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Why I'm Giving Up the Booze
 

Edmundo Braverman's picture
ST
(Human, 14,702
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 1:30pm
homer_drinking-12388.jpg

"I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me." - Winston Churchill

Those of you on the fence about attending tomorrow night's Bastille Bash might want to give it some serious thought, because it's probably going to be my last hurrah. I've decided to give up the sauce, which is a minor blasphemy for an Irishman like me. But it's time.

A lot of you are probably wondering what the impetus for this decision is. Did Eddie drive drunk into a school bus full of kids? Did his doc discover that his liver's as hard as an olive pit? Did the missus threaten to leave his drunk ass and take all his money?

Well, I'm happy to report that it was none of those things, nor anything equally dramatic. I haven't hit "rock bottom" (that happened a long time ago anyway). I haven't been told to get my affairs in order. My relationship with alcohol (and it is ABSOLUTELY a relationship in every sense of the word) has simply run its course.

I started drinking when I was 15 (like many of you, I suspect). I didn't get really good at it until a couple years later when I went to work as a forklift driver for Price Club (now CostCo). I was the youngest lift driver on the crew, and my fellow derelicts were more than happy to buy for me. After that I joined the Marines and went pro.

From that point on, booze has been the only constant in my life. With the exception of seven miserable months spent in a shithole dry country (Saudi Arabia), my medecine has never been far from reach. All of my best memories revolve around booze (I met all three of my wives in bars, for example) and, conversely, booze has helped me through my darkest hours (and probably saved my life a couple times).

Over the past nearly 30 years I've consumed vast Nordic lakes of grain alcohol. I say this not to brag, but to put things in perspective. I've developed a tolerance to alcohol that could only be described as heroic, and to take that to the next level from here would be both wasteful and senseless. Plus it's no secret that I've been driving with my CHECK LIVER light on for many years, so that's reason enough to quit in itself.

But the simple fact is that I'm bored with drinking. I never thought I'd live to say those words, but there you have it. At my age and in my social circle, there isn't anyone worth drinking with anymore. Everyone my age has a wife and kids at home, and after about an hour at the bar the wife starts psycho-dialing them and nagging them to come home, and that's if they even get permission to go out in the first place. The only notable exception to this rule is my buddy Dan, and he's in a class by himself. His job entails entertaining clients four or five nights a week and that usually means drinking until the wee hours. I simply can't keep up with him.

So for the past couple years I've been relegated to drinking alone. This isn't the depressing prospect for me that it is for many people (I prefer my own company to most people anyway), but it's not an optimal situation. Most nights it means waiting until the kids go to bed at 8 before I get started (because I have no interest in my kids seeing me wasted), and then I'm basically sipping until 11 when the wife goes to bed because I don't want to listen to a lecture about getting drunk again. 11 pm to 1 am is normally my time to shine, and that's when I put it away in earnest until I crash and get four or five hours sleep. So on average I'm crushing a half-liter of scotch or rum, say, five nights a week.

The thing is, I'm not enjoying it anymore and I haven't for some time. I'm almost ashamed to admit that I don't even get drunk most nights anymore, and that's saying something after a half-liter of 80-proof liquor. So my choices appear to be:

  1. Kick it up a notch to Wild Turkey 101 or similar proofs, or
  2. Give it up altogether.

For me, it's an easy choice. I'm done with the booze.

Now, I'm not saying anything crazy like I'll never drink again or I'll never have a glass of wine with dinner or a bottle of champagne to celebrate something (hell, I'll probably kill a Nebuchadnezzar by myself when my kids move out), but I'm definitely ending my regular relationship with the bottle. It's just not doing anything for me anymore, and I'm tired of feeling like crap every morning. I'll probably take all the money I save and use it to keep my ass off of EasyJet.

Middle age is a bitch, guys. Make sure you're having all the fun you can possibly have while you're young.

Comments

EarTotheStreet's picture

Is this what married life is

ST
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 8:43am

Is this what married life is like?

KhakiPete's picture

Kick it up to 127 proof

AM
(Monkey, 30
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 8:56am

Kick it up to 127 proof Booker's. That's the good stuff!

IlliniProgrammer's picture

Every morning, I give up

ST
(Almost Human, 9,258
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 8:58am

Every morning, I give up drinking.

Every evening at around 6 PM, I pick up another beer.

Work hard, play hard.

Onetwobit's picture

are you not a fan of beer?

CF
(Orangutan, 256
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 8:58am

are you not a fan of beer? 2-3 every night keeps me relatively sane, doesn't punish the wallet, and practically puts me to sleep.

In reply to tmur
BlackHat's picture

tmur: are you not a fan of

HF
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 9:03am
tmur:

are you not a fan of beer? 2-3 every night keeps me relatively sane, doesn't punish the wallet, and practically puts me to sleep.

2-3 beers before bed every night? Epic beer gut?

I hate victims who respect their executioners

Follow BH & Co. on Twitter: @DumbLuckCapital
twitter.com/DumbLuckCapital

Febreeze's picture

(No subject)

(King Kong, 1,158
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 9:06am

sk8247365's picture

How long have you not had a

PE
(Gorilla, 528
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 9:14am

How long have you not had a drink so far? The thing most people forget is that drinking every night and getting to a half liter causes one life-long problem: alcoholism (alcohol dependence).

Good luck; my bet is you break in less than a week and get smashed. If not, you are a better person than most.

In reply to BlackHat
Onetwobit's picture

BlackHat: tmur: are you not

CF
(Orangutan, 256
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 9:29am
BlackHat:
tmur:

are you not a fan of beer? 2-3 every night keeps me relatively sane, doesn't punish the wallet, and practically puts me to sleep.

2-3 beers before bed every night? Epic beer gut?

not at all, a beer with dinner, a beer when watching TV / on computer finishing shit up.

should also say not 'every' night, but at least a couple times a week.

mdk6c's picture

Been dry since 2005. Getting

(Baboon, 167
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 9:56am

Been dry since 2005.

Getting hammered was fun in college, but it loses its luster a few years after graduation, as your time becomes more constrained.

The hardest part about quitting is explaining it to your friends. Nobody wants to be the boring sober guy.

Anomanderis's picture

Oh c'mon Eddie, take a few

ST
(Orangutan, 357
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 10:03am

Oh c'mon Eddie, take a few weeks off. Your liver is the one organ with the highest recovery rate in the human body, within 3-ish months, you should be good as gold, and your tolerance should be back to normal.

Also - try some pot. I know, it's illegal, but it's likely to help your relationship with the missus.

But Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, Rhaegar fought bravely.

And Rhaegar died.

In reply to BlackHat
UFOinsider's picture

I'm happy for you. Good

O
(Human, 10,462
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 10:05am

I'm happy for you. Good luck. Drinking+partying hard is cool/fun when you're young, then it just becomes sad. A 25 year old kid doubts this, but then again...look at the corny shit you did when you were five that you realize as silly now. It's the same with partying. There's so much more to life, and having a clear head opens up all sorts of options.

Good luck dude

I just had my first UFO experience.

I called my wife fat while we were making dinner.

Flying saucers everywhere XD

In reply to Anomanderis
UFOinsider's picture

Anomanderis: Also - try some

O
(Human, 10,462
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 10:08am
Anomanderis:

Also - try some pot. I know, it's illegal, but it's likely to help your relationship with the missus.

Please explain, I have limited experience with that. I hear this all the time but want details. Care to share?

I just had my first UFO experience.

I called my wife fat while we were making dinner.

Flying saucers everywhere XD

dave742's picture

Nobody likes a

(Monkey, 59
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 10:19am

Nobody likes a quitter...

Seriously though, I go sober for one month every year (usually Feb because it is the shortest month). You feel so much better, it's incredible. Tough for me to cut out booze as I am a single guy living in SoHo and every conceivable social activity revolves around booze...but I could see myself cutting it completely if I were in your shoes. Consider a physical activity to help with the boredom and fill the void.

dwight schrute's picture

Sounds like a long and

(Gorilla, 676
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 10:21am

Sounds like a long and illustrious relationship. Like any relationship, it's important that you choose to end it before it ends you. Best of luck.

Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art - Andy Warhol

Hooked on LEAPS's picture

I'm beginning to question

ER
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 10:38am

I'm beginning to question your sanity Eddie.

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. - Friedrich Nietzsche

melvvvar's picture

coming from a family full of

(King Kong, 1,693
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 10:39am
Unforseen's picture

I'm 23 and the worst thing

(King Kong, 1,127
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 11:52am

Check out my Blog

In reply to UFOinsider
Anomanderis's picture

UFOinsider: Anomanderis: Al

ST
(Orangutan, 357
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 11:04am

But Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, Rhaegar fought bravely.

And Rhaegar died.

Anomanderis's picture

Also - in the name of strong

ST
(Orangutan, 357
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 11:07am

But Rhaegar fought valiantly, Rhaegar fought nobly, Rhaegar fought bravely.

And Rhaegar died.

TerpStreeter's picture

RIP alcohol? Cmon man give it

HF
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 11:07am
Senvik's picture

Something you may want to

 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 11:28am

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." - IlliniProgrammer

turtles's picture

Edmundo Braverman: For me,

IB
(Neanderthal, 2,961
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 11:31am

Just saying...

WSOusername's picture

have you considered the

 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 11:34am

GBS

ballmouse's picture

At one point in my life,

 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 11:44am
Febreeze's picture

This thread makes me want to

(King Kong, 1,158
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 11:45am
peterg's picture

Kudos to you Eddie.

IB
(Baboon, 140
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 11:49am
Abdel's picture

This is not too

O
(Neanderthal, 2,064
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 12:11pm
Johnny Ringo's picture

Edmundo Braverman: "I have

HF
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 12:22pm

Eventus stultorum magister.

808's picture

I'm in my mid-twenties and

CF
(Gorilla, 714
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 12:57pm

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/group/big-4-accounting
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/group/entrepreneur
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/group/wso-pittsburgh

labanker's picture

My personal view is that most

PE
(Orangutan, 333
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 1:33pm
21 Lives's picture

Edmundo Braverman: ...So on

(Orangutan, 266
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 2:21pm

My WSO Blog

"Unbelievably Believable" -- RG3

Edmundo Braverman's picture

Uncle Eddie's Guide to Rum

ST
(Human, 14,702
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 2:53pm

In reply to Johnny Ringo
TheSquale's picture

Johnny Ringo: Edmundo

AM
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 2:56pm
Hayek's picture

Good for you Eddie. A

CO
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 3:28pm
In reply to EarTotheStreet
Edmundo Braverman's picture

EarTotheStreet: Is this what

ST
(Human, 14,702
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 3:28pm

In reply to sk8247365
Edmundo Braverman's picture

sk8247365: How long have you

ST
(Human, 14,702
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 3:32pm

In reply to UFOinsider
Edmundo Braverman's picture

UFOinsider: I'm happy for

ST
(Human, 14,702
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 3:33pm

In reply to Hooked on LEAPS
Edmundo Braverman's picture

Hooked on LEAPS: I'm

ST
(Human, 14,702
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 3:34pm

In reply to GoldmanBallSachs
Edmundo Braverman's picture

GoldmanBallSachs: have you

ST
(Human, 14,702
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 3:36pm

In reply to Febreeze
Edmundo Braverman's picture

Febreeze: This thread makes

ST
(Human, 14,702
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 3:36pm

In reply to 808
808's picture

808: I'm in my mid-twenties

CF
(Gorilla, 714
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 4:26pm

http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/group/big-4-accounting
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/group/entrepreneur
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/group/wso-pittsburgh

In reply to Anomanderis
Downeasta's picture

Anomanderis: UFOinsider:

IB
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 4:47pm
In reply to Edmundo Braverman
sk8247365's picture

Edmundo

PE
(Gorilla, 528
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 4:46pm
In reply to Edmundo Braverman
sk8247365's picture

Double post

PE
(Gorilla, 528
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 4:47pm
In reply to Downeasta
Edmundo Braverman's picture

Downeasta: Anomanderis: U

ST
(Human, 14,702
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 5:53pm

Frieds's picture

Eddie, while I wish you the

AM
(Neanderthal, 2,547
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 5:55pm
In reply to Frieds
Edmundo Braverman's picture

Frieds: Eddie, while I wish

ST
(Human, 14,702
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 6:18pm

Frieds's picture

Eddie, If I ever make it to

AM
(Neanderthal, 2,547
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 6:32pm
In reply to Edmundo Braverman
In The Flesh's picture

Edmundo

HF
(Neanderthal, 2,883
 
Points)
 on 7/10/12 at 9:35pm

Head of Metal Website: www.headofmetal.com

https://twitter.com/headofmetal2012

trade4trade's picture

no one likes a quitter

O
(Monkey, 54
 
Points)
 on 7/11/12 at 12:43am

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