Bye Bye Johnnie, Jose & Bud

Posted Apr 4, 2006 by jriley

Updated Apr 4, 2006 at 10:31 PM

First off, let me congratulate the Gators for bringing the NCAA Basketball crown to the state of Florida. They truly personified the word “team” and rightfully earned their place in college basketball history. …
            (…whew…that wasn’t easy for a tried & true, Garnet & Gold-blooded Seminole).

Now that that is out of the way, allow me this week’s true confessional: I enjoy my occasional adult beverage. I have always enjoyed a glass (or two) of good red wine every other night or so during the work week. I justify my indulgence with the notion that the tannins in red wine are a great antioxidant, thus providing a real health benefit. During weekends,  the alcohol intake tends to step up a little. Man, there’s nothing like tending to some BBQ babybacks on the grill poolside, listening to some really good blues with a nice cold one in your hand (ha! I am actually salivating like Pavlov’s dogs while writing this). And, every now and then, let’s whip up some ‘Ritas…and be sure to float some Grand Marnier on mine, please. Really special occasions might call for the bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue to come out of hiding and be shared with friends or family. And of course, parties with friends sometimes yield more elaborate and potent libations like Mojitos,  Zombies or my new personal favorite, the Perfect Manhattan. It’s all good.

Good, yet bad. Bad if you’re trying to drop 10 for the Y Nationals starting May 19 down in Ft. Lauderdale. Our assigned trainer, Erin (from Swann Ave. Lifestyles), has already suggested to me via email that maybe it would be a good idea to quit all alcohol for 6 weeks prior to the big event. Something about alcohol “attacking muscle mass with every drink” and “excess calories”... it’s sage advice from someone who was a former national fitness competitor herself.

Sooo….I happen to be heading down to Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow on business for a couple of days. I have resolved to have my last drink down there for the next six weeks, until I return in mid-May to the Y Nationals at the Hall of Fame pool …coincidentally, it’s the same pool where I won State in the 50-free one memorable May night exactly 30 years ago while swimming for Clearwater High. Only this time, I’m heading to the Mai Kai Lounge for a Zombie after it’s all over.