The smell of tequila across the table from me at the restaurant is still engraved into my olfactory memory this morning. Tequila was one of my first liquor loves.

Of course when I was under age and drinking whatever was free to me, I hadn’t the slightest clue of what I actually PREFERRED to drink. However, when I moved to NYC and started to call the shots–literally–tequila was my choice drink.

But just as the rumor has it…tequila can often times lead to trouble. And after finding myself neck deep in a puke-filled toilet’s worth of trouble over and over again with tequila…I finally stopped drinking the stuff.

But last night, it’s stench made me shiver. After all these consecutive days of not drinking…what would have been a more appropriate drink to break my cycle than that instigating drink of the devil; that paradoxical beverage of poison and paradise…?

I stopped myself and munched on my spring rolls. Deep fried anything should, in my opinion, replace alcohol in a diet. (Side note: Can you deep fry a jello shot?) Read More »

I would have NEVER ever known what a “MOCKtail” was had it not been for this seven day detox I’m currently on. In fact, I would have never known what it was like to come back to my bed after a night out downtown and still be sober and without a jar of peanut butter in my hand had it not been for this. I did a few things tonight that I haven’t done in since my Christian straight edge high school days and I can’t lie…I feel moderately good about myself.

1. I took the TRAIN home tonight. I can’t remember the last time I took the train home while it was dark. And this has nothing at all to do with safety. I’m just usually drunk when it’s dark and therefore, spending $20 on a cab makes a whole lotta sense. I took the train, I didn’t get lost, and I read my book and listened to Sleater-Kinney on my sober journey back to Astoria.

2. I went downtown and didn’t have a single sip of alcohol. I met up with a group of the writers here at CollegeCandy and I have to admit; the girls were supportive of my war with will power. Instead of binging on my usual wine spritzer (or whatever else a charming bartender graces my tongue with); I binged on fondue. Cheesy, delicious, non-alcoholic fondue. I ate just the right amount and when the thought of grabbing a slice of pizza occurred to me after I left the bar; I had the ability, for once, to think through the decision. Being sober, I could intelligently ascertain that I was, in fact, full, and didn’t need the calories or spent money under my belt. Read More »