I don’t think this kitty could have accomplished this move drunk. Just sayin’. Here’s to some sober fun eh!

Hey guys!  Here’s to a safe and fun New Year’s Eve!  I’m sure many of you are scrambling to find something fun to do tomorrow night.  Lots of overpriced options I’m sure.  Whatever you decide to do, make some safe decisions.  Have a designated driver, choose a safe party location, and look out for your friends.  See you in 2011!

*photo by my friend, Sven Jacobsen

Right now I am reading Fahrenheit 451 and it is quickly becoming my favorite book EVER!  Why I never read this book in high school is a conundrum.  Thank you Ray Bradbury for awakening my mind and sending me on a quest for knowledge, truth, and more of your fantastical books!  So what does this have to do with Keep Friendship Alive?  Everything!  I end up talking so much about alcohol, drugs, and their maladies, I forget to talk about all the wonderful things we can do in their absence.  This weekend, find a great book (please read 451 if you haven’t already) and get lost in it.  Let it invigorate you and remind you of all things you want to accomplish in your short lifetime.  Check out this video to see Rad Bradbury in action.  His kooky, intellectual, imaginative personality is contagious.

Also, if you want a free copy of Fahrenheit 451, head over to the KFA contact page and send me a message.  First ten peeps get a free book.  Happy Holidays!

We all remember the famous “stop drop and roll” drill that guest firefighters taught us in our kindergarten classrooms.  Those days may be distant memories, but that maneuver stuck with us didn’t it?  What should you do if your clothes catch fire?  STOP DROP AND ROLL!  Now it’s time to review another lifesaving technique that heavily pertains to high school and college students, but we rarely hear about it.  Stop and Roll has less to do with fire and more to do with drowning….in your own vomit that is.

Stop and Roll can save your inebriated friend’s life.  See the image below for some simple instructions.  But first, check out this recent post to the KFA Memorial Wall.  An off-duty police officer went out to a Philly bar and witnessed a girl take 21 shots…then she quickly passed out.  His main concern was to get her into the recovery position (aka Stop and Roll).  Please take his story to heart.  Our decisions in times like these are life or death, even though most of us may not realize our ability to help.  Don’t be a bystander.  Act as those firefighters would and help save someone’s life.

Visit the 911 page to learn more about the signs of alcohol poisoning.  And remember, CALL FOR HELP and DON’T LEAVE YOUR FRIEND.

Once a menace, now a role model, Eminem you’ve come a long way.  Not only have you found a place in my heart (you used to bug the crap out of me), you have literally transformed yourself into someone people look up to for all the right reasons.  I wish more celebrities could use their missteps and fame to shine light on good stuff like recovering from addiction.  Thank you for everything you do so well!  You deserve this success.
P.S. I may have a little crush on you…

Check out this article “Eminem: The Road Back from Hell” in the Nov. 25th issue of Rolling Stone Magazine with Eminem on the cover.  It’s rad.  You will love it.

AboveTheInfluence.com

I recently received this message from a student…pretty powerful stuff:

“I went to see you speak earlier this semester and I just got back from a long night at the hospital. I took your message to heart and I saved my roommate’s life last night. Some guy dropped her off in our room completely unconscious around 3am and I made the decision to call 911 despite being afraid of getting her into trouble. She did in fact have alcohol poisoning and she is doing much better now. I just wanted to say thank you.”

Have you lost someone to an alcohol or drug related tragedy?  Too many of us have a story to tell.  Please take 30 seconds to share a name, story, or memory on the new kfa memorial wall.  It can be short AND you can do it using your Facebook account!  Here is what I wrote but feel free to write whatever comes to mind.

I lost my brother Joey Upshaw to a decision he made to take a terrible party drug called GHB. At the time, I’m sure he thought it was a harmless act. Unfortunately, that is how so many young people (1,700 college students each year) end up losing their lives. Please click on this link and share your story on the Keep Friendship Alive website using your Facebook account. The more stories we share, the more people we will reach. And hopefully more people will think twice, and choose life.