Containing a strange mix, this time I talk about my take on an article in the latest National Geographic about addiction, the Russian Revolution, gangs of mid-50's drinkers, and much more. I also give you the date to get a free copy of my e-book comedy memoirs 'The 7.52 to London Bridge' and 'The naughtiest boy in school' on amazon. Don't miss it. subscribe on www.idontdrink.net
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Containing a strange mix, this time I talk about my take on an article in the latest National Geographic about addiction, the Russian Revolution, gangs of mid-50's drinkers, and much more. I also give you the date to get a free copy of my e-book comedy memoirs 'The 7.52 to London Bridge' and 'The naughtiest boy in school' on amazon. Don't miss it. subscribe on www.idontdrink.net You can catch me on the Danny Pike show on BBC radio Sussex tomorrow just after 9.00. Danny will be talking to me about quitting alcohol after fifty years of age and the issues we face in doing that at that age. Do let me know if there is anything you want me to mention specifically.
I am finally back to finishing the on-line ‘I Don’t Drink’ course I have been promising for many months, and have been looking at the videos I produced last year. What I didn’t realise is how CRAP my teeth used to look!
Followers of my blogs will know I have always been reticent to go to the dentist, and until recently I hadn’t been for some twenty years. I remember being very aware of having ‘ghastly’ teeth but not bothering to do anything about it. My attitude was that as a trip to the dentist would likely involve 1. pain and 2., vast expense as I would probably need a new bridge, what was the point, especially as I didn’t expect to still be alive past 60 years of age. As far as I was concerned what I had would last me. I think a lot of people with a drink problem tend to let themselves physically go as I had, I know my escape from worrying about not properly caring for myself was simply to have more to drink! Many of the people I meet as part of the counselling I do, I can immediately tell have a drink issue, purely from their physical state and appearance. Now of course, and especially having turned 60, I am set on living at least another 30 years and so my teeth are just one of many aspects that need to be able to cope with my new positive attitude to life. Nicely cleaned and polished and in tip-top shape as far as is possible without major expense they look considerably different to the set I was showing in the videos last year. Should I redo the videos do you think? I think most people would recognise this picture of the bar at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, and I have always liked it having been to that exciting and famously risqué establishment a couple of times, many years ago.
Seeing the picture for real this week, I stared into the barmaid's eyes and wondered why in the middle of such background commotion and hullabaloo she had been painted with such a despairing expression. It is of course supposed to be her reflection in the rear of the picture and she is serving the gentleman with the top hat and moustache who looks to be a bit furtive and unsure of himself. Perhaps he is asking for something non-alcoholic, itself a risqué venture at such a place and at such a time! I was at the Courtauld gallery in London this afternoon and saw the original of this picture I have always liked by Lucas Cranach the Elder who painted it circa 1526.
My own original sin was drinking cider my mum used to buy me when I was about twelve and my little brother was seven. Despite how silly it made us behave she didn't really see it as an alcoholic drink, bless her. In the picture, Adam isn't showing much interest in the naked Eve and is perhaps instead wondering how to make his own cider from the apple she is giving him. If he adds the peel to the mix he could make about five gallons from the apples in his tree by my reckoning. But once that is all fermented and he has had his fill it will certainly sod up all the harmony and joy in Eden as he crashes about drunk, upsets all those animals especially the pig as no doubt sausages will be his next great idea, and fails to please his lovely Eve that evening when the booze has its unfortunate effect on him. Much better to stick to good old Adam's ale which is all I drink these days! |
AuthorJulian Kirkman-Page Archives
November 2020
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