Thursday 21 April 2016

Drinking Enthusiasts

Yesterday, I received an e-mail which I was not expecting.

It was from a lady called Kelly, and it opened with the greeting: Hello Fellow Drinking Enthusiast!

This threw me somewhat.

I've been called many things since I started this blog (in fact, yesterday someone commenting on Annie's blog described me as a 'sanctimonious self promoter'. I'd pretend not to be bothered, but the fact that I find myself mentioning it would suggest otherwise), but 'Drinking Enthusiast' is a new one.

Kelly goes on to say this: I love to throw a few back now and then, and apparently you do too. I love the boozy life so much that I created a very cool and fun line of alcohol and booze-related vinyl decals for all of my fellow boozers (with a sense of humour) out there. I was hoping that you could give my booze decals a little love on your blog.

She even, most kindly, offered to send me some freebies in return.

I like to think that I do, indeed, have a sense of humour, so I chortled a lot, at the idea of me being a 'drinking enthusiast', and the fact that I have absolutely no idea what a 'vinyl decal' is, let alone how to 'give one some love' on my blog.

Loving a boozy vinyl decal sounds like something one might do at an S&M orgy (not that I'd know much about that either, obvs).

I looked up Kelly's website, and the 'decals' feature a number of 'witty' sayings, like 3-4 glasses of wine a day can reduce your risk of giving a shit (don't we know it), or I am Woman, hear me pour (all that effort, Emily Pankhurst, for this!)

Anyhow, I salute any woman who has the balls and creativity to set up their own internet business, so well done you, Kelly, and should any of you want to buy a witty, boozy, vinyl decal then do check out www.cardecalgeek.com.

I find the idea that there's this whole parallel universe out there quite unnerving. Here we are, floating around the world wide soberverse, while there are millions of others (more than us? Fewer?) blogging away in the 'drinking enthusiast' space.

I do hope that some of them eventually realise that 'giving a shit' is good thing and that there is more to being 'Woman' than pouring wine, and decide to hop on over here (yikes! Does that sound sanctimonious?).

Love to you all,

SM

18 comments:

  1. I never thought about that "parallel universe!" It is strange to think about!! I do have to give a shout out to singer Helen Reddy..."I am woman hear me Roar!" as that song has special meaning to me, as I woke up from a colonoscopy at Sloan Kettering singing it at the top of my lungs!!! hahaha

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    1. I too am 53 and am scheduling a colonoscopy. I believe it I will have to put it off after the Helen Reddy comment. ; )

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  2. Hey! You know by now that when people write nasty critical things (esp anonymously) they are most often niggled by something in their own character right? We are a sensitive lot but I noticed more how Annie's contributors rushed to your defence. Vinyl decals??? Think I'll pass.

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    1. I know, lovely sunshine. Must grow a thicker skin ;-) xx

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  3. Am I the only one who had no idea what a vinyl decals were?! I just had to google them and to be honest I find the idea of mixing boozy witticisms with driving mildly horrifying!

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  4. Agree, bullies usually are the ones with a bigger problem......I have seen her stuff on FB...and have even shared. Oops...one of my challenges now is not to be sanctimonious with my old drinking buddies...but anyone reading or writing sober blogs is surely doing it to support sobriety....hmmm

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  5. One of the things I've been most struck by since setting sail into this sober universe...is the sheer number of us for whom 'quitting' is serious-serious business. (And who,ve had the good fortune to recognize/acknowledge the necessity.) We've 'been there, done that,' learned the consequences of acting stupid (and having multiple drinks, every single night IS pretty darned stupid.,). If our opposite number are 'drinkimg enthusiasts,' I have to wonder...because, sooner or later, so many of them will find themselves needing/wanting to cross the road to our side of the universe. This is an observation, not judgement or sanctimony. Yay to anyone who can have a drink or two. And stop. For the night, for the week, whatever.

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  6. Dear SM,
    A couple of things. First I loved the relapse entry - even if I didn't comment. Very valuable and insightful especially all the comments. 2. you are anything but sanctimonious - the ignoramus who said that should look at the definition - you share yourself warts and all - and never put yourself above your readers - thank you. 3. I think you jest - but just in case - you did actually show the sticker lady some love on your blog - by describing the product and letting people know where to get it. Pretty sure we're not the target audience - but her blast did have an effect - and created a funny column for you.
    Best - Eeyore - Day 120 something (nice not to really count)

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  7. Oh my! Yes, there is a huge opposite universe. I searched for it madly when I was trying to convince myself that I could moderate. I tried to develop a passion or hobby for certain types of alcohol and voila! Thousands of pro-vodka sites! Vodka is very beneficial for so many reasons! And of course there is the disclaimer at the bottom about benefits if only drunk moderately once or twice a week. Right.

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  8. Sanctimonious self promoter. Lol
    I like that.
    Clearly a misguided comment.
    As was the drinking enthusiast offer.
    You are awesome and inspiring. Never doubt that for a moment.
    Anne

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  9. Gotta love the interwebby! The place where good manners go to die...(except for here of course!). Vinyl decals...do these people not read the blogs? Well at least you're not having to delete all the discounted offers of viagra that I seem to be attracting at the moment, lol xx

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    1. Lol! I get endless spell casters! Huge congrats on the book WB! Awesome! Am going to put my order in :-) Can't wait to read it x

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  10. I think you're brilliant. You've been a HUGE help to me in my quest for sobriety. It is very sad that some people are so unhappy they have to be mean to others, but that's not your fault or your problem.

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  11. We are all queens. Let us treat ourselves suchly! Please have a look at constance hall on facebook and have a look at some of caitlin moran's stuff. We are all at the place we're at and for some people that can be struggling with drinking and feeling jealous of those who seem to be succeeding better than us. Love and kindness - to all! SM I just love you so much. You are an inspiration and a guiding light. You're our mamma duck and we're your chicks!

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  12. Well the laugh is on decal lady! I see these kind of signs all the time and wonder who buys them. I saw a wooden one in a furniture shop today that read "A meal without wine is called breakfast!" Really? Oh my! It really is an opposite universe. Whatever, move on...

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  13. When I was in denial I might have bought one of the decals! How much my life has been transformed by getting my head out of the wine and back to the journey of life!
    I thank God for helping me understand my addiction and taking the action to move forward in my life.
    13 months and a few days without wine!
    Boston Strong Boston Sober

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  14. I am bemused by the endless promotion of alcohol - often very much focussed on women. I work in a very traditional professional setting yet somehow people think it is fine to have "amusing" quotes/comments relating to alcohol on their desks. When did this start? what effect will it have on our children's view of the world ?

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