@dRoy: Don't stress about it too much. If it makes you feel better, I was an English major and I don't drink.
Some of the "greats" drank, some didn't. There may be a higher concentration of substance abuse in the field compared to the general population, but I think that probably has more to do with the fact that the arts, generally, seem to attract a larger proportion of people with issues than the hard sciences, etc., do. Probably because the arts offer an outlet in a way the sciences don't.
edited 3rd Feb '13 12:29:57 PM by Nocturna
Actually, in the main: no. And, I'm talking from having done Abnormal Psychology at University... covering such topics as substance abuse with a pile of textbooks.
Alcoholism in it's early stages can give that impression... but, it doesn't last. And, even when it does give that impression, in actual fact, problems with the overall quality of the work can be found in comparison to earlier ones: the major difference is in the artist's heavier risk taking in going for subjects they'd've shied away from before due to the cognitive changes that occur.
That such risk taking initially pays off is actually not entirely a good thing, however interesting the result.
edited 3rd Feb '13 4:25:56 PM by Euodiachloris
Just got back from watching the Superbowl. I'd say it was a great game. Both teams played well, and the victor took the trophy home legitimately...as in, they played better football.
The play of the game; that Baltimore kicker running the ball. Sure, the guy who dashed 100+ yards for a touchdown was pretty awesome but that was a fluke...no coach plans for those. The kicker-running thing was a planned move and it worked brilliantly. It got Baltimore a first down which in turn got them a touchdown. If they'd punted, they might have lost thanks to San Fran's amazing 3rd-quarter comeback attempt.
Watching that skinny kicker cross himself before the play made a lot more sense once he tucked the ball under his arm and started sprinting. I know what he was thinking..."Oh please Jesus, let this work without me getting turned into a pancake".
I'm not much of a football fan (and I was rooting for San Francisco) but I really liked both the game and how it turned out.
If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed. ~Cora M. Strayer~I ended up keeping the game on even after Mr. b went to bed even though I didn't pay much attention.
Now I am watching Alton Brown make hot chocolate way more complicated than it needs to be. I like watching his show but sometimes I want to smack him in the head and say meaningfully, duuuuude.
I think I finally turned the corner on this cold and the painful spot on my ankle is significantly smaller even though I still limp a bit.
Blargh. People were here tinkering with the water pipes outside the building and now the taps are running cloudy. And I'm thirsty.
EDIT: If the cloudiness is disappearing upwards, does that mean it's air bubbles? I'm thinking that might be the problem, especially as the water is still sputtering occasionally as it runs.
edited 4th Feb '13 7:45:13 PM by Nocturna

Mark: Don't forget Hemmingway shot himself with a shotgun. His mental issues were likely exacerbated by his heavy drinking.
Who watches the watchmen?