Drinking alcohol in moderation is fine...

but drinking to excess is just dumb.  Yes, some people have problems with alcohol and their excessive drinking isn't dumb, it's just a sign of an illness.  But for the casual drinker who drinks way too much on a given evening, it can go beyond dumb.

I saw a case of this last night.  I was at a bar/restaurant where they play trivia and there was a woman who clearly worked at the credit union next door.  I say that with confidence because she was wearing the work shirt that employees of that institution wear while working.  There were two of her co-workers in the bar with her, but they left her behind.  Eventually she began nodding off at the next table and when she fell asleep the bouncer tried to wake her up.  He failed at first but then by shaking her a little, he got her onto her feet.  She promptly disappeared into the ladies room.  Fifteen minutes later she was projectile vomiting as the bouncer and the waitress were helping her out of the ladies room  I discovered later that she'd managed to puke up even more 'stuff' outside the bar's front door.  I suspect she will either have the world's worst hangover and suffer greatly while working tomorrow, or she'll phone in sick.

I choose not to drink alcohol, not because I couldn't control my drinking, but because I've seen so much destruction wrought by drinking.  It's a personal choice and I'm fine sitting with my friends while they drink as much as they like.  As far as I'm concerned, only those people who have real problems with alcohol need to stop.  Otherwise, enjoy it all you like.

I paid closer attention to Hawthorne Boulevard as I traversed it going to Sully's and coming home afterward.  There used to be a Carrows restaurant across from a motel.  It went out of business at least ten years ago.  The building still sits empty, even though this is a bustling, busy commercial business stretch of highway.  Makes no sense.  The liquor store near Torrance and Hawthorne, RedEye Liquor (I think) sits empty now.  It used to be one of those "lucky" lottery retailers.  There are two Chick-Fil-A drive-thru/sitdown locations along Hawthorne, one in a former El Pollo Loco spot.  There is the biggest gym I've ever seen in a former retail space.  It seems to be booming and crashing all at the same time.

Someone else said something to the oft-complaining resident yesterday that they were complaining too much and I just sat there observing.  Guess it isn't just me. :)

This date in history:

On this date in 1987, 25 years ago I worked my first day at Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences.  I would like to think that in my nearly 17 years there I made a difference in the life of the school, of a number of the students and in helping a number of the faculty and staff.  It was a treasured experience.

On this date in 1783, General George Washington said a formal farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York City.  No, they didn't serve buffalo wings.
On this date in 1881, the first edition of the L.A. Times was published.
On this date in 1909, the first Grey Cup game was played.
On this date in 1918, President Woodrow Wilson set sail for Europe to attend the WWI peace talks at Versaille.  He became the first president to travel to Europe while in office.
On this date in 1921, the first manslaughter trial of Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle ends with a hung jury.  He will be acquitted at the third trial.
On this date in 1943, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt officially closed the Works Progress Administration, due to high levels of wartime employment.
On this date in 1945, by a vote of 65 - 7, the U.S. Senate approved U.S. participation in the United Nations.
On this date in 1954, the first Burger King opened in Miami, Fl.
On this date in 1971, a casino in Switzerland was set ablaze by someone with a flare gun.  The incident is mentioned in the Deep Purple song "Smoke on the Water".
On this date in 1980, Led Zeppelin officially disbanded, following the death of John Bonham.
On this date in 1991, airline Pan Am goes bankrupt and ceases operations.
Also on this date in 1991, hostage Terry Anderson is released after 7 years in captivity.
And on this date in 1923, the architect of the U.S. Savings and Loan crisis, Charles Keating was born.