Margarita

Part of vacation for 710 and myself is our own happy hours.

It's not that we're cheap, but traditionally we do this at the beach house we are renting. 

It is both convenient and limiting. 

Chance are, I can make a better margarita better than most bartenders. And cheaper. But two of those make it almost a certainty that we don't go out to dinner - which means we have to make our own food or have it delivered, which isn't easy where we go. 

I mix a fairly strong drink. 

We don't just drink. We have historically had an assortment of cheeses, crackers and grapes to compliment the booze. And sitting outside watching the sun sink, the surf and the surfers in the late afternoon is just a major calming effect. 

At home, we rarely go out to dinner. We are fairly Shep-centric, so we stay in. I kind of miss not taking full advantage of that while we are away, but daddy likes his alcohol too. As it is, I drink more this week then I do the rest of the year combined. Ditto for 710 and he drinks less than half of what I do during the year - and lately, my intake has been 4-5 drinks per year!

With our low alcohol intake, it does not take much to get us tipsy. There used to be a time, this would be my warm-up to going out all night. Now I just hope it doesn't fuck up my run the next morning. 

Still, it's good down time, good relaxation. And after seven years here, it is just tradition for us. I like the consistency. 

.....I'm also a little drunk as I draft this. 

Song by: Traveling Wilburys

Pour Me a Drink

Can I just say, I had a faboo time at a holiday party this last weekend?

I did. 

I mean, I might not have, but since I had more booze than blood in my system, I at least felt like I had a good time. And isn't that really the same thing? 

With my depression it is easier to cancel on events and just stay home and not socialize. But for these hosts, they are ones for which I always want to be present. They know my current state of mind, so it makes it easier (for me anyway) to show up and just kind of let go. 

It was not a large gathering, which is good and bad when also having anxiety. Other than the hosts, I knew I'd know three people, not all of them well, but it would give me some comfort level. Still, it's harder to blend in.

Oddly, in the Myers-Briggs world, I'm an I with E tendencies. I used to be firmly in the E category, but that has morphed over the years. 

As it would turn out, I'd know a few more folks than expected. Not well - but we'd been introduced before - not that any of them could have ever actually recalled meeting me prior, but that's all well and good and expected. I don't always make an impression. 

Oh. It was all dudes. A veritable sausage fest, though I saw no sausage, though the charcuterie board did have salami, but that's not quite the same even though it was good - and the only protein I had all night. 

There was good conversational exchange with new acquaintances and lots of laughs. There was a pocket of folks that somewhat devolved into some political talk but both guests and hosts tried to tamp that down, which was appropriate and welcome. 

Many in attendance were newly retired or soon to be. So, it was a gathering of men of a certain age. That made it easier too. The three young 'uns I was introduced to, but didn't really have any discussions, were pretty to look at but they were out of my league. And it was a 98% chance they'd never get any of my cultural references to streetcars, tooth polish, the talkies or rotary phones. 

Without any discussion starting from me, I was a bit surprised to hear how many people said they stopped watching and reading the news. I know others here have said something similar, but it felt affirming that I'm not quite the odd man out. 

I don't know I made new friends per se but the only time phones came out was to exchange contact information with two other people. 

I noted to the hosts, afterwards, that it was incredible that phones weren't out. No one was checking a thing. No one took any pictures - no one was Instagramming or Facebooking a thing. Everyone was engaged in their surroundings and with the other guests. I honestly cannot remember the last time that happened. It felt so great.

Probs a good thing phones were not out. I was over-served. Mostly by me, but there were enablers. New folks who'd refresh my drink or a host who would top me off as they walked by. Or just me, getting up to get a refill. Or 10. 

I can honestly say I had more to drink at this party than the last 18 months combined! 

This is not a boast. 

There was a time I was well used to binge drinking - mostly because I used to do it several times per week and for years on end. Those days had been behind me, but man, it is super easy to revisit your past and fall into that behaviour. It was as easy as breathing. 

You'd think the morning after would have been horrific, and it should have. But that's another thing that came back easily. I was tired and groggy for a bit and my voice was sexy as fuck, but I wasn't nauseated or headache-y or anything. But I was always good at that in my "youth" (read: 18-48!). I bounced back easily - which is a hidden problem. If there is no deterrent to that kind of consumption you don't think there is a problem. 

And I'm not saying I have a problem. Which is probably what most alcoholics say, but one recognizes the path.

Now, I think I was a delight at this party. I don't think wasn't sloppy. I'd say I wasn't "loud" but as my mother said, and my friends still remind me, "I've been blessed with a voice that carries".  That was as close to sugarcoating it was it comes. I'll just assume I was loud.  But I had people laughing and joining in our conversations, so I'm taking it as a win. 

That'll be my big and only drunk of the holiday season and the rest of the year. The rest of the celebrations are lunches and brunch types of things. 

My bigger take away was: I had fun. I don't feel a lot of that as of late, so it was nice to be outside my current nature and truly soak it in. 

Song by: Post Malone

Star Spangled Banner

As you know, I try to stay away from news. But the number of headlines or blurbs on some chick singing the National Anthem during the MLB All Star Game (well, not even the game, but the Home Run Derby, which I didn't even know the song was sung there). 

I had to click. 

I. Had. To. 

Mostly because the headlines said: "checked into rehab afterwards", since the performance was so bad. 

I have to say, it's one of the few times the papers undersold it.  

I BEG you to listen. 

"Bad" doesn't begin to touch it. 

And I have zero idea who Ingrid Andress is/was, but let's chalk her up to an almost no one as she was singing at the Home Run Derby - not the main game. 

Now "everyone" (read: still almost no one) knows who she is/was. 

Honestly, there isn't enough alcohol in the world to make someone sound that bad. I'm betting the booze actually made her better. 

Personally, I don't think she could probably ever sing. She was a songwriter who roped her way into two albums (allegedly) that no one has ever heard of.  

The ballpark also didn't have auto-tune, a device I'm super sure she's used in the studio. I say that without ever hearing a note she's done outside of the video above........and there she used ALL the notes.....and then some. 

I know people think of auto-tune as the thing that makes a singer's voice have computer tones - and used the wrong way, and you end up sounding like everything on Madonna's last horrible album, or anything by Britney Spears.  More often the tool is just for tweaking the vocals to make them...ta da.....in tune. 

Dollars to doughnuts, this chick uses is a LOT. 

She should be checking into vocal coaches and not rehab. 

From a PR perspective, this is gold. Andress' agent and manager now know a number of people have heard of her. Yeah, they can milk the moment, but that's only gonna last 2-3 weeks......tops. 

This video also proves to me that as American's we will cheer anything pseudo-patriotic no matter how bad.  Idiots. 

Song by: Ingrid Andress

Going Out Tonight

Two beers. 

In a day!

Let me semi start out with, I have not given up drinking, but I've kind of given up drinking. Not consciously. 

It might be all the running. But since the Columbus Marathon, I've had eight drinks. Total. Last evening, I had two beers. The last time I had two drinks was the day of the marathon - to be clear after the run. 

As for these two beers? My first alcohol of 2024. 

The occasion? My new running group, which is seemingly quite social, held their annual banquet last evening........at a bar. Two drink tickets were provided by them, and I used them, though I wasn't sure I was going to. 

There was dinner, dessert, the bar (obvi) and awards. All were fine and socializing was good too. 

I will admit, I snuck out during a slideshow. At first it was of this couple who ran the Berlin Marathon last September - which was fine, since you know: running group. Then they traveled Europe and we had to watch their vacation photos. 

UGGHHHHHHH. 

I barely want to see my own. So I Sammy Jo'd my second beer and snuck out. I'm hoping no one noticed, but it'll be a week before I see most of them. Some I'll see this morning for the Sumday a.m rum, for which few people turn out. I think I did it deftly. Some might be envious I had the courage to take the leap. 

A woman I sat with was very adept in her convo skills:  "so, your 'significant other' didn't want to sit here tonight listening about running??".   Good for her for making assumptions but not jumping to them. But I responded, "no. no he did not".

Honestly, I don't go out much anymore for just about anything, so it was kind of nice. The food was fair at best, but that's kind of to be expected. I kind of expected the beer to hit me more than it did, but that is good, since I drove. 

I guess I'm feeling a little better than the day before. 

Song by: Mary Chapin Carpenter

Q

I'm not drunk drunk or anything, just up WAY past my bed time. 

I blame Georty. They MADE me come to Columbus and take me to holiday parties. I had a lot  some of wine, but spaced out over like six hours, so it's really nothing. 

More on this maybe later. But I have one question.....maybe two: 

1. Why don't I have an xmas ornament of Q?

2. Where can one get an xmas ornament of Q? 

Yes, I know I can Goooooooogle search it, but I'm not drunk drunk.   

Just drunk. 

Tipsy, really. 

Song by: the Brothers Johnson

White Winos

How time flies. 

For folks who have been reading this forever, you might remember my man-date, Scott. 

After leaving the same company about the same time almost a decade ago, we just haven't seen each other much, even though we only live a few miles apart. 

That his wife isn't fond of me doesn't help. Let's be honest, that's a fairly large club to which she belongs. 

I haven't seen Scott in almost a year. We've tried to make arrangements, but you know, life gets in the way. We've had three cancellations in as many weeks - all his. Last evening we made it work. 

We may have gone back to the haunt of our first "date". Oh, the establishment isn't the same, just the location remains the same. We may have split an entire bottle of wine. 

The 'what's new' catch up isn't a lot. Work mostly. I did catch up about his kids. He has a gay son who just moved in with the guy whom he's been dating. He likes the guy, he jokingly said, more than his own son. I can relate. I'm 90% sure my parents liked 710 more than me. To his advantage, the local police chief didn't know 710 at all, let alone by his first name. 

We are trying to make this a more regular thing. More than once per year would be nice. We will see if we can attempt this.  Right now I'm on the hook for the next bottle, as he paid this time. 

We took this horrible photo - of both of us - to send to a former colleague who wanted to join us. She still works for the company - or an iteration of - that we left.  I should have taken a few more options, but we're stuck with this one. 

Song by: Loudon Wainwright III

Walk Right In

The destruction of this country has left me no time to post anything good. So I am two weeks late in this - as it has been pointed out to me by at least one of my friends. 

As you know (or should), I have weekly calls with my closest friends. Call. Singular. But we're all on it. Usually all of us. This has gone on since a month into the pandemic and continues to this day.  

They are Zoom calls and usually last 60 minutes or two drinks, whichever comes first. Truth be told, if Blobby is having wine, I can put away more than two in 60 minutes. Mostly in these dark times, we still find a way for a laugh or 12. 

But two of the Columbus-ites, are in new houses and well, I wanted to see them. While I can't say we 'forced' a housewarming party for them, we did arrange a time for four of the five to come down in June. The fifth, Jon, lives out of state and naturally harder to get to Ohio. 

Dates set, then Jon and I - mostly Jon - conspired to get him up for the weekend. The five of us hadn't been together since my 50th, and even the four of us, it's been well before the pandemic. Three of us got together in early summer 2019 and a different combination of the three made it in May 2021. 

Jon and I met in Columbus the day before. The plan was to surprise, but you know, things get fucked up (Becky!), and we broke it into two minor surprises. Both worked well.  People were thrilled that Jon showed up - and tolerated that I had. 

Fair enough. 

The weekend coincided with Columbus' Pride, but we opted not to go. Actually, I told Morty I shan't be going to that event. That one is great, but it draws up to 500,000 (!!!!) people.  I don't like people that much, let alone that many of them. At once And in one place. And you know - Covid. Superspreader event x 1,093.  As it turns out, no one else wanted to go either. 

The plan was to basically sit at Morty's catch-up and drink. Not necessarily in that order. 

I could say we were a modern day salon or Algonquin Round Table.  

I could say it. But I could say a lot of things. 

And in today's environment, it wouldn't necessarily be untrue. 

I'm sure we discussed current events and our distress at them - and this was before some of the SCOTUS rulings about which I've been writing. And while we have had some time to talk of the past, a lot of time was spent on the present. 

When you've all been friends for ~34 years, and you're all still alive, the topic of age and aging comes up. Honestly, more than I'd like it to, but you know, it's reality of our time and situation. 

No one makes me laugh more than these four others. And many were had, one where I had a hard time stopping and the joke was at my expense. 

I won't lie. Drinking was involved. I believe Morty has a case of wine owed to him - and that's just my share. It started with beer. I even alternated with water. Until I didn't. 

I may - or may not - have walked through Morty and George's screen door.  (psssst......I totally did.)

*

Laughing was had by all. At my expense. Again. Different than the last one. At least Morty asked if I was ok................10 minutes later!  I was. My big ol' nose smarted on the left side a bit, and my pride was mortally wounded, but other than that.............fine.  

....and then we broke open the rosé .......because we finished all the white. Not that just they had, I mean ALL the white. 

And in the light of day (see top pic), apparently my knee went through it too. 

Oddly enough, the next morning I woke up slightly later than normal and with zero hangover. It was like old times with these guys, except now I have no hair and am about 60 lbs heavier than I was "then". 

We all hung out for most of Sunday too. I was the first to go, as Jon wasn't leaving until the next day, but I had work - and had a 2.5 hour drive home. 

We made a promise to do this yearly, and I hope we can. A nine year gap is far too long in between, especially at our advanced age. 

I am glad we did this before the abortion, EPA and gun relaxation rulings. It would have made for a far more sour weekend. And then someone would have had to go buy more wine. 

I had not been this happy in months, so it was all worth it.  Except for the screen. That needs to be rectified. 

* this is a reenactment 

Song by: Dr Hook

Sidewalk Talk

You know what?  Screw altruism. 

Wine is better. 

We both worked from home yesterday, because, you know.....snow storm. Honestly, it wasn't great, but I don't think it was as bad as predicted or could have been.  ....though as I draft this, it's still snowing and it is supposed to for another 12 hours. 

After lunch, I went out with the snow blower and cleared about 7" off the driveway...........and then I took a cue from the pink unicorn and a guy two streets over and cleared the sidewalks on our side of the street. 

....and about 40% of the other side too. 

As almost no one on the west side of the street had touched their walks for the last two storms, much of it was impassable even with a heavy duty gas-powered snow blower. 

When I got a few houses away, our neighbor, Brad, was about 80% done with his drive. I stopped to say 'hi' and then asked if he minded if I did his walk. 

Turns out - he did not mind at all. He was super appreciative. He was the only person I'd see on my outing. 

I went back to work, and the afterwards, 710 and I walked the dog. He stayed out to do Round 2 of snow removal.  He turned around and BOOM - there was our new-ish neighbor Lydia. 

We like Lydia and her husband......and their dog. Their son seems nice, but he's like 9 months old, so he's a bit of an attention hog. Lydia stood there with a bottle of wine. Pinot Noir, to be specific. She told 710 that she saw me earlier cleaning their walk and wanted to repay us. 

Honestly, it was not necessary - not that I'm going to give it back. 

Of course, I did not clean a few dozen houses sidewalks for recognition, or booze. I am glad they noticed it was done. 

I am kind of surprised they knew it was me. Even if looking out, I was kind of bundled up and fairly unrecognizable, let alone from 100 feet away. 

After we snagged the wine, 710 went back out and did the walks again. 

Song by: Jellybean

Untitled

No worries - I'm still alive (at least for now). Still I didn't have a blog post up around midnight, so I could see why you might think otherwise.

We are on the road. And as "luck" would have it, I had drinks with a friend last night.

Drinks. Plural. Four hours of drinks.

Well......three and three-quarters hours, because someone was late!  .....and it wasn't me.

More on that later.

I need b'fast, as nachos - no matter how loaded they may be - do not constitute dinner.

Nothing

I got nothing.

Actually, I have plenty, but as vacation week enters its last few days, it is quite possible that I'm drunk at 22:19.

Being as such - allegedly - I have no desire to formulate a thought out or semi-well written post. Nor could I should the desire be there.

On an unrelated note:  if ever in DC, I recommend Capital City Brewing Company.

The service is fair, as is the food. But the beer....well......I liked. A lot!  Especially the Red, Wheat & Blue.

I fear it might be seasonal - as it has straw and blue berries. And it's not on their website menu. I've had blueberry beer before, but with unfavourable results. This was not the case this time.

And with a high alcohol content rate, well.......it all turned out very nicely..............for me.

Due to nothing whatsoever that we could see, our five hour journey from OBX back to DC took us 7.5 hours. Blobby was very very very unhappy. It made for a stressful trip.

I'm hoping for a better tomorrow and Sunday.....and Monday.

Perhaps Sunday's post (tomorrow) will be better than today.



Song by: Depeche Mode

Tenderness on the Block

710 should probably try to monitor my alcohol intake at neighborhood events. It's not that he should be responsible for me, but clearly, I'm not competent enough to keep tabs on myself.

Unless I'm hanging with my sometime man-date, Scott, or with my oldest and dearest friends, my intake of booze is quite limited. In those aforementioned times, I can swing right back into my peak consumption times. It's quite a thing to see - though it is not always pretty.

Or even at a block party in the hood.

Perhaps 5-6 glasses of wine isn't a bad thing......assuming one partakes of the layout of food that was also provided.

Blobby didn't do that.

To be fair, there is only so much quinoa salad one can tolerate...and I think three different people brought one.

Usually there is a treasure trove of desserts, which made me halt my thought-process of bringing cupcakes......and almost no one brought dessert this time.

Oh fate, you are a cruel, cruel wench.

I had a few chips full of guacamole....and......well....that might have been it. Oh - no, I had one of the things we had brought (more on that tomorrow). Hardly enough to absorb any booze going into my system, let alone all of it.

I chatted with some long time neighbors. I got to meet one-half of the newest neighbors....though I saw the male half chatting with others (grrrrrrrrr!).

Still it was a nice time and we do have some really nice folk who live by us.

My favourite part of the day were the kids. I know.....I know.....I don't like kids. But some of them have clearly seen too many police / crime dramas. They were going around doing chalk outlines of each other.

It was funny the weird positions they were getting into. Very random. Very post-violent scenes.

Or maybe I was more amused at this because I was drunk.



Song by:  Shawn Colvin

Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)

My lord, the gays and their causes.  It defies logic sometimes, not that you can tell us / them that....at least without getting bitch-slapped.

"Everyone" is on rant about boycotting Stoli vodka due to Russia's treatment of GLBT folks in their country. 

I don't drink vodka, so there is nothing for me to boycott. 

I do understand boycotts when it comes to organizations and companies. I'm not sure I get a boycott against a singular company in hopes that it will change national policy for a country - let alone a country that isn't even ours. 

Isn't that a little like Germany saying they won't use Welch's Grape Jelly if the U.S. doesn't change their policies on greenhouse gases?   Ok, maybe that isn't the best analogy, but it is not too far off.

I don't think anyone in the former Soviet Union is quaking in their boots - save maybe the people at Stoli.  

The arguments for why the boycott will succeed are flawed (my opinion).  People cite Anita Bryant (36 yrs ago!) and Coors (allegedly ended in 1997)...and.....well........that's it.

(ok - we had those uber-successful boycotts that totally brought down Target, Whole Foods and Chik-fil-a.)

Bryant was removed as a spokesperson and yes, it hurt the Florida Orange Juice Growers.  The Coors boycott hurt Coors, but guess what, the family is still severely right-winged and still giving money to organizations that cater to the right-wing.  So......

And yes, those boycotts financially hurt the company and did nothing to change domestic policy on well......anything.  Stoli will get financially hurt, but thinking they have pull with Putin or is that vital to the Russian economy is ludicrous - this is a country who still has periodic bread lines and an overall economy worse than East St. Louis. 

If Stoli is the biggest factor in the Russian economy then the country might have bigger issues. 

And why go after only Stoli - why not all Russian spirits or products?  Personally it sounds like Skyy or Grey Goose is behind this boycott. 

I would be more inclined to have people / athletes / sponsors boycott the 2014 Winter Games in Russia - not that I see that really happening - there is way too much invested.  The IOC claims that Russia claims that athletes and fans will be exempt from the anti-GLBT propaganda laws. 

Shouldn't that be a bigger issue?  Exemptions for certain populations and only when the eyes of the world are upon them for two weeks?  

The boycott of the Russian games in 1980 didn't have the desire effect the U.S wanted - and hell, Russia had invaded Afghanistan. I don't see the U.S. or any other country actually skipping the Winter Games. But the world is a different place now.  Social media, the internet, etc would have many more eyes on human rights issues in Russia. 

I was taken to task by someone who said that the Stoli boycott is a grassroots effort and that social change can only happen through this effort. 

REALLY?   

My, how short-sighted and how hypocritical. 

Mind you - these are the same people the bemoan, belittle and mock One Million Moms and NOM's boycotts on JCP and Starbucks respectively.  Whether you like it or not, those groups are going for social change too - just not some we would like to see. 

So boycotts are ok as long as it suits our wants and needs?

The reality is - Ed Snowden will be given sanctuary by Russia.  The U.S. wants him back.  We're not going to rock that boat any more than we possibly have to until he is custody....and that includes denouncing GLBT human rights in Russia. 

The boycotters can knock themselves out, but I think their focus and their target is misguided. 

Song by: Paul McCartney & Wings

Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of

I know you've all been wondering, but despite my shitty-assed work trip,  I made it home - wine intact.

The work trip itself, didn't go so well - but that sometimes happens.  Things don't always go my way, and the would-be wine fiasco.

The trip home was not much better.  The flight to O'Hare was fine. For all the snow they had the day before, there was no evidence of it upon the approach and definitely not at the airport.  Not that it stopped having major delays for the connections.

I don't get the airlines sometimes. Just tell me the flight is delayed by 3 hours.  Don't delay it for three hours, 20 minutes at a time. That's annoying and just operationally stupid.  The plane was coming from Toronto and a quick internet search would tell anyone the plane had not even departed and it was at least an hour flight.  There is no way it was coming in 20 minutes.....then another 20......and then another.

Get it together people.

Still better than the flight to Fort Wayne.  Three hours delayed, 90 minutes on the runway, back to the gate and cancelled.  SUCKS!

We did get out five hours late. Dozens of people on the stand-by list and yet the plane ended up not being full....go figure.

Then I get to Cleveland and seemingly no luggage - and no wine.  Oh yes, I checked the wine.  I really expected a leaking box and deteriorated cardboard. But that wasn't there, nor my suitcase.  Great.

Well, it wasn't on the baggage carousel., but it was there in the United office.

Yes, the TSA went into my luggage and opened my case of wine.  They were very nice enough to leave notes in it saying they had done so. Of course, the box was retaped with a role of TSA tape.

But at least 12 bottles of white and red made it back to Ohio.  Maybe we'll start drinking some of it this weekend.



Song by:  U2

Strawberry Wine

Sometimes my job does have perks - at least in ways.

One of my clients is a major player in wine and its distribution. As a vendor, I have access to their wine store.

I haven't really taken advantage of this perk, mostly due to time. While they do sell wine, they don't ship it, mainly because the store is open to employees, who just take it home with them.

I was taking it home with me as well - just 2,200 miles away.

And you get the wine at wholesale - or less.  A nice bottle of a certain red I like is $11.99 in the store and reduced to $10.99 at Costco. But here, I get it for $4.25.

So yesterday, I got a box and selected a number of different wines ranging from $4.25 to $13.00 per bottle. There were some there that were $48 per bottle, so I don't know what that runs in a store. More than I would ever pay.

I selected some Pinots - both Gris and Noirs. Some Blends. Some Cabs and according to the store guy, an incredible discontinued Chardonnay that retails for $75 per bottle that I snagged for $10.  Oh and a dark red infused with dark chocolate.  Only one bottle of that since I have no idea what that will end up tasting like.

However, I wasn't counting on one major thing: FedEx and UPS won't ship wine....or any liquid, I think.  They will if it goes from company to purchaser, but not from individual to individual.

Mind you, by this time, I had already purchased the wine and left the premises before being made aware of this little speed bump in life.

So, I'm taking a risk. I got bubble wrap and encased not only each bottle, but the bottom and sides of the box from the winery. I also got a FedEx box to put the original box into and then packed and sealed that.

Thanks to Mr. Platinum Status, come this morning, I can check this as a bag at no cost and hope the baggage folk don't ruin everything.or that we hit horrible turbulence.

As much as this is a perk of the job, I don't envision myself doing this again.  Way too much work even though I saved a fortune.

FedEx was so less than helpful.  They almost didn't even want to sell me a box and packing material. They certainly would not help me assemble the box or expertly pack it, even if they didn't ship it. Somehow to help a poor schlub like me would make them liable if something happened.  As if.

Well, hopefully, the wine will make it back in one piece. Or twelve single pieces.   Wish me luck.



Song by: Pat Benatar