hold her hand kissing her and I was kissing her head rubbing it saying I love you in her ear as the second injection with in….

 

Magnolia passed on March 4 2013, little over a month of coming into are lives. She passed quietly in her bed surrounded by love.

Magnolia came into are life so Vince and I can give her an exit she deserves. I don’t know her past but I know it wasn’t what she deserved but I believe are month of love erased it all. I am glad Vince and I was able to give that and I am so thankful I had Vince to share that journey with. Magnolia was a fighter, and she fought so hard. It inspires me on a daily basis to fight this battle of addictions. I Know Maggie is on the other side cheering me on and guiding me on the right path to being sober.

 

Magnolia was one of the most amazing souls I’ve come into contact with. I am glad she saw me sober most of the time but I do wish she would have experience the clear-minded Adolfo but I know she does from the other side. Maggie where ever you are I want you to know you did great things in this life and brought so much joy and love to a lot of people who came in contact with you. You gave me strength, hope, love and courage to fight every day to become who I want to be.  You really adopt me .. There is really know others words that I can say except I love you, I love you , I love you… RIP My daughter until we meet again. 

My daugther

My daugther

DAY 10 Sober: Hidden Cravings

Today is still day 1o sober. Since i started this sober journey i always pride myself for not craving the booze but today i realize my cravings are coming in different forms. I know in my heart that i don’t want to drink again so my alcoholic disorder is coming out in bits of depression. I feel really good for a few days then the fourth day comes and i get a whole day of this weird depression were i do not feel anything but Brief  moments of sadness.  Nothing i do cheers me up. I do not want to do anything just sleep.  I know i wont drink ever but my mind is trying somehow to get me to.  Addiction is really hard to understand unless you are an addict. 

 

Ive also started to crave sweets, more than usually i feel myself eating more and more. I have to watch how my infected mind is acting out in different ways. Usually addictions switches to another, well in my case does. Cocaine to booze so i have to be very aware of everything i do. Addiction is work and i am up for the challenge. Its by far the hardest thing to over come but i know its possible to live with it and not drink.  I know its get better and i cant wait to be on the other side of this but it takes one day at a time

Stay connect with love, Adolfo

 

DAY 8 Sober: Sober Saturdays

 Hello World, Today is Day 8 Sober and i am feeling so good. I got 8 hrs of sleep with no Friday hangover! Its pretty awesome to know i wont ever experience a hangover.  I am at Iota cafe, Such an awesome atmosphere. Today will be a first in a very long time.  A sober saturday sounded like a hell in the past now it seems like a blast to know exactly how its going to end.  In the past with my Alcoholism it would always end ugly. Or regretful. Its  good to know i am in control of my saturday nights from mow on. Why are saturdays such a self abusive night for youth.  Alcohol is such a powerful drug that has killed millions directly and in directly and yet still legal but end the its the youths mind that makes those choices.  I am currently seating next to a couple who is about to order a craft beer. Craft beer  was my favorite especially IPA’s. I am sipping on a carmel latte. I can spell the hops from here but i am staying focus and not even a visual or smell can take away my Happiness and focus.  

 

Not sure whats on the agenda for tonight maybe some bored games, food, karaoke,  I do love to dance. I am so in love with Ktown! Ill be with some awesome and supportive  peeps. Its important to have that in your life but if you don’t thats ok because in the end of the day the only person that keeps you sober is yourself.  I am starting to get back that passion again for things i wanted to do when i got older. I feel like my disorder stunted my growth so i am still that high school kid trying to figure out whats next. Well i have an amazing passion for film and writing. As a kid film took me away from the chaos that surround my childhood, For 2 hrs i would not be worrying about my next meal, or if i am going to get beat. I would live vicariously through the actors on screen and act out scenes, i would even practice my oscar speech over and over again. As i got older my taste and film has gotten a bit snobby i must admit but nonetheless the passion still there to Act, Write and create.

 

I have been in few things and I have started writing an amazing story but i am bias of course.  Sia on pandora is pretty amazing at the moment. I will be filling you guys in on my first saturday sober in a video blog. I am so grateful for life and for the love that surrounds me thats shine through me. Staying sober and watching the disorder that centers in my mind will take work but I am one million times ready to take it on and eventually the disorder will loose so much power it would be more life a bird chirp than a train horn.  Thank you all for reading this and for being so supportive! 

 

Stay connect with love, Adolfo

 

 

 

 

DAY 7 Sober: Game Plan

Hello my friends! Its been a whole week since I had my last sip, It was a whiskey and ginger ale. I was stumbling down western calling uber, Poor uber driver, god only knows how that turned out but  I am so excited to be sober. The support from everybody has been so Refreshing and much appreciated.  My brother, his wife, my niece and nephew came out to visit . It was so nice being around family. We went and had lunch at pinks.  Most of my family lives in Palm Springs or Bakersfield. I am the only one out here in LA. I do miss them all the time but LA has been so amazing and life changing… this is my home.

 

Somebody wise today ask me what is my game plan ? I did not get the question right away.  Then I realize what  she was saying, life will get tough.  People will pass away or trauma will happen again . How will I deal with life sober When life starts testing my courage I need a game plan. My life has to co exists with alcohol, I have to be ok with being around it. I think for me the key is to surround myself with supportive love ones and remind myself what kind of person I was when I was treating my disorder with alcohol. I also need incorporate healthy outlets like running, bike riding and meditation. I enjoy all three of those Healthy activities, they also help me clear my mind.  My writings also has help me a ton. It important to allow yourself time to grief and not hold it in. I need to always be focusing on my Spiritual growth, being grateful and also giving which i don’t do as often as I should.

 

This weekend going to be a huge step for me, Ill be signing a new lease for my own apt in LA.  Ive been kinda like a nomad after my split Back in november. Well we broke up in November but didn’t really stop you know until February so i say February my ex might disagree but anyways. Its just a huge final step that is exciting and scary.  It’s in the same building just across the hall so it’ll be an easy move.  I am so grateful for being sober and the universe has been so kind since i’ve been living my truth. thank you all again

 

Stay connect with love, Adolfo 

 

 

DAY 6 Sober: Breaking the Cycle

  Before i start i wanted to Address something i notice when I was watching my Day 6 sober: Breaking the cycle video i said  ” I always needed booze,boys, money, cars, friends, I mean its nice to have those things but those things don’t mean shit if you are not really working on your stuff and happy”    You see how sneaky this disorder is! I was naming off stuff i used in the past to make me happy and even if i am happy or dealing with my stuff  I can never drink booze or have any substance! its still trying to sneak in, that was a real moment on how Alcoholism works! Inside Self and Mind=ISM.. I am glad i caught it so i can be aware!!!!!!!! 

 

 

So, Today has be a very amazing day Day 6 sober. I am currently Laying in bed alone, in peace…..well I was until my wifi stopped working now at a Starbucks on Wilshire!  I used to hate being alone because I was left with my mind  feeding me my horrible past then those thoughts became feelings that consisted of  paranoia, fear, Anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and unsettledness. So then My Alcohol disorder would easily convince my to drink  to the point of darkness and that was the pattern that Repeated over, over and over in cycles for years. I Feel like my family had patterns that turn into cycles that has been in grain in us from generation to generation. There is a reason why addiction has been passed down from my grandpa, father then to me. Learn habits? I used to tell myself  i would never be an addict after living through a horrible childhood. I hated the thought of  booze and drugs, so how did i end up here? 

 

 

Can Patterns be in grain in us with us not even knowing? I believe my family had behavior patterns that told us how to view the world, are opinion of others, self esteem and are belief system. Family patterns are not bad or good.. it was passed down to them. We need them to challenge us so we can grow.  We also have the power to break free from the family patterns, just by becoming aware of  are thoughts. Its a challenge for me but if  i want to overcome this Alcohol disorder then i have to be aware of my self esteem, how i see the world, and be the watcher of my mind.  Last night when i was talking in my video blog i had an aahhh moment in Oprah words. I realize that i am the one in are family to break this pattern in the Vasquez generation. Ive been preparing for this battle my whole life, maybe thats why i had all the trauma in my childhood so i can be strong enough to fight this battle, so my children and their children are free from this disorder that was handed down to us! I never really knew my grandpa Santos but i really understand him now and maybe just maybe he is on the other side keeping me alive so i can fight for him too!

 

 

It ends now and here.. I will be starting AA this weekend and i know it helped millions and i know in my heart that i am an addict and thats the first step. To know you are powerless over booze. I am open to anything that can help me stay sober. So if anyone out there has any suggestions, that would be awesome!  Iam so grateful for 6 days sober and finding myself everyday!

 

Stay connect with love, Adolfo