Perhaps there has been some hijacking here but as one who has been eavesdropping on this whole conversation I have to say I've found it very interesting and educational. I also learned, Eric, why I appreciate your very direct approach to expressing yourself - I grew up on the East coast in NH- so I guess that explains it! And about the thorn in the side - whether it is an anger issue or a symptom of alcoholism, if that "thorn" is removed or missing from one's life, there is a void and it needs to be filled with something else more positive. Maybe this is where AA comes in.