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The Marina Dock Newsletter March 2002Dear Marina Dock members and patrons alike, it’s March! “Comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion”. Ideally, for The Marina Dock, it would be nice if March came in like a lion and went out an even bigger lion. February sure was financially slow. We, you may have noticed, are continuing to redefine the place and while maintaining our philosophy of compassion, acceptance, and safety. We always need and value your support, especially at this time of the year. 16 YEARS AND COUNTINGIn February, 2002, the Marina / Dry Dock celebrated its sixteenth year at 2118 Greenwich Street. Although I mentioned in an earlier newsletter how the place came about as the brainchild of David M (now living in Florida), it needs to be reiterated for those who are new. In 1986, the recovery movement found itself without a home again. David, whom I think it is fair to say, is probably one of the most unassuming, modest individuals you would meet in a day’s walk stepped up to the plate, and on a borrowed credit card with a $1,500 limit secured a three-year lease. I cannot emphasize enough how much we are indebted to this guy. David is the kind of person I would call upon when things get rocky. A great listener with a heart of gold. Georgie M: It is impossible to mention David and exclude his soul mate, companion and wife of multiple years Georgie, who dazzled all of us with her scintillating Southern charm. These two showed me how to live life on life’s terms without ever giving me advice or talking down to me. In fact, they never once criticized or commented on anything I said or did. Anyone who knows me knows that, in itself, requires the maximum amount of restraint and tolerance. Paradoxically, it was because they said nothing that I heard what they said. We shared some great moments of laughter and sadness together. In January 2002, the following article appeared in the AA Grapevine. We reproduce it here in full. I don’t think any further comment is necessary, once you have read it… MY NEW SAN FRANCISCO"For years, I was a regular visitor to San Francisco. Stationed there with the Coast Guard, I had learned to drink vodka with orangeade in the city. Later, I fell in love with it under the influence of gin and the romantic wail of foghorns. Then came sobriety and with it the regret that I’d never enjoy this beautiful city again. I was certain the carpet of fun had been jerked from beneath me. After three years of sobriety, I had occasion to go back to San Francisco, and I was filled with trepidation. With my AA resources in hand, I found the Marina (Dry) Dock, one of those gathering places where meetings go from dawn to past dusk. In the embrace of its friendly rooms, I learned about a San Francisco I’d never known. “It’s not such a big city,” said my AA friend Maryanne. “You can walk almost everywhere.” And I did. Instead of lingering over martinis, I trekked the hidden trails near Coit Tower, where the trees are alive with feral parrots. I explored the grassy parks of the Marina, drinking in the twinkling lights of the Golden Gate Bridge instead of cheap red wine. And in Chinatown, I traded in Singapore slings and mai tais for dim sum and almond cookies. My new San Francisco was more fascinating and more fun than any city I’d ever known. After nearly fifteen years of sobriety, I still discover a “first” on every visit – thanks to Alcoholics Anonymous.” Jim U. Salt
Lake City, Utah Copyright © by the AA Grapevine, Inc.; RIKKI, WE’LL USE THAT LUMBER [1]The upgrade of the Marina Dock facility for members and patrons continues under the able stewardship of Richard W. We hope to wrap up this phase of our on-going development in the next month or two. Your patience and flexibility as we progress through the construction is very much appreciated. COFFEEI’ve heard it said that the Marina Dock is “the 7-11 of recovery” in this
City that Always Sleeps. Did you know that the Marina Dock is the only
place in San Francisco where you can get a decent cup of coffee after 10:00
pm, 365 days of the year? So come on down, and leave room for Fourth Step block? Bear in mind that “as soon as coffee is in your stomach,
there is a general commotion. Ideas begin to move ... similes arise, the paper
is covered. Coffee is your ally and writing ceases to be a struggle.” MA MEETING?Anyone interested in starting or attending a Marijuana Anonymous meeting should leave their telephone number at the front desk or e-mail webmaster@marinadock.org. AS BILL (GATES) SEES ITI was reading recently in the Financial Times about how .ORG websites were proving so successful. We practice progress not perfection, and now is your chance to move into the mid-1990’s by checking out our website. WWW.MARINADOCK.ORG is a great source of information about our workshops and meetings, our history and more. It contains all the recent newsletters, testimonials and answers to frequently asked questions. You can now make donations online, and contemplate the Big Book being read to you online from recoveryzone.org. If you want to receive updates and this newsletter through e-mail, then e-mail webmaster@marinadock.org. WWW.MARINADOCK.ORGA recovery-oriented,
multilingual, non-profit web site that meets the requirements of Section
508 of the Federal Government's Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 and
is accessed monthly by over 10,000 individual, governmental, commercial
and non-profit organization users in more than 15 countries. “Treat a man as he is, and he will
remain as he is; treat a man as he can and should be, and he will become
as he can and should be.” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe LIVE AND LET LIVEActing totally in our self-interest is shortsighted and foolishly simple. Attacking another person or another nation reflects upon us like a mirror. When any person is undermined, the human race is diminished in some measure. And humanity is our family. Sometimes we see a reflection of ourselves in someone else and fail to recognize it. What we hate most in another may well be what we hate in ourselves. Knowing this can be useful. Perhaps our teeth are set on edge when we think about an ex-wife, or father, or former friend, or a religious or racial group. How are we like that person or group? What do they cause us to face within ourselves? When we stop diminishing the other person we may still not like him or her, but we can come to terms with ourselves. We learn to live and let live. (From Daily Reflections, August 12) NEW WORKSHOPSFollowing the success of the February AA Secretary’s Workshop, March sees two new weekly workshops at the Marina Dock. Firstly, the Fitness and Wellness Workshop with Rick M. Rick is a founder of Forty Plus Fitness, and a graduating senior in Kinesiology at San Francisco State University. See www.bigbandworkout.com for more information and check our schedule for the workshop times. Secondly, the Relaxation and Meditation Workshop with Swami Satyambrananda, who was born in India, educated in the Vedic traditions and scriptures and spent much time meditating in the Himalayas. He has taught yoga and meditation to thousands of people for over 35 years. Sunday evenings at 7:30 pm. TURNING IT OVERI have decided to turn the technical production and editing of the schedule and the monthly newsletter over to the indefatigable Ultan. Actually, this has been a reality for probably a year now - it’s just that I am a little slow at accepting the obvious. My experience in this arena is that my interaction with the physical and material world changes slowly over a segment of time followed by acceptance and adjustment to that reality intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. Can anyone relate? The solution is love. Until next time, Anthony T Murray (“Irish Tony”) [1] (Apologies to Walter B. and Donald F.) |
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