Larissa, a Fairy Tale of Sorts – Part 1: Too smart and charming for our own good

Tuesday, June 11, 2024Monday, September 28, 2020

Larissa will find another job. She’s insightful and gifted and attractive, and that’s what her references will say. They won’t say she’s a drunk. They won’t want to damage her opportunities because “She’s so great when she’s not drinking. If it weren’t for that . . .” Unfortunately, those ellipses never end without change, and that change doesn’t seem to come without work on our part.

Larissa: An introduction to a fairy tale of sorts

Tuesday, June 11, 2024Friday, September 25, 2020

No matter what kind of recovery meeting you go to, the narratives are likely to follow a predictable path. It’s not a bad path—in fact, it’s really good—but it is well worn by every other recovery story you’ve heard before.

The Soapbox: On the brink of greatness

Monday, September 23, 2024Wednesday, September 23, 2020

I have worked hard to move in a different direction, overcome adversity and lead by example with integrity, dedication and experience. Whether today by absentee ballot or election day on November 3rd the voters of Hillsborough County have a choice: revert back to old leaders that had their chance and drove the office to the brink of collapse, or continue improvements with a dedicated public servant who has shown the strength to stand up, support victims of crime and our law enforcement agencies, and work together with the Attorney General’s Office.

Opinion: ‘Donald Trump has become a threat to our public safety’

Monday, September 23, 2024Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Today, Vice President Pence will touch down in New Hampshire and offer more of the same divisive rhetoric. But what we need to hear from this administration is real solutions to the multiple crises they continue to mismanage.

NH House ends ugly session

Tuesday, June 11, 2024Sunday, September 20, 2020

You have to wonder what motivates some people to run for the House. Do they want to make the state better, to represent their constituents or to impede the legislative process believing no government is better than what exists?

Shampoo, booze, and reciprocating saws

Tuesday, June 11, 2024Sunday, September 20, 2020

Alcohol and drugs may at some point have been razors for me, although I couldn’t remember that time. I’d misused and abused powders and liquids and pills and herbal supplements long enough that I had transformed them into a Sawzall, a reciprocating saw. For those not familiar with reciprocating saws, here’s an apt description from handyman.com.

LETTER: Senate must act on Violence Against Women Act

Tuesday, June 11, 2024Friday, September 18, 2020

The following is a letter to the editor. To send your own letter, email carolrobidoux@manchesterinklink.com

No Country for Old Moderates

Tuesday, June 11, 2024Friday, September 18, 2020

In college and throughout my early adulthood, I fashioned myself a progressive. I grew my hair long and wore tie-dye shirts and burned Sandalwood incense and even went to a Dead show—weeks before Jerry Garcia died (nota bene: I still love The Dead). In the 90s, this was considered “woke.” But there was a problem with this posture.

Halfway Out: Life after incarceration

Sunday, November 30, 2025Thursday, September 17, 2020

I write this from a room of which I share with three other residents. We’re all grateful to at least be halfway out of the prison, and we look forward to the next step, which is getting our own places. I’m lucky to have a supportive family, and safety net. Even with the aforementioned weapons, it’s still hard. The transition isn’t easy. A lot of it comes down to resources, ego, humility and discipline, but also the want and need to stay the course. So I continue to trust the process and follow the game plan that I made while doing time.

I don’t know horses, but I know people in recovery

Tuesday, June 11, 2024Thursday, September 17, 2020

If I had to place money on either a horse race or on picking winners from early recovery, I’d be a better bettor at Pimlico or Churchill Downs than at a church basement or outdoor All-Recovery meeting. At the track, at least I’d have luck on my side—along with a little bit of information about the horses’ previous record. In early recovery, where most folks look like they’re way below down on their luck, appearances can be are deceiving.