Salutations!

JaiChai here.

How are you and yours today?

Your post reminded me of the first time I got drunk:

I was about 12 and a half y/o and working (illegally) as a busboy for a catering service that was hired for a wedding reception. After the event was over and the guests went home, I and the other staff found a couple of overlooked, unopened crates of Champagne!

Not wanting to be a coward - and of course, also trying to conceal my age, I joined the rest of the staff in consuming all that expensive alcohol.

Unfortunately, the next morning I found myself extremely hungover, in church and listening to my Dad delivering the Sunday sermon.

(Thank the Lord Buddha that I was far enough away from the pulpit that he didn't see me.)

I spent the whole time leaned forward with my forehead buried into the back of the pew in front of me, popping tic-tac breath mints, and thinking - no wishing - I would pass out, puke or die!

My mother thought I was just sick with the flu and would affectionately rub my back every few minutes.

Seated on my right was my older sister.

Knowing that I was not sick, but simply hungover from working the wedding, took much pleasure in viciously (and repeatedly) kicking my ankle whenever she thought I was going to doze off!

My right ankle was black and blue for over a week.

I don't know how, but I made through that service and the afternoon without throwing up on anybody.

And in spite of my lifelong insomnia habit, I slept like a baby that night...

Enjoyed your post.

Namaste, JaiChai