Pirates....

This Friday will see the mass opening of the new Pirates of the “Caribbean” movie. The return of the great Captain Jack Sparrow is sure to have movie goers all a flutter and bodice stores low on stock for months to come. Everyone will be Pirate crazy.... all except me.

I don’t like Pirates... well truth be told, I did like the first PotC, but the next two....not so much. I know, I know “Who the Frak cares what you think Clockwinder” the poor PotC fans are chanting and I must confess that I seldom care what I think about something as well, so please regard this poor entry as a simple IMHO sort of thing.

I certainly have nothing against women in bodices and when I become king we will certainly see more of that, and I think Johnny Depp is a brilliant actor so why did (and in fact do) hate these movies so much?

I don’t know... all I can say is I never even made it all the way through 2 and 3 in one sitting... I just have to get up and leave. There is not one thing that I can put my finger on...its like fruit cake.... you don’t know why but you hate it.

So fear not fans of the series, as you stand in line this weekend I will not be in front of you nor behind you to enjoy this new cinematic Masterpiece. I do hope the fans enjoy it and ....of course, to the ladies i say..... Buy and wear more bodices.

Geeking at the Aravans

Got to visit the estate of Lord Aravan on Friday and had the rare opportunity to geek out over GOT with his lordship and the Sourcemaster.... and loved every taped glasses pushing, pocket protector wearing minute of it.

His Lordship and the SM both had the advantage of reading all the books but we limited our conversation over the first book and they alluded to a few things in the other books (Something I don’t mind at all) and they succeeded in flaming my desire to get the other books.

We also played a game called “Never have I ever” in which his lordship and I nearly died of thirst but it was so much fun hanging with the crew of geeks and nar-do-wells.

They make very happy drunks (for the most part) and great company!

The Game of Thrones....the book

first off beware....Possible spoilers ( as I don’t know what Im truly going to write yet)

Fueled by my love of the HBO series based on it, I purchased the audio book for George Martin’s “Game of Thrones”. 44 hours of book, in 4 8 plus hour sections appeared to be a daunting listen but with time while I waited for Kevin to finish he track practices...I had at.

I don’t normally go gaga over popular fantasy, sure I love me some Tolkien and I read the “Lord Foul’s Bane” series, but besides that I steer clear of the like...with that said, I loved every second of GOT.

I mistakenly began liking some characters in the book only to have the author gleeful slay them in the festering pit of deceit that is Kings landing and the 7 kingdoms. I am thankful that Jon Snow made the cut and remained true to his oath but now I am wary that he may have his dark day ahead.

The book is full of so many great Characters, both good, bad and undetermined that at times you can’t wait for the narrative to return to them. The Mormounts became a favorite of mine, the father, the Son and the sister all coming together to paint the portrait of a minor noble house, though only in the background, richly alive with the Father who was forced to take the black, the son who fled into exile and the Warrior sister who’s daughters carry on the name with the smashing of the morning stars.

The author seems to happily build of the Stark family then takes fiendish delight as he suffers them to all sorts of hardships. I like the Starks and the northern families, the author makes me think of the northern english folk of the border with his descriptions... and their stalwart honorable streak.... a benefit in the north.... that turns out to be their glass jaw in the Machiavellian towers of the capital.

Even the battles come to life with a rich history as the author describes the various bannermen and lords that flock to battle under their various sigels, each appear to be unique and many seem to be dual edged blades ready to cut both sides like the Frey’s and Grayjoys. The battles them selves are bloody and believable.

Tyrion Lannister, the dwarf son of the lord of Casterly Rock is a wonderful character, though he tells you that if he wasnt the son of a lord he probably would have been killed as a newborn, his short comings (forgive the pun) make him more and more a giant in the book as he endeavors to out smart his opponents instead of out fight, but we must say that when push comes to shove....his little body houses bear size courage.

The book is wonderful as it follows the fall of Robert Beratheon, the usurper King and the rise of his son Geof. The secrets that end up killing two “Hands of the king” and the crowning of the kings younger brother Renley towards the end of the book and leaves the 7 kingdoms on the edge of being ripped apart.

With all that happening....we are told the tale of the last of the Targaryen, Daenery, who finds love married to a horse lord and the tragedy that follows.... but in the end, for the child she losses she gains 3.... the first in 100’s of years and we are led to believe the Dragon of House Targaryen is turning its eye once more to the “Iron Throne”.

Though some of the readers voices annoyed me to no end, I have to say I loved the book more then any Fantasy book that I have read in a long time. If you have not read it, I encourage you to pick it up.....the only problem you’ll have is putting it it down.

Spin the bottle....

Sometimes I sit and listen to my younger friends tales of the wild parties that they have attended... full of naked women, beer and what not and I think back to my party days and the fun that was spin the bottle.

Thats right, the game were you and the girls sit in a circle, spin the bottle and whoever the bottle points to...you have to kiss. WILD!! INSANE!! Off the Hook!!! I know...it was all this and more and truth be told I only played it once.

We had just moved into our apartment in Springrun and we had some friends over. These many years latter and I have no idea how we all came to be sitting on the brown carpeting spinning a 2 litre bottle...but there we were.

Like I said....it was my only game of STB and truth be told it was kind of fun. I believe all the guys afterwards agreed that Mike’s girlfriend was akin to kissing a board and I remember Dave and Nat having a wild kiss or two but nothing you couldnt show in the 8:00 time slot on ABC.

A “wild and Crazy” time was had by all though, we seemed to have played for a while and I do not believe any alcohol was involved. In this day and age you have to laugh at the innocents of it I supposed...at least when compared to some parties I have listened to. I wonder if kids still play Spin The Bottle?

Epic Fail

Thats right.... The Clockwinder has epic failed in his quest to keep his blog flowing regularly. I could plead a busy life, but instead I will chalk it up to supreme lameatude on my part and endeavor to get my act together.

Time to wind the clocks

Winter is Coming......

This Sunday HBO aired the first episode of “Game of Thrones” based on the Novels of George Martin (yes I refused to use his middle initials). I have never read the books but the idea of a Fantasy series on HBO really stocked the fires of my inner geek so I was looking forward to the series.

Last Month HBO began posting some video’s “Ondemand” explaining some of the houses and the world and such and I found my self looking more and more forward to the series. As a Uber nerd I am accustomed to being disappointed so I made sure that I was well armored against the chance of major Suckage.

As A non-reader of the books I didnt have a predetermined idea of what should or shouldn't be, I was the preverbal clean slate. So Sunday when the kids and wife had gone to bed, I sat and watched episode 1.... Two Times.

The series had me right from the first minutes, as the Knights Watch rode through the Icewall and were attacked by the White walkers ( or is it Wight). I loved the way the scene played out against the snow covered forest backdrop and the creatures even though they were only shown in glimpses were Terrifying.

As the episode progressed it introduced a world of great intrigue, the “Kings Hand” had just died ( I think the queen and her brother were responsible) so the king heads north to ask his friend Lord Stark to be the new Kings hand. As all of this takes place, in another land we learn of the Targaryen’s, who were apparently over thrown or something (they may have killed the kings first love.... cause he sure hinted he liked killing Targaryens) and were plotting their return to power.

One of my Favorite scenes happened late in the episode, when the Queen’s Dwarf Brother, Tyrion and Lord Stark’s bastard son, Jon Snow, have a brief conversation and Tyrion advises him to embrace the fact that he is a bastard and no one can ever use it to harm him. Jon Snow asks “What would a Dwarf know of being a bastard” and Tyrion answers “All dwarves are bastards in the eyes of their fathers”. I just thought that was a great scene showing a shrewd wisdom on Tyrion’s part and Jon Snow is one of my Favorite Charecters so far.

Ok....HE PUSHED THE KID OUT THE FRIGGIN WINDOW!!!???? holy crap!!! In a way you knew it was coming but part of you was still going “neh...he cant do that” and sure enough he does. The he is the Queens brother...and he and the queen were up in a tower “getting to know each other better” when one of the Stark children climbs the tower and discovers them. Well the Queens brother catches the boy and then nonchalantly pushes him out the window while saying “the things I do for love” wow...do I hate this guy.

As I have said, I loved so much about this first episode, I pray it continues to be as solid. I enjoyed it on various geek levels as well, I thought the costuming was fantastic, from the black of the Knight’s watch, to the Gilded armor of the people from King’s Point (Though who the hell was the guy in the black armor with the Grumpy Bear helmet?) I was impressed. I have to say that the fashions of House stark are my Favorite so far.

For those of you who have never read the books, Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed.

My Zombie Load out.....

What would you carry into the frightening landscape of the Zombpocalypse... The question was asked while we were at the home of Lord and Lady Aravan and I wish we had more time to geek over it. I thought about it carefully and decided the following.

First to Level set... My ground rules were I could only choose from weapons I had.Second, many people who do this sort of exercise have never really had to carry A Weapon let alone Weapons and their corresponding ammunition for any real length of time so I decided to choose based on the fact that I would eventually find myself walking.

My Rifle.... for I would only carry one... would, by necessity by a AR15 (5.56). Why? you ask, simple every police department and national guard until throughout the nation either A. use a AR15/m4/m16 or a rifle that fires 5.56, so this gives you a source to scrounge parts and ammo. The AR is not my favorite rifle, not by a long shot but you got to go with the most common (IMHO).

The real question is, which AR do I take, I have a COLT SP1 with a A1 upper and full length barrel ( tricked out to Vietnam Specs) and I have a Bushmaster lower and a A1 “XM177” upper making it a carbine (16” barrel) with collapsing stock. one is compact and handy in tight spaces, the other gives me a bit more range in my opinion.

I think I would take the longer rifle, I am under the impression that the carbine is 5 times as loud ( just due to the muzzle being closer to your head) then the longer and I might need some range when Zombie comes to shove. I only have a few 30 round mags, but I have a whole mess of 20 round mags so I think I would be OK. So my colt SP1 (AR15) it would be.

Pistol...or in this case Pistols...like a moron I will have decided to carry 2 of them. The first would be my Berretta 92F, Its 9mm and has High capacity mags. 9mm will be common enough and the 92f or clones are pretty common as well. The second, will be my Colt 1911 45ACP... I love the .45 and couldn't bare to be without it... so I would be a total idiot and burden myself with two pistols.

So those are the weapons I would go into the harsh night of the Zombpocalpyse with. Facing the the hordes of the walking dead to the sharp report of 3 weapons used by the US military.

A place holder of sorts.....

I am posting something right here...right now... so I can say I have posted something. I am getting ready to go to one of the little cog's soccer game so I can't put anything to voluminous but here it is. Stay tuned for more from the Clockwinder network.

In the mean time.... Miss Betty Grable.

The fastest hunk of junk in the Galaxy....

Our next Clockwinder favorite was a bit of a tough one... What is my Favorite Spaceship, Merchant class. You may be saying “Merchant Class?! come on ! thats easy” but it really wasn’t.

Think of the choices you have, The Serenity, a Firefly class transport that gave its name to a movie and class name to a series. Serenity was practically a charecter in her own right, with her own problems and rising to the occasion when needed. She would have been a solid choice.

Then there is the “Red Dwarf” from the BBC series of the same name. A super huge cargo ship that seems to have a little bit of everything ( but not enough Kristen Kachanski... sorry Dave). Where as the “Red Dwarf” may not have been a Special Effects wonder, you bought into it and its crew.

But my choice as favorite is probably no surprise at all, The Millennium Falcon, the beat up old YT-1300 freighter of the famous Han Solo. I first glimpsed her sitting in hanger bay 94 when our heroes approached here (and before the addition of the Jabba the Hutt scene in the Spec Edtn) but never had luke’s adverse reaction to her. It was love at first sight.

Her dents and scratches do not detract from her beauty, they enhance it and give her character. The interior... dirty impact pads and burned out panels... add to her mystic like qualities. She is fast...”how fast?”... lets explain it this way, Han jumps into hyperspace, comes into the crew area, has some playful force related banter and then they are entering the Alderon system...ZOOOOOOOM!! dat is fast.

And she has bite, two quad mounts and apparently some hidden blasters here and there just to keep people guessing and in ROTJ we see she is armed with missiles. Her way of saying “You and who’s army?”

In ESB we get to see more of her battered interior and the fact that she is feeling the years... but when it counts, this ship dodges and weaves, zooms and blast better then any out there. I salute you Millennium falcon... as the Clockwinder’s favorite Merchant class vessel.

GASP!!!

Sorry Clockwatchers, truth is I actually have been playing a new computer game and that has taken out of my writing time. Poor bloody excuse I know but I shall endeavor to get back on the Clockwork bandwagon.

For those of you that have miss me....rest assured that I have missed you as well :::whimper:::.

It is starting to be springish and I find myself in need of a lawn mower. The old craftsmen fell apart and no parts were available for it so it looks like I need to go out and buy one.

The Clocklings are both playing sports now... Track and Soccer ... so that will make things a little more hectic but it will also give me some time to listen to some books while At practice... the ying and yang thing.

Why The John Wayne Photo? Why Not? its him in "the Searchers" and if you havent seen it, you should.

Favorite WWII German Tank....

I grew tired of watching “Top Ten” shows on the military channel that didnt meet my muster so I decided to choose my own favorite tanks.

Today’s tank is “My favorite German Tank” and I choose the Panzer III, the back bone of the Afrika Korps and the early blitz. The one pictured has the short 75mm but I am a fan of the Ausf J (Special) with the long barreled 5cm gun. you can have your Panthers and Tigers...I'll stick with the ol Panzer III.

There and back again... so it begins

The news reported today that shooting began on Peter Jackson’s film version of “the Hobbit”. For some readers that shall be joyous news, to others it will be the chiming of the bells of dread.

First, logically, “The Hobbit” was one book, “The Lord of the Rings” were in fact three books “Fellowship of the rings”, “The Two Towers” and the “Return of the king”. LOTR was made into three films.. makes sense... however “The Hobbit” will be made into two films... go figure.

I love the Hobbit, I read it more then any of the other books, I read it to my son, it was my introduction to the Fantasy genre and I still will re read it to this day. In defense of Jackson... I love his choice to play Bilbo Baggins, he is filming once more in New Zealand and Ian Mckellan reprises his role as Gandalf... Thats good. However Jackson also has some of the cast of LOTR showing up playing Characters that did not really appear in the Hobbit... so that concerns me.

“The Hobbit” was really a book for younger audiences and I hope that Jackson can bring its charm to the screen and make it friendly for younger viewers. I imagine some people may think the gathering of the party at Bag’s End a little silly but I do love it ( I know what Bilbo Baggins Hates). The escape from the wood elves, The shapeshifter may seem some what over the top when on the screen.

I hope that Jackson can capture the splendor of Smaug’s Lair and the Terrifying menace and pomposity of the dragon that exists in my brain, I do think those scenes can be some truly great visuals as Smaug attacks Laketown ( go Bard and his black arrow!!!). There are so many things I want to see...yet fear seeing how someone else visualizes them... Beorn, The riddling contest, The Trolls, the Keyhole and the death of Thorin... but I have the fear derived from the earlier films that could make a fan break into a cold sweat.

I wasnt a fan of the way Gimli looked in LOTR, so I do have some fears of how the Dwarfs will appear (will I be able to identify them by the color of their hoods?).

I will see this film, and I will pray it doesn't “Phantom Menace” my love for the book. I cant wait to see some stills from the production, but I will have a glowing ember of dread in my belly as I pray that they don’t mishandle something so beloved to so many.

Magic Weapons.... Do you have something slightly more magical?

A month ago, whilst sequestered in the Edward’s Think tank, we stumbled upon the topic of Magic and how it is depicted in Novels and games. Since one was spawned by the other it was strange to note how different the two are.

In Novels and even movies, magic weapons are things of legend. In the Lord of the rings trilogy you have Glamdring, Orcist, Sting and Narsil, weapons who’s names are known throughout the land ( Though how three of them ended up in the same troll lair is beyond me) they are feared and respected... In Games... not so much. A magic weapon is merely one of a zillion that seem to lay under every nock and cranny through out the world, collecting dust on shelves in weapons shops.

A Magic weapon in literature is like the signature of the hero, when he draws it, the reader says to himself “Okay... The can has been opened mr Bad Guy”. How would it have been if Drizzt had tossed Icingdeath and the twinkle sword to the curb because Schmuckbanger offered +1 more endurance?

In games (specially the electronic medium), the fact that a weapon is “magical” means nothing... Its how magical or worse yet... how rare it is. Its like saying “Yes I have Magical swords holding up my book shelves... but that one over there, they only made 5 or 6 of those”. In most games you discard your sword nearly every other quest or mission as you are handed a slightly better one as a reward. Magic is so prevalent that the guy standing along the road is going to give you a magic sword just for killing a few pigs.

I understand why the magic factories of the great MMORPG worlds worked overtime to produce a glut of Magical Armor’s, Weapons, Staves, Robes, Totems, Necklaces, Ring’s and such... But I would prefer magic items to be “rare” or wondrous. When you pull that sword that you recovered from the tomb of _______ , your foes take a step back and say “Holy Crap!! That is the sword of _______” as fear grips their very guts.I know that people generally love their games the way they are and that a game that makes Magic Weapons rare is probably not going to have a issue with having enough servers...but in my imaginary world... things will be different.

War Films......

I am a Reenactor... and have been for over 20 years, as such you would think that I would have a collection of war films that I re- watch over and over... and I do, but what is surprising is how many of those film’s I do not like. Many films do have a scene or two that I enjoy re watching but those scenes seldom save the film in its whole.

“Saving Private Ryan” for instance, I do like the Omaha Beach scene at the beginning of the film, but don’t much care for the rest. “Band of Brothers”, the HBO mini serries that birthed a million Airborne reenactors has a scene or two I like... but as a whole ... not on my Favorites list.

Then there are the Civil War films like “Glory” and “Gettysburg”... Now I worked on both these films... They drive me nuts!! Don’t even get me started on “Gods and Generals”. I think the only real Civil War films that I have actually enjoyed have been some independent films that have steered well clear of the fake beard brigade and Fat Reenactors ( Note....I am a Fat reenactor and as a reenactor co-ordinator for England's National Armory, I didn't even allow myself in the film).

I am a fan of the Colonial period... but the films made like “Revolution” and “Patriot” make me want to restore British rule to this land. I do not like “Last of the Mohicans”, I love Daniel Day Lewis’s performance ( and his rifle... I would kill for) but the movie just makes me ill. The only “Colonial” combat scene I really enjoy is the 7 years war battles from “Barry Lyndon”.

As for Vietnam films... there are scenes I can watch from most, I have certainly watched them enough ( beggars can't be choosers) but there is only one that I would recommend or admitt to as being on “my list” and that is “Hamburger Hill”.

I do not know why I am so damn picky, I do consider some to be on my like list, “Paths of Glory”, “La 317eme section”, “Battleground” and “Downfall” to name a few, but not as many as one would think. Some “Pulp WWII” and Adventure films, like “Where Eagles Dare”, “The four Feathers” and “The Eagle has landed” do make it into my DVD player before some of the more... so called... popular films.

Maybe its that films that claim to be “Based on actual events” then proceed to weave some bizarre farcical tale drive me to distraction. History is dramatic... just the way it unfolds... it doesn't need a Love interest or a contrived over the top action scene to make it watchable, and films that change the personalities of those they portray to appease our concepts of what a hero is make me want to sniff glue.

I know “ F**k You Kendall”... I’ll take that, this is just my opinion and you are allowed your own. I just find it weird, I’ll buy these films, watch some scenes then turn them off, you would think for a guy with a basement full of uniforms and a office full of books I would be less picky about my films... but I am

Back in my day....BBS's, College Systems and early subscription services

Compuserve, Prodigy and AOL, precursors to what you kid’s now call “The Internets”. There was a day... so long ago that it is now a time of legends, where Dragon’s prowled looking for Marathon bars and soda came in tin cans and glass bottles... that one made a choice for your “online entertainment” and it weren’t free.

Some of us will remember “BBS’s”, Bulletin board systems.... these were simple systems that you dialed into ( yes I said dialed into) and were able to read some mail lists. People would never believe that people would run “Role Playing Games” and even Strategy games via this archaic method but believe me they did. You did not have the ability to send email everywhere in the world.... you were restricted to “subscribers” to the service.

( I wonder what teenagers would think if they were shown how we used to have to call a phone number, listen for a carrier signal that slam the handset down onto a Modem)

There were the systems run by Universities, I remember the Delta System, that i was introduced to in our schools career center on a 300 baud Dec writer and the PLATO system at the university. PLATO was a joy for me, on Friday’s they would have UDgaming where you could (with permission) play a wide range of games ( Moria and Battlestar were my favorite) on the amber screens of the PLATO terminals.

Then came the new wave of Subscription services...the AOL’s, the Prodigy’s and others that were a glimpse of what was to come. I still remember playing “Neverwinter Nights” on AOL... No Not that one, a much older version, Compuserve had a Squad Leader game that I never got to work on any computer i used. Now these services weren't free, you paid per hour and there were usually “peak usage” time “non peak” price scales that could add up in the olde days.

One of the services I belonged to was “Sierra Online” ( which would become the Imagination Network), this was a gamesentric system that enabled you to play Red Baron and other games against other players online and I spent many a hour playing there Fantasy game. Of course, the Bulletin boards were still big draws and again they did not extend beyond the boarders of the system... but it was cool, the way I imagine old maid was cool when it first came out.

I wonder if kids in the USA are even able to grasp the concept of a world before the world wide web. I can still remember the days the services began to disappear, some tried to hang on ( AOL still exists) and we took our first steps into a world joined electronically.

Clockwinder Shout out........

Whats up Russia!!!!

How's it going?

Just thought I'd give a Clockwinder welcome to all our viewers from Russia.

Clockwinder’s Kitchen.... Recipe #1

Bavarian Gott im Himmels

Your friends are gathered around the harth sipping your favorite Detroit wine and discussing the latest episode of Jersey Shore and drawing similes to the great teachings of Socrates and Aristotle. All is right in the world as the cries of the beleagured city are barely audable over the drunken hum of conversation and the electronic symphony that is your Atari combat game playing on your old zenith. You don’t want to ruine the moment with the wrong finger feast... so you make up a tray of the Clockwinders Patent pending “Bavarian Gott Im Himmels”.

What you will need....

Bag of Mini Pretzels

1 Can of Kraft Easy Cheese

1 bottle of Tobasco

First, spread a single layer of mini Pretzels over your best snack tray, make sure there is a certain uniformity... we all know presentation is half the battle.

Then open your can of “Kraft Easy Cheese” and spread a generous portion onto each Pretzel. Don’t worry, the wonder of Eay Cheese will not fall through the gaps so your carpet remnant that covers the old blood stain will be safe from spills.

Now its time to put the Zip into your BGIH’s... Open your precious bottle of tabasco and place one drop of the blessed red ambrosia on to each cheese lump.

Now serve... are let your heart swell to the joyous laughter and compliments that float freely through your abode.

There are many variations on the BGIH’s, using Crackers, melba toast and even shrimp...however be warned that fruit Gott In Himmels generally don’t go over very well.

This has been the first installment of the Clockwinder’s Kitchen... good bye and remember... Warm Bellies mean happy hearts.

Why??

Why are we still dedicating hours of Television and countless bytes of digital information to the riveting story of Charlie Sheen? Why must I be bombarded constantly by the celebrity cult in all its hellish glory?

This planet is not with out its own actual drama, Lets not forget that we still have 100’s of thousands of troops overseas fighting a war (and what ever you choose to call Iraq at the moment), American’s in harms way and how about the revolts in the middle east, Libya is practically in the midst of a civil war but No... Please tell me about Charlie Sheen and what ever non-sense he is ranting about today... Really? front page stuff? Seriously?

I love the products of the entertainment industry... but if you were to ask... and for the record you have not... wither I want you (the press) hunting these people down and photographing them, getting out of cars, visiting the beach, eating a hot dog or walking their dog, I would tell you “No Thanks”. Though I am envious of the life styles some of these people lead, I don’t need to invade them... I dont want the fact that they went out drinking or that they havent the common sense the good lord gave them pushing real news of the front page.

Stand clear of the grates.... The Clockwinder is venting.

Bladerunner Franchise??? .... Could it be??

A Friend sent me a link to a Article that states a company is trying to by the rights to Bladerunner so they can start a new Bladerunner Franchise... I say Go for it.

Its no secret that I love the Original (and that I 100% believe the only way the film works is if Deckard is a human) and if they put have the work the Scott did into bringing his vision of a Dark Future to the screen, it will definitely make lots of Clockwinder dollars.

However... If this is someones way of cheaply milking some cash cow... be warned, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth.

http://www.imdb.com/news/ni8224923/

Bartender!! I’ll have a Sarsaparilla

There is one fact about the clockwinder that often surprises people... no, I’m not talking about my total control over time and space... I am referring to the fact that I do not partake of Alcoholic beverages. I believe I have tasted beer and wine at some point in my life but I have never touched the stuff besides that.

My abstinence is not because of some deeply rooted religious belief, it isnt because of “that time in Vegas” or that I “have a problem”... its simply because I don’t like the smell or taste of the stuff. My father was not some alcoholic monster who beat sobriety into me nor was my twin killed by a drunk driver... it is as simple as that... I don’t like the stuff.

I have known friends for over 20 years that still offer me a beer or snort from a flask and still raise a eyebrow when I politely refuse. I have wondered what people think as I sometimes catch a odd look from a person or two. Truthfully though I generally don’t care what they think in regards to my drinking as I don’t think I am “inhibited” socially by it.

My GI classification is of course L7, but I have never minded people drinking around me. I am happy to say that all of my friends are very good drunks, they laugh they delve into deep, alcohol clouded conversations about unsolvable mysteries of life ( I remember many such talks in Ofriel’s while listening to Irish music) and have a great time. I hate people who are bad drunks, that get into fights or become pains in the arse but that is because they become “My problem” then.

At reenactments, when night falls, the people leave, my friends can consume great amounts of spirits and the camp is alive with laughter and conversation. I do remember a few times a drunken person ( never one of my friends) has become my problem... I do remember Grabbing a guy before he feel backwards down the barracks stairs at FIG or having to clean up after a “accident” ... but my friends are great.

My friends at home are much the same way... I have seen how guys become concerned because there friend has been drinking and may start a fight or hurt himself... but that has never been my friends.

As a teenager and young adult, as people around me consumed great sea’s of amber liquids, I was reminded at a recent get together, I used to have a cooler with a 6-pack of Hawaiian punch ( a drink I still like today) at my side. I do not look down my noise at people who drink... I am not offended, I sometimes become concerned when people get to drunk but I do not pass judgement on people because they choose to have a beer or 12.

I sometimes wonder about drinks and drinking, like Absinthe or the issue and drinking of rum in the British Army ( a tradition that lasted into the 20th century) or I have wanted to be cool and order some hype drink at a bar... one with some sort of fruit impaled with a plastic sword... but thats been about it. I often smell what is being drunk.... and find it repulsive but I guess “different strokes”.

Many a person has noted “if your this way sober... I hate to see ya when your drunk”, I have wondered what I would be like under the influence as well... but that will remain a mystery. After 45 years of life, I don’t think I am going to begin a new habit. If your a friend, don’t be concerned, have a good time and bottoms up... responsibly.