DRINK

We've all been there at one point or another. You're out with friends having a good time and there's always that person who doesn't know when to stop talking, when the internal filter needs to be turned to 11. Sometimes this happens after work on a Friday afternoon unwinding after the week of work has been relegated to the "I don't care" corner. Normally these incidences are benign, leading to some humor- ous recaps later on. Then there are those special events that lead some folks down the path of ruin, where verbal faux pas seems to naturally come with the territory, such as this coming weekend.

Last weekends' grand event - the Walla Walla Valley Spring Release Weekend - was one of those magical points in time that can and will pry open even the most carefully controlled members of society. And it really is fun and funny to participate in this well-heeled mayhem but there are some tricks to mak- ing it through the day (or the entire weekend for that matter) without becoming the poster-child for what-not-do-next-year award. These heartfelt tips may also save you the trouble and expense of more serious run-ins next year - like a drunk- driving arrest, so read up!

Sip and spit! Yes - I knowhellip; it's all so delicious! How can I even suggest spitting such a rich offering of deliciousness? With each winery stop the wines seem even more wondrous than at the last one, or two or five. There are certain moments in life when spitting in public is a really good thing - wine tasting is one of them. I'm trying to think of another but they elude me at the moment. Each time you put wine in your mouth you will absorb alcohol through your tongue. After 20 or 30 sip and spits without swallowing you will feel buzzed, believe me! Why rush the headlong plunge towards a nap or worse? Pace yourself and enjoy your day - plus you get the added benefit of watching all your friends (who are not spitting) getting drunk, gaining ammo for those recaps later on I was discussing earlier.

A Designated Driver is a Great Thing! Sure cure for a DUI. Bring your teetotaling friend along on an all-expense paid weekend trip. All they have to do is drive you sots around. I recommend NOT putting this same person in charge of the camera for obvious blackmail reasons. So you drop a ton of cash for a friend/chauffeur to take care of you for the weekend hellip; know how much a DUI is? Make a call to your insurance agent and let them do the math for you. Another option is a tour company though these need to be booked in advance because some wise people have already had that conversation or worse - that experience.

Buy some wine! Yes, wineries love to have you visit. Yes, they love meeting you and have you taste the fruits of their la- bor. You know what they love more? You know what they need more? For you to buy some wine! I'm not going to spoil the fun and throw the dollar figures out there of what our wineries spend so that you'll have fun - suffice to say it is substantial. Buy some wine - that way they'll be able to do it again in the fall, and next year, and the next. You get the picture. Wineries are not charities - these folks work really hard to make a great product for all of us to enjoy so just do it! What better souvenir is there (and what better way than to pop that bottle later on and relive that magical moment when the person from the other group proudly showcased this years' classic verbal blunder?)

You don't have to pretend that it is your last weekend on earth. You can have fun, taste great wine, meet awesome people who will probably become friends for life and maintain that cool level of awesomness that you've been cultivating since you were born.