Hooked on Gin.

Tweet

I recall two periods in my life when every opportunity was thrown at me to become hooked on alcoholic beverages - but I did not. The first time was during my stint in the diplomatic service . Usually the diplomatic community in the country where one is stationed is rather huge - Embassies, High Commissions and representatives from various international organizations. Apart from serious diplomatic duties it was mandatory to attend cocktail receptions five nights a week - sometimes more. There was always something to celebrate - like anniversaries, welcoming a new ambassador, saying goodbye to another , welcoming dignitaries from overseas etc. - and of course drinks flowed. All I ever had was blended fruit punch or a small glass of wine. My second temptation came in the form of a lady lawyer who lived in the apartment next to mine. One of her rooms was lined with bookshelves filled with all kinds of books - and I spent most of my spare time there - either selecting books to borrow or returning those I had borrowed. I also admired her well equipped kitchen, but there was never any smell of cooking coming from that kitchen. She was as thin as a rake and I am not sure what or how much she ate - but whenever I saw her she was holding a glass of gin or vodka in one hand and a cigarette in the other. She finally gave up trying to get me to join her and realized that I would drink only a glass of juice or a very small glass of red wine. Just before I moved away, she had to undergo a serious stomach surgery. Have you ever been tempted to get hooked on something ? and did you get hooked? right now I am hooked on adding sugar and milk to any hot beverage I drink.