As someone who started drinking in his mid-30's, this rings very true to me. I wasn't coming from a religious or moralizing mindset, I just hated the feeling of not being fully in control. But as the post states - control or the lack thereof is a range, and that range is vast. It's not an either-or choice of being utterly rigid or being falling down drunk. Reading someone doing the opposite of most these days - choosing to say "yes" to alcohol in experiential ways rather than saying "no", exploring what this stuff is and how it can be used in socially constructive ways that no other substance can mimic, it's a great counter to the paralyzation so many are feeling about the mere existence of the stuff. Just be present and real, and alcohol can't turn you into a raging monster or embarassing wreck, unless that's actually what you're drinking it for.
Yes! I can see that - the allure of "drinking for" something. But honestly, we could probably use any substance if we wanted. Even something as simple as "righteous indignation" could be used to turn someone into a raging monster.
I think that nuance has probably been one of the most overwhelming things I've been learning since starting the wine journey.
Asking experts and "looking stupid" is half the battle when it comes to learning about wine! We spend about half our time on each 😂. Glad to hear it's been such a positive experience opening your life up to wine – the world is definitely a better place because of wine with friends. Cheers!
This makes me so happy! It reminds me of that last line in Ulysses by James Joyce, spoken by Molly Bloom: "then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.” Wine is life-affirming!
Okay. I hate to admit that this is one of those books I was supposed to read (as an English major), but didn't...maybe now I'm actually mature enough for it.
As someone who started drinking in his mid-30's, this rings very true to me. I wasn't coming from a religious or moralizing mindset, I just hated the feeling of not being fully in control. But as the post states - control or the lack thereof is a range, and that range is vast. It's not an either-or choice of being utterly rigid or being falling down drunk. Reading someone doing the opposite of most these days - choosing to say "yes" to alcohol in experiential ways rather than saying "no", exploring what this stuff is and how it can be used in socially constructive ways that no other substance can mimic, it's a great counter to the paralyzation so many are feeling about the mere existence of the stuff. Just be present and real, and alcohol can't turn you into a raging monster or embarassing wreck, unless that's actually what you're drinking it for.
Yes! I can see that - the allure of "drinking for" something. But honestly, we could probably use any substance if we wanted. Even something as simple as "righteous indignation" could be used to turn someone into a raging monster.
I think that nuance has probably been one of the most overwhelming things I've been learning since starting the wine journey.
Asking experts and "looking stupid" is half the battle when it comes to learning about wine! We spend about half our time on each 😂. Glad to hear it's been such a positive experience opening your life up to wine – the world is definitely a better place because of wine with friends. Cheers!
Thank you. It absolutely is. And it's also oddly refreshing to be forced into a "beginner's mind."
This makes me so happy! It reminds me of that last line in Ulysses by James Joyce, spoken by Molly Bloom: "then he asked me would I yes to say yes my mountain flower and first I put my arms around him yes and drew him down to me so he could feel my breasts all perfume yes and his heart was going like mad and yes I said yes I will Yes.” Wine is life-affirming!
Thanks! I love that.
Okay. I hate to admit that this is one of those books I was supposed to read (as an English major), but didn't...maybe now I'm actually mature enough for it.
Quite the contrary! It required the stamina of a 22-year old just to get through it... I'm now 45 and it would take me a year in the attempt 😂
hahahahaha! This does not bode well! I better get started now.