Archived in 2022

Originally posted on 19 Dec 2013

Rather than beating about the bush, let’s just get right to the point:

Despite living in one of the most soused and alcohol-friendly cities in America, I have decided to quit drinking. This may only be a temporary condition, lasting a few months or so. Or it may become permanent. Time will tell. All that’s important is that at the moment I’m no longer drinking alcohol.

“Why on earth,” do you ask, “would you do such a thing?” The reasons are two:

  • Expense: Finances are a bit snug here right now. When looking around for unnecessary expenses to put on the chopping block, “alcohol” is a very obvious (and not insignificant) candidate. I won’t get into just how insignificant, but let’s just say I don’t buy cheap crap. So cutting alcohol from the shopping list will save enough money to make a difference.
  • Health: “Hey, did you know that alcohol has calories in it? I know, right? Crazy!” Lately I’ve allowed my weight to creep up higher than it’s been in almost fifteen years. As well, I took my blood pressure the other day and realized it was higher than it’s ever been. Not nearly to a dangerous level, but high enough to set off warning bells alerting me that I need to take action now before things start to spiral. I’m just starting to heal up from an injury and am ramping back up on the exercise once again. I’m also cutting empty calories out of my diet. Thus: farewell alcohol.

What does this mean for you? Well, probably nothing. It’s not like I’m going to stop going to the pub with you or that you have to stop drinking around me or anything silly or drastic like that. I’m just taking care of myself, not entering AA, for crying out loud. All it means is that when we do go out we’re going to end up with a much lower bar tab at the end of the night.

Some of you might be wondering why I’ve chosen now, mere days before Christmas and New Year’s Day, to go off the sauce. Do you remember that quote from When Harry Met Sally? The I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. one? This is kinda like that. I recognized that I need to make a change and that it was going to be difficult (because: change), but that starting now would get me on the right path with fewest excuses. Just tear off that band-aid.

So here I am. Dry as a bone and looking forward to feeling healthier with each passing day. Woo, and might I say, hoo.