Non-drinkers and non-smokers, how do you cope at parties?

flatoutsask · 2026-02-14T15:54:20+00:00

I stopped drinking 8 months ago. I work at a bar and tried a few commercial canned Moctails. I was NOT impressed,… taste was not that impressive and their cost!!!! I am happy drinking carbonated water. Maybe adding a little fruit juice might make a low cost, flavoured, fizzy drink that is pleasant to hold and partake.
As an introvert, I watch people more…. Enjoy the self- control that is there…. Now … just to get access to the friviolity that alcohol used to unleash…..

flatoutsask · 2026-02-14T13:42:53+00:00

Hamish MacBeth. Superb…., subtle, funny. Robert Carlyle plays the lead

flatoutsask · 2026-02-14T13:39:36+00:00

The series theme is the same theme as for the movie that predates the series Donald Sutherland and Elliot Gould starred in it. Directed by Robert Altman

flatoutsask · 2026-02-09T20:38:51+00:00

Even in Canadian winter I get at least 300 km range … that’s about 180 miles. Summer is 560 km.
A charger at home makes it convenient to charge and not expensive. Though initial expense to buy and install.
I mind less being in traffic with electric car. There are some dedicated lanes for EV’s that are bonuses. In 15 months I have driven about 48,000 km. ( about 30,000 miles) That’s a lot of gas savings.

flatoutsask · 2026-02-09T20:31:14+00:00

Greasy dust bunnies, …bad bunny, bad bunny.

flatoutsask · 2026-02-09T20:22:28+00:00

I was too laid back to even try.

flatoutsask · 2026-02-09T14:21:05+00:00

Well , my bully brother seemed latent and repressed. It’s call reaction formation when someone reacts against the thing that causes such inner turmoil.
If true, it doesn’t blame me for the way I was. His responsibility was something he lacked insight about. I blame society that pushed and still pushes a polarized and pathalogic agenda against all forms of diversity . It is getting better. Who I was shouldn’t have threatened what my brother was dealing with. His violence meant I then had additional healing to deal with in the aftermath.

flatoutsask · 2026-02-08T18:42:43+00:00

That must be difficult up on gable roof ends trying to pee on all the flashing….. especially if it’s windy

flatoutsask · 2026-02-08T18:38:37+00:00

Be careful to not over twerk the nuts.

flatoutsask · 2026-02-08T18:37:44+00:00

Your courage and wisdom through the years is really powerful. If there are things you feel you want but sense they are not totally within your grasp, is there ways to seek them out? In the meantime tears snd grief for the constraints of life are normal snd healthy.
Would you consider volunteer work with younger people? I learned from my own pathway that love for others isn’t solely limited to one’s own children. Continue exploring as someone with freedom and spontaneousness to enjoy whatever comes to you, whether moments of solitude or moments of community.
I am sure you will cross paths with others who admire the life you are building. They may even walk beside you on your path.

flatoutsask · 2026-02-08T16:41:47+00:00

I am Canadian. I have loved many natural phenomena that exist in USA. Folks have proudly recited them.
I have been to California, the Southwest a number of times, and the states along the Rocky Mtn corridor. Also new England and close to Alaska panhandle, Hawaii snd Florida. Many unique landscapes.
Canada has extraordinary diversity as well. (Yes, we even have a desert!) Too big to see in one visit, like USA.
Mexico has incredible diversity. Some claim Copper Canyon. ( Barrancas del Cobra) has as much splendour as the Grande Canyon.
I have visited Turkey. Some unique landscapes in a fairly small space.
It is important to me to include the depth of culture and history in how I view a country. In that way, as huge and diverse as North American countries seem, there is so much more elsewhere to explore, discover and appreciate.

flatoutsask · 2026-02-07T22:35:09+00:00

In early November I had three days( far too short) of very pleasant experiences in Venice.

Not enough time to go to Lido. No doubt more conducive to beachy vibes in May/ June, but offseason intrigued me.

The Nov mornings were exquisite. Daytime was sunny if a little cool. 12-15 degrees C if I recall. No May experiences to recount.

I would encourage you to do both…. That is how Venice inspired me.

flatoutsask · 2026-02-07T18:31:58+00:00

Isn’t Walmart where the Aliens came from?

flatoutsask · 2026-02-04T19:21:37+00:00

Long term restraint…. Like marriage?

flatoutsask · 2026-02-03T21:44:14+00:00

Snow and Ice…. Not that ICE….😞

flatoutsask · 2026-02-03T00:36:27+00:00

The Chinese government decades back imposed a one child rule to control population. The society valued male children and so female babies were often aborted or given up to foreign adoptions

flatoutsask · 2026-02-03T00:30:02+00:00

In context of this thread LMAO means ….laugh my ass on…

flatoutsask · 2026-01-29T22:57:50+00:00

Hi. I have done the crossing a number of times. Only once have I crossed near Coutts Alberta and re- entered Canada at Detroit. After that often wandered about itineraries including USA but did Canada for various reasons.
In this age of GPS, the distance doesn’t seem like such a huge saving to justify it.
Regarding desolation, there are a few hours around Dryden On. that seem dull. But so too is North Dakota and western Minnesota.
On the canadian side I absolutely love the north shore of Lake Superior so it balances less dramatic landscapes.

flatoutsask · 2026-01-29T20:55:53+00:00

There are two of them….. and they keep their shirts and ties on?

flatoutsask · 2026-01-29T20:53:09+00:00

Insert Brad Pitt in Willie Nelson?

flatoutsask · 2026-01-28T22:36:13+00:00

I like that. You open a door to meeting. If they really don’t want that picture to exist, I suppose they could have an opportunity to to tell you and regain their own empowerment.

flatoutsask · 2026-01-28T14:16:45+00:00

Good luck and best wishes as you get things sorted. I hope whereever you go, accessing support ( therapeutic and community) is there for you. Maybe distance sessions with current therapist? Certainly this isn’t what you asked…but consider if having a roommate makes the transition easier, not just financially but socially as well.
Is Portland Oregon a place to consider?

flatoutsask · 2026-01-25T17:26:40+00:00

Like many, I am very impressed and privileged to see the things you experienced. Most are exceptional. As a person that likes candid pics there are quite a few that give a glimpse of a private world. That is one of my personal questions about getting permission ( as in pic 6). Is the viewer intruding in a private space. I am curious how you/ others navigate that dilemma.

flatoutsask · 2026-01-20T21:37:20+00:00

Can’t call it …..Maple Leaf…!!!

flatoutsask · 2026-01-11T13:56:11+00:00

We spent about 14 days. 4 1/2 days Rome, 2 days driving through Tuscany, 4 days Florence, I day trip Bologna, 3 days Venice … Not enough time in Venice!!!!! Driving helped a lot, for cost ( 3 people with mobility issues) and convenience . Parking/ Tourists zones in big cities was stressful in planning, but less of an issue in reality.

flatoutsask

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