When enough is just, well, enough.
So yesterday we were invited up to The Lovelies’ house for the evening. The sun was out and the lads (yes, ours as well – never slow to take up an invitation) were in the hot tub. One of the things I love about living here is that they have so many mates around, something they’ve never really had before. We sat around in the kitchen and had a chat over a couple of beers (Mr Lovely and Hubby) and a glass of wine (me – Mrs Lovely is on medication for madness [joke] and wasn’t partaking). Mrs Lovely was making a lasagne to freeze and I helped by making the white sauce. I then helped a little bit less by eating a great big wodge of it (it was darned good) when it was cooked. In my defence, I did bring a sausage of cookie dough round too. Later, their neighbours popped round and we drank and chatted while the kids played PS2 or Xbox or something, finally getting a lift back round the corner by Mrs Lovely at about midnight. A thoroughly nice evening was had by all.
This morning though, as I was concocting a dirty great fry of epic proportions, I started to think more about our evening. Bearing in mind that Mrs Lovely wasn’t drinking, I managed to polish off an entire bottle of wine on my own. Granted we started about 7pm and didn’t finish til midnight, and I had a couple of glasses of water in between, but still, I was shocked: a whole bottle to myself? And I didn’t even feel particularly merry? Jeebus. I’m an alcofrolic.
The thing is, dearest reader, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with alcohol. I love a glass of champers, and adore a nice glass of wine. A couple of glasses make me happy, but I don’t like the feeling of being drunk (especially in front of other people) and I don’t like being in the company of drunk people. Generally I’ll stagger (heh) my glasses of wine with a coke or a fizzy water, but my most memorable and miserable evenings have been those when I’ve had too many. I felt uneasy this morning and started to wonder about my whole motivation for drinking in the first place. I shared my unease with the Hubby: ‘calm down’, he said, ‘a bottle over the course of 5 hours is hardly excessive’. And #1 added: ’if it makes you feel uncomfortable, why do it?’.
And that’s the question, then: why do we drink? In particular, why do I drink when I like the taste but not the sensation. In the future, I’ve vowed to take better care to buy nice wine and to savour the taste in the comfort of my own home. Then when I’m out, and not really paying attention to what I’m sipping, I’ll stick to the coke. I feel happier already.
I myself have been known to drink a litre bottle of rosé in a sitting but I would be pretty messy afterwards. I am definitely happier when I am not drinking but alcohol does give you that little happiness boost after the first glasses. If one can keep it in moderation then it is a very fine drug.
Odd, because only in the last few years have I come to appreciate the tastes of good wine and proper whiskey; but the enjoyment isn’t always worth the other part of the experience.
Hmmm….
Aidan: You see, I think that’s the trouble. I love the taste and the little happiness bit, but then after you’ve had one glass you’re just compelled to have another! I hate it if I’m out with people and I feel like I’ve had too much. I have a paranoia about slurring or stumbling in front of people and have to go home instantly. Weird.
Susan: Me too, and me too! I’m relatively happy anyway and have never needed alcohol to have a good time, I guess we do it because everyone else does. Still, it must be our age because I’m starting to realise it doesn’t really agree with me either x
Thrifty: It’s definitely an Irish thing, too, drinking to excess. Ah, I do love an Alfa though – I’m coming round to have a read…
I can’t drink at all these days. I find that sometimes I find it amusing to be the only sober one in a group, other times I find the antics of my friends and family extremely irritating. I guess it depends on what mood I’m in to start with.
Jay: Yeh, I know what you mean. I’d rather be the sober one watching than the drunken one making a turd out of themselves though!! x
Moon: A dress? Ooh ducky, I didn’t know it was going to be one of THOSE types of weddings
Ma: I might share a champers with you. And never fear, Hubby’ll always volunteer to be your drinking partner – you know what you two are like when you get together
And what do you mean hymns? I thought these blessing things were a quick in and out job!
OR (and this could be easier!)
Just decide in advance not to drink mindlessly, I think when I’m around people I match my drinking pace to their pace. If I’m thinking about what I’m drinking and not just keeping pace, I’m happier with myself, and still manage to have that little buzz without getting walloped.
Quite a brave post! Glad you brought it up.
and yes Auntie, I went out for dinner tonight with Ma, and it’s all sorted … they wouldn’t let me walk out of the church to the Test Match Special Theme !!!!
I should know better at my age but hey – we are only here once – no rehearsals -,,,,, and, I like it!!!!
Baino: You obviously don’t slur after the second glass and make a total arse of yourself after the third. Wish I could handle my booze – life would be so much funner (is that a word?) xx
Moon: Now now, no need for vulgarity! Oh and there’s me hoping you were going to exit the church to ‘Bring me Sunshine’ like Wee Jen, and do the dance too. Got my outfit today…woohoo!
Cortes: Goodness but you’re all worldly wise today. Have you been drinking?
Megan: But as long as you’re comfortable with it that’s fine. It’s my unease that’s doing my head in x
EW: Oh yes. I nearly said Cola then it sounded a bit naff. Definitely the fizzy liquid!!
Wee One: Ah, me Ma used to have a bottle of sherry in her desk drawer for medicinal purposes. And she actually drank it too!
Quicky: I think that’s a good plan. I need to raise my game at home first x
Rock & double roll sis
x