Hops have really started growing on me. I am now disappointed if I drink a pale ale that isn't hoppy enough.
The Old You
- Thread starter RoJoHen
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Hops have really started growing on me. I am now disappointed if I drink a pale ale that isn't hoppy enough.
It's so easy for people to resort to alcohol for stress or anxiety relief. Or as a means of detaching from reality for a little while. But it's one thing to have a drink after work to "chill out" and a whole other matter to drink until you're drunk. And then get into the habit of doing it regularly.
Good to hear you've let go of it, RoJoHen. Becoming an alcoholic is nasty business. It messes up your life and becomes a constant annoyance going forward as you try to rid yourself of it. Also, once you're an alcoholic, certain neural bonds have been made that make it nearly impossible to have a single casual drink after you've kicked the addiction. I hardly ever have liquor and just enjoy wine and beer, mostly for the flavor and to compliment a meal.
Social pressure is significant with drinking. The media bombards us with overt and subliminal messages to drink all the time. So many people are conditioned to not only think it's fine to drink frequently, but to consider people who do not as anti-social. Alcohol is HUGE business. Such an enormous money maker, that the stakeholders are hard pressed to ensure their cash flow continues.
Good to hear you've let go of it, RoJoHen. Becoming an alcoholic is nasty business. It messes up your life and becomes a constant annoyance going forward as you try to rid yourself of it. Also, once you're an alcoholic, certain neural bonds have been made that make it nearly impossible to have a single casual drink after you've kicked the addiction. I hardly ever have liquor and just enjoy wine and beer, mostly for the flavor and to compliment a meal.
Social pressure is significant with drinking. The media bombards us with overt and subliminal messages to drink all the time. So many people are conditioned to not only think it's fine to drink frequently, but to consider people who do not as anti-social. Alcohol is HUGE business. Such an enormous money maker, that the stakeholders are hard pressed to ensure their cash flow continues.
A
Amaris
Guest
Pear cider sounds delicious.
Well, it feels good to some people. If you want a little alcohol but not the taste, and it's chilly outside, make a cup of hot chocolate and put some butterscotch schnapps in it. It doesn't sound like anything special but it's so yummy!
If you don't like drinking alcohol though, don't. Personally there are some things I'm glad I've grown to appreciate (like a nice glass of wine) or there are drinks I can occasionally enjoy on a night out. But I go through long periods where I don't drink at all, and I don't miss it.
People should do as they like and err on the side of caution, I think.
Definitely a sign of too much beer.
Nah. I view the taste of beer to be a lot like the taste of coffee. When I first tried it, I thought it was awful and couldn't understand why people would drink something so bitter. Now I love coffee.Definitely a sign of too much beer.
Beer was the same. I hated it at first, but I've tried many different types, and now I love it. And I've finally outgrown light beer! I had a Bud Light a couple weeks ago and thought it was absolutely disgusting, even though it's all I drank throughout college.
I wouldn't say "even" a cup of green tea, I'd say ESPECIALLY a cup of green tea. Alright, I love tea and drank gobs of it for decades before I even knew it was healthy. That was great luck!
Mr Awe
That's how I am. Probably why I enjoy wine. Perhaps the one exception are margarita's. I LOVE those!
Hot buttered rum is awesome on a cold day!
Mr Awe
I was frickin' depressed my whole life; no self-confidence;no self-esteem. The perfect candidate for alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, and/or suicide. I honestly hated myself, but didnt want to cause my parents pain. I kept trying anyway, hoping that someday I'd feel good about myself. Went to city college (didn't think a university would want me no matter how many mailings I got from them); then a job. Met the man who is my Hubby there. Had the job 16 years, Hubby 23 years and counting. Felt better about myself, but not great.
Back to school, then law school--still no self-confidence and now huge levels of anxiety. Diagnosed with depression that was built-in during fetal stage. Meds for a couple of years, and cardio issue from stress. Failed the Bar; passed the Bar. Unemployed more or less by choice.
FINALLY feeling good about myself, that I'm not so bad. I'm good at some things, can say so and believe, and don't react to compliments as if someone has slapped me.
I don't want to go back to who I was. I spent over 30 years trying to progress from that.
Oh, and I've never been drunk. First it was because I didn't like the taste of alcohol. Now, it interacts badly with my meds.
Back to school, then law school--still no self-confidence and now huge levels of anxiety. Diagnosed with depression that was built-in during fetal stage. Meds for a couple of years, and cardio issue from stress. Failed the Bar; passed the Bar. Unemployed more or less by choice.
FINALLY feeling good about myself, that I'm not so bad. I'm good at some things, can say so and believe, and don't react to compliments as if someone has slapped me.
I don't want to go back to who I was. I spent over 30 years trying to progress from that.
Oh, and I've never been drunk. First it was because I didn't like the taste of alcohol. Now, it interacts badly with my meds.
I remember the old me. Which was, ironically, the young me.
Apart from the occasional need to have a good stretch every now and then to stop a twinge of back pain, I'm very happy with who I am these days. I was never actually unhappy, but I can confidently say that I've never been as contented with life as I am these days. Touch wood & fingers crossed it continues.
I can't honestly say there was any sort of damascene moment though; I've just gradually settled further and further into my identity, lifestyle and outlook.
Do you like any bitter foods? Chocolate, coffee, marmalade, olives, etc, etc? If you like any of them, it shouldn't surprise you that alcoholic beverages can taste delicious to people too. It's all about the balance and the complexity of flavours. A good alcoholic drink has an almost unparalleled combination of different flavour elements, and a unique taste profile that is both emotionally and intellectually engaging.
If you don't like any of those sorts of food, then I guess I can understand your perspective. Though I'm delighted not to share it.
(BTW, if you want an easy "in" to the complexity of a good alcoholic drink without too much bitterness, there are any number of dessert and fortified wines that will act as a good introduction. I happen to be sipping a cream sherry as I type which is a good seasonal choice for an after-dinner tipple. Alternatively, any of the classic dessert wines (tokay, sauternes, monbazillac, etc, etc). If you like those, progress to an auslese riesling, then a spatlese, then into a kabinett and from there into drier wines).
I don't think it's pitiful ~ and is reflected to my Sunday.
My last week:
Friday night; bowled in on 'boys night out' because I hadn't been out socially for a month or so. Ended up staying in the pub after Man and friends had left talking to a guy who works for a bank I was having 'transaction' problems with.
After a dancing, drinking, sharing cigars, life stories and honestly expressing what I thought of his bank, he said 'I've never met anyone like you' (this guy has obviously had a restricted upbringing!)
But to mangle RJH's title ~ "the old me" came out ~ confident, outspoken, a little reckless~ to cause repercussions thoughout the week.
Sat morning; Made my 'boss' cry. By questioning if it was vital for her to be in as well as the 2 usual staff, to make 20 sandwiches whilst she making other people redundant. She said "I can work the hours that I want"... "Well at least some of us can"... Cue summoning by Big Boss and me taking holiday owed for a cool off period.
Sunday; The death of Marco Simoncelli in MotoGp. He was 24, a superstar already in the sport but would have become a legend. It has hit me hard. Iggy's quote could well refer to him.
Monday; 2 work interviews booked. More lies from the bank. But, overlooked, the completion of my purchase of my flat.
Yes ~ Whoop. But as Man points out, we are now eligible for everything that goes wrong.
Tuesday; Job interview 1. Do I really want to get up at 6am on a Sunday to puree food for dementia sufferers in a nursing home? My heart says yes, but my head says 'you know you will hate it because seeing the residents will just make you cry'.
Wednesday; Job 2. Phone call 'I've been talking to my business partner and we feel we have already too many applicants, but I'll keep your name on file and do pop up for a drink'.
Thursday; Rang to thank but decline Job 1. Paid all bills up to date and realised I have less than a 1/3rd of wages left in the bank.
And when your Bro rings you to ask if you're watching the funeral of Marco and you're crying on your own in the pub where you've stolen some time and then decide to try a book an hour to have a huge cry, in private to mourn, some stupid Son forgets bankcard and you end up running around for the evening
Friday; Went to Son's bank to ask why it took so long with all the paperwork... blah blah God I'm boring myself...
So back to the OP. My Old Me has come back.
I don't think I've really changed but I have less time for timewasters and inefficiency.
Could be summed up by 'I know what I want, I would like it now, so cut the crap.'
As for alcohol ~ as long as you control it you're fine.
No, it was just the image of hops really growing on you. Like that story in Creepshow. Ah, well, never mind.Nah. I view the taste of beer to be a lot like the taste of coffee. When I first tried it, I thought it was awful and couldn't understand why people would drink something so bitter. Now I love coffee.Definitely a sign of too much beer.
Amrn to that. With a lot of alcoholic products, the difference between a cheap version and a premium one is astounding.
Smirnoff Ice. Tastes just like regular lemonade.
I could not agree more. I also have a tendency to buy a 12 pack of beer and have it last so long that I cannot remember when I bought it.
/\ But it's not modest either..
The old me?..Good question, I don't drive as fast as I used to..
I feel there is time for everything now.. Not as ambitious, nor as insufferable..
As to drinking, I was always the designated driver, and used that to make some money off the drunks in my charge..
The old me?..Good question, I don't drive as fast as I used to..
I feel there is time for everything now.. Not as ambitious, nor as insufferable..
As to drinking, I was always the designated driver, and used that to make some money off the drunks in my charge..
Chocolate (though not exceptionally dark), sure. The rest not really. I do like olive oil in cooking though.
Then why not drink regular lemonade? I'm guessing it's cheaper.
Because some people like how alcohol makes them feel. If you're not into that, you shouldn't be drinking. Some people also like the taste of certain alcoholic beverages, and a lot of times these are acquired tastes but people genuinely grow to like them.
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