During our last episode this past Tuesday, Jeff had challenged me to go a week without drinking.  So far, it’s Thursday night, and both he and I, and John, too, have been successful in going 48 hours without alcohol.  Jeff and I went to Applebee’s for lunch today, and ordinarily, our bartender there, Randall, sets each of us up with beers.  This time, we threw him for a loop.  I ordered shakes with my meal, and Jeff had strawberry lemonade.  This evening, John, Jeff, and I went to T. G. I. Friday’s at the Arboretum for dinner and trivia, and from past experience, the barstaff knows that Jeff and I typically start out with some Stella Artois.  This time, however, we stuck to the unalcoholic regimen, and John and Jeff had strawberry lemonades, and I had a Red Bull Passion, followed by a strawberry lemonade.  After dinner on the way home, John and I remarked that, despite not having any alcohol, we both felt a little drunk.  Neither of us was quite sure why, but we hypothesized that it might have been for the sugar in our drinks.

I have to admit, I’m finding that going without alcohol is a little tough for me.  It’s not that I ordinarily have an alcoholic drink at all times, but when we go out for lunch or for trivia, it’s just typical that we have a beer (or two, or three).  I think what’s so foreign to me is drinking sugared drinks like we have been today.  Ordinarily, I’m used to drinking diet drinks with aspartame, and not with sugar.  Also, the drinks that I’ve had today have been rather heavy and thick, especially the shakes.  I’m finding that I’m feeling fuller after dinner tonight than I normally do, and the same was true at lunch.  We’ll see if I can go a whole week without my typical beverage of choice.