I don't like to drink at the bar, because the drunker I stand there, the longer I get, and then I fall over. So I sit down and drink. And I don't have a drinking problem. I see a drink, I drink it, no problem.

Seriously, I like to have a a few Coronas and lime when I'm standing at my barbecue grilling Mexican chicken or steak for fajitas. I'll have a couple Bass ales while I'm grilling up a London Broil, or a nice Cajun salmon fillet. I take a swig or two of marsala or chianti when I'm cooking an Italian recipe that calls for either. I always have at least one Tsing Tao with Chinese food, and maybe a glass of plumb wine (that goes exceptionally well with Chinese). I must be a theme drinker. When I'm at the open mic club one night a week, I can put away some Bass ale, and a couple shots of black sambuca, strictly for my throat, you see.

The thing is, I can go without a drink for a week, a month, or a year and never miss it. I don't have to have alcohol in order to function, and I don't drink to satisfy any physical craving. I just enjoy good beer, decent wine, good liquor, and good company. But I like the taste as much as the effect. I'll admit, I've been known to tie one on, and I always have a blast when I do. My wife calls me an alcofrollick. But I can take it or leave it.