getting acquainted with mr. alcohol

somebody once told her that alcohol is an acquired taste--you have to get used to it to appreciate it. if that is so, then it's either she never developed the appreciation due to lack of acquisition or she simply just can't get used to it hence, the undeveloped appreciation. either way, alcohol has not played a major part of her liquid intake.

at least not till 2000 (which stretched to 2002). it was not a regular thing though, not if you consider every friday of the week as regular. she had this batch of officemates who loved to sing and, well... drink. they were a fun group and it was as if they were put together for a reason. in between bottles was a sob story -- a melting pot of broken hearts.

but she was a light drinker. one bottle of beer and she'll be laughing her head off. two bottles and she'll be singing her way home... waving to bystanders... saying hello.

there was one time they decided to get drunk on a monday. still another time they had beer instead of coffee for 3pm office break.

she wasn't drinking to forget the pain, though. she drank because she wanted to laugh. but drink as she may, the pain remains. she decided to learn to laugh. again. without mr. alcohol's encouragement.

she still sees mr. alcohol every now and then... but they just nod or wave in recognition.