Guys,

I'm quite sorry that I have been gone for the most part from the forums the last couple weeks, but it's all because I was an idiot at a party at college and got a DUI about two weeks ago.

It's my first ever offense and I am just sick about it. I'm in the state of Michigan, so officially I can go to jail for up to three months, but it is highly unlikely because I have never had so much as a speeding ticket in my life, I'm attending AA and I have a lawyer (that, and I've heard stories about first time offenders and penalties). Other than a drinking problem (more of a control issue than a temptation problem), I have had pretty impeccable character in person.

I just wanted to let you guys know that even though I don't always post on every topic or have memorable entries, Syd and the gang you mean so much to me. You're the guys who are my online pop culture resource and for that I thank you.

I went from wanting Red Dead Redemption for X-mas, to just wanting my freedom.

(BTW, I'm looking at about $2500-4000 in fees, fines and costs when everything is said and done, a month with no driving, then five with just to work, groceries and other DUI related things (pee tests - classes, etc.) and I assume some kind of probation, SO FOR GOD SAKES, WHEN YOU THINK YOU FEEL FINE, DO NOT DRIVE IF YOU'VE HAD ANYTHING TO DRINK!!!)

Right, but just the waiting until the court dates (my arraignment is Tuesday) is punishment enough. They need to spend court time on people who are real criminals, and not bums like me that make a stupid mistake because he had enough of a party. I am praying that I'll get a plea of OWVI (DUVI, not DUI, the V is visual), because the penalties are much less severe.

I just needed a life lesson because I was drinking like I had just turned 21 at a major university, but that epic event was 3 years ago! If the judge decides to put me in the pokey, then he's pretty much hitting the whole reset button because I have a job that I would probably lose (Radio Shack) never mind all of the fees I'd have to pay. I'd much rather do community service or have probation for a while because I'm worth more to myself, every one I know and society out here rather than sitting in a jail (not a prison. There's a difference - Jails are for less than one year criminals, prisons are for the hard timers, the "con air" types. I didn't know that until this all happened).

Great news, guys! My lawyer called me and said that my charges have been reduced to OWVI (Operating while Visually Impaired)! Which means I still fucked up, but my fines, fees and everything have been reduced to less than 1/2 of what they would have been. My Lawyer also said that there is no jail time.

I'll let you read it.

http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1627_8665-24488--,00.html

But, basically my life is saved. And all can return to normal. Which means an Aeonic and Shut Up, Dorn dominated society, and me constantly bitching to Syd about posting that damn Sega article.

I went to them right off the bat, but the click of old guys who go there were VERY rude to me and very uninviting. The first one I went to, which was at a different time, was a very great experience just to listen to the people explain their various things that I am not at liberty to discuss. (Names omitted and anonymity protected - I hope. If you have an issue, let me know and I will delete it).

The second one I went to, in my discussion I mentioned that I was going to my buddy's hot tub party. Needless to say, I had already been scared out of drinking because of the OWI charge. Well, only about a minute into what I was talking about, the jackass "chair" told me to shut up because they don't usually let new people talk for the first couple meetings and challenged my character. Well, I was perturbed but not disgusted yet. Well, about 10 minutes later, another guy came in and was either not playing with a full deck or was completely hammered. He basically started turning the meeting into a bible rant and caused a huge ruckus which incited the police, which stayed at the meeting for another hour afterwords. Normally that wouldn't be a problem

After that hullabaloo, I was going to go to the party but remembered that my old beater didn't have a muffler and I didn't want any crap from the cops so I had to sit there and miss out on girls in bikinis for that much longer. Well, I eventually went to the "party" - there were 5-8 people there and I drove a few people home. It was a nice feeling. Well, I came back to the same time meeting about a week later and the same guys who criticized me before told me that I was full of shit, but "invited me back for as much as I needed".

Needless to say, I will not be going to the meeting at that time anymore.