I forgot the bloody list. I stood stranded in Super Valu amidst a sea of social distancing shoppers without the list. I went up to get the list. We talked about the list. I saw the list, so where the hell is it. I open my wallet and it explodes with lists. Ah, shite. Too many lists. No dates on them. Who is to know which is the most recent one. I’m going to have to wing it. It turns out I pretty much know what they want now and can make my way around the shop allowing myself

“Will you get me some Hydrangeas’ John”? She takes one look at my face. “Do you know what a Hydrangea is? My friend Maresa got one in Super Valu and she said it’s lovely. Just a few for the garden”?. ‘ Ok yeah, I’ll have a look’ I nodded knowing that having a look was going to be the last thing I would be doing. In the list of priorities, Hydrangea is not even making the list never mind being low down on it. Besides, I have a reputation to keep. What if someone sees me buyin

At first it was a novelty. Of course I'll get your shopping, no problem at all. Sure, what else would I be doing? Oh, this is great. I am being proactive and useful during this Covid-19 mess. At least I can do something positive by helping my parents. I'm not sure why they have to write the list on a piece of paper the size of a stamp. It could, if required, be rolled up and smuggled into SuperValu in my lower cavity without detection. I'm pretty sure we're not at that stage

NO MORE HANGOVERS: No more wasted days sitting on the couch too afraid to move or face the world. No fear, no anxiety, no depression. Saturdays and Sundays free to enjoy as I please. MORE CONFIDENCE: Social occasions used to terrify me. That is why I drank alcohol. When I stopped drinking I developed my own natural confidence in social situations. This took a little time but now I can be myself at any social event and know I don’t need a drink to relax. HAPPIER: There is no c

Freedom is who we are. Make the decision that you no longer want to live like this. You are willing to change. Know that you can change just as others have, and live a better life alcohol free. Model the behaviour of other non-drinkers. Look how others have gone alcohol free and model their behaviour. Educate yourself – Read all the books available about alcohol addiction and how to overcome it. Jason Vales – Kick the Drink Easily, Allen Carr’s – Easyway to Control Alcohol –

Drinking makes us feel bad. Many drink to feel good, but it actually makes us feel bad. It can also contribute to increased anxiety, depression and many forms of illnesses. We’re all heard of the saying ‘the fear’ – that Sunday feeling of increased anxiety and lowered self-esteem. Why are we are paying good money to feel bad? Alcoholic drinks contain fat, sugar and alcohol, none of which will give us the body of our dreams! Alcohol has ZERO health benefits. Any claimed health

It’s true. My car does smell of butter. But only in hot weather. The heat causes it to melt and permeate my car like I’m in some sort of butter Sauna. Which, to be fair, is not the worst thing in the world. I put butter on toast like slices of cheese. And then put on slices of cheese. Dripping cheesy buttery mess, heaven. I recently had my blood checked and I asked the nurse if there was butter in my veins. She laughed, and then had a second look. Not yet. If and when I do go

I'm coming out. I don't drink. There, I said it. I'm sorry. I know this will be hardest on my family and friends. Perhaps they've known all along. I used to drink non-alcoholic beer out of pint glasses just to fit in. Such was my meekness. I only did it to avoid the military-style interrogation - Are you not drinking? Why aren't you drinking? Are you a dipso? What's wrong with you? Have a bleedin' drink, will ya? You can have the one! God, I don't know what is wrong with me.