Six Packs & Tracks

Gulp!

Just listened to some random tracks on my Itunes. Man, almost all the songs have been accompanied by some cold beverage at some point in my life. From Jazz to thundering House Music tracks, there's been a Jamesons on the rocks, a Jose Cuervo, a Heineken, a... you get the point.

My question is WHY?

Last week I had a chat with a very good friend of mine about what could be the 'triggers', how one thing can lead to another and you end up trashed in a club at 1am, the morning you're supposed to go to work... There was a point where just the majestic, picturesque, golden, yummy sun going down would mean hurrying to our MDs balcony (Yup, our Managing Director) for a quick glass of Chardonnay. Just hearing 'Sunny' by Sis n' Jones got me so excited, I'd make a call to said friend and within the hour we'd be downing a few shots.

You are an alcoholic! I hear you say.

Well, ummm...to that I'd umm, say... you're probably right. I hope you're wrong, but you could be right.
In my defence, I'd say the music made me do it. A good DJ can 'make' me drink copious amounts of alcohol. He (what's up DJ Kent!) just needs to know the right buttons to push.

You see, when some people look forward to a Friday as their excuse to down a few, in my industry... (see how I'm introducing another thing with which to defend myself. I would have made a great lawyer. Pity I also have ADD). But I digress. As I was saying, in my industry (Note: for later!), drinking during office hours is no issue. As long as you deliver the goods! And I've been able to, for the past 14 years. No problem.

Oh, I forgot to tell you, dear reader, I haven't had a single drink in  4 weeks. At first I said I was 'detoxing', but then sat down with myself. Gave me and good talking to. The truth came out. This was not about some bullshit detox. This was me finding the 'trigger'. This was me worrying that I had lost control. In 4 weeks I isolated the few triggers that I've mentioned. But wait, there's more:

• Stressfull Work Environment
• My easy-going industry
• The company of good friends

So, in the 4 weeks, I've been able to, from a distance, see myself as a non-drinker. And I realise that I still enjoy my own company, as well as that of my friends. Even though I missed not having an ice-cold beer when I felt like it. I also realised that I don't need alcohol to face my demons. And that work is also just 9-5, I shouldn't take it too seriously. And now for the music. Will I survive the music. Some tracks are just not the same without a glass of a drank in my hand. Monday the 7th is the day I allow myself to drink again. I'll be a lot more adult about it this time around. Cheers!