stirring the pot (I hope not!)

[solo1]

When I was in the Army I got into a bad habit............I drank. In fact I drank in excess on many occasions.
Not an alcoholic but 'one of the guys'.

When i came back I tapered off and now, for many years, I do one drink, generally a scotch n soda, or a Dark and Stormy, or a beer.  Alcohol is not our best friend, although I thought so when I was in Korea.

I've attended a few VRCC events and I perceive that, for some, it's not a good event unless you get 'pukin' drunk so you can brag about it.  The good part is I've only observed one instance where someone was drinking and riding, VRCCR's are wise about not mixing the two.

I've also been to a large number of wedding receptions.  I've noted that people who attend 'dry' receptions seem to have as much fun as those that attend 'wet' receptions.  When my daughter got married, I determined that, since I was paying for it, i would control the booze.  it was a wet reception but the booze was cut off early.  Everyone had a great time to my knowledge.

I'm just throwing this out with no judgement.  However, if I had a choice of attending a gathering where the attendees had a reasonable amount of reason (?) or an event that  advertises a 'pukin' good time, my personal choice would be to go to the one where the conversations would be honest and pleasant, laid back with just the right amount of imbibing, and with no alcohol talking.

At a newly acquired 87 years, I decided to be honest on this touchy subject.  Right or wrong, that's me.  I'm too old to change my mind 

Wayne, solo1

[Jess from VA]

Wayne, many of us drank to excess in our youth.  All thru undergrad I went to three cheap-pitcher-nights a week, all on school nights.  Of course, this also included girl chasing.  I have my share of funny (stupid) stories (like five of us drinking 35 pitchers of beer at a local pub).

Now I hardly touch the stuff.  Never had a problem, but I don't much care to drink alone (beyond the very occasional one or two), and won't drink and drive (it used to be one, now it's none).  And hangovers in my advancing years are far worse than in my youth.

When I attend VRCC or other riding events, I enjoy having a few beers with the fellows at the motel (after the riding), but because I am so out of practice, I am no longer sober after 3-4 beers.  Like many other aspects of aging, I am slowly returning to childhood.  

[solo1]

Jess, I thought long and hard about posting this.  Some will probably get the impression that I frown on drinking, that's not the case.

Unfortunately, i've seen the results of drinking in excess, alcoholism.

My wife's dad was an alcoholic, My uncle was too.  When i was 18 I worked in a store with a 60 year old who could down a pint of whiskey in one attempt.  He later set the store on fire, a complete loss.

My idea of a good place for alcohol was when I sat down with John Schmidt on the balcony at Bellaire and we both discussed our problems over a cold Scotch and soda.  A most relaxing time for generating new friendships.  No raucous noise, no drunken Bs, just friend on friend.

[HurstRob]

Never drank much, guess I am too much of a control freak. When we ride I generally have my one beer early if its a gathering; and then I am fine 2-3 hours later.

[MP]

I think a lot of us drank to excess in our youth!  

And, most of us have tapered waaaay off in later years.  I sure have.

I have been to a number of VRCC Inzanes since I got my Valk.  I have seen drinking, I have done a little.  However, I have really only seen a couple of people total really drunk.  i.e., on the verge on being unable to walk.

These were late in the day or night.  Non riding.  I stay away from them.  To me, if they are not riding, and not bothering me, or anyone else, it matters little to me.  It certainly is NOT the VRCC's responsibility to babysit them.

If they are unsafe, or interrupting the VRCC event, then it is the VRCC's job to move them out.  But, I have never seen it go that far.  If they want to sit around the parking lot, or in the bar, or the rooms, and drink to excess, it is their business.

MP

[R J]

I was almost an alcoholic in Korea.   90 days of convalescent leave put an end to that and then being hired as a CHP.     CHP, you had to be sober 24/7, in reality, you were on duty 24/7.

I never missed the stuff once I got off of it.      Last time anything of that nature crossed my lips was 50+ years ago.     I have forgotten the actual count and I'm too damn lazy to figure it  out.

[Jess from VA]

It is a worthy discussion.

That said, there are enough people at big events so everyone can do what they want.

I do recall one occasion of trying to arbitrate between the late night drinking crowd and an irate motel night manager.  No one was happy, and no one got punched, but the police were not called.

At some point, people paying for a room (reasonably) expect to be able to sleep.

[Chrisj CMA]

The cost of or type of alcohol is not what determines if its ok or a bad thing.  Its the behavior of the drinker period.  The substance is not evil or bad or the problem, its the user of the substance that is always the problem.  You can get just as much in jail from a fine bourbon or a cheap Boons Farm.

Don't drink and Ride...that's just stupid and its why I avoid the Legion Riders in our area.

[cookiedough]

drinking is fine, but not to excess.

Haven't really done that since college, don't see the need anymore.

Worst was when I bought in high school class trip a few hundred bucks of booze filling up a bathtub in the room underage (missed 18 drinking age, was 21 and still is)  bought illegally in liquor store and passed out on the poddy in my hotel room after drinking darn near a full bottle of root beer schnapps by myself. 

didn't help the chaperones of one of my classmates were both alcoholics themselves. 

MOST kids in high school nowadays, at least in my area unlike some 20-30 years ago,  they do not drink at all nor smoke.  That was not the case way back when.  They don't have time to drink or smoke or do drugs,  they are all to busy texting and snapchatting all day long. 

[old2soon]

I was in the Navy and-YES-at times I drank too cursed much. When I was younger I worked a hangover off on a motocross bike! Also while in the Navy found out 100% oxygen worked wonders on a hangover. These days cause of my senior citizen status AND the meds I take one or two beers in the evening AFTER the M/C or cage is parked and locked THEN I imbibe. Or moderate amount of GOOD whiskey or some nice wine. I DO NOT get drunk anymore JUST to get drunk-I used to do dat but no more!  And like Jess stated-it hurts too cursed much anymore to get drunk.  Takes m longer now to drink a 12 oz bottle of barley water so I use a cozy to keep it cool longer.  My brother and I been fishing a LOT of times at 0300 or 0400 and have barley water for breakfast. NOT recently though!  We go fishing that early we take coffee now!  RIDE SAFE.

[solo1]

I'm glad that I started this thread. As I suspected, most of us learned from our younger days and not to imbibe 'way too much at an older age.
If others want to do it, ok by me as long as they don't carry on out side my motel room when I'm trying to sleep.

Yeah, Dennis, i used to also use the motor pool's oxygen tank on the welding rig (not the acetylene  ) it helped the results from a hangover.

[RainMaker]

I can remember (somehow) being totally blotto after more than a few beers, glasses of wine or shots of whiskey as a younger version of myself.  Never drove under those conditions and now have a maybe glass of wine every 2 weeks or so. 

My theory is that as we kill off the stupid brain cells by drinking too much, the smart ones take over and keep us from drinking like we did when we were younger.

[Willow]

I'm probably an exception.  As a much younger man I drank more than was reasonable.  I never really learned to enjoy drinking alcohol.  The only reason I drank was to get the drug into my system.  I once told people that when I drank I needed three people with me; one to apologize that I was coming and two to apologize that I'd been.

As an adult, at least chronologically, I stopped drinking alcohol.  It's simply something I can do without.  For me it's something I should do without.  I'm sure that's not necessarily universally true.  

At a good time gathering I'm pretty sure I have about as good a time as some who won't remember what a good time they had.          

[John Schmidt]

......My idea of a good place for alcohol was when I sat down with John Schmidt on the balcony at Bellaire and we both discussed our problems over a cold Scotch and soda.  A most relaxing time for generating new friendships.  No raucous noise, no drunken Bs, just friend on friend.

Wayne, that is one of my fond memories for sure. Sitting there in the quiet of the evening and looking out over the adjoining wooded area, and chatting about the challenges of our lives. My own drinking habits of years past seem to mirror those of others when young. It was never heavy and I can only recall being drunk once. Was when I was stationed in Denver in the USAF, we went up to this one watering hole at about the 12k foot level. As a 19 yr. old I could only drink 3.2 beer, but at that elevation three beers hit me like a 2x4 across the temple. That's the last time I've been done in by any kind of liquor. These days, my wife and I will often have a small glass of wine with our dinner if we eat out, and usually leave part of it. Other times, she will split a 7 oz. bottle of Coronita with me. Most of the time, a bottle of wine in our house will turn to vinegar before its finished. The six pack of Coronita we bought nearly 3 weeks ago still has four left in the fridge. I guess you could say it isn't an important part of our lives. 

[MarkT]

I'm a light social drinker.  Never get drunk - just not "in my wheelhouse".  Blecch - stupid cliche.  I do sometimes host Markarita sessions on group rides - when the riding is done for the day, at the hotel. I have a good recipe for fans of Buffet's signature libation. But have complete respect for teetotelers, who have learned it's not for them.  As for drinking and riding - I limit to 2.  Not going to not have a glass of wine with dinner just because I'm riding.  Drinking and driving has never been an issue for me - never exceed 2 and there's no problem.  I have no tolerence for clubs that do poker runs with a beer or drink at every stop.  There's plenty of clubs like that around here.  Almost all on American iron.

[Robert]

The last time I was drunk it was Boones Farm Apple wine and I had a hangover for 4 days when I was 18. That was the last time, a few years later the wife and I polished a bottle of wine off on dinner. I Thought about it and said no more although the taste was OK drinking never really did anything for me. When I was younger I saw to many lives changed and destroyed. My friends grandfather used to get drunk beat his wife My friends father would have to defend her. I don't think the emotional healing was ever accomplished in his fathers life. One of my first girlfriends her father and mother both went to the bars got drunk. The father would beat the wife in front of the kids then beat the kids. My grandmother was a closet drunk but it would change her personality, I never knew till I went to her house for lunch and change into someone I didn't like. There have been a few other friends that the father drank, sometimes the mothers would and it never ended well. It left a mark on the family that stayed for generations. So to me I didn't like the taste and didn't like what happened to people when they did drink so it became something I have pretty much always chose not to do. Its expensive, no health benefit, in fact can destroy your health so that pretty much sealed it for me. I don't judge and don't care about anyone wanting a beer or drink its their choice. Beer also just never appealed to me. But because of what I have seen, I came up with a personal belief, if I need to drink to have a good time then there's something wrong.

[solo1]

I came up with a personal belief, if I need to drink to have a good time then there's something wrong.

Quote by Robert.

 

[Chrisj CMA]

no health benefit, in fact can destroy your health

Yes, obviously over consuming alcohol can and will destroy your health.  However, there have been multiple reports lately by reliable research finding that a glass or two of wine or a small amount of beer is actually good for you.  Just remember the rule that REALLY doesn't apply here.  

If a little is good then more must be better.  

[solo1]

I generally have one small glass of wine with my supper (dinner to some).

For me, ONE is the catch word.   

[Big Rig]

Hit the booze pretty heavey when I was young and dumb...I will on occasion have a cocktail, but not in excess...which in itself is a funny word...it means different things to different people.

Wayne, I do not think you are stirring the pot, I think it is great conversation starter. It helps us all understand where we are from and where we are today.

I will have a couple cocktails and cigar while playing golf and not driving home. Cigars only if I am driving, and I am ALWAYS driving. I am the only person I trust when it comes to NOT drinking.

I NEVER drink and ride, I have asked others that ride with me and my group not come back if the alcohol is that important to them. One beer for some turns Dr. Jekyle into Mr. Hyde!

If I am drinking, I drink Appleton's rum and Cranberry.

Ride Safe,
Big Rig

[solo1]

It's amazing in this long life that I've had.  I didn't drink much before I went into the Army.  i quit drinking too much after I got out.

My philosophy today has reverted back to my young days. Nothing better explains my attitude today than this little true story, I remember it like it was yesterday.  It's a gentle reminder to me of what really counts in my life.  Sorta hijackin' my own thread but i can do that



                                                     The Good Ole Days


I  pointed the Matchless down the alley. It was the end of another ‘plonking’ and the ‘sweet smell of summer’ day..  I stopped the Flying M in front of Mr. Clarks old ramshackle garage,  I leaned the bike on its sidestand making sure it wouldn’t roll forward as the sidestand was spring loaded and the slightest twitch would let the spring pull the stand up with the resulting bike on its side and a  dumb sh** exclamation.

I opened one side of the double doors, got back on the bike, rode it inside, and with one last  satisfied whiff of the newly cleaned gunk enhanced engine, I reluctantly pulled the compression release to quiet the Matchless for the day.  It was a very pleasant ride but at the end of the day, I felt perhaps a little more pleasantness would be very helpful.. Hastily, I closed the door of the garage and set off down the alley.  It was a short walk to the neighborhood tavern.

A few minutes later I opened the door of “Todds Place” and walked in.. Todds Place had the old fashioned sights and smells of  taverns of that 1940’s era. The smell of stale beer mixed with the somewhat musty odor of an old basement.  No air conditioning just dim lights, and quiet conversation, no juke box playing, no loud talk.  It was  a relaxing place to enjoy one or more cool ones.

I  sat down on one of the stools at the bar.  The bar was solid walnut, marred by dents caused by thousands of beer glasses banging down as their owners made a point during their conversations.  The brass rail under my feet was polished from years of supporting shoes and feet after a hard day's work.

The planked floor trembled as Jerry Helmsing, a really big guy and the owner, came ambling over to take my order. It might’ve been Todds Place but Jerry was the owner. Todds Place was sorta like ‘Duffy’s Tavern’ in that Duffy never was there…..You know “Duffy’s Tavern,  This is Archie, Duffy ain’t here”  I never found out why it was called Todds Place.

I gave Jerry my usual order;  A Carlings Black Label and a braunschweiger on rye with extra mustard.   In no time Jerry brought me the sandwich and an ice cold Carlings.  Mabel would’ve been proud!  Jerry wiped his hands on his tent size apron, we talked a little about riding, and then he went on to other customers.

I could feel myself relaxing even more as I wrapped myself around that simple but good sandwich and drank the Black Label.  Ordering another beer, I almost was lulled to sleep by the totally relaxed and siesta like ‘easy does it’ quietness of “Todds Place’

Time to go, I paid the tab, got up and walked the short block to Mom and Dads house with the full intention of doing this again. Ride first, Todds Place second!

And so I did.  Fond memories of days long gone.

[Hef]

I am 66 years old and have never touched the stuff for the following reason: My dad was a great man, father, and husband. He would drink a beer like I would a soda and for the most part it was never an issue. However, when he would get angry with my mother he would get drunk and then I would see him as a person who I could in no way relate to my father. When drunk he would do and say things I could not believe. Because of that I promised myself to never start with anything which could have that kind of control over me. Thankfully, after a real negative event involving drinking my father gave up drinking which was one of the greatest things I have to look back at and be proud of him for. I have friends who drink and know that I don't. We accept that about each other and continue to be great friends. As a side note - I will say that those who like to brag about how much they drink or how drunk they get do get under my skin and I choose to distance myself from that crowd.

[BF]

Wayne, many of us drank to excess in our youth.  All thru undergrad I went to three cheap-pitcher-nights a week, all on school nights.  Of course, this also included girl chasing.  I have my share of funny (stupid) stories (like five of us drinking 35 pitchers of beer at a local pub).

Now I hardly touch the stuff.  Never had a problem, but I don't much care to drink alone (beyond the very occasional one or two), and won't drink and drive (it used to be one, now it's none).  And hangovers in my advancing years are far worse than in my youth.

When I attend VRCC or other riding events, I enjoy having a few beers with the fellows at the motel (after the riding), but because I am so out of practice, I am no longer sober after 3-4 beers.  Like many other aspects of aging, I am slowly returning to childhood.  

Ditto what Jess said.  Was a dumbass when young and stupid, but now, not so much.  

Not much of a drinker....been that way for decades now.  

However, I will have a wine or margarita when out to dinner every once in a while.....but that's about the extent of it for me.  

You're free to do whatever you want IMO as long as what you want doesn't effect me or mine or others.  

[bill-jr]

I don't drink to much I drink just enough.....

[Big Al of Tennessee]

You are not stirring the pot, not at all.

Good points made by each post.

I am Al, no I am not an Alcoholic, and it still damn near did me in.








I have not done any thing with alcohol in 1 year and 9 months.



NOAH, got off the Ark, grew a vine yard and got drunk. Go figure.

The Bible says nothing from cover to cover about drinking being evil.

Jesus 1st miracle was turning H2O into WINE.

Proverbs says a man is not wise that tarries long, at drink that strirreth in the glass.

That's it.

Solo 1 have a drink on me, if you can control it, it is most, definitely not evil.

 
 

[MP]

Congrats, Al.  Keep up the good work.

[Robert]

Psa_104:15  And wine which makes man's heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man's heart.

Pro_3:10  So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Like all said here the excess is the problem, but the bible does mention about drink or wine even many more times than these.

Nah_1:10  Like tangled thorns, And like those who are drunken with their drink, They are consumed As stubble completely withered.

Eph 5:18  Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

Rom_13:13  Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

Gal_5:21  envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1Pe_4:3  For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.

[Alien]

Solo1, I agree completely.  I certainly do not drink like I used to, though I do still enjoy a couple of beers from time to time.  There was a point in my life where I would put down a 12 pack in an evening maybe 2-3 times a week and still be up bright and early for work the next day.  Now if I have more than 2 beers in an evening I feel like something out of Tarzan's loin cloth for the whole day.  

A bigger issue though, is that some people undergo a complete jekyl and hyde change in their personalities once the booze hits.  They are the ones to watch out for.  I count myself lucky that even in my heaviest drinking days, my personality remained the same but for some it is a very different story.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[ptgb]

In my business,    I deal with drunken idiots on, literally, a daily basis. It has gotten to the point with me that I can't stand being around others when they are drunk...unless I am as well.


Depends on the crowd, the event, and the ancillaries (don't have to drive, not get up early, etc), but I will tie one on once or twice a year (sometimes 3), and actually have a pretty good time with the others who chose to imbibe as well.

 

 

[Crackerborn]

I am a beer snob and have been for years. I drink a beer or two for the taste, typically after supper and when reclined in a comfortable environment. The alcohol relaxes me for a better nights sleep (except when over hydrated, darn trips to the head), and if the concoction is not to my liking, I just let someone else have the rest of them. Since I brew, I have a fair idea of the hops and malt combinations I prefer in a bottle. I learned long ago that you and I can have drinks or not, if there isn't a common thread for conversation, the conversation will suffer.

 Driving after a brew? What, haven't you realized yet.....They really are out to get you so don't increase the odds in their favor!!!!!

[RONNIEB]

Spent some years with.three gears, sleep work and drunk. Haven't done that in above twenty years. Still have an occasional but no drunk.

[Hooter]

     I am not differrent than anyone else and drank my share. I also got to the dangerous edge of drugs as well. I woke up one Sunday and didn't know what I did from Friday evening until I woke up in my own bed on Sunday evening. I had no idea where I was, who I was with, or, what I had done all weekend.. Drugs and booze just don't mix! (IF people choose to drink / do drugs it's their gig. Do what your want I am not preaching here just telling a story.)
     I had a new car at the time and after I woke up I went out and looked at it,,,,,no damage. What a dumb ass I was!!!
     I quit the drugs and only drank with my buddies on a social level. The hard part was that I was at the time and still am a musician (bass player of over 35 years).  We were and still are in the bars and clubs almost every weekend, and sometimes during the week.  Both my evils were and are always there and presented to me.

     Back to the "wake up". 10 months after my mystery weekend and figuring I was gonna be dead if I didn't turn things around and do something with my life, I decided to start a career in   . I also became a fire fighter. I had a good job and liked the people I worked with but the atmosphere wasn't a good one. So I moved on to LE and FF an never have looked back. I still play bass in a classic rock band and have more fun watching the drunks and druggers than being one. I have all but quit drinking and the drugs have been non existent since my mystery weekend.
     I enjoy what I do and get to help people on a daily basis. I AM NOT BETTER THAN ANYONE but I have quite a colorful past. REALITY CAN SOMETIMES BE A SCARY THING! I worked my way up through the ranks in LE to road Sgt until I retired after 28 years. I am currently enjoying my job as chief of the fire department I started in. It's also the station my grandfather was chief of in the early 60s.  I had to change my life around or I am afraid I wouldn't be here.
 

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Psa_104:15  And wine which makes man's heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man's heart.

Pro_3:10  So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Like all said here the excess is the problem, but the bible does mention about drink or wine even many more times than these.

Nah_1:10  Like tangled thorns, And like those who are drunken with their drink, They are consumed As stubble completely withered.

Eph 5:18  Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

Rom_13:13  Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

Gal_5:21  envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1Pe_4:3  For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.

Thanks Robert, I stand corrected and proud to be aware of a feller that knows his Bible.

Remember they called Jesus a  Glutton and a Wine Bibber. Jesus ate, and drank.

Drunkedness, being always inebriated is the problem as the verses stated.

If a man or woman can control themselves and not get drunk every time they imbibe.

What really is the harm. Drink is not evil, it is what is in the heart of man, that is the

problem. Without becoming a preacher, the heart problem can be fixed by the Great

Physician, but you already know that. He already did my heart fix, Glory.