MetaChat - I'm going dry for February.

My liver took (most of) January off (except for the few beers with LolaG, carmina and brujita), and I was much happier for it. I did start drinking a little earlier (last weekend) because I had the triple threat of friend's birthday, other friend in town and dinner at a German restaurant (must. drink. beer.)

And apparently it took me until I was 31 to realise that I could go out, not drink, and have a great time. That was including seeing excellent bands play, which I don't think I've ever done sober.

But... can't join you, Speck. I gotta drink for the Superbowl. And direct hate rays against the Colts.

posted by gaspode 31 January | 13:37

As of the new year I started restricting my beer intake to weekends only, and it's been working out well- I am a lot more focused during the day. (Also, I'm saving a few bucks.) R&R is a good thing.

posted by BoringPostcards 31 January | 13:39

Being back at college means limited access to alcohol and drinking ad nauseum when you can get your hands on it. I'm more than happy to join you. The whole of February, then?

posted by CitrusFreak12 31 January | 13:43

No way- I just started dating again. Alcohol is mandatory.

posted by small_ruminant 31 January | 13:45

Thinking about putting down the (tobacco) pipe for Lent, but then, I hardly smoke anymore anyhow.

posted by PaxDigita 31 January | 13:56

I don't know what to give up for Lent... ::thinks::

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 31 January | 13:58

That reminds me, that's the other part of this: no cigarettes. This actually shouldn't be hard for me since I never ever smoke unless I'm drinking...

Yay CF! Let's do it!

posted by Specklet 31 January | 14:00

Sure, I'll join you. So long as by "dry" you don't mean "no hot tubs". Because I don't drink alcohol much (if ever, anymore), but I won't pass up the chance to get Specklet in a hot tub.

You know, intellectually speaking.

No way- I just started dating again. Alcohol is mandatory.

I don't get this. When making important decisions, you want impaired judgement? And people wonder why their relationships tank?

posted by Eideteker 31 January | 14:05

Can't join you on that Specklett. Instead I'm pacing myself instead of binging.
That means a few beers after hockey ]ok, that means 4 times a week, but moderation is key[.

If one drink is too many and a thousand is not enough, then cold turkey is good.

A friend does this every year too, takes a month off. It's about the 11 other months that are killing his liver.
Moderation people and pacing, if ya can.
Mmmm, red wine.

posted by alicesshoe 31 January | 14:07

"Moderation people and pacing, if ya can."

Really?

posted by Lola_G 31 January | 14:20

I brought this up for January and I have been almost but not quite compliant. I'll be almost but not quite compliant during February.

(living in a great pinot noir region is hell sometimes isn't it Specklet?)

posted by danf 31 January | 14:28

I send you mountains of power to do just whatever you want!!!!

ACTIVATE SPECKLET POWER NOW!!!

posted by getoffmylawn 31 January | 14:29

Best of luck to you, speck.

Can I just vow to not get wet during February??

posted by mike9322 31 January | 14:39

Lola_G,
uh, yeah, it's taking me a while to figure it out, but better late than never. Besides, it's a genetic family thing and a long story.
The Plan, like a shopping list you write up and stick to it, you won't go crazy buying sugar products./ YMMV.
I'll make a conscious decision to drink x amount, full stop. An exercize for the mind, but the mind is a powerful thing, so believe it. Um, that and cognitive replacement therapy¿ heh.

I'm all for your efforts though, by all means and will support you. The decision lies in each of our hearts and minds.

posted by alicesshoe 31 January | 14:40

Woo hoo, Specklet Power! Thanks!

I don't get this. When making important decisions, you want impaired judgement? And people wonder why their relationships tank?

This is kind of insulting, dear. You don't make important decisions when you're out on a date, you try and relax and get to know the person. Decision-making time happens after you see how the date goes. And if you're all uptight and nervous and didn't have a nice socially lubricating glass of alcohol, the date is going to be awkward. I'm not saying it's mandatory, but you gotta understand why s_r requires booze when dating.

On preview: alicesshoe, you may want to up the voltage on your sarcasm meter...

posted by Specklet 31 January | 14:43

No way- I just started dating again. Alcohol is mandatory.

I don't get this. When making important decisions, you want impaired judgement? And people wonder why their relationships tank?

different strokes for different folks. I hate everyone when I first meet them. A half a pint of beer helps me get over that.

posted by small_ruminant 31 January | 14:44

you gotta understand why s_r requires booze when dating.

Yeah, that's why I asked. Thank you! Drinking makes me more uptight, because I'm worried about doing stupid stuff because of the alcohol.

What do I know, though? I like awkward.

posted by Eideteker 31 January | 14:47

After reading your comment, Eide, for some reason my brain supplied "Yeah! Awkward like a fox!" Hee!

posted by Specklet 31 January | 14:55

How did you know? I keep my prey on an uneven keel all evening until it's time for the kill. I build the tension, then through my knowledge of advanced psychological techniques, I utilize the transfer of arousal to get my freak on.

posted by Eideteker 31 January | 15:08

I'm in! Last month on the wagon! Woo-hoo!

I utilize the transfer of arousal to get my freak on.
That needs to be on a t-shirt.

posted by jrossi4r 31 January | 15:11

I would buy that T-shirt. Though it't been years since I've managed to transfer any arousal to get my freak on.

posted by small_ruminant 31 January | 15:20

I'm just saying that giving obvious "advice" to others borders on self-righteous.

It's like someone struggling with their weight and you tell them to eat less. Eat less fat people!

The actual practice of moderation is a lot harder than the idea.

posted by Lola_G 31 January | 15:29

Actually, Specklet, as much as I would like to be part of this, I am finding that I am trying to STEP UP my alchohol intake. I am usually a once-every-three-month drunk kind of guy, but I have begun a lovely routine of a generous whiskey sour when I get home from work each day. It has been part of my attempts to leave work at work.

It tastes good, and it works.

But, all the same, I am all for a detox, when the body needs it. Cheers to you for paying attention to what your body is asking for!

and I would also like that t-shirt

posted by richat 31 January | 15:35

And how, Lola!

richat, I think your leaving-work-at-work routine is a great idea!

But yeah, I'm all toxic and shit. The body's calling for a break from booze and cigs and cheese, so that's what it's gonna get. Who knows, I may even get crazy and start up my hatha yoga practice again!

I, too, would like that t-shirt. Is there some way we could make this happen?

posted by Specklet 31 January | 15:38

cheese? that I could not do. meat, neither. If I don't eat meat regularly I every animal I see starts looking like a potential meal.

Sugar I've had to cut out of my life, though. Most refined foods, in fact. I just feel crappy when I eat them. It would be true of alcohol, too, if I drank more than a shot or two a month.

posted by small_ruminant 31 January | 15:41

Lola_G,
Not meaning to be self righteous at all, but I understand what you mean. I was speaking personally and for others... their mileage may vary.
Things aren't always so obvious to me in any case.

posted by alicesshoe 31 January | 15:43

S_R, I'm starting to wish I was single!

rowr!

And, surely, someone can whip up a cafe press shirt?

posted by richat 31 January | 15:47

I'm not going to eliminate cheese entirely, that would just be too sad! But I am going to cut down. Already have, actually. Except for the two times this week I've already had pizza. Oops.

Meat's not a big deal for me at all (my blood type doesn't indicate that I really need it), I'm almost back to being a vegetarian.

Sugar? Meh. Doesn't tempt me, and yeah, if I eat it I feel like poo!

Now, if I could just have a full-time chef...

posted by Specklet 31 January | 15:47

I'm ouuuuut! It's only a matter of days (or, possibly a week) before the reuniting of taz and mr. taz... and we'll be going out alllll the time! For the drinking! And the eating! And the strolling and hugging and smoking and kissing and laughing. And then the more drinking. :) Woo.

But I've been pretty abstemious these last few months. So. Back to being good in March. Or April. Or something.

posted by taz 31 January | 15:56

A'shoe-
I hear you. I'm just one of those all or nothing types. Which never works. So, I'm a little sensitive to those who tell me that all I need is to learn moderation (aka my boyfriend).

/sensitivity and projection

Anyway, I rarely drink these days and when I do I get drunk on one beer. It's so lame. I enjoy beer and not as means to get WASTED! So, its pretty sad.

posted by Lola_G 31 January | 16:01

I don't drink, at all. However, I do have vices and I too have been trying to reignite my yoga practice as well. I could be your did you do yoga yet today sponsor. We could email each other pictures of humpbacked old ladies for motivation. I will soon send you your bunny and s/he can keep you company while you drink carrot juice, unspiked.

posted by getoffmylawn 31 January | 16:29

One night I went over to visit some die hard red wine drinking friends. I was shocked to see them drinking a bottle of WHITE, so I asked and they said they had to switch to white for a bit because their teeth were becoming stained a pinkish tone from how much red wine they drank.

posted by getoffmylawn 31 January | 16:33

I guess I'm joining you, Specklet. The last alcohol I had was at a wedding almost two months ago (in Portland, coincidentally). Before that, it had been over a year. So I think the month of February is doable.

posted by deadcowdan 31 January | 16:55

I'm in, Specklet.

I've been dry since March 15, 2005. Comin' up on two years, aw yeah.

sure am thirsty

posted by Fuzzy Monster 31 January | 17:03

I'm back on my "only drinking on Saturday evening" routine, although there's a meetup and one or two other things that will break that. But I'm drinking less that I have been. I can't cut down less than 1 night a week, that wouldn't be good at all. I do need to cut down on the snacking at work, though.

posted by TheDonF 31 January | 17:08

sry im hardcore xxx i don't need anything fun to have fun.

posted by scala di seta 31 January | 17:33

I've just realised, with horror, that the last time I drank alcohol was more than two weeks ago. the time before that, it was january 1

this just made me sad. sober, but sad.

I don't know what to give up for Lent

religion?

posted by matteo 31 January | 17:55

All you sober-ish people astound me. I genuinely can't remember the last day I didn't have at least a small glass of wine...

posted by Specklet 31 January | 18:15

All you sober-ish people astound me, too. I genuinely can't remember the last day. or most of today for that matter.

posted by jonmc 31 January | 18:54

Since I'm pretty much dry anyway (gotta stay focused with wee one around) I'll join you by actually finally going to that gym I pay good money for. And sticking with it! Deal? :)

posted by dabitch 31 January | 20:13

Are you the master of your domain?

Actually I have a 2 week head start on you since going on this detox diet. I'm pretty sure I'll have an Arrogant bastard or a Vanilla Porter when I'm done with this. mmmmmm

posted by eekacat 31 January | 20:39

Yay! Thanks for the support, bunnies!

posted by Specklet 31 January | 21:09

Lola_G, I understand...
I'll kill the Ann Landers in me, because my intention is to come across in a 'helping someone across the street' kind of way, to be taken as just my opinion. I'll try to affress my take, thanks. It's a man thing to offer help, not meant to downplay what you're doing to date and what works for you at all.
I'd never make a pointed 'comment' like that. Never. Your actions be none of my bidness. ]business[
/sensitivity and projection also

Giving up cheese is out of the question.

"I genuinely can't remember the last day I didn't have at least a small glass of wine..."—Specklet,
And there is Nothing Absolutely wrong with that. Na zdrowie./

eekacat,
We have coffee porter from Mill Street Brewery, Toronto. Hmmmmm. Killer.

BTW, East Coast-ers,
It's a beautiful full moon out there on a crisp -10° C evening. In fact, it's so bright, it teared my eye looking at the moon. The city lights couldn't put it out.
*ah*

posted by alicesshoe 31 January | 22:14

31 January 2007