Bulletin from The Bar None: After yesterday’s binge (and today’s hangover), i’ve realized i can’t afford to keep drinking. Can’t afford to on a financial level, spiritual level, mental level and relationship level…
The Bar None will still be open for business as unusual, with the added bonus that you get to hear about my struggles with staying dry, but not high. Wish me luck…
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About Al K Hall
Like a battered drinker or a punch drunk boxer, i am here for another round.
For those of you who don’t know me, i’m a semi-professional writer on the rocks and a non-practicing alcoholic (if after 30 years of practicing, you still can't do something well, it's best to just give it up). For those of you who do know me, thanks for stopping by anyway and where’s the ten bucks you owe me?
Welcome to my Bar None. A hole in the wall where we can hang out and trade the kind of stories you swap only when you’ve had one too many and either can’t find your way home or are afraid to. Hell, it’s cheaper than therapy and plus the pictures are prettier. Here we’ll crack open bottles and jokes and ‘last call’ are the only dirty words you’ll never hear.
Pull up a stool and make yourselves at home.
http://about.me/AlKHall
View all posts by Al K Hall
June 14th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
good for you!!
June 14th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Thanks Erin!
It’s nice to see you back!
Thanks for patronizing me, Babe,
Al K Hall
June 14th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
I know this will probably be the hardest thing you will ever do and if there is any way I can mak it easier fr you, I’m there for you brother.
June 15th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Ken! My brother!
So far so good, but i’ll let you know if i need you to shoot me in the head or something, later.
Thanks for patronizing me and getting my back, Brother!
Al K Hall
June 15th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Wish you all the best, you got all my blessings buddy!
June 15th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Thanks for the support, Babe! Good to know so many good friends are out there!
Al K Hall
June 15th, 2010 at 1:21 am
Glad to see you jumping ship! There’s life after alcohol, my friend. After 9 days of withdrawal, you’ll start feeling great. I promise. I never want to go back to that nightmare.
June 15th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Yeah, i’m not sure i’ll be feeling great with all the shit i got goin’ on in my life right now. Alls i need is to try and keep my head above water and those bottles of extra baggage were sure weighing me down. i’m not asking for easier, just for not so damn hard. Glad you’re around to give me the benefit of your experiences, brother!
Al K Hall
June 15th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Quitting drinking doesn’t make your other problems go away, but it does make them a lot clearer. And looking at problems with a clear head is a much better way to solve them (or alleviate) them in the long term.
Just ride out the first 9 days. It will get better.
June 15th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Hanging on during those first 9 days…tomorrow’s the first big challenge: lunch with clients and a bottle of wine waiting for me when i get there.
June 15th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Ok. You’re gonna need an excuse for this one. No need to pour your heart out to your clients. My advice: Lie. Tell them as the bottle is being opened that you’re on some medication for a few days that can’t be mixed with alcohol. Don’t go into the details — nobody should be prying into your medical history.
Then, as best you can, go into ‘observer mode.’ Count how much they drink. Watch as their demeanor changes. View it with the objectivity of a scientist. You can be funny sober, Al.
June 15th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Sounds like a plan! Thanks for the advice, Brother. i’ll pour a glass of water first thing when i sit down and the lying tack sounds like the best one to take.
Al K Hall
PS Sure i’m funny sober, but looks aren’t everything…
June 15th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Cool. The important thing is: if they’re expecting you to drink, make a personal statement before the topic of your not drinking comes up. “Sorry guys, can’t imbibe today, doctor gave me some meds” and before they can respond, ask one of the guys a question (e.g., “how’s your wife?”) so the topic is deflected.
June 15th, 2010 at 1:36 am
Hey brother, that’s awesome news!!! I hope you succeed in your quest to stay dry!!!
I’ll have a drink to your success!!
Oh, yeah, probably shouldn’t rub it in. Sorry bout that. I’ll ask the wife to whip me later on tonight, just for that.
best of luck brother
June 15th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Hey Rodney!
1) Drink
2) Get the missus to whip you
3) Get more booze
4) Then rub it in…
Thanks for patronizing me, brother,
Al K Hall
June 15th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Good luck and Godspeed.
June 15th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Bubba!
Thanks for the good thoughts, Bubba. Godspeed to you too, son…
Al K Hall
June 15th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
I’m in your corner, I’m on your side, and whatever I can do to help you out, I am here.
Love,
Miss D
June 15th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
i gotta couple ideas of things you do to help me out! i’ll shjow you later!
AL K Hall
June 15th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Getting back to your roots.
“Who says you can’t go home” – JBJ
June 15th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
“I walk these streets, a loaded 6-string on my back / I play for keeps, because I might not make it back / I’ve been everywhere, still I’m standing tall / I’ve seen a million bottles, and i drank them all.”
—JBJ (Al K Hall)