Watermelon Martinis

Yesterday I had a few slices of watermelon left over from a day or so ago and I didn’t want it to go to waste, so I added a little vodka and hint of mix and voila! I had a watermelontini. It was really good, actually. The watermelon was accentuated by the other ingredients. I had one or two. They were good. I make it a policy to stay at home if I’m having anything over well, one drink, and frankly 99 percent of the time, I don’t drink if I’m driving at all. I thought everybody operated like that, but I found out otherwise Friday evening.

I was working in the front yard and one of my neighbors was talking to another about some of his plans for the weekend. They included boating or something. I didn’t really care until one of them asked the other, “Do you drink and drive?” I kept working quietly, but I really focused on hearing the answer. I was really disappointed, but when I think about it, I am not terribly surprised.

“I may have a few drinks, but I don’t drive drunk.”

I had a couple of acquaintances in high school, Tasha and Yolanda. They were seniors and best friends and high school seniors. Tasha and Yolanda were driving home in Tasha’s car when they were hit HEAD ON by the uncle of one of my classmates, Jen. Jen was a nice girl and stuff, but the air between all of us was weird. See, Tasha is in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. She and Yolanda were in the hospital for weeks, and physical therapy for months, years even. I’ll bet that Jen’s uncle thought he didn’t drive drunk. I’ll bet he thought he was cool to drive on those drinks. I hope I never meet either of my neighbors on one of their “few drinks” days. Both of them have young kids so I hope they change their policy.

What is it with people lately? Celebrities are getting arrested left and right on DUI. I know they can afford drivers. Limos. We all know about Haris Pilton and her exploits. Is driving drunk socially acceptable again? Maybe even in vogue? I sure hope that we are not moving back to the bad old days.