| Author |
Topic: Honey, I'm drunk, why don't you drive. |
chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
|
Posted 25 May 2003 11:09 pm |
|
| Maybe I'm getting smarter or more responsible, finally. Laura and I were out were out to dinner for our 12th anniversary and I had had a few so while the valet was getting the car, she asked if I was ok to drive. Oh sure, I didn't drink that much, I can handle it. You're sure, I'm sure........A few miles down the road I was noticing my condition and I got to thinking that that's the woman I love and maybe this would be a good time to let her take over and I'll just enjoy the scenery. I'm not going to pontificate about drunk driving, having done it a few times myself, but this time I got it right. So I thought I would congratulate myelf in front of all of you. |
|
|
 |
Michael Johnstone
From:
Sylmar,Ca. USA
|
Posted 26 May 2003 12:21 am
|
|
| I can dig it.Due to the onset of a not so good medical condition,I've recently gone on a(probably permanent)hiatus from drink.It's something I've threatened to do for a while for lots of reasons and it feels good.Plus,I find I can still drive ok and play ok while sober. -MJ- |
|
|
|
David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
Posted 26 May 2003 3:30 am
|
|
Les conductors desiginée Is a great idea in general and even more so in France now.
There is a big crack down in the land of maniac drivers.
My region has the highest percentage of fatal accidents and I have seen some truely idiotic driving day and night.
Hey! I'm passing here, I get your lane now too till I'm done...
I stay more sober just to watch out for those guys.
They even do breathalizer road blocks at lunch time now.
Chas, more power to ya! And happy aniversary too.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 26 May 2003 at 04:31 AM.] |
|
|
|
CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
|
|
|
|
Paul Graupp
From:
Macon Ga USA
|
Posted 26 May 2003 5:54 am
|
|
From musical theory and steel guitars and now driving rules; chas: You are the best !!
Regards, Paul |
|
|
|
Ken Lang
From:
Simi Valley, Ca
|
Posted 26 May 2003 4:45 pm
|
|
MJ. I too have a condition where the elimination of spirited refreshment would be the better part of valour. Haven't yet reached it, but it's a goal.
I remember the 60's when when the favorite retort to someone who didn't imbibe was, "What, you mean when you get up in the morning that's the best you're gonna feel all day?"
Guess that line isn't funny anymore for the over the hill gang. I guess you could it was dead serious, both in health and things like driving from here to there.
All those years we finished the night with THE song, it's come home to roost.
"Turn out the lights, the party's over." |
|
|
|
Jeff A. Smith
From:
Angola,Ind. U.S.A.
|
Posted 26 May 2003 10:36 pm
|
|
I got popped back around '86 for a DUI, which they routinely reduced to a "reckless driving." (Somehow that sounds worse to me.) It came at the end of a period where I had pretty much decided I was going to drink as much as I wanted, whenever I wanted. By the time I was pulled over (for being about 7 mph over the speed limit), I had already kind of passed my peak period of intake. Drinking no longer had much fascination, negative or positive.
For some reason the night I was pulled over, I drank less than I usually did before driving home. I only clocked in at .010 on the breathalyzer. They check you again after 1/2 hour, to see if the level is going up or down, and I got .009 the second time.
It cost quite a bit of money back then, and it's a lot worse now. After going out a few more times where I drank only one drink an hour, it just seemed like a period of my life was pretty much over. So, I just gave up drinking.
I had dinner with some old friends a few weeks ago, and they served some really good wine with the dinner. That was the first time I had drank any alcohol in about 17 years.
I can think of a few times where things could have went very badly, because of my driving while intoxicated. I was just thinking today that whatever I've done that I'm ashamed of in life, is nothing compared to what I would have to live with if I was responsible for the death or serious injury of someone else.
What does this have to do with music? Well, I guess I'm lucky in that I've never thought drinking made me a better musician, person, or anything. I always knew that I played worse when drunk. I did it a lot when I was younger, but fortunately I don't now miss it.
I will have to admit to having had a bit more of an attachment to less orthodox methods of consciousness adjustment. That led to meditation. I used to think Carlos Santana had turned into a goof after I saw the "Love, Devotion, Surrender" album. The white suits and the short hair. I thought Mahavishnu John McLaughlin was on an ego trip.
Funny how things change. 
Happy anniversary Chas. |
|
|
|
Martin Weenick
From:
Lecanto, FL, USA
|
Posted 27 May 2003 1:50 am
|
|
I quit drinking 4 years ago. Dont miss it, not evena little bit. NOW----- about these darn ciggarettes. Martin.
------------------
Martin W. Emmons LG III 3/5 Peavy 1000 |
|
|
|
David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
Posted 27 May 2003 2:06 pm
|
|
So the Gers as got the record now...
It was the Gard.. I'm glad I am not in the worst area anymore.
I did PA system work driving an extra large van filled to the gills with amps cabs etc, for close to 15 years straight.
That means I am closing the clubs 4-5 nights a week. The band is gone and I have 1 guy helping load...at varying levels of competance so varying levels of speed packing up RIGHT too..
New England bars usually cut the band at 1:45 am.
So I was very often driving at 3-4am with a heavy load at my back. Most truckers are off the road by then, but the drunks are out in force.
I had to learn to take it very slow during the 4-5 hours I was stuck in a bar doing my job. Either sound or playing AND the sound.
But NO accidents, no DWI, actually very few pull overs too.
Did have a van catch fire once from a bad bearing. The cops helped put it out.
But they also sniffed my breath. No problem.
Still mustn't get complacent.
|
|
|
|
chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
|
Posted 27 May 2003 2:40 pm
|
|
| Quote: |
| NOW----- about these darn ciggarettes |
I quit during my first divorce ('75), I figured I was so upset, what's one more thing.
Evidently it's easier to give up heroin than tobacco, fortunately I didn't have to test that one. |
|
|
|
