Everclear OT ramble (was: Re: Fish Eyes again)
I had to drive across a state line to buy mine, several years ago, because it wasn't available for purchase in the state where I was living. I only used a few drops of it, just to see what difference it made in my gum emulsion. It didn't make any difference that I could see, and the last time I moved it, I thought briefly about just dumping it out, and then thought no, you never know when it might come in handy --to clean a wound or something, maybe. Anyway, I had to ask for it (they kept it behind the counter rather than out on the shelves) but I don't remember the guy even raising an eyebrow, and I'm sure it was broad daylight. And if he had, I would have considered him improperly trained for his job, rather than thinking I should be embarrassed for myself. I guess I can't spend much energy worrying about what some guy I don't know (who works in a liquor store for goodness sake) thinks about what I'm buying; it's really none of his business. I'm well thought of in the communities I live in, for example was elected to the board of the community college where I lived before, and have been asked to run for school board in my new community, and I would think it would be a pretty shaky reputation that could be toppled by something this trivial. However, come to think of it, my reputation did take a hit in some circles when it came out that I was swimming in a lake out at the state park in the summertime. I had lunch with our state senator one day and she told me that a mutual acquaintance had whispered to her, "You know, I don't like to gossip, but I saw Katharine swimming out at the lake." I never did figure out what was so bad about that; I love swimming outdoors in natural waters (hate swimming in chlorinated pools) and will do it whenever I have a chance, but maybe older women are supposed to swim only in designated areas such as indoor pools. I thought it was hilarious, and have enjoyed telling the story many times since. I swim in the river here and don't figure I need to apologize to anyone for it or worry about who's watching. If it was good enough for Katharine Hepburn, (I've kept a picture of her at age 80 that I tore from a magazine; she's climbing out of Long Island Sound and getting ready to grab a towel and dash barefoot across a snow- and ice-covered expanse to her house) I don't know why it shouldn't be good enough for me. Katharine On Sep 16, 2008, at 7:34 AM, Diana Bloomfield wrote: Well, that's your problem, Chris. Never explain your reasons for purchasing something like Everclear -- immediately looks like guilt. I have to admit, though, I did make my husband go in and buy mine for the same reasons. I felt like it was okay for him, but I had a reputation to uphold. :) But I have walked into our liquor store here (NC, which-- as you know--not all that far from SC!) and bought something as nice as Hendrick's gin and got what I thought looked like questionable and dirty looks. I think I said something like, "Isn't this just the best gin ever? I love this gin." That seemed to take care of (their) problem, whatever it is. So I guess you have to be proud of what you buy and offer no excuses or explanations.
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