May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5

Experience, Strength, and Hope in Orange County

The Step Five Ball and Chain Freedom and Peace of Mind I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed an alcoholic who came to Alcoholics We cannot change one moment of the past, but we can resolve Anonymous who loved himself or who wasn’t riddled with guilt and the issues in our lives that brought about the need to escape shame. It’s hard to understand why alcohol from those horrible memories of the things that affects some people differently than others. I’ve we regretted having done. The habits and deeds observed members who came from good family that triggered the guilt and shame that led us to environments that ended up on the streets, and seek relief in the bottle can be reined in, if we are others who came from alcohol-infested families fortunate enough to believe this. You may want that turned out normal as can be. In either case, to revisit the Fourth and Fifth Steps to identify the alcoholic seems to have something missing in those deeds that we drag around like a ball and their mental state that engenders the need to chain and keep us from actuating the rest of the find a way to neutralize this negative self-image, program. “Even AA Oldtimers, sober for years, and that first drink of alcohol does something often pay dearly for skimping this step” (12X2, that gives them the relief which makes them feel somewhat normal. Continued on page 15

I’ve heard it said that once a person starts to drink to cover up these feelings, especially in the adolescent years, they stop growing emo- tionally. When they finally show up in AA, they have the emotional Inside This Issue state consistent with the age they were when they started drinking, absent of the coping skills of a normal person. They’ll have to revisit The Step Five Ball and Chain 1,15 all those under-developed behavioral patterns and replace them Service Board Information 2 with mature and healthy thoughts and actions. Easier said than Events 3 done! “Model Housewife” 3 Web Tally Stats 4 Our Principles 6 When I look around the room at an AA meeting, we all seem to look Roving Reporter 8 about the same in the way we dress and in our outside appearances. The only thing that makes us different is what is going on in between Cartoon 9 our ears. If we all woke up this morning with amnesia, we would all Alcoholic Rain on My Brain 10 be the same. It’s the tortures of past that torment us, and therein Perfect! 11 lies the problem and the solution. If we can understand and accept I’ll Brush My Teeth First 11 this well-established approach to our mental condition, we can take March Donations 12 actions that will restore our self esteem and we can live an incredi- Speaker Meetings 13 bly happy and peaceful life. No 13 May Featured Book 14 Statement of Income and Expense 15 You may want to revisit the Fourth and Fifth Steps to Word Search 16 identify those deeds that we drag around like a ball and chain and keep us from actuating the rest of the program.

May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5 Welcome 2019 Who? What? When? SERVICE BOARD Where?

Chair, Luis A.

[email protected] Public Information Committee: Purpose: The Orange County Life- [email protected] Meets the 4th Wednesday of the month line Committee is a committee of AA at 7:00PM, Central Offiice, 1526 Brookhollow, Suite 75, Santa Ana members, charged with the responsi- Vice Chair, Glen R. bility of producing and distributing the [email protected] Group Relations Committee: Meets Orange County Lifeline, (a publication [email protected] the 2nd Wednesday of the month at of the Orange County Intergroup Asso- 6:30PM, the Costa Mesa Senior Center, ciation). The Lifeline is published Treasurer, John R. 695 West 19th St. (30 minutes before the Intergroup meeting) monthly and is supported solely [email protected] through contributions from the AA Lifeline Committee: Meets the 1st groups and members of Orange Coun- Secretary, Chelsea P. Thursday of the month at 7:00PM, Cen- ty. The Lifeline is published to meet [email protected] tral Office, 1526 Brookhollow, Suite 75, the following needs of the Orange Santa Ana [email protected] County AA membership: to inform Special Events Committee: meets the AA membership regarding AA Central Office, Kathy C. the 2nd Wednesday of the month at service, events and announcements; [email protected] 6:00PM, the Costa Mesa Senior Center, also to share experience in recovery, [email protected] 695 West 19th St. (1 hour before the In- tergroup meeting) unity and service; to keep the AA membership informed regarding the Group Relations, Michelle S. South Orange County H & I meets actions, finances and meetings of the [email protected] the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Orange County Intergroup Association 7:00PM (new members’ orientation) and 7:45PM (business meeting), Laguna and other Central Office committees. Lifeline, Mary W. Beach Canyon Club, 20456 Laguna Can- [email protected] yon Road, Laguna Beach Lifeline Editor: Jennifer J. [email protected] [email protected] Orange County H & I meets the 2nd Public Information, Stacey A. Sunday of the month at 4:00PM and ORANGE COUNTY 6:00PM, Garden Grove Alano Club, [email protected] 9845 Belfast Drive, Garden Grove CENTRAL OFFICE PublicInformationCommittee@oc- 1526 Brookhollow, Suite 75 (Orientations for institutions is at aa.org 3:15PM, followed by the Institutions Santa Ana, CA 92705 meeting at 4:00PM, Hospitals orienta- Phone: (714) 556-4555 Special Events, Sparrow LaP. tion starts at 5:15PM, followed by the Fax: (714) 556-7231 SpecialEventsOCAAIntergroup Hospitals meeting at 6:00—One year E-mail: [email protected] Web @gmail.com sobriety required.) site: www.oc-aa.org [email protected] The Orange County Intergroup As- Office hours: Mon-Fri: 9AM-7PM; soc. Meets the 2nd Wednesday each Saturday & Holidays: 9AM-1PM month at 7:00PM, Costa Mesa Senior

Hospitals & Institutions, Tara E. Center, 695 W. 19th Street, Costa Mesa SOUTH COUNTY OFFICE [email protected] 30011 Ivy Glenn Drive, For more information on any of the Suite 117 Alternates: Melissa A. and Nick F. above committees, please contact Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 Orange County Central office at Phone: (949) 582-2697 (714) 556-4555. Fax: (949) 582-2611 E-mail: [email protected] For information about General Service, Office hours: Mon-Fri: 10AM-5PM please go to the Area 9 website, www.msca09aa.org.

Thank you to our board and committee members.

2 May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5 “ Model Housewife”

For many years, they called me a “model housewife,” inside, I was dying from stresses and strife. My friends and family were “too blind” to see the turmoil and torture brewing inside of me. I sought doctors galore, hospitals, and pills. They all diagnosed “just nerves” as the cause of my ills. I thought I was insane; my mind assured that; May 16 - 19 I just never quite knew where I was at. 35th Annual Tri-State Roundup I was on a treadmill, and just couldn’t stop; Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort & alcohol drug me to the bottom; I lost sight of the top. Angers and resentments kept me in a fix; Casino manic depression and paranoia were a soul-destroying mix. 1650 South Casino Dr., Laughlin, NV My body was altered with breast implants, you see; www.tristate-roundup.com My mind thought this would make you like me. My love for anyone was far out of reach; July 19 -21 my patience was gone; my voice was a screech! 18th Annual Tehachapi Mountain The “great expectations” of all those around me, Roundup kept my fears gripping; they tried to astound me. Indian Hill Ranch Campground My checkbook had become so completely entangled; covering my “tracks” kept my nerves well-jangled. 18061 Arosa Rd., Tehachapi, CA I finally found my way, by God’s amazing grace, www.tehachapiroundup.org to a meeting of AA where I could slow-down my pace. So, friends, look-around you; maybe you’ll see, August 30 - September 1 that “model housewife” of yours, hurting just like me. 35th South Bay Family Roundup Torrance Marriott South Bay Effie R. 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance, CA Roundup Hotline (310) 354-7660 www.southbayroundup.org

November 1 - 3 32nd Annual Lake Havasu Roundup London Bridge Resort 1477 Queens Bay, Lake Havasu City, AZ www.havasuaaroundup.org

If you would like your event listed in the Lifeline, please send information to [email protected] or [email protected] (preferred) by the 15th of the month.

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May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5 Our Principles

Step Five: Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human another exactly how they were able to achieve sobriety one being the exact nature of our wrongs. day at a time. This also means that most of us are not medical doctors and should not be giving our opinions of the best way Surely the idea of admitting our faults to God seems like a good to treat another alcoholic’s mental health. This is one of the idea. After writing about our resentments and recognizing our many reasons that the newcomer is often thought to be the own roles in our conflicts with others, it probably seems like a most important person in the room. one-on-one conversation with our Higher Power should be enough. God already knows all about our previous wrongdoing, Concept V: Throughout our world services structure, a tradi- and a trusted sponsor can help us to truly see our own part in our tional “Right of Appeal” ought to prevail, thus assuring us past suffering. A sponsor can also help us to recognize a pattern that minority opinion will be heard and that petitions for the of behavior that we might not notice at first. Finally, by talking to redress of personal grievances will be carefully considered. another person, no matter how embarrassing the rehashing of our past misdeeds, we can come to terms with our past without People who are new to AA’s General Service Conference might the temptation to justify that bad behavior. Besides, no matter be surprised to see that after a vote, even one with an obvious how well a sponsor appears to have their lives together, the majority, the people who opposed a passing vote are asked to sponsor usually has couple of their own stories of past resent- share their opinion. There are several instances in which the ments that could have been handled better. It can be a bonding minority view has changed people’s minds and the Conference experience with our sponsor. has reversed its prior ruling. The “Right of Appeal” reminds us that the minority view is often the correct decision, and the Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose . . . to minority must share their views to make sure that the correct carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. action is taken. This Concept warns us against “the tyranny of the majority” and suggests that many votes require at least a AAs come from different walks of life and have wildly diverse two-thirds majority to pass. A simple majority usually will not backgrounds. Though each AA group might be tempted to offer do. services that would help alcoholics, like help finding employment or a place to live, the group’s function is to help the alcoholic Anonymous who is still suffering. This can be done by one alcoholic showing

How Am I Doing?

Tradition Five: Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

1. Do I ever cop out by saying, “I’m not a group so this or that Tradition doesn’t apply to me”? 2. Am I willing to explain firmly to a newcomer the limitations of AA help, even if he gets mad at me for not giving him a loan? 3. Have I today imposed on any AA member for a special favor or consideration simply because I am a fellow alcoholic? 4. Do I help my group in every way I can to fulfill our primary purpose? 5. Do I remember that AA old-timers, too, can be alcoholics who still suffer? Do I try both to help them and to learn from them?

(Reprinted with permission from the AA Grapevine) (Traditions Checklist available from Central Office)

4 May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5

Timothy K. Lake Forest 24 years Tom H. 39 years

The Orange County Hospi- Did you know you can share your birthday or tals and Institutions (H&I) celebrate someone else’s in the Lifeline by Committee holds new mem- donating to Central Office? ber orientation sessions and business meetings at the Garden Grove Alano Club A donation of any amount is a generous way to on the 2nd Sunday of each month. The Institutions celebrate the gift of sobriety and Committee meets first at support your Central Office. 4PM and the Hospitals Committee meets at 6PM. There are new member orientation sessions which cover information about both committees at 3:15PM ORANGE COUNTY CENTRAL OFFICE and 5:15PM. Anyone wishing to become an H&I Com- mittee member must attend one of these orientation 1526 Brookhollow, Suite 75 sessions along with three successive business meet- Santa Ana, CA 92705 ings. or pay online at www.oc-ca.org with Paypal There is a lot of great work being done, and many opportunities for people to help. For more infor- mation please visit www.socalhandi.org.

Reminder Orange County Intergroup Meeting 2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00PM

Costa Mesa Senior Center 695 West 19th Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

5 May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5

CALL FORWARDING 1092 CENTRAL OFFICE ACTIVITY The call forwarding program TOTAL CALLS March 2019 instituted by Orange County Meeting Central Office insures that our . help line phones are answered 12 Step Calls Info General Info Customers by volunteers 24/7. During hours when the Central Office is closed, calls to the Central

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS 6 407 222 247 Office are forwarded to a call (MAIN + SATELLITE) forwarding volunteer’s home or cell phone, where the vol- unteer answers the calls just as if he or she were sitting in the Central Office. CALL FORWARDING 4 293 160 0 This service allows the Central Office to real- VOLUNTEERS ize a significant cost saving because we do not need to contract with a phone answering ser- vice. Even more vital, when a call is placed to Visit Alcoholics Anonymous in Orange County, the GENERAL STATISTICS FOR OC-AA.ORG caller will be talking to an Alcoholics Anony- March 2019 mous member not a phone service! This truly www.oc-aa.org is “front-line” 12th Step work and we would PAGE VIEWS to see an appreciate any time you can give. Total Page Views 161,947 updated Avg. Page Views per Day 5,224 SHIFTS: meeting Monday—Friday Avg. Page Views per Visitor 3.17 • 6AM—9AM VISITORS schedule, • 6PM—9PM • 9PM—6AM Total Visitors 51,028 news, and Saturday and Holiday: Avg. Visitors per Day 1,646 • 6AM—9AM other events. • 1PM—4PM • 4PM—7PM Total Unique IPs 25,711 • 7PM—10PM • 10PM—6AM Sundays • 6AM—10AM CALLING ALL GROUPS! • 10AM—2PM • 2PM—6PM • 6PM—10PM Area 9 Archives is putting • 10PM—6AM together a Group History Book and wants VOLUNTEERING:

your group information. You can find a In order to volunteer for this service it is sug- gested that you have two years of sobriety. group history form to fill out on the Please arrange with the Central Office Manag- er in Santa Ana (714) 556-4555 or the Satellite Office Manager in Mission Viejo (949) 582- Area 9 website at www.msca09.org. 2697 for a brief orientation session which will be held at one of the offices. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

6 May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5 CLASSIFIEDS

Central Office help: SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY Answer calls, build newcomer packets, sell literature, enjoy talking to other H & I ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF alcoholics. We will train you. Shifts available at both offices. June 22nd Santa Ana (714) 556-4555, starting at 11AM-3PM 9AM. Laguna Niguel (949) 582-2697, starting Laguna Niguel Regional Park at 10AM. 28241 La Paz Road Laguna Niguel, CA Usually 3 hour shifts 2 years of sobriety desired

Call forwarding for Central Office: Please call (714) 556-4555 (Santa Ana) Or (949) 582-2697 (Laguna Niguel)

Lifeline Committee members: Committee members can help read, write, edit, create, design or simply offer suggestions for the Lifeline. The Life- line Committee meets on the first Thursday of the month at Central Office (1526 Brookhollow Dr., Ste. 75, Santa For more information, call, text, or email Ana). Frank H. [email protected] 949.201.8509 OR If you’d like to submit an article, poem, Brian S. [email protected] 714.224.2293 or cartoon to be considered for publica- tion, please send all submissions to the email address below. The best articles For online registration, visit www.sochic.club are under 600 words and are usually Entries are all FREE much shorter. If you are unsure of what • to write, you can think of a great share Each team will need to make 10 gallons of chili to be served (that's a lot of chili ;) at your favorite meeting. You can write • Enrollment is free but you have to provide the chili and condiments. on a topic like how you chose your spon- sor, your concept of a higher power, or • You want to separate your team with the Coolest Booth (contested) condiments: onions, cheese, corn bread, chili peppers, whatever etc. tell your story. Not a writer? A commit- tee member can interview you and write • Spoons and bowls will be provided for your team. your story. You will have final approval • Chili will be purchased by the bowl or sample cups with tickets pur- on anything published. Please email chased at the entrance, no cash is used at the cook off only tickets. [email protected] for more in- • Every team is asked to help clean up after the cook off. formation. Chili's will be judged, awarded prizes and bragging rights!!

7 May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5

ROVING REPORTER Better Sober Than When I Was Drinking Interview with Christina, 9 months sober

Q: What made you decide to go to your first meeting? Q: What is the most fun you ’ ve had being sober? A: My roommate suggested going to a meeting with her A: Every experience I go through is better sober than neighbor I had expressed concern about my drinking. when I was drinking; more specifically, watching my- self become more successful in my career. Q: What made you decide to get sober? A: I was tired of making a decision to stop drinking, and Q: What does your family think about your sobriety? not following through with it made me feel insane. A: They are extremely proud and excited for me while also careful when dealing with me, knowing that this Q: What is the hardest thing about being sober is “one day at a time.” A: Feeling like I will miss out on experiences with “normal” people in my life. Q: What about spirituality; does it apply to you? How? Q: What was your hardest amends? A: I consider myself very spiritual. I do not wholly A: I haven’t done my Step Five yet but have practiced follow one particular religion. My Higher Power is making amends regularly over the nine years since my similar to the ever-present LOVE and energy. first attempt at sobriety, and it always feels good! Q: Have you been to any AA events? What was your Q: What do you like about dating sober? favorite? A: The absence of morning-after remorse and the uncer- A: Sober Bingo. They called it “Naughty Bingo.” We tainty of my previous actions that were fueled by alcohol. played games and had a pot luck at a fellow AA mem- Q: What is your favorite part of being in AA? ber’s home. A: Having a community and fellowship of people that I Q: What was a funny thing that has happened to you know and feel I belong with. I know I’m never truly alone. sober? A: “Normal” people’s confusion with my constant happiness. They just can’t understand it! Every experience I go through is better

sober than when I was drinking; more specifically, watching myself become Effie R. more successful in my career.

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May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5

In addition to the current Lifeline, you can also access years of digital archives on www.oc-aa.org.

9 May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5 Alcoholic Rain on my Brain NOW AVAILABLE Alcoholic Rain on my Brain 4-tier pamphlet racks for sale at Central Office for I felt the acid rain today! $10.00 An alcoholic rain Pounding on my brain. Buy one for your group or for the “Adopt-a-Rack” Public Information Program. For more information It screams go ahead about this program, call or text Stacey A. at 714- Only one is OK today 654-7775 or email her at [email protected]. But I will feel the pain And wish I was dead

Who or what will stop this rain? Pounding on my head Don't want to be dead

Long as I can remember alcoholic "rain pain" has been pouring on me Clouds of pain and misery over my head I keep wondering what can stop this rain pain?

The rain will never stop Calm today, no storm But It will surely come

Prepare myself I must. AA umbrella in my hand No strength to open by me alone Need a power greater than me ... A Higher Power!

God is that Power! He can and will help me, if I ask. Ask I have! The "who or what" is answered, I believe.

Preparation for my next alcoholic storm may come slowly or quickly but prepared I will be, IF I do "the work" consistently.

Jim M.

*Inspired by the Credence Clearwater Revival song "Who’ll Stop the Rain"*

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May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5 Perfect! I’ll Brush My Teeth First I look around my house and am appalled by the untidi- ness. It’s not exactly dirty, but it’s not clean either. I wan- der over to the refrigerator. I don’t have the right ingredi- From the prison of perfectionism, to the joy of authenticity, ents to make a meal I’d like to eat, so I make what my Breaking free from bondage of self and learning to love the real me. mom called a Honeymoon Salad, “lettuce alone” with After years of recovery, I was still running from myself, some soon-to-be-expired Ranch dressing. My daughter Leaving a partnership with God and others on an out-of-the-way shelf. toddles over wanting to be nursed. Did I brush my teeth I was taught that life was something to miserably muddle through, yet today? I wonder as I open Facebook and distractedly type a happy birthday message to someone I haven’t Enjoying life was never something I had permission to do. seen in twenty years. There is the familiar feeling of un- Who am I to be happy, joyous, and free? manageability in my life that I thought would be gone once I had to make sure no one was working harder than me! I got sober. I worked twice as hard to feel half as good, Almost eleven years ago, I was at that place that all real Not understanding my sense of worthlessness was based on a alcoholics know: I knew I couldn’t keep living the way I falsehood. was living. Alcohol was no longer working for me, but I There was always a new meeting or friend to run to in AA, didn’t know how to stop drinking either. But I’m a good But I wasn't running to them, I was running away. person, I thought often, almost like a personal mantra. If My sponsor told me, "When you no longer need to be a star, people just tried to understand where I was coming from, You'll be able to stay where you are." they would see that my intentions were good, that I was I desperately wanted you to see me as perfect, good. I felt like everyone wanted so much from me, though I now see that I was incapable of even the mini- As if that could possibly be true, mum standards society required. I was pretty sure that if I I deluded myself for years in program, could just stop drinking, all my problems would go away. Until I finally "came to.” But I’m a good person; alcohol was surely the only prob- Others can see what we're hiding by the way we try to hide it, lem standing in the way of that beautiful life I deserved. My character defects were announcing to the world what I couldn't At my first meeting, I read the Steps on the wall. We ad- admit. mitted that were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had I was screaming, "I hate myself!" with every action I took, become unmanageable. This made perfect sense to me. The horrible person I believed I was, to the world, was an open book. I agreed that my life was unmanageable because of alco- Through the steps I've come to love the woman inside, hol. If I stopped drinking, I reasoned, my life would be I no longer need to run, there's no monster from which to hide. manageable. I would pay my bills on time. My family I had to become willing to let God remove what stood in the way, wouldn’t be mad at me. I would have a good job and a perfect boyfriend. Everything would be OK. No one was Of my usefulness to others, in step 7, there's no half-way. more surprised than I was that getting sober didn’t magi- I don't get to choose what's removed and what will stay, cally fix my life. But I do get to choose my actions each day. When an action belies a defect, Today as I sit in my untidy house looking at a framed pho- to of my husband and children, I am grateful that my life is I ask God to take it away. a thousand times better than I could have imagined when At times I've begged my Higher Power to remove a specific flaw, I first got sober. I also realize now that alcohol was my Instead, to see it become an asset, defying natural law. solution for my unmanageable life, not the cause of it. "Impression management" is an exhausting job, from which I've now When I start feeling out of control, I can do something about it today. Being a stay-at-home mom is lonely some- retired, times, but I don’t have to be alone. I’ll go to a meeting to- In humans, and in life, perfection is NOT required. night with childcare.* I’ll read a story out of the Big Book. When put together, the words "perfect" and "person" are an oxymo- I’ll call another alcoholic to ask about her day—but I’ll ron, not a goal, brush my teeth first. It's letting down our guard that endears us to others, and makes visible Anonymous our soul! *Editor’s note: Meetings with childcare can be found by going to Janet H. the meeting directory on www.oc-aa.org.

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May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5 Group Contributions to Central Office, March

MAR YTD Tu 1:00P-Harmony (W)'s, Beach/Den $40 $40 Mo 5:30P-What's The Purpose Mens, $120 $120 Dly 7:00A-Early Birds, 2425 N. Tustin $104 ALISO VIEJO ^ ^ Tu 7:00P-(W)'s Serenity BB, 20444 M $190 Th 5:30P- Mixed Meditaion, 29102 C $70 Th 12:00P-Downtown Lunch, 600 N. $20 $40 Sa 7:00P-Mission Spkrs, 24552 Pac $210 Tu 7:30P-Beginners (M)'s, 16601 Say $850 Fr 7:00A-Back to Basics Men's, 30 $500 $500 SEAL BEACH ^ ^ ANAHEIM ^ ^ We 10:30A-Slogan Sisters, 9812 Ham $50 Sa 8:30A-(M)'s Meditation, 29102 Cr $50 We 7:00P- BYO Coffee BB, 148 10th $115 Th 7:30P-A Way Out, 1515 W. North $35 We 2:00P-Seniors & Friends, 2721 De $60 Sa 6:00P-Candlelight, 27802 El Lazo $108 We 7:30P-(W)'s SS, 138 8th St $201 $201 ANAHEIM HILLS ^ ^ Th 6:00P-Going Strong, 19092 Beach $100 $160 LAGUNA WOODS ^ ^ SILVERADO CANYON ^ ^ We 7:00P-Just the Black Print, 410 $62 $122 Th 7:00P-11th Step Disc., 1912 Flori $40 Dly 7:30A-Do It Sober, 24442 Mou $1,626 SUNSET BEACH ^ ^ BREA ^ Fr 10:00A-Step Sisters, 18631 Chapel $72 $144 We 1:15P-(W)'s BB Stdy, 24351 El T $50 Su 9:15A-Part., 16865 PCH $60 BUENA PARK ^ ^ Fr 6:30P-BB Stdy, 16400 Springdale $100 Fr 10:30A-Top/Hill Gang, 24252 El T $75 Su 10:00A-Sunset Bch Mtg, PCH & W $40 $40 CAPISTRANO BEACH ^ ^ Fr 8:00P-HB Downtowners, 2721 Del $25 LA HABRA ^ ^ Su 11:00A-Inner Peace Group, 16865 $174 We 6:15P-Speaker Disc Group, 2 $250 Sa 7:30A-Camel (M)'s Disc 9812 H $127 M-F 6:15A- Topic Disc, 631 N. Euclid $110 $190 Su 3:00P-Discussion, 16865 PCH $125 We 7:00P-Doheny Group, 27002 $120 Mo 7:00A-BB Study, 16865 PCH $75 Sa 9:30A-Charle St. Overflow, 9812 H $60 LAKE FOREST ^ ^ CORONA DEL MAR ^ ^ Tu,Th 7:00A-Disc, 16865 PCH $205 Sa 9:30A-(W)'s BB Study, 19092 Bea $80 We 7:30P-Back To Basics, 23262 El $120 Tu 7:00P-CDM Mens Stag, 611 Hel $206 Tu 12:00P-Disc, 16865 PCH $75 $150 Sa 10:00A-(W)'s BBStdy, 18631 Chap $75 $135 LA MIRADA ^ ^ We 7:00A-(W)'s B/B, 3233 Pacific V $244 Tu 8:00P- Nomad'sBB Study, 16865 $134 $134 Sa 7:00P-Sat Nite Live BB, 18631 Ch $30 LAS FLORES ^ ^ Th 6:00P-Happy Hour (M)'s Pacific $160 Th 7:00A-Disc, 16865 PCH $80 $80 IRVINE ^ ^ LOS ALAMITOS ^ ^ Fr 7:30P-Rebels Disc, 611 Helio $273 Fr 6:00P-(M)'s Never Had It So Good, $111 $341 Dly 6:30A-Sunrise Sobriety, 4400 Barr $1,192 Su 4:00P-Happy Hour Disc., 4388 K $120 COSTA MESA ^ ^ MISSION VIEJO ^ ^ TUSTIN ^ ^ Dly 7:00A-As Bill Sees It, 2845 Mes $100 M-F 6:30A-It's/New Morning, 4915 Alt $446 Dly 6:00A-Foothill Early Risers, 19211 $153 Su 10:00A-Donut Mtg, 6670 Alton Pky $115 $115 Mo 7:00P-(W)'s 12 x 12 Study, 26051 $135 $135 M-F 10:00A-Big Book Study, 2040 P $30 $103 We 9:30A-(W)'s Topic, 26051 Margu $362 $552 Dly 6:00A-Attitude Mod, 1221 Wass $298 $968 Mo 5:00P-(W)'s Blue Book, 5001 New $288 M-F 12:00P-Noon Rec, 784 Victoria $29 $29 Th 9:30A-(W)'s 12 x 12, 26872 Est $40 Tu, Th, Sa 12:00P-Brown Baggers, 600 $200 Mo 7:30P-(W)'s Disc., 15 Orange Tree $85 Su 8:45A-Chow Hooligans, 2040 Pl $58 NEWPORT BEACH ^ ^ M-F 12:00P-Alkies Winners, 555 W $211 Mo 7:30P-(M)'s Wild Bunch, 5001 Ne $261 Mo 6:00P-As Bill Sees It, 2040 Plac $50 M-F 2:00P-Nwprt Nomads, 414 Old N $400 M,W,F 12:00P- Spiritual Experience, $150 $150 Tu 7:00P-Wild Bunch W's, 2845 M $128 $128 Tu 6:00P-W's Courage To Change, 18 $222 M-F 6:30A-Chicken Coop Round Tabl $1,500 Su 7:00P-Sober & Crazy Spkrs, 1834 $46 $117 Tu 7:30P-(M)'s 12x12, 1865 Anahe $18 Tu 7:00P-(M)'s K.I.S. 12X12, 5000 Ba $140 Tu 7:00P-Tustin BB Stdy, 225 W. Main $69 $129 M-F 6:45A-Attitude Adj, Bayside Dr (Y $1,400 Tu 7:30P-Balboa Broads, 287 W. Wi $50 We 6:30P-BB & 12x12, 5001 Nwprt C $130 $341 We 7:00P-(W)'s Solutions, 19211 Do $64 $235 We 7:00P-Men's Stag, 2015 Charle $65 $65 Fr 12:00P-(W)'s Alton Noon, 5101 Alto $65 $65 M-F 12:15P-Shark@Aquatic, 1Whitecl $450 Th 7:00P-12 Steps & 12 Trads, 225 $50 We 7:30P-BB Trivia (M)'s Stag, 2144 $140 Sa 6:30A-Back Room S/S, 4400 Barr $41 $41 M-F 5:30P-Fish Out'a Water, 414 E. $500 $500 Fr 6:30P-It's in the Book, 225 W. Main $214 $578 Th 5:30P-(W)'s Its/Book Study, 2040 $50 Sa 9:15A-SS, 5101 Alton Pky $230 $519 M&Th 9:00A-(W)'s 12x12/BB, 414 E. $50 Sa 7:30A-Tustin Acceptance, 225 W. M $150 $300 Th 6:30P-Book Club, 2850 Fairview $25 Sa 11:00A-B.B Stdy, 1 Sunnyhill - Tur $300 Su 7:15A-Men's Closed B/B Study, 79 $120 VILLA PARK ^ ^ Th 7:00P-12 Steps & 12 Trads, E B $39 $318 LAGUNA BEACH ^ ^ Su 9:30A-Sandy Survivors, On/Beach $250 WESTMINSTER ^ ^ Th 7:30P-Men's Stag Candlelight, 1 $60 Dly 7:00A-C Club 7AMs Att Adj, 20456 $333 Mo 6:00P-(W)'s BB & SS 2414 Vista $151 WHITTIER ^ ^ Fr 6:30P-Family After, 1701 Baker S $120 $300 $2,60 Mo 7:00P-(M)'s Disc, 301 Nwprt Blvd $339 YORBA LINDA ^ ^ Fr 7:30P-Creative Share, 2525 Fair $60 Dly 7:05A-Attitude Adj, 31872 PCH 0 $2,600 Tu 6:00P-Castaways (W's) BB, 798 D $213 UNLISTED GROUPS ^ ^ Sa 6:30P-Sat. Night Refugees, 2144 $100 Su 6:55A-Keep It Simple, 20456 LCR $561 We 7:00P-Steps&Trads, 2200 San J $280 $280 Anonymous Meeting $100 $100 CYPRESS ^ ^ Su 10:00A-Drop the Rock, 20456 LCR $150 We 8:00P-Recovery Radicals, 301 N $65 No B.S., Long Beach $93 DANA POINT ^ ^ Su 11:45A-11th Step Disc., 20456 L $85 Th 7:00P-Over 40's, 414 32nd Street $79 WANDERING GROUPS ^ ^ Dly 7:00A-Hard Core Harbor, 34451 $900 Su 7:00P-Thers is Solution, 31872 P $197 Sa 8:00A-Easy Risers, 2100 Mar $210 $551 MISC. DONATIONS ^ ^ Mo 7:00A-The AA 54 Mtg, 24707 Da $358 $358 Mo 7:00A-Keys to the Kingdom, 20456 $93 Sa 11:00A-Here & Now, 414 E. 32nd $100 OCCO Change Can $42 Mo 5:00P-The Ladies Grp, 24642 Sa $495 Mo 12:00P-BB Study, 20456 LCR $261 Sa 6:00P-Discovery Grp, 414 E. 32nd $18 Southern CA Men's Banquet $1,357 Mo 5:30P-(W)'s Disc, Ensenada & D $250 Mo 6:30P-(W)'s BB Stdy, Wesley $75 $225 ORANGE ^ ^ PERSONAL DONATIONS ^ ^ Tu 7:00A-Tues Morning (M's) BB/SS, $238 $238 Mo 7:00P-Park Ave (M)'s Stag, 428 Pa $125 Tu 7:00P-(W)'s Keep It Simple, 1310 $131 Anonymous $110 $1,905 Tu 9:30A-(W)'s Back/Basics 33501 S $182 Tu 6:30P-(M)'s Beg, 31872 PCH $291 $522 We 11:15A-Chapman & Lewis Mtg., $95 Anne M., RSM $78 $78 Tu 2:00P-Seniors & Friends, 24642 $110 We 7:00A-Whale Watchers (M)'s, PCH $155 Th 7:30P-777 (M) Beginners, 395 S. $120 Garry N., Capo Beach $250 We 7:00A-(W)'s Harbor B/B Study, $140 We 7:00A-6th Sense in Action, 20456 $80 Th 7:30P-We Got a C/P, 300 Taft $75 J. R., Pomona $10 Fr 11:30A-(W)'s B 2 B Grapevine, 33 $17 We 7:00A-(M)'s Book Study, 1042 Te $250 $475 PLACENTIA ^ ^ June (B.J.) L., Irvine $75 FOUNTAIN VALLEY ^ ^ We 6:00P-Beg Disc, 20456 LCR $63 RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA ^ ^ Robert H., RSM $40 $40 Dly 6:00A-Solutions, 16581 Brookhu $28 We 6:30P-Spkr Mtg, 31872 PCH $158 Su 7:00P-Old Time AA 12&12, 30605 $120 IN LOVING MEMORY ^ ^ Dly 8:30A- How it Works, 16581 Bro $20 $20 Th 6:00P-(W)'s Stag, 20456 LCR $100 Tu 7:30P-Old TimeAA BB Stdy, 30 $240 GROUP INFORMATION Sa 7:30P-Keep It Simple, 10280 Sla $50 $50 Fr 12:00P-Q & A, 20456 LCR $50 $193 M-F 6:30A-Att & Grat, 30605 Ave D/L $100 $250 REQUESTED ^ ^ FULLERTON ^ ^ Fr 6:00P-Fri Nite Lit Disc, 21632 Wes $660 $660 Sa 10:30A-(W)'s BB Stdy, VCD $247 Receipt #0970 CK #222 $250 GARDEN GROVE ^ ^ Fr 7:30P-Candlelight Accept, 20456 L $160 SAN CLEMENTE ^ ^ Receipt #1004 CK #4422 $500 Dly 12:00P-Noon Mtg, 9845 Belfast $50 Sa 12:30P-Into Action, 20456 LCR $65 Su 7:00P-Sandy Bottom, 35522 Cam $180 Receipt #1081 CK #186 $70 Fr 10:30A-(W)'s (C)12 & 12, 9845 Bl $30 Sa 7:00A-Whale Watchers (M)'s, PCH $815 $1,654 Tu 7:00A-Step Sisters (W), 101 Ave D $115 Receipt #1139 CK #1287 $150 $150 Sa 10:00A-Veterans in Rec., 12453 $113 LAGUNA HILLS ^ ^ Tu 6:00P-SOS(W)'s Disc, 190 Ave La $138 TOTALS $13,718 $54,107 HUNTINGTON BEACH ^ ^ Su 7:30P-Legacy Grp, 23802 Ave de $300 $900 Th 7:00P-The Joy of Sobriety, 3522 $40 Dly 6:00A-Early Birds, 19092 Beach $204 $628 Tu 7:00P-(M)'s Stag, 23802 ADC $300 Fr 7:00P-(W)'s BB & SS, 202 Ave A $90 Dly 7:00A-Hggrs/Bill Sees It, 8200 El $348 $948 Tu 7:30P-By the Book, 23802 ADC $140 Fr 7:00P-Friday Knights, 35522 Cam $120 $740 Dly 8:00A-Hggrs II, H.B Lifegrd Tow $200 $200 We 7:00P-Get Happy 12&12 Stdy, 23 $100 Sa 9:30A-AA Pamphlet, 1040 Calle N $37 $37 Su 9:00A-On/Beach, Lifegrd Tower 1 $50 $140 Th 7:00P-Stop in Time, 23802 ADC $114 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO ^ ^ Su 10:00A-Sober Sharing, 19092 B $40 $80 Fr 6:30P-Fri Eve Meditation, 23802 A $75 Dly Various- San Juan Meetings $794$3,045 Su 7:00P-Triangle Grp, 19092 Beach $20 Sa 7:00A-Warmer-Upper, 23802 Ave $120 $120 Su 5:00P-1 Hr Top Disc, 32222 Del O $88 $88 Su 7:30P-Disc, 9812 Hamilton Ave. $171 Sa 11:00A-Acceptance Grp, 23802 Av $93 Tu 6:00P-(M)'s Stag/Munchies, 32202 $82 Mo 12:00P-(W)'s Bill Sees It, 18631 $70 $70 LAGUNA NIGUEL ^ ^ Th 6:00P-Do The Steps, 32202 Del $275 Mo 2:00P-It's Never Too Late, 19092 $30 Su 7:30P-Speaker, 24360 Yosemite $190 Th 7:30P-(M)'s Q & A/Gator Mtg, 32 $154 $620 Mo 5:00P-Men's Book Study, 19092 $70 Mo 7:00A-(M)'s Stag B2B, 30071 Ivy $490 Sa 6:30A-Eye Opener, 32202 Del Ob $1,000 Mo 6:30P-Both Books, 16871 Bols $68 Mo 10:30A-(W)'s 12X12 Stdy, 27802 $83 SANTA ANA ^ ^

12 May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5 Speaker Meetings

Aliso Viejo Newport Beach

7:30PM, Saturday 7:00PM, Saturday Back to Basics Speaker Meeting Mission Speakers Meeting 414 E. 32nd St. The Laguna Treatment Hospital (Cafeteria) Contact: Nicole A. 24552 Pacific Park Dr. Contact: Christina K. or 8:30PM, Saturday Dawn M. Hoag Hut Speaker Meeting 201 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa (Hospital Conference Center—enter parking structure from PCH, elevator to 7:00PM, Sunday Level C) Sunday Night Costa Mesa Speaker Contact: Cheri K. Mesa Verde United Methodist Church 1701 West Baker St. Orange 05/05 Rachel R., Newport Beach 05/12 Brandon F., Lake Forest 8:00 PM, Friday Friday Night No Puffers 05/19 Marni T., Costa Mesa Community of Christ Church 05/26 Ancio R., Stanton 395 S. Tustin St. Contact: Ryan B. Dana Point

7:00PM, Sunday Dana Point Harbor Monthly Sunday Night Speakers Meeting Speaker Birthday Group River47 Church 1st Sunday only each month 250 S. Prospect St. Wind & Sea Restaurant upstairs Contact: Eddie P. Dana Point Harbor Contact: Christine G. Rancho Santa Margarita

Huntington Beach 7:30PM, Friday Roads End Participation 7:00PM, Saturday 30322 Via Con Dios @ HOW Hall Saturday Night Lite Santa Margarita Pkwy. Speaker Meeting Speaker last Friday of the month 19092 Beach Blvd. #G & H

Santa Ana/North Tustin Laguna Beach 8:00PM, Saturday Saturday Night Visiting Speakers 8:00PM, Saturday 18341 Lassen Dr. Living Sober Speaker Meeting Fairhaven & Esplanade Guild Hall (Prentice School) 428 Park Ave. @Catalina (behind church) Contact: Josh O. Contact: Jordan B. 7:00PM, Sunday Laguna Niguel Sober & Crazy Speaker Meeting 18431 Lassen Dr. Anonymous 7:30PM, Sunday (Fairhaven@Esplanade) Laguna Niguel Speaker Meeting Contact: Chuck D. Jr. Mission Lutheran Church To be listed in the next issue, please 24360 Yosemite Rd. (at La Paz) 9:02AM, Sunday 05/05 - Joan S., San Diego Podium Participation Speaker send speaker meeting information by 05/12 - Scott J., Laguna Niguel Meeting & Q & A the 15th of the month to 05/19 - Danny S., Eagle, ID 18341 Lassen Dr. 05/26 - Barbara D., Mission Viejo Fairhaven & Esplande [email protected] Contact: Lynne W. (Prentice School) or [email protected] Contact: Mike L. (preferred) Or Linda P.

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May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5 THIS MONTH’S FEATURED BOOK IS A CD!

MAY 2019

Living Sober (CD)M-85

Add it to your AA library! A 20% SAVINGS $8.00 plus tax

This is a CD on methods that AA members have used to stay sober.

(Available at Central Office, 1526 Brookhollow Dr., Ste. 75, Santa Ana)

14 May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5

Continued from page 1 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ORANGE COUNTY INTERGR0UP ASSOCIATION pg. 56). Those things will not go away, but the STATEMENT OF INCOME & EXPENSE mental and emotional pain that we drank to PERIOD ENDING 03/31/2019 UNAUDITED nullify can be arrested; we can finally put it all March YTD behind us and live a wonderful life. I know this INCOME from experience. Birthday Donations 244.30 420.30 Group Donations 13,835.68 51,423.02 When I revisited my Fourth and Fifth Step, I Individual/Fellowship 192.00 2,042.00 was stronger and talked to someone about Interest Earned 5.08 14.75 those deeds from the past that plagued me. I Literature Sales 15,134.25 35,920.13 realized that most people who abuse alcohol Misc/Repaid Bounced Checks 35.71 35.71 TOTAL INCOME: 29,447.02 89,885.93 are also plagued by that same emotional pain, to one degree or another. If they are willing to address it, they can be free from that Ball and Cost of Goods Sold Chain, and my experience is that it freed me Cost of Literature Sold 13,443.87 30,515.73 up to continue the rest of the Steps with Inventory Adjustments 148.06 502.93 Total COGS pleasure. I had no comprehension of the 13,591.93 31,018.66 Gross Profit 15,855.09 58,867.27 effect it would have on me, for if I did, I would have cut to the chase much sooner and avoid- ed several years of discontent. As long as EXPENSES those deeds were in the past and not habits of Accounting - 1,240.00 the present, this process worked exactly as it Auto Expense (all Mgrs.) 56.95 190.07 354.62 was intended per the program. I hope that this Convention & Ser Event Expenses 354.62 encourages at least one person to find some- Copier Expense (Canon) 34.03 139.45 one they trust and find the relief that I have Credit Card Expense 144.25 502.37 experienced as the result of cleaning the slate, Freight & Shipping Cost 66.25 126.25 and I wish them a happy life. It worked for me. Insurances 1,723.00 2,025.23 Intergroup Expense 414.49 1,147.73 401.08 Rick R. Internet Expense 134.60 Lease Expense 296.07 888.21 LIFELINE Expense 1,524.50 4,617.50 Offices Supplies & Expenses 192.73 611.59 Outside Service 660.00 660.00 Payroll Tax Expense 626.79 2,186.47 Postage 77.86 180.80 Reimb. Health Insurance 500.00 1,500.00 Rent Main/Satellite Offices 3,040.89 9,122.67 Returned Checks 35.71 35.71 Salaries 8,233.50 25,631.68 Sales Tax on Lease 21.31 63.93 Taxes & Licenses - 59.00 Telephone Expense 872.64 2,617.93 Utilities 104.74 293.99 Volunteers Coffee + Water 15.75 131.90 Website Expense 227.50 812.50 TOTAL EXPENSES: 19,361.17 55,540.71

INCOME/(LOSS): (3,506.08) 3,326.56

15 May, 2019 Volume 50, Issue 5

May Word Search

Name______Email address ______or phone number

Word Search Competition

Complete the word search (words can be forwards, backwards, up, down, or diagonal), and make sure to include your name and phone number or email address. Take a picture and email it to: [email protected], or mail the completed puzzle to Central Office at 1526 Brookhollow Dr. Suite 75, Santa Ana, CA, 92705. Your name will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win this month’s selected CD, Living Sober.

DEADLINE IS MAY 15th

Congratulations to March’s winner, Neil S.!

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