One Year On The Wagon

I recently acknowledged to a friend that it has been a little over a year since last I had a drink. I quit the bottle, as my life was falling apart around me, cold turkey. Several people were telling me that I was an alcoholic, that I drank too much, that I had no self-control. So, I hung up my shot glasses and became (to the lament of the nice folks at Tito's Vodka, and Scotland) completely and totally teetotal.

Now, some people would say that if it was that easy, then I must not have been much of a drinker. But, keep in mind that I am the guy that took the slogan, "Drink Canada Dry" as a challenge, not an advertisement. I am the guy that sat down one night with a bottle of Talisker (a lovely single malt whisky) and polished it off, then woke up in the morning, hangover-free, and went on merrily with my life. I am the guy that adopted tactical vomiting (puke 'n' rally) as a way of life, the guy who has never been hung-over. (Not even that night that I drank 13 pints of Guinness in 3 hours.)

For me, drinking was a distraction, and I didn't need more of those in my life. The reaction of my friends has been across the range, from "great" to, "I can not trust a man who won't drink." For those souls who have had my fabulous martinis, I still make 'em. I know how to select a wine to serve with a meal, and I am happy to keep a well-stocked wine cellar for my friends. I just won't be joining you as you toast Groundhog Day, or Tuesday, or whatever.

So, here I am, one year later. My life is definitely less complicated; and, I haven't missed the booze a bit. Even when faced with stressful or painful situations. Situations where, in years past, I would have opened a bottle. I don't preach, and I don't give temperance lectures, I just go on with my life.

As one of my colleagues once said, "Keep your head down and do your job. Oh, and don't trust anyone. Including me."

Good advice.