Friday Night Vodka Buzz. Ask me anything.

[Aristus]

After a spectacularly busy day in clinic, I’m enjoying a Vesper; James Bond’s contribution to cocktail culture. Vodka, gin, Lillet Blanc, shaken, not stirred.

Criminally understaffed urgent care clinic today. Two providers having to wrangle forty-three patients. Somehow, we did it.

Looking forward to a relaxing three day weekend.

I love you all…

[True Dough]

1. Have you ever told us

how many languages you speak, Aristus? If it's just one, which language would you want to learn most and what's the allure?

[Aristus]

3. I speak a little medical Spanish, and understand more than I speak.

I was once close to fluent in German. If you don’t use it every day, you lose it. (Problem is, the Germans all speak better English than we do.)

I know a little Russian and a little Japanese.

But the language I really want to learn is Finnish. It’s such an amazing-sounding language. But its grammar and vocabulary seem nearly impenetrable.

[True Dough]

5. Kiehtova!

Toivottavasti saat mahdollisuuden oppia kieltä!

^ Compliments of Google translate!

[Aristus]

6. Thank you.

Finnish just looks cool!

[Mme. Defarge]

13. Ha!

Years ago I tried to learn Japanese while listening to audio cassettes driving to and from work. I listened and repeated for many months and the only thing I retained was how to say, in Japanese, “The engine’s overheated.” I’d better stick with French.

À votre santé, mon brave. 🍸🍸

[Aristus]

15. Et a la tienne, Madame!

[ShazzieB]

18. And the Finns all seem to speak really good English, like the Germans.

There are so many European countries where the natives are so proficient in English that it's downright embarrassing. The American education system doesn't emphasize foreign languages nearly enough, imo.

[2naSalit]

20. Grew up with Finnish speakers...

My paternal grandmother and her sisters. They would speak it among themselves when we were around. You knew when they were talking about you because they would say your entire name in English then they would all look at you... as if you didn't know that part.

I asked them to teach me the language but they refused telling me that I was an American and it wasn't my language. They were all born here but to immigrants.

Still don't know a word of it, it would be an interesting language to learn, but difficult.

[Aristus]

21. I'm at least going to visit Finland someday soon.

[2naSalit]

22. I've considered it but...

I don't know anyone and I am not much for flying anymore, makes me too nervous.

Wouldn't mind seeing it up close, though.

[Aristus]

23. I can't wait to see the place for myself.

Just, for example, to visit the place with the best public school system in the world. That must be amazing.

[2naSalit]

25. There's a lot...

To be said for that! We used to have them, good school systems here and there.

Finland is a great country, I hope you have a fantastic trip when you go! There's a lot to explore.

[PJMcK]

2. We're leaving on Tuesday night

We’re sailing to Maine for a two month cruise from NYC.

We’ve got lots of wine, vodka, some gin, various beers (mostly lagers), a bottle of tequila gold and a bottle of Scotch.

We also have legal whatever.

What am I forgetting?

[Aristus]

4. Rum! Duh!

I know Maine is not rum country. But really; why go without?

[Sailingdiver]

12. Sounds like a wonderful time.

What boat do you have? I'm in FL with my 42' Valiant getting ready to secure her for hurricane season. Storms don't usually arrive until later in the summer, but we've got a bad forecast this year. I'm traveling a bit so I will probably start getting the vessel hurricane ready this weekend. Enjoy your trip.

I'm fond of rum, Titos, and a good old fashion.

Fair winds and following seas.

[PJMcK]

27. Pelagic is a 1988 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24

She’s a lovely and solidly sea-worthy little yacht.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/dana-24-pacific-seacraft/

Last year, we cruised south to the Keys and back, about 4,000 miles in 10 months. The Chesapeake Bay was fantastic and the ICW was a fascinating variety of developed areas and raw natural marshes. The inlets were dicey due to shoaling and fierce tidal currents. The wildlife was abundant and marvelous.

We dodged 3 hurricanes, sat through 2 full gales, several half gales and countless thunderstorms! Florida was warm and inviting, especially Dinner Key off Coconut Grove, but in the spring, the Sargassum seaweed was horrible. It repeatedly fouled our 3-blade propeller requiring me to swim to clear it.

All told, it was the adventure of a lifetime. Here’s my post: https://www.democraticunderground.com/12165152

This past winter, although I’d crewed on other boats, I realized I had never sailed my own boat to Maine. If we got ro New Hampshire and Maine, we’d have covered the East Coast states. So, here we go.

Valiant built stout and lovely boats. Hope the season’s storms pass you by. Is yours a sloop or cutter? Our boat was designed as a cutter but rigged as a sloop when we bought her. I have the hardware and staysail and I think I’ll convert the rig next year.

Our liquor locker, known as El Dorado, sees a healthy amount of action! We also keep a half dozen or so bottles of wine on board. Other than an occasional beer, we don’t drink underway. When I was younger, I encountered too many questionable situations where too much alcohol could cause trouble. But once the hook is down, party time!

Being on a boat gives one a different perspective of the world. You tune into nature in new ways.

[Dulcinea]

7. Just came home from drinks with friends.

Nice little buzz! Nightcap & a hockey game! Life is good!

[Aristus]

8. Dulcineaaaaaaaaa!

🎼🎶🎵Dulcineaaaaa! I see Heaven when I see you, Dulcineaaaaaaa!…🎶🎵

[Dulcinea]

9. Awwww! nt

[PJMcK]

10. Rum on a boat is classic

But we don’t like it. Oddly, it makes us queasy!

The First Mate, my wife, makes a concoction of fruits and wines and I prefer vodka and iced tea. Rum actually makes us seasick! Shots of tequila are recognized when major goals are accomplished. Cold lager is refreshing in the afternoon.

Other than splitting a beer, we never drink until we’re either docked or anchored. Then, Katie bar the door! Of course, if we’re in cannabis-legal territory…

Nausea is alleviated by cannabis so it covers motion sickness, too!

[Aristus]

11. How come I never get invited to parties like the one you just described?

Sounds marvelous!

Enjoy!

[Marthe48]

14. One of my friends described a crow party

everyone trades silver items, and every one wears black. Any ideas for drinks and snacks?

[Aristus]

16. Birdseed and sugar water?

[Marthe48]

17. moonshine?

Made from corn?

[Aristus]

19. YES!

[Aristus]

24. Made myself a dessert cocktail to keep the buzz going.

A White Russian, with a splash of dark, spiced rum to jazz it up a bit.



There are times when I miss the DU Grotto and the crazy times we had there.

Darth Velma! Where are you???

[niyad]

26. And we love you back. So sorry that you had such a rough day! And glad

that you have a three-day weekend to recover! Any word on the new position yet?

I like your dessert martini. I just ran across a recipe for an espresso martini pie, and may have to give it a try. . .On the other hand, one can just drink the relevant ingredients, saves time! and cleanup!!!

Cheers to the 48th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris!!!

[Aristus]

29. It will probably start in November.

Can’t wait to get away from the crazy office politics. The deputy medical director really doesn’t like me. I thought it was just me, but a colleague told me: “Nah. She’s like that with everybody.”

Give somebody a little power, and…

[niyad]

30. November??? That is bizarre. Why on earth would it take so long?

I remember that your application/approval seemed to take forever as well. Is that timing normal?

[Aristus]

31. Well, they're still retrofitting the building for clinical operations.

It used to be a branch of the state benefits service. It takes a lot of work to transform a typical office building into a functioning medical clinic. All I ask is that I get my own office. Office-sharing doesn't allow for the sanctuary a single office offers when having a rough day.

As far as the application process goes, mine was unusually protracted. Even my wife thought it was taking forever to get the ball rolling on hiring me.

[Elessar Zappa]

28. Listening to any music tonight?