Some things are hard

September and October are the busiest 2 months of the year at my job. I might have chosen the wrong time to stop drinking :) Long hours and long weeks make me miss a 22oz of IPA at the end of a long day. A warm, sunny, Sunday afternoon is ideal for a cold beer on the deck of Beer Revolution. But it turns out that lemonade in my back yard works just as well.
I did make a trip to Beer Revolution and it wasnt as hard as I thought it would be. Dont get me wrong. When i could smell the hops from a double IPA I really wanted one. Instead I had a very good non alcoholic beer from Germany, Erdinger. It is similar to a hefeveizen with a bit of honey flavor. I still enjoy the brewing community and lots of brewers (home and professional) drink there. In the end I left with more money in my pocket and less calories in my belly. Tomorrow is my daughters 2nd birthday and 1 of many celebrations over the next few weeks. With family and friends gathering to celebrate it is good for me to be able focus on the celebration rather than the celebrating.
This is day 21 of my year of living sober.

Football without beer?

The NFL season started today with the Dallas Cowboys playing the NY Giants in prime time. Anyone who knows me knows that I love the Dallas Cowboys. And in the past nothing has gone better with a football game than a cold beer. I have to say, thankfully, I enjoyed the game just as much as when drinking. (Of course, it helps that they won) Now granted, I was watching the game at home alone but I didn't miss the beer and didn't notice until Alisa commented on it. That will probably change when i have to go to the bar to see the games. I don't know if that means anything or not. This is day 5 of my YOLS.

The Year of Living Sober

That Title is not a mistake and that picture is for real. After reading this blog I was inspired to do it myself. In addition to being an inspiration for me it is also funny and well written. This may come as a surprise. (it did to me) But much of the writing in that blog made a lot of sense to me.
Now that I am experiencing my 1st Holiday weekend without the option of having a beer I am discovering new refreshments on a hot afternoon. (pictured is sparkling water w lime)
Although I started a few days ago Sept 1 will be my start day.
The blog that I was inspired by gives a lot of great reasons for doing this so i wont replicate them here. Maybe later in the year.
I will continue to brew as my schedule allows. (I donate the beer to local fundraisers). I don't need ro drink it to make and I usually have no shortage of taste testers :)
This is day 2 of my YOLS.