At one-third the way through my year-long journey, I feel I've reached the point where the real self-discovery is finally coming to light. Maybe it could be the affects of no alcohol in four months, or perhaps it's the season of increased sunshine and warmer temperatures. Or maybe it's nothing at all and I'm just experiencing a new day.
In any regard, I'd have to say that my friends and family have been fully supportive in my efforts to endure. My wife has refrained from having a drink in the house which helps me not lament the memories of good food, a sunset and a bottle of 2005 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon and a slice of triple velvet chocolate cake. I'd have to say that I became an astute connoisseur of good wines and could sometimes define the region the grapes came from without knowing the origin or having read the label on the bottle.
Along with the role of "Wine Snob" I'd also become a collector of alcohol related trinkets. I might have already mentioned my bottle cap collection started in 1997 in Iceland (had I only started early, I could cover an entire wall with unique bottle caps). Along with wine cork openers, Kandy and I've amassed an intricate collection of corks, pint glasses, logo coasters, and more. At this point I'd like to point out that I do NOT have any bar mirrors or neon signs, having a high degree of class and dignity required of someone of my mediocrity.
I have fond memories of most of these beers represented in the photo above. Often I'd rummage through the container of caps to discover I'd tried the same beer twice and kept both caps. Had I started this collection when I first started drinking beer, I'd have more than 1,000 unique ones with many of them now out of business. Wonder what that would be worth.
Some people collect baseball cards. I tried that, but I'm just not that addicted to bubble gum. For me--and maybe for many--it was the moment and the people I was with that made a difference and instilled a sense of appreciation for the beer I was drinking. In fact, when friends weren't around, or if something was distressing to me, drinking was the farthest thing from my mind...as was the case on New Years Eve 1992 (NEW YEAR'S 1993) when I'd received a letter from my neighbor that my wife was having an affair. I was at Kunsan Airbase, South Korea and my friends and I had already planned a night of drinking and celebration. For what ever reason, I couldn't drink, not even one beer. All stressful situations seem to cause this reaction. Reflecting back, I can say that I've never considered "Man, this is a stressful situation, I think I need a drink" before, ever!
From the start of this self-evaluation, I've never considered myself an alcoholic although I'm open to the possibility that I might be. Many of my alcoholic friends that have been sober for years, attend meetings and carry the coins--as well as follow the steps--tell me that if I was able to quit and not slip back into drinking, that it doesn't sound like I'm an alcoholic. Still, I am planning to attend a meeting soon and experience the real essence of AA or Alcoholic's Anonymous.
Who knows what my future in drinking will be. We'll see. For now, I'm just trying to reflect, experience and reveal (for myself and my readers) the significance of alcohol's effects on me. Until next time, please feel free to respond via this post or through an email and I hope you share your alcohol experience with us all.
Cheers,
