I wasen't expecting this. I thought it would be another blame the alcoholic father.
My dad was an alcoholic. He died of a football sized tumor in his liver. It went undiagnosed for at least a decade. The doctor thought it was just scar tissue from a previous umbilical hernia operation.
Now my father was a piece of work, but it wasen't the alcohol that made him difficult to be around. It was just his personality. He was actually more pleasant to be around when he was drinking.
As to his drinking, and driving. Some of you will question what I'm going to say, but he was a better driver when drinking. I know blasphemy, but true.
It could be that he was more coordinated than the average person, or that he was driving daily since he was 14. Yes, he drive to high school in the Richmond district in San Francisco. Forget the high school, but that actress in West side Story, and Rebel without a Cause--Natalie Wood went to. It was Lincoln high. His could I forget that school?
Any who, he was the good driver sober, or after a few. And he was a functional alcoholic. He never missed work due to a hang over. Then again it was a different era.
Drinking on the job was almost encouraged. Yes--union electricians could drink beer if doing something mundane. It wouldn't happen these days, but did back in the day.
He was very conservative guy, but always kinda nervous. It could have been genes(he was Irish), or just his personality?
He used to say if opium wasen't illegial, I think I would like the effect.
Later on life, I knew what he was getting at. I don't know the alternative to alcohol is. It's not benzodiazepines, anti-depressants, or opium. You would think by now, we would have a safe drug to take tge edge off? And no, he tried all the strains of marijuana. It just name him more nervous.
Anyways, keep up the truthful--honest writing. Don't sellout.