Day 9

I'll be better able to test this theory next weekend, but I think the lack of weekend alcohol is harder than the lack of after-work alcohol.  I didn't know this.  But the weekend was hard.  The hardest was going to my favorite restaurant/bar in S'ville and not having the BBC Lost Sailor IPA, which for all of you IPA lovers is truly amazing. (Maybe next I'll do a blog about beer; who knew I was so into it! Just take it away and I'll be into anything, by golly.)  There were no tables so R and I sat at the bar, surrounded by martini and beer drinkers who were watching that horse race on the TV.  It was pure torture for about 10 minutes and mildly uncomfortable for about 10 minutes and then fine.  The food there is also very good so I focused on that.  I think the worst part was being in the middle of the weekend funfest, where everyone seemed to be partaking of the vino and I felt like the prim schoolteacher that I actually sometimes am.  It's not about getting drunk, it's about wanting to be a part of the festivities, the fun club that requires a pint or martini glass, not a water glass filled with seltzer. The answer is probably don't go to bars when you're trying not to drink.

I have to say I am somewhat surprised at how difficult this has been.  I would like to see what happens if I go for longer without alcohol, if the craving wanes.  I'll give it some time.

Thank you to my brother who just sent me info about wheat-free beers. He and I have shared many a hoppy beverage together and he understands.