Howdy all -

     Devilishly interesting image tonight. Man sitting behind a table on a stage in a crowded theater Thousands of spectators. Some few watching intently, while most others appear to be chatting, talking on cell phones, texting and doing those various oddiments we do when we don't feel directly involved with the activity at hand. By his left hand is a bottle and a glass joined by some righteous smoke and a baggie of pillls On the other side are several books - The Big Book for AA, Basic Text for NA and others of equal or greater import. He is looking back and forth from one side to the other, trying to decide which way to turn. Fade to black...

     Makes one wonder which option he ended up with, doesn't it?

     Well, some of us do wonder. My friend Keith went and tossed another poser at me regarding the observed reduced interaction and activity here at MRS. So, being not only being an OC alcoholic, but an anal-retentive engineer I did an informal look-see around the web at several other general recovery sites. It appears from looking at blogs and forums that there is a usually core of 5-15 people at each that provide for the major amount of general interaction and stimulus at each site. Much less that in previous times.

     I see much the same at our local fellowship. There appears to cycles in both newcomer and sober member involvment and attendance. Why? I suspect it had something to do with life and life's terms at any given point in time. A part is quite possibly socio-economic. Many of the members of this site are from the United States. The US is in a spot of economic downturn and it's associated social turmoil. People are spending more time taking care of what they need in the physical world and finding the time (or money for an ISP) is just not there to spend in our vrtual nirvana. Some of us are blessed enough to have the time and wherewithal to continue our avatarish lives here. Part is the holidays. I've seen in prior years where there is a slump in both the physical attendance and virtual. The local attendance here is beginning to pick back up. We'll have to wait and see what happens here.

     Anyone else out there got any ideas as to Keiths's question? Is there anything we as a community can do to provide that experience, strength and hope to others? The outstretched hand is only of any good if it is open...

Nuff Said,

Dennis

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