Yep, our favorite writer - former NY Times Restaurant Critic and full time lush Frank Bruni, has admitted in a column that he was recently diagnosed with gout. You know, that disease you get from gorging too often (food writer Josh Ozersky also came down with a bout a few years back). Buried in his column, which is essentially an ode to drinking, he offers pretty much the best justification for having a few too may way too often. This is actually what we say when someone challenges us on our tippling:
"While it used to be customary for me to down at least two alcoholic beverages on six out of seven nights, I’ll now frequently go four to five days without a drop.
I wasn’t at all sure I could manage that part of my new regimen in particular, not because of any chemical dependency on alcohol but because of its centrality to so many social occasions and celebrations in my life. Not long after my gout was diagnosed, I headed to Southern California with the rest of the Bruni clan to celebrate Christmas at my younger brother’s house, where he has an actual wine cellar. On Christmas Eve we go through numerous bottles, usually after early-evening martinis, the shaking and making of which are like a starter’s gun: the revelry has begun! It’s off to the races!"
The article is an absolute must read for anyone who likes to indulge. It's like Web MD for drinkers in New York, after going over it you suddenly start experiencing symptoms. Speaking of, was our toe hurting before...hmmmm...
The big question? Is this bound to happen to all of us? We'll ponder that over our next Hendrick's martini.
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