Bob went to get a beer and came back, asking if anybody wanted one. He had a few people ask him why he had a beer. Bob simply said, “I can be a drunk on demand, if I want.”

Now, there was no “demand” for a beer that night, but a year or so later, Bob was living in an apartment by himself and having a rough day. By accident or happenstance, he looked at his bank account, realized it was empty and then took a swig from his bottle of wine. After that, he was a “drunk on demand.” It was about that time that I asked him to do something I’ve asked a lot of people over the years. At the end of a long day and/or week, and sometimes even when you start it, if you just make it a point to drink some wine, beer, or even vodka, as opposed to the bottle, you will have a better life.

I’ve met people who had such great “drunks on demand” that I’d call them to get one. I’d ask them how they did it, and they told me they thought it came from being raised in New England. Either you were a drunk, like your father, or you weren’t. They